Taggs K9 Dog Training

From the consultation to the post-board and train support, Ken and Simone have consistently delivered. Our Willow is a spunky, headstrong little pup and we lacked the language, experience, and expertise needed to establish effective boundaries and clear communication lines with her. Enter Ken, who, after our consultation meeting, was already offering us some very practical, very doable tips to help establish some sense of normalcy back into our lives. We enrolled Willow in the 2 week puppy piddler program and paired it with some private lessons at Ken's suggestion. We're so glad the hybrid program is something he now offers because it's made us more effective pack leaders to help uphold the foundational training she received in the 2 weeks she was with him. Immediately, we noticed a difference in her behavior. She is still just as spunky, just as stubborn, but now she comes with an off switch. She's perfectly happy sniffing for a treat as she is laying next to mom while she's working. She no longer counter surfs and happily settles into her crate when needed. Part of the package we purchased also included a 5strands test for food and environmental intolerances that could contribute to her behavior. Simone provided us with the results and it's given us a baseline for what foods, preservatives, and enviromental triggers she could potentially have an intolerance to. It's been so eye opening, as common healthy foods were flagged as a major irritant for her. Empowered by Simone and the reports, I now feel more confident in selecting her food, including fresh food I now cook for her. I will never stop recommending Ken and Simone for anyone who is in need of a comprehensive program that takes into account your dog holistically. Thank you both for what you do!

We cannot say enough amazing things about Ken and Taggs K9 Training. Our dog Gator went through the 3 week board and train program, and the transformation has truly been life changing for our family. Before training, Gator was scared of everything except for me and my husband. We couldn’t even leave the house with him or take him on walks because he was so reactive and unable to focus on us. With a baby on the way, it was incredibly important to us that Gator be under control and comfortable in the world, and honestly we were feeling very stressed about how things would work. From the very beginning, Ken was the only trainer we felt truly understood Gator and was confident handling a difficult, fearful dog — not just an “easy” case. We were nervous to leave him because he was so scared of new people, but within a day or two, Gator was comfortable with Ken and was already learning to walk on his new leash tool. Throughout the program, Ken’s communication was incredible. He explains everything well, and never makes you feel rushed or judged. We received updates and pictures every few days, and we always felt completely at ease knowing Gator was safe, well cared for, and in the hands of someone who genuinely loves what he does. Ken’s knowledge of dog behavior is impressive, and he’s fantastic at explaining not just what to do, but why it works — which helped us become better owners too. Now, Gator is amazing on the leash and we can finally take him on walks and bring him places with us. We aren't stressed anymore, and Gator is much happier! While he still doesn’t love new people, he’s confident enough to relax in his crate or on his cot and isn’t overwhelmed by everything anymore. Knowing he’ll be calm and manageable when our baby arrives gives us such peace of mind. We truly believe any dog would do great with Ken — especially challenging ones. As long as owners are willing to put in the work, Ken can handle any dog and help them succeed. We are so grateful we found him and would recommend Taggs K9 Training without hesitation.

We took our four-year-old dog, Scout, to Taggs K9 for the “Mind Your Manners” program, and the experience has truly been transformative for both Scout and us as dog owners. Scout has always used a harness and was a chronic puller on walks. He is only 12 pounds, but the constant pulling was frustrating and made walks more stressful than enjoyable. I first contacted Ken in early November, and from the very first phone call, I was impressed. He was incredibly informative and honest, explaining why the harness might actually be working against us and how “unearned freedom” at home, such as jumping on the couch or sleeping in the bed, can contribute to behavioral issues. He did not judge. He simply educated. His professionalism and clarity immediately put us at ease. Ken fit us into his schedule right away for an in-person assessment. During that consultation, we saw firsthand how skilled he is with dogs of all sizes. Even with a small dog like Scout, Ken handled him confidently, calmly, and respectfully. What really stood out was how quickly Scout responded to him. Ken did not just train Scout. He taught us how to communicate with our dog in a way Scout understood. We signed up for the Mind Your Manners program on the spot. Ken introduced us to the slip lead and taught us foundational commands such as “Let’s go” and “Uh-uh,” along with the difference between being stern and having what Ken calls “cookie treat energy.” He was patient and clear, correcting us when needed and explaining why certain techniques work. We realized we had several habits to unlearn, but Ken never made us feel embarrassed. He made us feel empowered. After that first session, we left with a clear plan and the confidence to start practicing at home. The second session was truly groundbreaking. Ken introduced us to Heather’s Heroes “Sidekick” leash, which is a slip lead combined with a gentle head halter that goes over the dog’s snout. Scout was hesitant at first and was unsure about this new tool, but Ken was extremely patient. He gave Scout time to adjust and showed us exactly how to guide him with calm and consistent cues. Within the hour, Scout was walking right beside us without pulling, sitting when we stopped, and responding to new commands such as “Place,” “Woah,” “Heel,” and “Come.” We practiced these new skills at home and quickly noticed a transformation. Scout went from a distracted and stubborn walker to a dog who stays by our side and listens. What we appreciated most about Ken is that he did not simply train our dog. He trained us. He showed us where our habits were confusing Scout and gave us the tools, structure, and understanding we needed. His professionalism, patience, and ability to explain concepts clearly made the entire experience outstanding. Taggs K9 did more than improve Scout’s behavior. They improved our relationship with him. We highly recommend Ken and the Mind Your Manners program! Thank you, Ken!

Ken has truly changed our lives. I feel like a better owner for having seen him. Coco had never been handled by anyone besides his vet (with the use of medication) and on our consultation Ken took a hold of Coco within minutes. Even just with the basic training program Coco has made leaps and bounds. He’s provided me with the confidence, knowledge, and tools to have a great life with my rambunctious munchkin.

I did the "mind your manners" program and was very impressed with the knowledge, professionalism, and friendliness of the team. Even the consultation was much longer than I expected, making the whole package a wonderful value. My puppy was afraid of everything under the sun and behaved accordingly, but thanks to the training we received, I learned a lot about being the leader she needs. While we're still working on the skills we learned and always will be refining them, a few sessions is all it took to be on the right path forward together. If your dog has any ailments, there's also a naturopath on the team to help get them to their best. Thank you for helping me and Astral learn the right way to work together!