Close

Alan's K9 Academy

Read Our Blog

Our newest blog

Therapy Dog Training in Bartow County: The 2026 Guide to Certification & Community Impact

Imagine walking into a busy Cartersville hospital with your dog at your side. Instead of pulling toward the sliding doors or shrinking away from a rattling gurney, your companion remains focused and calm, ready to offer comfort to someone in need. Achieving this level of reliability requires special...
Read Blog
Alan Carr
August 16, 2026
🐾 Homemade Training Treats for Dogs: Simple, Healthy, and Effective
Not all training treats need to come from a pet store shelf. In fact, some of the best rewards for dogs can be made right at home with simple ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
Read Blog
Is Your Dog Really Protecting You — Or Living in Fear?
Many dog owners believe their dog is being “protective” when they bark, growl, lunge, or react aggressively toward people approaching them. While that may occasionally be true, in many cases the behavior actually comes from fear, anxiety, and insecurity rather than genuine protection instincts. Understanding the difference can completely change how you help your dog live a calmer, happier life.
Read Blog
Why Dogs Eat Poop (And How to Stop It) | Bartow County Dog Trainer Explains
If your dog is eating poop, you’re not alone—and no, it’s not just a “bad habit.”
Read Blog
When Was the Last Time You Noticed Your Dog Getting Older? | Alan’s K9 Academy
When was the last time you paused and realized your dog is growing older right in front of you? 🐶💔 At Alan’s K9 Academy, we work with dogs of all ages—from energetic puppies to wise senior companions—and one truth always stands out: time with your dog moves faster than you think.
Read Blog
🐾 Why Alan’s K9 Academy Is Blue and Yellow
When people ask why Alan’s K9 Academy is blue and yellow, they usually expect some clean branding answer—something about psychology, trust, energy, or visibility.
Read Blog
What to Do When an Off-Leash Dog Approaches? (Most Dog Owners Handle This Situation Wrong)
If you’ve ever been walking your dog and suddenly see an off-leash dog running toward you, you know how quickly things can escalate.Your reaction in those first few seconds can determine whether the situation stays calm—or turns into a fight.
Read Blog
“Your dog knows what time it is… and it’s not because of a clock.”
Your dog has been studying you more than you realize.
Read Blog
Service Dog Training in Georgia: How to Choose the Right Service Dog (Real Client Story)
Service Dog Training in Georgia: Choosing the Right Dog Matters Choosing a service dog is one of the most important decisions you can make. The right dog can provide independence, safety, and life-changing support. The wrong dog can lead to frustration, wasted money, and failure in training. At Alan’s K9 Academy, we specialize in service dog training in Georgia, and this is a real story of how we helped a client, Paige, find the right service dog—Axel.
Read Blog
🐾 Understanding Aggression: Why It Happens and How It Improves
Aggression in dogs is often misunderstood. What many people label as aggression is frequently a response to deeper emotional drivers like fear, stress, frustration, or lack of proper socialization.
Read Blog

shortcut your dog's training

Want a professional to train your dog?

Skip the learning curve & leverage our 50+ years of experience to handle your dog's training needs.
Simply click "TRAIN MY DOG" to get started.
TRAIN MY DOG

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?

Alan’s K9 Academy uses a balanced, customized training approach. We combine positive reinforcement, clear communication, structure, and appropriate training tools based on each dog’s temperament, behavior, and individual needs. Our goal is to create reliable results while strengthening the relationship between dogs and their owners.

How Much Does Your Obedience Training Cost? 

Each of our training programs is customized to the individual dog and owner. We consider your dog’s age, temperament, previous training, behavioral concerns, and your goals before recommending a program. Pricing depends on your dog’s needs and the amount of training required. The best way to receive an accurate recommendation and price is to schedule an evaluation.

Where Do We Train?

Alan’s K9 Academy provides personalized, one-on-one training in clients’ homes and in appropriate real-world environments. Depending on the dog’s needs and progress, training may also take place in backyards, neighborhoods, parks, downtown areas, and pet-friendly stores. These carefully selected environments help dogs develop calm behavior, confidence, social skills, and reliable obedience around everyday distractions.

‍Do We Offer Payment Plans?

Yes. Financing options may be available through Affirm, Klarna, or LendingUSA, subject to approval and the terms established by each financing provider. Please contact us for current financing information.

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

We work with dogs of many breeds, ages, temperaments, and experience levels. Our programs can address obedience needs and behavioral concerns such as insecurity, anxiety, impulse-control problems, hyperactivity, leash reactivity, dog reactivity, aggression, and other challenging behaviors. Because every dog and situation is different, acceptance into a program and the recommended training plan are determined through an evaluation.

Do you offer therapy or service dog training?

Yes. Alan’s K9 Academy offers customized Therapy Dog and Service Dog Training programs. Please contact us to discuss your dog, your goals, and whether one of these programs is appropriate for your needs. 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?

Alan’s K9 Academy is built on more than 35 years of professional dog-training experience from founder and Master Trainer Alan Carr. Our programs are customized to each dog and owner rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system. We focus on practical, real-world results, clear owner instruction, and continued support through our Life-of-Dog Support Guarantee. Alan’s K9 Academy was also selected as Georgia’s Number One Best of Georgia winner for Pet Training in both 2024 and 2025.