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Your Dog Reflects Your Home

Bringing a new puppy into your home is one of the most exciting times in a family’s life. But with all the cuteness also comes responsibility. A common saying among trainers is: your dog is a reflection of you. Simply put, how your dog behaves often mirrors how they are treated and trained at home.
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Alan Carr
September 25, 2025
Your Dog Reflects Your Home
Bringing a new puppy into your home is one of the most exciting times in a family’s life. But with all the cuteness also comes responsibility. A common saying among trainers is: your dog is a reflection of you. Simply put, how your dog behaves often mirrors how they are treated and trained at home.
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Dog Car Safety: Teaching Your Dog to Travel Calmly and Securely
One of the most overlooked aspects of responsible dog ownership is car safety. Traveling with dogs doesn’t just mean tossing them in the backseat and hoping for the best. A calm, safely secured dog makes every trip smoother, safer, and far less stressful—for both you and your pup.
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Helping Your Dog Stay Calm During Thunderstorms
If you’re a dog owner, you know how hard it can be to watch your normally happy pup panic during a thunderstorm. Some dogs might only lick their paws or pace a little, while others become so stressed they bark excessively, shake, or even get destructive. To help you understand why storms can be so scary for dogs — and how to make them easier for your pup — Alan from Alan’s K9 Academy shares his insights and tips.
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Your Dog Is Your Mirror: What Our Dogs Teach Us About Ourselves
Dogs don’t just live with us… they live through us. They feel our energy, mirror our emotions, and reflect what’s really going on inside. Stressed? Your dog feels it. Calm & grounded? Your dog relaxes. Holding back emotions? Your dog might “act them out” for you. Your dog isn’t just listening to your words — they’re listening to you.
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Why Does My Dog Pull on the Leash?
If your dog is constantly pulling ahead on walks, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not doing anything wrong. Leash pulling is one of the most common challenges dog owners face, but the good news is: it’s absolutely something we can help improve. Dogs pull for a number of reasons. Understanding why is the first step to teaching them a better way.
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No-Bake Rice Krispie Treats for Dogs: A Light & Crunchy Snack
Looking for an easy, dog-friendly treat that doesn’t require baking? Our Rice Krispie Treats for Dogs are the perfect solution! Made with puffed brown rice, creamy peanut butter, and a touch of natural applesauce, this simple recipe is a healthier twist on the classic snack—customized just for your pup. Whether you’re looking for a cool treat during hot weather or a quick DIY reward between training sessions, these crunchy little bites are packed with wholesome ingredients dogs love.
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Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Chew Sticks: A Soft-Baked Treat Dogs Go Nuts For 🥜🐾
When it comes to homemade dog treats, we love recipes that combine natural ingredients with real health benefits—and this one’s a fan favorite at Alan’s K9 Academy! These Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Chew Sticks are chewy, flavorful, and packed with nutrients to support your dog’s digestion, joints, coat health, and more. They’re easy to make and perfect for pups who love to chew but need a softer, healthier alternative to commercial treats.
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Watermelon & Blueberry Swirl Dog Treats: A Frozen Summer Favorite 🐶💙❄️
When the temperatures soar and the sun feels relentless, there’s nothing quite like a frozen treat to cool down—and that goes for our four-legged family members too. At Alan’s K9 Academy, we’re all about simple ways to reward your dog with something fun, functional, and full of love. That’s exactly what these Watermelon & Blueberry Swirl Dog Treats are: a colorful, hydrating summer snack your pup will love. And the best part? They’re made with just a handful of wholesome ingredients—no preservatives, no fillers, and no mystery meat.
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Can Your Dog Really Sense When You’re Stressed? 🐾
If you’ve ever had a rough day and noticed your dog acting a little differently—maybe they followed you more closely, stared up at you with concern, or curled up at your side—it’s not your imagination. Our dogs really do pick up on how we’re feeling. But how exactly do they do it? And what effect does our stress have on them?
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Frequently asked questions

Is it worth hiring someone to train your dog?

