Dog trainer

Samantha Wood

Started my journey with SolidK9 because of fighting housemates. We felt like we were at rock bottom and would need to start looking into rehoming one of our dogs. We went through their 90 day fast track program which was rigorous but thorough. Jeff and Joelle provided constant and extremely helpful support through and even after our time in the program. If you’re looking for some QUICK and RELIABLE help, you’re in the right place. These guys are direct, their style is not for everyone but they produce great and long lasting results for even some of the more dire situations. And even better in this day and age, virtually! I know it sounds crazy but their virtual guidance is so good you will have a dog that is comparable or even better than a traditional board and train. Could never thank these two and this program enough.

Kim Damico

I don't know where to start...I totally understand why those who have experienced what we have don't want to talk about it because of the stigma, but I will. My dog is highly stimulated (3yo at time/5 now) by small dogs, screaming, running kids, anything high pitched.
We were in the front yard of my townhouse when a neighbor walking turned and placed a small dog down on the sidewalk and it headed right into our small space towards my dog. I screamed no, no, no! My dog lunged, the leather leash broke, and he killed the dog. It was to the neck and instant. I'm not negating the emotions/trauma of the owner at all. It was horrific for all of us. The experience gave me major anxiety and fear to the point that I couldn't even walk my dog. I researched every top trainer in the WORLD until I aligned with Jeff and Joelle. It's been a long road...very long but today we just got back from a pack walk (every Sunday now) with 20 dogs which half are off leash (E-collar trained). If not for SK9 showing the "messy middle" I don't believe I could have had the confidence to move forward. I now take my dog with me without hesitation these days, in Virginia, they even allow us to be inside of cafe's.
You would not believe the transformation in both me and my dog. Granted my dog had some unknown neurological issues and I believe a lot of his behavior was self-protection however, it's still unwanted behavior (the worst kind) that had to be unlearned. He is medically good for now and thanks to the teamwork he is mentality good too. I will forever and a day LOVE you guys for your knowledge, guidance and support. J&J All Day Long....Keeping Calm and Moving On!
If I had to give 1 word to describe Jeff and Joelle it would be Steadfast!
Thumper gets around and I'm not riddled with anxiety when we are out and about anymore.

Destiny White

Solid K9 has been so helpful for me and my dogs! I was struggling with a dog who had some pretty dangerous resource guarding behaviors and would attack us. On top of that, she was super fear reactive on walks and it wasn’t fun for either of us. I had spent so much time trying other things to stop these behaviors to no avail. Using their online training videos, I was able to successfully stop her resource guarding and attacking us, eliminate her fear outside and now she is able to enjoy her life to the fullest! All of their online courses are absolutely incredible, their programs WORK and they truly want you to succeed with your dog. I highly recommend their online community; the coaching calls and all the help you receive on top of the courses are truly worth their weight in gold.

Stephanie Cheslock

I highly recommend Solid K9 Training. Our lives have been completely transformed by having our dogs attend their board and train program.
I reached out to Jeff and Joelle after our puppies, attended ab boarding train at six months old only to come back or behaved then when we sent them. The dogs were highly reactive to everything.
After my first conversation with Jeff, I Knew that we had found the help we needed. We watched as Theo and Bo transformed into new dogs during their board and train. The day they came home Jeff and Joelle trained our family, which was the most important piece of the training. We felt the confidence and knowledge to move forward and having off leash trained dogs.
Our dogs now go everywhere with us a trip to Lowe’s, no problem sit down at the coffee shop with friends no problem, and they love relaxing on the grass at the beach.
We cannot thank Solid K9 Academy, enough! Every time I receive a compliment about how we behaved our dogs are I let that person know about Solid K9 Academia. Also if you ever are lucky enough to have the chance to attend a seminar, please make sure you do. It is life-changing.

