Nitro K-9 LLC

I am so glad that I found Steve and the Nitro K-9 crew. Last summer, I was given the opportunity to raise and train my own service dog. I didn't know where to start when it came to my puppy's training, so I reached out to Steve and enrolled us in his program. After 10 months of patient training, we are almost done. They helped me figure out what tasks would benefit me the most and walked me through the steps of teaching my dog those tasks. Having my service dog has given me back my freedom and sense of independence. I highly recommend Steve and his crew to anyone wanting to improve their relationship with their dog.

If you're looking for a team that is truly dedicated to the well-being of both your dogs and your household, look no further than Steve and his incredible team at NitroK9. We came to Steve at a desperate time, struggling with dogs that had become territorially aggressive, and I had even been injured to the point of needing surgery trying to break up dog fights (yes, I do know I shouldn't do this, but my instincts kicked in!) Our home was no longer a safe place, and we were worried we would have to make the impossible choice between our dogs and our safety. But NitroK9 was our last hope—and they did not disappoint. What sets NitroK9 apart is their approach to dog training. They don't rely on treats and rewards as primary incentives because frankly that just teaches a dog to do something to get a treat...not to NOT do something that needs correction in the first place. Instead, they focus on teaching the humans how to understand their dogs’ body language and emotions, so we can recognize when they feel threatened or unsure and might act out. We learned how to set boundaries as the foundation. We learned to mitigate and train our dogs to redirect, not do something inappropriate to then get corrected to get a treat. This was a game changer for us. We realized we could still reward our dogs for good behavior with treats and love, we also needed to be firm about what behavior was unacceptable. Our dogs were craving structure and leadership from us, and with Steve’s guidance, we learned how to provide that. Over the course of our training, we grew in ways we didn’t think possible. And when we had to say goodbye to one of our dogs due to old age, the team at NitroK9 was there for us every step of the way, not only helping us re-establish boundaries but also supporting us emotionally during that tough time. They showed us how to help our remaining two dogs thrive amidst the changes and gave us the confidence to move forward as a family. Here is a behavior transformation example: we previously couldn't ever let one of our dogs off leash until now. She was wild, ran away, caused a ruckus where she ran to, jumped on everything, and didn't know how to read other dogs or peoples energy. Now she runs around our land free, comes when we call her, approaches people appropriately, and will break off from chasing another animal when told. She almost 100% has stoped barking at people coming to our house, she welcomes guests without jumping and pushing. She is happier, healthier, and we can tell she feels more secure in her surroundings. Steve is no longer just our trainer; he’s become family. While our formal training sessions are complete, we continue to reach out to him for advice and adjustments when new situations arise. His insights are invaluable, and his support continues to make all the difference. We share our NitroK9 experience with everyone we know who has dogs—or is thinking of getting one. A 5 star review doesn't feel like enough to capture the value and benefits they provide. They are truly the best, and I can’t recommend them enough.

We came to Nitro for help with my rescue pup's aggression and reactivity issues. We had tried years of medication and positive reinforcement-only training, both with private trainers and classes, with limited success. The change with Nitro was remarkable. I feel like my dog and I are finally communicating. After seven sessions and a lot of practice, he is more confident, relaxed, and walks are much less stressful for both of us. I highly recommend Nitro to other dog owners struggling with these problems.

Working with Steve, North, and the entire NitroK9 team has been nothing short of life-changing for us and our dogs. We came in with fearful, anxious pups who struggled to feel confident in the world, and with Steve’s expert guidance, they’re now blossoming into curious, excited companions who are truly living their best lives. My husband and I are beyond excited for the next steps in our dogs’ training journey. The transformation we’ve seen so far has not only improved their confidence but has also completely shifted our perspective as pawrents. We’re more connected to our dogs than ever, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the enhanced relationship we now share with them. What sets Steve apart is how deeply he cares about every single client and pup. He goes above and beyond—not because it’s his job, but because he genuinely loves what he does. Every dog who comes through his door is treated like family (honestly, like one of his own!), and that kind of dedication is rare and priceless. We can’t recommend NitroK9 enough—especially if you have fearful or anxious little pups and want to see them thrive. Steve’s passion, knowledge, and heart make him and his team the best in the business.