The K9 Encounter

Our Australian Shepard is extremely well behaved thanks to K9 Encounter. They are a great group to train with and hang out with. I’m grateful we found trainers who can both challenge you and know how to have fun. They will take you as far as you want to go. Having an obedient, sweet and confident dog as part of our big family makes life more full and complete. With such an active breed of dog, life could have been very different and not in a good way! Rob and Katlin made happy dog life possible. 🐾

We’ve had a great experience training our dog Kane with Rob and Kaitlyn. We brought Kane to training when he was about 10 months old—right around the time his testosterone kicked in and his teenage-level stubbornness showed up in full force. He suddenly decided that the commands he used to know were optional, especially around other dogs. He pulled hard on the leash, lost focus easily, and acted like listening was negotiable. The leash pulling improved after just one class, and for the first time, we felt like we had tools that actually worked—without having to rely on constant treat bribery. Six months later, Kane can walk off-leash in a heel and listens even with distractions. He’s learning to control his impulses and stay focused in new situations and environments. We’re really grateful for their support and highly recommend them to anyone looking for knowledgeable, caring trainers.

When my male Collie puppy was five months old, he completed a two-week board-and-train program with Rob and Kaitlyn at The K9 Encounter, and the transformation was incredible. They truly understand the Collie breed and helped correct the behavioral challenges I was facing, laying the groundwork for a confident, well-mannered dog. What gave me even more peace of mind was knowing that my breeder—Saltwater Collies—also trusts and uses The K9 Encounter for their own dogs. Since then, I’ve continued training through their group classes in Jacksonville, which are amazing for reinforcing skills and connecting with a community of dedicated dog owners. Rob and Kaitlyn are professional, knowledgeable, and work exceptionally well with a wide variety of breeds and personalities. I’ve also used their follow-up boarding and training services, which have been completely stress-free. I trust them fully with my dog’s care. Their communication, consistency, and clear love for the dogs set them apart. If you’re looking for expert dog training and a supportive, experienced team, I highly recommend The K9 Encounter.

K9 Encounters has been amazing! I have a pitbull who went through a few other training programs, but he was still super reactive around other dogs unless everything was perfectly controlled. What I love about their training style is that they train in real-world situations with all kinds of unexpected stuff happening—and that made a huge difference. It helped both me and my dog feel more confident dealing with his outbursts. Honestly, I saw a noticeable change after just one class! Highly recommended, especially if you are like me and was afraid to take your dog out for walks around your neighborhood.