Dog Training Reviews from Birmingham, AL Families

Aggression rehabilitation

Ikaris was rescued from an area known for dog fighting. In his first year his family had instances of him attacking other animals, and they stopped walking him except late at night or early in the morning. He then bit two people out of fear after being grabbed from behind. His owners had begun discussing behavioural euthanasia.

They chose to try training first. Ikaris worked with Justin on confidence, trust and handler control rather than suppression of the behaviour.

Presenting problem

Fear-based aggression toward animals and people; bite history

Program

Aggression rehabilitation with owner handover

Outcome reported

Walked in public parks with handler control; reduced anxiety

“Ikaris has so much more confidence, he is not as anxious anymore, he has more trust in us, and we can take him to any park now with complete confidence that we can correct his behavior and keep him a happy dog.”

“Now obviously you have to put in the work at home but with Justin help and guidance your dog can be saved just like Ikaris.”

— Madison Stults, Google review, June 2024

See the aggression & reactivity program →

Fear reactivity

Ash had been in fights with other dogs, and those experiences had reinforced his fear. His owner sent him for a two-week board and train with Kendall, working on obedience first and reactivity through it.

Presenting problem

Dog-to-dog fear reactivity, prior fights

Program

2-Week Board & Train

Outcome reported

Obedience solid, reactivity much improved, calmer overall

“He was very reactive to other dogs and had been in fights before that reinforced his fear. Kendall was his trainer and she did an excellent job. His obedience was on point and his reactivity was much improved. He was overall a calmer dog after his board and train. I would definitely recommend them if your dog is fear reactive.”

— Nichole Pompey, Google review, December 2024

See the reactive dog program → · Pit Bull training →

Biting and hyperactivity

Simba's family describe him as having been out of control: biting, barking, refusing to listen, and spending most of his time confined to his kennel for his own safety and theirs. They contacted OLK9 as a last resort. He completed a two-week board and train with Kendall.

Presenting problem

Nipping, barking, frantic energy, would not settle

Program

2-Week Board & Train

Outcome reported

Reliable sit, stay, heel and recall; calm in the home; owners trained alongside

“We sent her our wild, kennel-bound tornado and she returned to us a calm, attentive, joyful gentleman.”

“The specific issues we flagged—the nipping, the frantic energy, the refusal to settle—have been addressed at their root. Kendall didn't just suppress them; she gave him the skills and confidence to make better choices.”

— Kimberly Surabathula, Google review, February 2026

See the Board & Train program →

Anxiety

This owner already had two moderately well-trained dogs and knew the basics. Her Standard Poodle had severe anxiety around new people and environments — barking and pacing when strangers came to the house, freezing in public out of fear. The methods that worked on her other dogs did not work on him.

We include this case specifically because the owner is candid that two weeks did not finish the job. Anxiety work is not a two-week fix, and we would rather you read that here than discover it after booking.

Presenting problem

Barking and pacing at strangers; freezing in public

Program

2-Week Anxiety Board & Train

Outcome reported

Confidence built, “a great start”; owner notes further work is needed

“Kendall worked with him to build his confidence and show him that the world is not a scary place. He still has a long way to go since anxiety cannot be overcome within 2 weeks, but we have a great start now that he isn't as scared of everything.”

— whitney m., Google review, December 2024

See the anxiety program →

Recall and nervousness

Khalee came in mainly for recall and nervousness around new people. Her owner was anxious about sending a dog away at all, which is the most common hesitation we hear.

Presenting problem

Unreliable recall; wariness of strangers

Program

2-Week Board & Train

Outcome reported

“much better with her stranger danger and her recall”; daily photo and video updates

“Kendall kept us up to date with all of Khalee's training and it became one of the most exciting parts of our day to receive photo and video updates of our girl.”

“Khalee is doing great and is much better with her stranger danger and her recall.”

— Katie Weaver, Google review, September 2025

Puppy reactivity

Saint was reactive as a puppy and very difficult on a leash. He completed the two-week board and train with Justin at five months old.

Presenting problem

Puppy reactivity; leash difficulty

Program

2-Week Board & Train

Outcome reported

Goes to parks and restaurants without the owner managing him

“Saint is now going everywhere with me and he seems like a calmer/happier pup. I can take him to parks and restaurants and not have to worry about controlling him!”

— Google review, April 2022

See German Shepherd training → · Puppy training →

Working-dog foundation

Cybill was five months old and destined to be a working dog around crowds, loud noises and assistive devices. Her owners wanted a solid obedience base before her specialist training began.

Presenting problem

Needed a reliable foundation for high-stress public environments

Program

2-Week Board & Train

Outcome reported

Off-leash heel through high-traffic areas; extended down held on request

“she also looked to him for the OK, which he gave her so she continued to be a wildly loving puppy AND one who can also flip the switch to focus and heel walk off leash through high traffic areas, place and hold an extended down for as long as she's asked, and respond to all basic obedience commands.”

— Margaret Smith, Google review, September 2021

See service dog & ESA training →

Therapy dog track

Walter had already done private positive-reinforcement training elsewhere. At 12 months he needed faster, more reliable responses on basic obedience before his therapy work. His owner did three one-hour private lessons first, then the two-week board and train.

Presenting problem

Slow response time on basic obedience; needed independence from handler

Program

3 private lessons, then 2-Week Board & Train

Outcome reported

Attentive and quick to respond; crate-settled at night; began therapy visits in senior living facilities

“Walter is more attentive and responds quickly to basic commands, and sleeps in his house crate at night without incident. The time away from me, as his primary handler, allowed Walter to gain advanced level independence and confidence.”

— Greta Heinemann, Google review, November 2024

Off-leash reliability

Lennon was 18 months old, the worst at leash walking, a darter who would not come when called, and so fond of people that she jumped on all of them. Her owner deliberately waited a month or two before writing a review, to see whether the training held.

Presenting problem

Leash pulling, darting, no recall, jumping on people

Program

2-Week Board & Train

Outcome reported

Off-leash heel from day one home; leash rarely used at all

“She came home day 1 and was a fantastic heel walker off-leash, completely staying by my side.”

“I've even lost my leash because I rarely ever use it, she stays with me off leash.”

— Carli Thompson, Google review, November 2021

See retriever training →

Private lessons

Not every dog needs to board. Earl pulled on the leash, struggled with extended sit and down, and was reactive and anxious around other dogs. His owners worked with Sean through private lessons while keeping him at home.

Presenting problem

Leash pulling; reactivity and anxiety around other dogs

Program

Private lessons

Outcome reported

Heeling and recall by session two; near-perfect extended sit by session four

“After just two sessions, he was already heeling, coming when called, and going ‘place.’ By the fourth session, his extended sit is nearly perfect, and he can calmly lay down and wait without stress. On top of that he makes eye contact with us whenever walking past other dogs.”

— Nui Ligthart, Google review, April 2026

See private & in-home obedience →