FAQs

Yes. We we work with any breed, any dog, any problem. We specialize in working with the most challenging of dogs. If you are struggling with your dog’s behavior, please don’t give up, we can help you.

Yes, we are balanced trainers — which means that we don’t adhere to one specific method. We work with your dog to find out what motivates them. One size does not fit all — dogs are unique in their likes and dislikes, just like humans. Some dogs aren’t very food motivated, and prefer play, toys, praise, etc.

Modern E-Collar training is the most safe, humane, effective and reliable training tool available today. We use low-level, communication-style, modern E-Collar training. We use prong collars because we find them to be the best tool for connecting and communicating with the dog with the least amount of physical stress to the dog and owner. Most tools tend to only mask or manage the behavior, while the prong collar allows us to actually break through and effortlessly communicate, creating a vastly different state of mind and a highly responsive dog. When used correctly, they have been proven to be the least physically taxing, most humane, and one of the safest tools available. Please check out our YouTube page so you can see these tools in action.

All of our sessions are non-refundable and have a 24-hour cancellation policy. We schedule out our dog training sessions weeks in advance and ask that you are committed to the time that you agree on. Dog training is a process of teamwork and collaboration, and due to the many variables involved in the training of your dog, including owner commitment, consistency, and doing your homework, it would be unethical for us to offer a guarantee. We can get dogs to behave for us all day long, but that doesn’t do us any good if they aren’t behaving for you! Our goal is to train YOU to train your dog. If you are consistent and do your homework, you will see breakthrough results and amazing transformations.

At Koru K9, 100% of our focus is on you and your dog and your unique situation. We look at the entire picture and address the behavioral problems from a holistic standpoint. Dogs are intelligent, unique individuals with specific needs…a one sized fits all approach to training does not work. Many times what goes on inside of your home results in problems outside of the home (see our blog post on Effective Leadership and the Meet Alex and Charlie post), which is why we conduct our Initial Evaluation in YOUR home. We identify and work through behavioral and environmental issues in your every day environment and in a setting where we can control when to introduce other distractions (i.e. other dogs, people, children, etc.). Most problem behavior is NOT best addressed in a group setting with many distractions, other dogs with behavioral issues or one trainer for multiple dogs without the ability to customize a program or dedicate the time needed to address your specific issues. For more information, please contact us.

We have traveled to New Zealand many times and fell in love with the country and its people. New Zealands’ indigenous people, the Maori, refer to the unfurling new shoot of the fern as a Koru. The shoot of the fern has a curled over tip which unfurls and becomes a new fern leaf. The Koru is traditionally represented as a scroll shape, an outwardly spiralling circle. It is one of the important Maori symbols carved into wood structures adorning traditional Maori buildings or as statues, and carved from bone or jade to be worn as jewelry around the neck (photograph). The Koru represents renewal and hope for the future and symbolizes growth, strength and in new beginnings. Which is why we feel it’s the perfect representation of our mission with Koru K9 and our dog training philosophy.

We cover the following areas: The entire San Francisco Bay Area: the City of San Francisco, the Peninsula, East Bay, North Bay. Seattle-Tacoma Metro Area, Denver Metro, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and St. Louis. We will travel further, however with additional travel surcharge, please contact us for more information.

Every dog is different. Every behavior issue is different. Every owner is different. There are no quick fixes when it comes to training your dog! We work with you to set appropriate expectations based on your dog, and your unique situation. The amount of commitment, consistency, and work that you put in is also a determining factor. If you put 50% in, you will get 50% out. Training your dog is something that should be a constant and continual process throughout your dog’s life. Additionally, If a trainer promises you that they can fix a behavior issue in 1-session or 1-week…they old saying is “if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is…”

Your initial session with Koru K9 Dog Training is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours (longer if there is 3 or more dogs). We spend a great deal of time analyzing the problem behaviors and your goals. From there, we determine a training program that will outline how many sessions are needed. Each session after the initial will last roughly 1 hour depending on your dog’s ability that day and what is being taught. Remember, you as an owner, must be fully invested in this learning process to get the results you want!

Of course! Consider this like sending your child to college. We are like the cool teachers, but you’ll always be your dogs #1. We understand that it’s difficult to send your dog away for 3+ weeks, so you will get 2 updates per week, with pictures and videos.

Training your dog is something that should be a constant and continual process in your dog’s life. By starting your dog off young, you are setting good foundation to build on top of. Your dog, much like a young child, will go through development changes, and you’ll need to stay consistent with training / continue to advance as your dog matures. Rest assured, we can help you through this process.

Right away! It’s important to set your puppy up for lifelong success by starting training the minute your new puppy comes home.