Alan's K9 Academy

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Why is My Dog So Hyper? Understanding and Managing High Energy Dogs

If you have a dog that seems to be full of boundless energy, you’re not alone. Many dog owners face the challenge of managing a hyperactive dog, and it can be overwhelming. But understanding why your dog is so hyper and how to channel that energy appropriately can make a world of difference in both your life and theirs.
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Alan Carr
April 30, 2025
Keeping Your Dog Focused, Not Distracted from People: Tips for Better Attention and Obedience 🐕‍🦺🐾
One of the biggest challenges many dog owners face is keeping their dog focused on them, especially in situations where distractions like other people, animals, or even interesting smells are present. Whether you're walking down the street or sitting in a park, it’s essential that your dog remains attentive to you and responds to commands, despite the distractions. Here’s why keeping your dog focused is important and some strategies to help reinforce their attention and obedience.
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Why Dogs Are Known as the Sunshine of the House: The Joyful Impact of Our Furry Friends
When you think of a dog, what comes to mind? For many, it's not just a loyal companion, but a source of endless joy, love, and warmth. Dogs have earned their title as the "sunshine of the house" for more reasons than one. Their playful nature, unconditional love, and ability to brighten even the gloomiest days have made them beloved members of many households. But why exactly are dogs so special and deserving of this title?
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Why Socialization Matters?
As pet owners, one of the most important things we can do for our dogs is to ensure they are well-socialized. Socialization is not just about introducing your dog to other animals and people; it’s about helping them feel confident, comfortable, and well-behaved in various environments. A well-socialized dog is more balanced, less anxious, and far less likely to develop behavioral problems in the future. But why exactly is socialization so critical for your dog’s development? Let’s dive into the reasons!
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Teaching Your Dog to Stay in Bed: A Balanced Training Approach! 🛏️🐾
Training your pup to stay in their bed is not just about teaching them where to sleep—it's about creating calmness and respect for boundaries in your home. Whether you're working on preventing unwanted behaviors like jumping on the furniture or simply creating a designated resting spot for your dog, a balanced training approach can make the process smooth and effective.
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How to Help Your Dog Correct Resource Guarding: A Step-by-Step Guide
Resource guarding is a common behavior issue in dogs, where a dog shows aggression or protective behavior over resources such as food, toys, or even their sleeping space. While it's natural for dogs to protect things they value, resource guarding can lead to tension, frustration, and even dangerous situations. Fortunately, with patience, consistency, and the right techniques, you can help your dog overcome this issue and create a safer, more relaxed environment for everyone.
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Preventing Destructive Chewing: Helping Your Dog Find Appropriate Outlets
Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs—it's how they explore their world, relieve stress, and maintain healthy teeth. However, when chewing turns destructive, it can be frustrating for dog owners, especially when precious furniture, shoes, or personal belongings are at risk. Thankfully, destructive chewing can be managed and prevented with the right training, boundaries, and proper outlets for your dog’s energy.
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Fear and Phobias in Dogs: How to Help Your Dog Overcome Common Fears
As dog owners, we want our furry companions to live happy, confident lives, but sometimes our dogs experience fears and phobias that can hinder their well-being. Common fears in dogs include loud noises, unfamiliar environments, certain people, or even specific objects. These fears can be distressing for both the dog and their owners, but with the right approach, many fears can be managed and overcome.
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5 Common Recall Mistakes and How Balanced Training Can Help
One of the most important commands to teach your dog is recall—getting your dog to come when called. Recall is not just about obedience; it’s about your dog’s safety and strengthening your bond. However, there are several common mistakes that can hinder progress in training, and understanding them is the key to success. With a balanced approach, mixing positive reinforcement with effective behavioral strategies, your dog will respond to recall with reliability.
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Do Dogs Really Smile? Understanding Your Dog’s Happy Expression 🐶✨
As pet parents, we love to see our dogs happy, and one of the most heartwarming sights is when they smile. But have you ever wondered: do dogs actually smile, and what does it mean when they do?
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Frequently asked questions

Is it worth training 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 8 Acre facility in Cartersville. Our 8-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 8-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 AFFFIRM, 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 50 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.