Shannon K

I found SolidK9 at the end of 2018. I was losing my mind with the dogs. I got a concussion while walking them because Dexter went after a bunny in the rain, and a friend of mine got a bad sprain. I had huge holes in my carpet and Dexter had destroyed door frames and corners of cabinets. I had found no real help in my searching. One day I found Jeff’s prong collar video, then place. He made it sound easy, like I could do it. The first time I put the prong on Dexter I almost cried because 30 seconds in he was walking right next to me. I had been struggling for so long. We mastered place, and sitting in a chair, then we plateaued for a while due to life circumstances and me not really understanding the big picture of dog training. Fast forward a few years and there’s the community and fast track. I honestly can’t believe the progress I’ve made with the dogs in the last few weeks. And getting the business going is a huge plus. I really have no words for how amazing this community is. So grateful to Jeff and Joelle Gifford for what they’ve created here. It’s one of a kind.

Cheyenne Reid

I cannot praise Solid K9 enough - through online courses and their Community Membership, I have been able to restore peace in a once chaotic, and down right dangerous (dog fights), multi dog household.

We have made immense progress in rehabbing our +++ dog reactive pup - she can now calmly hold place for hours while watching dogs on TV (huge trigger for her), she can attend weekly in-person obedience classes with other dogs, and she can walk by other dogs on the street without screaming like a banshee - all things that were previously impossible.

We still have work to do - however, Jeff and Joelle are so open and supportive; I am learning new things every single day.

Did I mention that all this progress was made solely through online methods? Solid K9 teaches you the skills required to become a more relevant and confident handler in real-world settings.

I finally see the "light at the end of the tunnel" of a journey that I had once deemed as utterly hopeless.

snugglebunz7

I found Solid K9 Training after I adopted a resource-guarding puppy from the shelter and had to return it after one day. I was desperate to learn more about what I could have done to stop this behavior. I stumbled on their YouTube video on teaching "out" to prevent resource guarding after finding several videos of methods that I doubted would work, such as trading for a higher value item. I started listening to Jeff and Joelle's podcast, What Would Jeff Do? I was hooked. His direct delivery of information and empathy for people really drew me to want to learn more from him. After watching much of his free content on YouTube, I learned that they offered online courses. I had already started to apply their philosophy to my service dog and really refined his training. I talked to Jeff and Joelle about which course I should get if I was going to get a second dog, and they directed me to their bundle of the Puppy Course and Green to Graduate. When I first got my service dog as a puppy and when I tried to adopt that puppy from the shelter, I felt woefully out of my depth. With these courses under my belt, I felt so much more prepared and like I was ready to handle anything that a new puppy could throw my way. I also knew that if I ran into problems, I could count on Jeff and Joelle to be there for support. While sometimes it was delivered bluntly, it was all information I needed to hear. So I got my second puppy at four months old and trained her to be off-leash dragging a long line by six months old. I have been an avid collector of Jeff and Joelle's courses, and I also did one of their coaching programs. As a result of challenging myself through their coaching, I got a new job working with dogs every day, and my outlook on life has been SO MUCH BETTER!! I am now raising a third puppy who I have done most of the puppy course with and will be doing Green to Graduate with, and I cannot wait to see her progress! My dogs have come so far with Jeff and Joelle's training methods, and I am no longer powerless to stop unwanted behaviors. While my dogs have attended and will attend training classes, these are more of a supplement to the real chunk of the training that I do at home and out in public with Solid K9 Training's courses. There are so many nuances that just don't get covered in a group class with 13 other dogs. I feel like I have learned so much about dog training and about myself because of Jeff and Joelle. I am also a part of their online community, which is made up of super supportive people who just want to see you succeed. Jeff and Joelle have helped me immensely, and if I ever did a board and train, I would send my dogs to them. They have guided me in my journey in these past two years that I have known them, and it has been a wonderful experience!

Steve C

Jeff and Joelle did an amazing job with Simon. I transported him from Boston, as I know that they are the best. He has made amazing strides in six weeks. His main issue was anxiety. Simon was a stray in Fort Worth. I now have a confident German Shepherd who knows where he fits in; he is happy and content. If you ever told me that Simon could stay in place and do recall in Home Depot six months ago, I would not have believed it. Thank you Joelle and Jeff.