TRAINING PROGRAMS

Create A Lifelong Bond Between You & Your Dog with Our Training Programs

Our Training Programs

At K9 Mastery, we prioritize real world training for real life situations. During your time training with us, you will form the bond of a lifetime with your dog as they learn to obey and follow you in any environment. This ensures trust and reliable behavior wherever you go — not just in your living room.


Thank you for considering us for your dog training needs. Whether you are experiencing extreme behavioral issues or are just wanting to make sure your dog is the best it can be, we are excited to work alongside you to reach your goals. We offer three levels of obedience training: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

Levels of Obedience Training


Below you will find a description of what can be expected from your dog at the completion of each level of training.

Basic

  • On a 6-foot leash
  • Loose leash walking (no pulling on the leash)
  • Heel
  • Sit
  • Down
  • Stay
  • Recall

Intermediate

  • Off leash, collar only
  • Heel freely
  • Sit on command (in motion and stationary)
  • Down on command (in motion and stationary)
  • Sit stay for 5 minutes at a distance of 50 ft
  • Down stay for 30 minutes at a distance of 100 ft
  • Recall from 100 ft
  • Only available to Basic Obedience Graduates

Advanced

  • Equipment Free
  • Heel freely
  • Sit on command (in motion and stationary)
  • Down on command (in motion and stationary)
  • Sit stay for 20 minutes maximum out of sight and scent of the handler
  • Down stay for 45 minutes minimum out of sight and scent of the handler
  • Recall from any distance 
  • Only available to Intermediate Obedience graduates
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Group Classes

**New Thursday night classes are available starting March 7th, 2024! They will be held in the Bastrop Tractor Supply Parking Lot. For more information contact us or submit your training application.**


Group classes are currently held on Saturday mornings in Bastrop, TX. Group classes are open enrollment. Start whenever you like. We do not require attendance every week as long as all lessons are completed within the specified time frame for the level in which you are enrolled. 


All students, regardless of past attendance in other training courses, are required to start with Basic Obedience.

Obedience Training VS. Behavior Modification

At K9 Mastery, we specialize in high-level aggression issues and work successfully with dogs that many other trainers have deemed beyond hope. We've also successfully worked with hundreds of dogs to take them off of behavioral medications through our training. We strongly encourage you, no matter what other trainers, behaviorists, or vets have told you, to submit an application for an honest and thorough review.


We offer effective behavior modification to correct problem behaviors including .


Many dog owners get obedience training, and the dog knows how to heel on leash just fine. However, as soon as they’re released, the dog is dragging them down the street because they weren’t taught how to walk on a leash properly without being under a strict command. The dog reverts back to unwanted behaviors because the dog doesn't know how it should react and behave overall. Behavioral modification addresses problem behaviors such as destructive behaviors, chewing, digging, aggression toward both animals and humans and anxiety. Obedience training is teaching your dog to do things on command. Behavior modification is working with your dog to resolve unwanted behavioral issues... for example, teaching the dog what an appropriate response is instead of aggression. We take the time to show the dog what is expected of them. They learn to trust us for guidance in situations where they may have previously been nervous or unsure.


Behavior modification is only offered in conjunction with obedience training. All students are required to start from scratch with basic obedience when enrolling in our programs to ensure all obedience has been taught properly and in a reliable manner. Our goal is not just to teach your dog to sit and walk nicely on a leash but to be a well-behaved and trustworthy member of your family. Therefore, it is our philosophy that behavior modification is an integral part of any training program and should always be included with instruction.


**Additional charges may apply for dogs with aggression or behavioral issues due to the additional time and liability involved in addressing those issues.

Our Behavioral Modification Has Saved The Lives of Many Dogs...

"Christie Miller took a fearful, aggressive and dangerous dog that had been given up for death and helped me turn her into a loving and confident companion.

A dog that habitually attacked other dogs in her own home now shows all dogs the proper respect. A dog that I never dared take out in public without extensive precautions I can now take off-leash without fear or worry about what she might do because I know what she’ll do; she’ll do what she is told she can do."

Sammy's Owner, Stephen J.

We cannot thank Christie enough for her help with Bella! After boarding her at another facility over night Bella started exhibiting aggressive/fearful behaviors towards strangers and other dogs. We contacted another local training facility and were told we would need to medicate her....Christie proved that wasn't true. We finished basic obedience with her and can now take Bella anywhere. That same dog is now getting compliments everywhere we go on how well behaved she is! If you are looking for a trainer I would not look anywhere else! She is the absolute best!

Rachel C.

Within the very first class, I knew we were in the right place. Christie is a miracle worker! We have an Australian Shepherd who has had aggression issues and could not walk on a leash to save his life. He now walks on a leash (learned the first day) and now looks to us for all of his ques and commands instead of doing his own thing. She is so good and really knows what she is talking about, cannot stop talking about how much we love this dog training! We just finished her first 8-week course and are moving on to do the Intermediate class next!

Kelly H.

