Rising Starr K9 Dog Training

Kathie, thank you very much for the thoughtful review and for trusting me with both Archie and Taz over the years. It’s been great watching Taz continue progressing through Puppy, Intermediate, and now CGC, and your consistency at home absolutely played a major role in that success. I also appreciate the trust you placed in us previously with Archie during Board & Train. Seeing clients continue the journey with another dog always means a lot to me. Thank you as well for the kind words regarding the small group environment and one-on-one sessions. My goal has always been to create training that is practical, realistic, and supportive while still maintaining clear expectations and structure. Congratulations again on Taz earning his CGC, and we’re looking forward to welcoming both of you into the alumni group for our June activities here in the La Crosse & Coulee Region. Thank you again for the continued support of RSK9.

Thank you, Kevin. Working with you and Emma through the TADSAW program has been an honor, and I’m extremely proud of what this team accomplished together. Emma already had a strong foundation, and you consistently showed up willing to put in the work, handle the details, and continue building reliability in public. That matters. Successfully passing the Public Access Temperament Test was a huge accomplishment, and becoming the first certified TADSAW team through RSK9 here in the La Crosse & Coulee Region is something all of us should be proud of. Appreciate the trust, the hard work, and the kind words. Looking forward to continuing to watch this team grow. — Rick Pedersen Owner | Trainer | Speaker RSK9

Thank you, Courtney. Working-line German Shepherds are incredible dogs, but they absolutely need structure, engagement, and clear direction or that energy can quickly become overwhelming. Your dog has made a lot of progress in a relatively short period of time, and a big part of that comes from your consistency and willingness to put in the work between sessions. I’m especially happy with the improvements in focus, calmer behavior indoors, reduced jumping, and overall control. Still more work ahead — and that’s normal with high-drive working breeds — but this team is moving in the right direction. Appreciate the kind words and trusting RSK9 with your dog. — Rick Pedersen Owner | Trainer | Speaker RSK9

Heather — I appreciate you taking the time to write this. Cooper came in with a solid foundation, and you made the right call stepping in when things started to slip under distraction. That’s where most people hesitate—and it’s why progress stalls. She put in the work here, but more importantly, you’re continuing it on your end. That’s what makes this stick. The public work, the distractions, the daily structure—that’s where real control shows up, not just in a classroom. Stay consistent through this transition phase and she’ll keep getting better. Proud of what Cooper’s doing. Keep it going. — Rick RSK9

Shauntel, I appreciate this more than you know. You put in the work from day one, and it shows. Taking Rocky through puppy, intermediate, and CGC at 9 months old is no small thing—that’s structure, consistency, and follow-through. Also worth saying—you made that drive from Winona week after week. People don’t do that unless they’re serious about getting it right, and you did. I’m excited for what’s next for you guys, even with the move to Florida. We’ll stay in touch and keep building—CGC Advanced and CGC Urban are absolutely within reach with the foundation you’ve built. Safe travels, and thank you again for trusting me with Rocky. —Rick RSK9