Welcome

Unleash your K9's full potential

Unlock your K9's full potential with my free dog training program held daily at 4:00 PM in Aurantia park in Highland, CA.

Why Payne's K9 and why free?

Experience

With over a decade of experience in the dog training industry, I have helped hundreds of dogs and their owners form stronger bonds through my positive reinforcement training regimen for basic through highly advanced obedience work. I do not charge (ever) because the need for superior dog training is quite high and people simply cannot afford what trainers in this area are charging for minimal short term results combined with over promising. My program is not easy nor is it short as excellence does not come quickly or easily. It is also physically demanding. You need to be fully dedicated to your beloved K9 and willing to put in the time. Each lesson is 45 to 60 mins long. I am transitioning YOU from being a dog owner to a K9 handler. You will handle your K9 at all times as I take the leash only to demonstrate or refine your technique.

Training Philosophy & Equipment

There are three key elements: Patience, consistency and repetition. Positive training constitutes reward and reinforcement of desired behaviors and preventing undesired behaviors through appropriate direction and redirection. Pressure (social and physical) is used only when a behavior manifests that is dangerous. Each K9 is unique and presents its own challenges and thus modification to the techniques used. There is no one right way to train a K9. Equipment:

A well fitting sturdy collar. I have seen large/agitated K9s break frayed/worn leashes and back out of ill fitting collars and at that point the only control you have is the relationship you have with your K9 and it's that relationship I seek to build FIRST. Please do not purchase a prong collar or e-collar in advance as I need to assess if it would be of benefit to your dog and I instruct you on its use. Equipment is only an aid. The key is the relationship between you and your K9.
Both a 6 ft and a 2 ft leash.
A treat pouch (full of treats initially - yes fill it) and a water bowl.
Current on all vaccinations is a given. Lastly know that this is a commitment to your K9's health and well being and they are completely dependent on you and your dedication.

What your k9 will learn

Simple Training Phases: Teaching Complex Tasks

Assessment: In our first session I'll evaluate your K9 and we'll discuss your K9's specific issues and history, your goals, equipment needs, feeding, exercise and lay out a training plan. I teach in three phases:
Phase 1: Basics - making you the most interesting thing in your K9's world. Sit, down, stay, come, enter, load up, out, give, take, leave it, stop, go, place, heel, ignore, look. All on leash. This is foundational to all that follows. Plan on 12-14 45 min sessions. I train in German but any language you prefer will do fine. I prefer not using English so others cannot get my K9's attention.
Phase 2: Training in the basics from a short distance "off leash" and with real world distractions. We pick up the pace and start combining tasks in rapid succession. Plan on 10-12 45 min sessions.
Phase 3: Advanced - commanding your K9 off leash in all the basics, at a distance with hand signals and facing away from your K9 both by voice and hand signals. Plan on 20-30 45 min sessions.
Homework: Every session builds on the previous one and homework exercises are essential. Your K9 will tell me if they haven't been made to do the homework as they cannot lie. :)

AKC Certification & FAQs

I can get your K9 certified in all the AKC certifications below. AKC certifications are not difficult to train for. There is a $10.00 fee for each certification as I have to purchase testing paperwork from the AKC.

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
AKC Community Canine (CGCA)
AKC Urban CGC (CGCU)
All levels of AKC Trick Dog

FAQs:

Are dog parks ok? Absolutely not. Nothing good happens in a dog park. Let's discuss.
Do you have training videos? No. This is a hands on program and is all about participation as your K9's handler not observation.
Should I carry pepper/dog spray in my hand when walking my K9? Yes. It's your best shot at preventing off leash dog/wildlife from attacking your dog(s) and no animal gets hurt.
Should I let strange children pet my K9? No. Let's discuss.
Should I let other dogs "meet" my K9? No. Let's discuss.
Should I get medical insurance for my K9? Absolutely yes.
Does my homeowners or renters insurance cover dog bite? Maybe. Some companies deny coverage for some "notorious" breeds. If your dog ever bites someone you can expect to be sued.
Can I bring others to training? Yes - especially if they will handle the K9 routinely. We'll switch handlers in a session so the K9 is worked by all.
I have a large K9 (50lbs+) can my young child be the handler? No and It's actually against the law. The K9 must be under the control of a competent handler who can physically control the K9 at all times.
Can I use a harness? No. Harnesses encourage pulling and it disconnects the feedback loop between you and the K9.
Can I use a retractable leash? No. When out with your K9 it should be on a short (2 ft/traffic) leash. 6 ft leashes are a legal maximum - but do not allow for adequate control. That said I do use them in training.
How much exercise should my K9 get? Daily and no, "a walk around the neighborhood" is not exercise, particularly for the working line breeds.
Are the K9 training videos (Caesar Milan, American Standard Dog Training, Zak George, Beckman, No Bad Dogs etc) I see YouTube ok to watch? Let's discuss. I prefer you don't initially until you have more experience. As your training advances you'll see why I say this.
My dog got training at a board and train and was great for two months, now my K9 is out of control again. What happened? YOU weren't trained the K9 was - and your K9 has caught onto it. :)
Can I bring my puppy for training? Once the vaccination regimen is complete yes. Starting as a puppy is ideal.
Who is that gorgeous K9 in the pictures above? That's my Brie. She is a Dutch Shepard/Belgian Malinois mix. She's my assistant and will demonstrate all the exercises. The cat's name is Leo and they are inseparable. Leo does not want to attend training - of any sort. Ever.
Do you do protection/bite training? No. The average person is ill equipped to handle a protection K9 and the liability and responsibility this level of training places on the owner.
Can any K9 be trained? Yes - up to their individual limit and every K9 has a limit.