MLK9 Dog Training

Andy gave our boy, Milo, a second chance at life!!! Unfortunately, after rescuing Milo and having him for less than a year, he got very aggressive towards my husband (growing, lunging and biting). We thought our only option was to put him down because we could not rehome him at that point and we were afraid of him. Also, when it came to obedience, Milo only previously listened when he wanted to. While I was an emotional hot mess with Milo’s likely fate, a quick Google search showed training could modify behavior. Then the heavens opened up and a choir started singing as MLK9 Knoxville popped up on my screen. I filled out the form on the site, and Andy called shortly after to discuss our situation. He reassured us that he 100% could fix our boy!! 2 days later, Milo started his 4 week school. Fast-forward to now post-graduation. Andy has given Milo the training he desperately needed and walked my husband & I through how to continue his lessons at home. We have been given the tools and resources needed to modify his behavior and prevent the situations that were previously leading to the aggression. And if we ever have questions or need anything at all, Andy’s just a phone call away! We’re so very thankful for Andy and having that opportunity to give our sweet boy Milo his second chance!!

I was definitely hesitant to leave my 8 month old boxer puppy for three weeks but I’m glad I did! She came back a different girl. She was so much more calm and she had manners! Andy and his team were great with her. More importantly, he tolerated me. I was pretty much a basket case with her gone but he was great reassuring me that she was ok and getting along well. He sent videos every week of her progress and took the time to answer my questions. I am very pleased with her progress and I look forward to working with him again on the next steps of her journey. Thank you Andy for all that you did to help her and I work better together.

I’m a big advocate for rescue dogs, but understand they come with some baggage (don’t we all?). When I met Moped (like the scooter), he melted my heart and felt like what our home was missing. And in so many ways, he was. But it was quickly clear his beginnings on the streets had left him fearful and untrusting, which showed itself as pure aggression. I own a dog grooming business and have plenty of training in dog handling, as well as a heart built for compassion and understanding. While we made some progress on our own, Moped would literally attack with only the slightest provocation. If not for the fact that he weighs 15 pounds, I think it’s realistic that he could have mauled us severely, he was that aggressive - only about 10% of the time, and the other 90% he was an angel, but no one wants to live in fear of the next attack. I did some research and reached out to Andy. We spoke for over an hour on our first call. I explained all our pain points and told him very honestly that I don’t care if my dog can sit and stay, I just want to be able to enjoy an evening on the couch with him without worrying he will attack. I had been bitten and bleeding from numerous encounters and needed it to stop. Andy met Moped the next day. He let me know he saw his “saucy” side within minutes of me leaving, and truly understood the challenge ahead. Over the next several weeks, Andy sent videos of Moped’s progress. I was so proud of our little guy! I’ll be honest that my husband and I were very nervous when we got the call that he was ready to come home. Frankly, our home had felt more peaceful with him gone, but we’d also missed him dearly. At the same time, we didn’t want the reign of terror to return. When we arrived, Andy spent nearly 4 hours with us, training us on how to guide Moped in a way that made both Moped and us feel safe. A major pain point for me had been grooming (remember, I’m a professional groomer), and Andy stayed with me while I groomed Moped, to make sure I understood how to apply all the concepts Moped and I had learned. Before the training, I had tried every technique I knew, as well as prescription meds from the vet to calm Moped. He still viciously attacked me any time I got scissors near his face, which made for a dangerous situation for me and him both. With Andy directing nearby, I completed a full groom (medication free!) on Moped with only a tiny growl and zero bite attempts. I was literally crying tears of joy and relief at the end of the groom. He’s been home for a few days now and is a new dog. To be frank, my husband was so frustrated that he had stopped engaging with Moped as much as possible. Now we’re all the happy clan I’d hoped we’d be. Andy has also made himself available for ongoing questions. I know this is long for a review. Maybe you just needed to see the 5 stars. But I suspect there is someone else out there who is frustrated and needs to have hope, and this review is for you. The pic is of Moped and his brother Zealand, chilling on “place”. If your dog just needs basic manners, Moped does all that now too.

Thanks to MLK9 I now have an angel dog. I wish I could add videos to show the difference in his behaviors. My 1.5 year old dog did the 3 week program. I am a medical student so forking up the cash wasn’t something I was taking lightly. I can whole heartedly say it was worth every penny. I will definitely be taking him back for more advanced training! I can’t imagine what he will be capable of now that he has the basics down! EVERYTHING is so much easier now. It’s only been a few days since I got him back, but I feel like my world has changed. I cannot give this program enough praise. The facility, the training, the care, the communication… the list goes on! If you found MLK9, you hit the dog lottery!