Absolutely! Investing in professional training for your furry friend is like giving them the gift of communication. It's not just about obedience; it's about building a deeper bond. Trained dogs are happier, more confident, and safer companions. Plus, it fosters mutual respect and understanding.

What Type Of Training Methods Do You Use?

We promote positive reinforcement training. We also use a variety of training methods and training aids to achieve the goals of our dog owners and their pets.‍

How Much Does Your Obedience Training Cost? 

Each of our dog training programs is custom-tailored to the specific situation. There are a number of factors that we evaluate prior to building a training package for you, such as your dog's age, temperament, previous training, as well as the desired goals of the dog's parents. Our programs vary in price depending on where your dog is currently, and how long we estimate it will take to reach your goals. The only way we can give an accurate quote is by evaluating your dog. Our signature 6-week program is $2,900, but not every single dog we meet is a great fit.

Where Do We Train?

Alan's K9 Academy offers personalized, in-home dog training, as well as training sessions at our 12 Acre facility in Cartersville. Our 12-acre facility location allows us to train dogs in real-world settings, such as parks, downtown area, pet friendly stores ensuring they learn to stay calm and well-behaved in various environments. Each dog enjoys multiple walks and daily field trips around the neighborhood, promoting socialization and building a calm, neutral demeanor. Our training approach emphasizes desensitization, social skills, and confidence-building for balanced, happy dogs. For our clients, we also provide exclusive boarding at our 12-acre training facility, where dogs can enjoy continued training, playtime, and exercise. Convenient pick-up and drop-off services are available to make the experience stress-free.

‍Do We Offer Payment Plans?

Yes, we offer financing through AFFIRM, Klarna, or Lending USA options to our clients. Payment plans can vary as low as $120 a month for up to 3 years.

Do you take all dogs regardless of age, breed, or issues?

We take any breed and any age needing obedience training or behavioral issues. Our goal is to assist as many dogs and owners as possible. Aggression and behavioral issues would require a much longer and more intensive program. We are happy to work with any dog needing help with insecurity, anxiety, impulse control, hyperactivity, leash reactivity, dog reactivity, etc. We have decades of experience working with high-drive breeds.

Do you offer therapy or service dog training?

Yes! We also offer therapy dog training and service dog training, though we don't currently advertise them. If this is a need, please contact us with the form for more information. To answer this question, we will start by explaining what a service dog does and how a service dog is different from a therapy dog and an emotional support dog. A service dog, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, is a dog individually trained to perform specific tasks and to work with people with disabilities. The work of a service dog must be directly related to the handler's disability. The ADA mandates that service dogs have full public access rights. Therapy dogs are trained to be comfortable in new environments and to interact with different people. They typically have certain personality traits, and they volunteer in clinical settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Therapy dogs do not have the same legal right to access service dogs, and although a dog can be certified as a therapy dog through an organization, there are no uniform state or national rules that regulate the certification. Emotional support dogs are not considered service dogs under the ADA. They may be trained for a specific owner, but they are not trained for specific tasks or duties to aid a person with a disability. ESA owners have only limited legal rights, and those typically require a letter of diagnosis from a doctor or psychiatrist. They have certain access when it comes to housing but do not have unlimited access to public spaces.

Why should I work with you instead of a less expensive trainer?

Veterinarians wholeheartedly trust and endorse our exceptional dog training services. We have over 75 years of combined experience training dogs to obey. Alan, the owner, holds a master trainer certification. Most dog trainers and stores like Petco and PetSmart just don't have the same level of knowledge and expertise that we do. In fact, one of our clients was referred to us by PetSmart because they couldn't help them! When you work with a higher-quality trainer, you skip many of the struggles that come with hiring someone cheaper, including unintended and negative consequences for your dog's behavior! Our training method builds a rewarding relationship with you and your dog.