Nitro K-9 LLC

Nitro K-9 is the best. I discussed the kind of companion dog I wanted with Steve he helped me understand what to look for I did my research and found the breeder I believed would give me the genes needed. My list: personal protection dog that can also be a companion and safe in all situations. Next step was training my companion, Raven, we started at 16 weeks as she was a Tasmanian devil with the prey drive and stubbornness that comes with working line giant schnauzers. After prong/leash training I had Nitro do their board and train for the off leash work. The board and train was awesome. I visited and practiced with her and when she came home she was perfectly trained for off leash. Nitro’s protection classes and individualized assistance in training Raven to think for herself and be able to determine threats vs play and level of alertness all while following my lead and commands. Nitro trained me to be her handler it’s very clear Raven is way better trained than I am. Having a personal protection dog comes with a lot of responsibility and handler alertness at all times in public so it’s not for everyone. I have the companion I wanted thanks to Nitro K9. Raven does everything I have challenged her to do with complete trust. At 80 lbs I can pick her up and physically move her in any way. She will go on my hybrid paddle board/kayak. Perfect hiking companion off leash with her pack, she stays close and when she sees others on the trail she will stop and sit until they pass, people are always complimenting how well trained she is. On our walks in our neighborhoods many joggers after seeing us everyday will actually stop and say we are the only handler/dog off leash they never worry about because she is so well trained. Raven is a love she greats others with her tail wagging to say hello but then she is all about the attention I give her. She truly is everything I was wanting. I would not have my perfect companion without Steve and Nitro K9. Oh and I’ll add I also use Nitro for boarding Raven and she does wonderful at the ranch with the horses and other farm animals.

Nitro K-9 was a great investment for me and our little Havanese, Gigi. I had been doing only positive reinforcement training exercises with Gigi through her puppy-hood. I learned some great techniques through these other methods as well, and Gigi was doing great with some of her behaviors, but I started to become concerned with her behavior on walks. In fact, anywhere outside the home. Any time Gigi saw a person or a dog, she got sooooooo super excited she basically went nuts, doing backflips on her leash and harness (and later on her flat collar). The people or dog could be a whole block away, and as soon as Gigi spotted them, she was excitedly pulling and flipping and seeking for a way to interact. For her, the chance of human/dog interaction was wayyyyyyyyy more reinforcing and enticing than a treat, so she ignored all attempts to gather her focus with a tasty morsel. I was a little apprehensive when I started with her prong-collar training at Nitro K-9, and to make matters worse, Gigi was quite a sensitive little baby, which added to my guilt at giving her corrections. She even became a little mopey for a little while when she saw the prong-collar. The trainers patiently showed me how to keep working with my dog, all the while instilling confidence that her reactions were normal, and showing me how to build her confidence and enthusiasm for the work we were doing. We did the Little Heroes package, and we had 14 sessions. Immediately after the first training session, Gigi's excited back-flipping was a thing of the past. She understood that she had to focus on me and that she had to focus on me, no matter what the distractions. Over the sessions, we built on this foundation. Around week 7, we introduced the E-Collar, and around week 10, we started applying corrections via that method. This new tool accelerated her response to training prompts dramatically, and it allowed me to have the confidence to start walking her off-leash in controlled setting. Just this weekend, after our 13th session, I put Gigi's hard work and training to the test by taking her on an off-leash excursion through the Arboretum. My pride, happiness, and confidence in Gigi soared to all-time highs as I watched her heel right next to me any time I asked. It was so satisfying to give her the freedom to run off ahead of our family as she explored her environment, and watch her immediately respond to her recall commands, regardless of dogs or humans in her vicinity. As she strutted her stuff through the trees, I thought Gigi understood that all the hard work we had put in was all leading up to this freedom and success. I don't want anyone to think this was easy. It took a lot of consistent work over the 14 weeks. Steve and his training team have a masterful eye for spotting errors handlers are making, and I benefited immensely from their feedback and corrections on my behavior. It all starts with the human, and the human has to be willing to grow, accept criticism, and put in consistent, daily training time with their pup. As an educator, I had the summer off, and I was able to consistently implement morning and evening training sessions outdoors (10-15 min each), with several informal mini-sessions mixed in during the day. All in all, I'd definitely do this again if I had the choice to re-make. I can now walk Gigi anywhere, and I have confidence in her focus on me, and her ability to respond to commands when I need her to. I'd recommend Nitro K-9 that wants to have this type of freedom and confidence with their dog. Thanks to Steve, Heather, and Haddon for all the hard work, feedback to me, and love they showed Gigi. Their love of pets really shines through the tough love required to get a dog to this stage of freedom and obedience. Thanks again!! Best, Dan & Gigi