North Star Family K-9

My dog Sadie attended the 4 week board and train at NSFK9 and had Milo as her trainer. She made incredible progress especially with her general house manners. She is still dog reactive but it is more manageable and I am able to take Sadie on walks like I have always wanted. Important to note is that she is still dog reactive and a 4 week board and train can’t always fix your dog. It is so important to continue training and trust and commit to the work that has been done. What made us choose NSFK9 is their lifetime support program. So far they have followed through and supported Sadie as we navigate new and old problem behaviors. It has given me peace of mind that our money hasn’t gone to waste.

I sent my dog through their outstanding board and train program to become the best version of herself. I could not be happier with the results. She is now a calmer, more self assured dog with better impulse control. She is more attentive and balanced. They are truly in it for the dogs and go to extraordinary lengths to ensure success. Expect a very professional, caring staff who all help your dog reach her or his full potential!

I cannot recommend Northstar Family K9 enough! ⭐ Doug came to me as a foster, and from the very beginning, I knew he was going to need some extra help. He had already been returned twice before coming into rescue, and the thought of putting him up for adoption and having him experience another return honestly terrified me. Doug was an anxious puppy who lacked confidence, struggled with severe separation anxiety, and was incredibly leash reactive. And when I say reactive, I mean he would lunge up and down like a tiger and was nearly impossible to calm down. 😳 As his foster, I became very attached to him. I wanted him to find his forever home, but I was so nervous about adopting him out and having him returned again. He deserved stability, and I couldn't bear the thought of him going through another failed placement. That's when we decided Doug needed more support, and he spent 4 weeks at Northstar Family K9 for their board-and-train program. I'll be completely honest sending him away was HARD. But the team at Northstar made the entire experience so much easier. Milo, Julia, Emma, and Hank made it feel like Doug was at a second home. ❤️ The daily report cards and videos were amazing. I never felt completely disconnected from him. I could see his progress, know how he was doing, and feel like I was still a part of his journey even while he was away. We also got to go in for training sessions, which I absolutely loved because they weren't just training Doug they were teaching us how to continue working with him when he came home. And the transformation has been incredible. Doug is a completely different dog. He has confidence. He's calmer. He has tools to work through situations that previously overwhelmed him. And most importantly, I now feel confident sending him to his forever home. As a foster, that is everything to me. I don't want to just find a dog a home. I want to feel confident that the home is going to be their forever home especially for a dog who has already experienced the heartbreak of being returned twice. Thanks to Northstar, Doug is now getting adopted, and for the first time, I can let him go to his forever family without that same fear in the back of my mind that he'll be returned again. Northstar didn't just train Doug. They gave him confidence, gave him tools, and gave me confidence in his future. I truly cannot recommend Northstar Family K9 enough. If you have a dog struggling with anxiety, confidence, reactivity, or behavioral challenges, I would absolutely encourage you to talk to them. Thank you to Milo, Julia, Emma, Hank, and the entire Northstar team for loving our boy, believing in him, and helping set him up for success.

I sent my one year-old Belgian Malinois (Ozzy) to a 4-week board and train with Maddie at NSFK9, and wow, after three weeks of him being home - I couldn’t be more happy with the results! During our initial meeting Maddie observed, listened, provided thoughtful feedback, and most importantly was extremely honest (at times, the truth hurts, but we needed this). Also, she was adamant about understanding exactly what our goals throughout training were. Saying you want a “good dog” is insufficient, and you will be pressed for much more. Think about this beforehand, because it’s important, and they will ensure that those goals are achieved. Prior to sending Ozzy, I was getting cold feet because (selfishly) I knew I’d miss him. What stood out/ultimately led me to choose NSFK9 was their encouragement/requirement that YOU be an active part of the training process. During intake you can schedule as many visits as you’d like, and by no means are you just popping by to say hello. It’s a full private training session for both you and your dog (emphasis on you). It was a pretty steep learning curve, and Maddie was stern with me at times, but I really appreciated that. It was clear that she had bonded with Ozzy, and wanted nothing more than to see him succeed. All the while, she made it fun, and I left with a big smile on my face. When I picked him up after the 4-week program it was information overload, so bring a pencil and take notes! I wish that I would have scheduled weekly visits/training sessions throughout the program, but hey, hindsight is 20/20. Weeks after Ozzy has been home, I still exchange messages with both Maddie and Hank. They LOVE hearing how their buddy is doing, and are always willing to answer any/all questions. This really means a lot to me, and is a testament to their dedication, love for dogs, and the genuine care that they give each and every animal they train. Regardless of breed, behavioral concerns, etc., I’d confidently recommend NSFK9 to anyone. Ozzy is a handful, definitely not for the faint of heart, but they took his strong (and loving) personality in stride, and welcomed a challenge. Hank can attest 😎. Final thoughts - a board and train is by no means a “one and done” solution. They will establish a strong foundation for your dog, give you ALL of the tools necessary to succeed, answer any question one could think of during and after training, but ultimately it’s up to you to reinforce everything that has been taught. Also, their “daycare” option following the board and train is fantastic… They sell themselves short by calling it that, because it’s not daycare, it’s training. HUGE shoutout to the entire team. I had the pleasure of meeting many of the trainers / staff, and would give 5 stars to each and every one of them. Unrelated to dogs, but very relevant - this is an extremely organized and well run business.

I couldn't be happier with my experience at K9SF North Star Dog Training! Maddie did an amazing job working with my dog, Mara, during her 3-week boot camp. The transformation has been incredible. Mara came home more confident, well-behaved, and responsive to commands. It was clear that Maddie genuinely cared about Mara and took the time to understand her personality while using positive, effective training techniques. I also appreciated the updates throughout the program, which gave me confidence that Mara was in great hands. Thank you, Maddie, and the entire K9SF North Star team, for all your hard work and dedication. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for professional, compassionate, and effective dog training!