Play & Train

Play & Train is a fun new program available to dogs enrolled in our Group Obedience Classes! This program combines group lessons and daycare for fun and socialization on days you can’t complete the homework yourself or you just want your dog to have some additional playtime outside of your home!


In order to participate in Play & Train, your dog must pass a daycare evaluation and have a daycare application on file. More information on our daycare program can be found here.


This program is not available to dogs exhibiting behavioral issues including, but not limited to, aggression, reactivity, or resource guarding of any kind.


For more detailed information regarding this program, please submit a training application.

When Should You Consider Board & Train?


The Board & train program works well for people who live outside of the Austin area, those who need an intensive head start with their dogs due to more extreme behavioral issues, or those who simply cannot fit group lessons into their schedule.


Here is some general information about our program:


During the first month, you can expect your dog to complete basic obedience as described above. In addition to basic obedience, we will also address behavioral issues as much as possible within the allotted time.

We REQUIRE a minimum of a 30-day stay for all dogs. Many Board & Train programs are only 14 days. We have found that 30 days minimum is necessary for the most effective and lasting training. We will gladly provide updates via email on a weekly basis. More information on how to request updates is provided once enrolled. Please note that we do not allow visitation during your dog's stay as this can interrupt your dog's focus and training.


What is included in the Board & Train Program?


  • Boarding
  • Training
  • A private 2-3 hour lesson at pick up to ensure you and your dog have a smooth transition into this new way of life
  • Three group lessons to allow you to perfect your handling skills and your dog's new skills in real world situations


In order to reserve a spot, a $1250 non-refundable deposit is required. The remainder will be due before drop off. If your dog stays longer than one month, you will be billed every 30 days. 


If your dog needs to be dropped off in 14 days or less, we do provide rush accommodation for a fee.


For more detailed information regarding this program, please submit a training application.

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Our Training Philosophy

Our dog obedience training is rooted in the time-tested balanced German training philosophies that have produced the most reliable dogs the world has seen. At K9 Mastery, we've honed these techniques over years and hundreds of dogs, adapting them to suit the unique temperament of your average household pet.


It is our belief that every dog needs a master and a job. Dogs thrive on structure and discipline, and through our balanced training methods you will see your dog not just obey but flourish, have more fun, and form an unbreakable bond with you.


Our highly disciplined and effective methods reject the common reliance on treats in training. Instead, we focus on shaping you into the Master of your dog, mirroring the success seen in police and military-trained canines.


Our balanced methods use both praise and correction to clearly communicate expectations to your dog. Through controlled distractions and gradual challenges, your dog will learn to obey commands the first time, every time, in any situation.


We prioritize real-world training for real-life situations. This is why we train outside, where real-world scenarios demand obedience the most. Your dog will master commands in environments that mirror your everyday encounters, ensuring reliable behavior wherever you go — not just in your living room.


Your dog is not just a pet, but a member of your family and a lifelong commitment. We acknowledge that training requires time and effort. Yet, the boundless rewards of a well-trained dog far surpass the investment. The lifelong companionship and enjoyment you will experience is easily worth the short commitment and investment you make in properly training your dog. 


If you seek a family member deeply bonded to you, a daily joy to experience, and a companion you can confidently take anywhere, then K9 Mastery is for you.

To Apply:

We are focused on quality, not quantity and because of the care we pour into each client, we do have an application so we can make sure we can provide the best fit possible for each of our students. There’s a lot of work on our part in ensuring success for you and your dog, so we only assist people who are absolutely serious about making a lifelong positive change.


Our company is a small, family-owned business, and it’s important to us that everyone reach the greatest potential possible. Our students and their pets have become our family, and because of that we take extra time, attention, and care in making sure our working relationship is built on trust, understanding, and common goals and values from the beginning. We invest ourselves into creating the most welcoming and fun environment possible for everyone while pushing past barriers together.  


No information regarding our training programs, including pricing or availability, will be discussed prior to receiving a completed application on file, and all clients calling to inquire about our training programs will be directed to fill out an application first.


This application process allows us to make sure we accept people who are a good fit for our program, those who are committed to their dogs and serious about getting real results, and who are willing and able to follow instructions accurately, consistently, and diligently to insure the enjoyment, reliability, safety, and success of everyone involved.


Please use the link below to fill out your application.  When completing the application, please be as detailed and thorough as possible so we have all the information necessary to screen your application appropriately.  Incomplete applications or those with minimal/lacking information that requires extensive follow up on our end will not be considered.


Once we review the application, you will be contacted concerning the next steps. The initial contact will be via email, so be sure your email provider is not filtering out emails from k9Mastery@gmail.com or K9TrainingApplications@gmail.com.  


Typically applications are reviewed and responded to within 3 business days, not including weekends, however, depending on the time of year, holidays, and how busy we are, applications may take upwards of 2 weeks to review as all applications are reviewed personally by Christie at this time. If you have submitted an application and have not received a response within one week, please feel free to follow up with us via email.


If you have an emergency situation (i.e. life or death, bite incident, etc), please fill out our training application first and then send us an email, subject line “911”, to k9mastery@gmail.com  and we will respond as soon as possible.

Training Application
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