Alpha K9 University is indeed a one-stop-shop when it comes to the finest canine services possible with an all-encompassing dog daycare, dog boarding/residence hall, dog training courses, doggie spa, dog health & wellness courses and, canine athletic facilities all at one convenient location.
Keli Andrea, owner of Alpha K9 University, is considered one of the top dog training experts in Indiana. Recently, she shared with me how she decided to open such a comprehensive, all-under-one-roof canine facility. “When I started in this business many years ago, I was driving from one side of town to another, and one state to another, participating in many different courses and training programs, including a few dog training courses online. When I found this location, I saw the opportunity to serve many different needs and to put down roots for my business, which is all about the care and love of dogs.”
Indeed, Alpha K9 University is a well-thought out diverse model, which provides so many needed services and specialized training courses for dog owners and handlers. But make no mistake, this K9 University is operated by experienced professionals with proven track records, excellent reputations, and extensive dog sport and behavioral knowledge.
A common concern from new “puppy parents” enrolling in one of the many obedience courses is, “How do I speak to my dog to get it to understand me?” Keli responds with a classic thought most of us have never heard before, “Dogs are not born speaking English. They respond to you when you teach through repetitive single verbal or sound commands,” she says with a smile. “When this sinks in, it makes perfect sense since it is the same formula we use to teach babies to understand us,” she adds.
Elizabeth Haywood, customer service director at Alpha K9 University, explains how she is working with her new puppy to understand “No/Stop” by using a verbal sounds of “Agh-Agh, which the dog now clearly understands upon observance.
“Some owners or show dog owners will use a clicker or some other kind of sound for their dog to recognize and follow, we use verbal markers. Marker training opens a very clear line of communication that the dog understands very well. Obedience is about teaching and nurturing the total canine in mind and spirit. Our obedience approach is not a crank & yank style,” she states.
Ryan Andrea, Kili’s son, is in charge of dog behavior and pack management, an important element of their services. “What I love the most about my position here is seeing the dogs smiling and tails wagging when I am greeted by them. I enjoy learning from them, while they learn from us as well as witnessing all of the different stages of life/training. And certainly the smiles on our clients faces at the end of the day makes it all worthwhile,” Ryan said.
Because Alpha K9 University offers so many different and specialized training courses the following is a brief overview of their services:
1. K9 Puppy Freshman Course: Goals of this puppy class are designed for owner/handlers basic commands and exercises such as: attention getting exercises, watch me, leave it, sit, down, and other general commands. It also includes, socialization skills, proper nutritional and housebreaking techniques, as well as addresses individual issues/and/or needs that will help the owner with training. Classes scheduled every week on Tuesday evenings starting on May 22 and ending on June 26th at 7:00 p.m.
2. K9 Sophomore Obedience Course: Goals are to create positive communication between the handler and the dog, while creating environmental sustainability. The handler will learn leadership skills, becoming the pack leader and creating a bond that will last a lifetime. This course also teaches basic obedience commands and exercises such as sit, stay, sit/stay, down, down/stay, walking on a lead, recall, etc. Classes: Every week on Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. starting on May 24th and ending June 28th.
3. K9 Junior Obedience Team Work Course: The first half hour of this course will be utilized to teach the handler how to improve on commands/exercises taught in the sophomore class, as well as additional exercises such as recall and off-lead heeling while increasing distractions. The remaining time (typically 45 minutes) will be utilized to practice team bonding taught in one of the large indoor arenas where there are maneuvering obstacles, jumping and dock-jumping to name a few. Classes are scheduled every week
on Thursday evenings at 8:30 p.m., starting May 24th and ending June 28th.
4. Improving Novice and Introductory Rally Skills: A weekly Senior level drop in class for trainers and/or dogs with intermediate/and advanced Novice level skill. This is an ongoing maintenance and improvement class that focuses on helping you to continue refining your AKC Novice level training on a regular basis. Regular attendance will prepare you for entering advanced level Obedience training (AKC Open and Utility). Prerequisites: It is for graduates of Alpha K9 U’s sophomore or junior level classes or equivalent. Classes scheduled every week on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
5. Basic Intermediate Dock-Diving Course: Goals of this class are designed to teach a dog and the handler to work together as a team, teaching the dog to jump the greatest distance into a pool. Introduces your dog to water/dock, how to select a retrieve object, how to control your dog while on the dock, retrievable object throwing techniques, how to build drive, dock diving rules, etc. Classes scheduled every week on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. starting May 3rd and ending May 31st or Saturdays starting on May 5th and ending on June 2nd at 9:00 a.m. NOTE: Alpha K9 University is the only site for Dock-Diving training and competition located in Indiana.
6. Agility Groundwork & Basic Course: Preface: Agility education begins with some kind of “groundwork” or sometimes referred to as “flatwork.” It isn’t about the obstacles; it’s about what happens between the obstacles as your dog spends more time between the obstacles running with you on the flat than they do performing the obstacle. Approach, guiding the dog, and focusing in on the dog’s foundation and agility skills apply to this course. Classes scheduled every week on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. starting on May 8th and ending on June 12th.
Add to all the above, the wonderful dog day care center and luxury boarding suites complete with a wonderful view and, their favorite TV programs.
Check it all out with a complete tour of the facility and one-on-one information concerning your own dog and what you expect to accomplish with your pet. As Keli told me, “Every dog is different and that’s why we work with each owner as we observe their own training process in our varied programs. There’s a solution at every level most times. I love animals and this is truly a place they can have fun, stretch their legs and the commands they really want to learn!”
You can see why you need to call for a complete tour of this wonderful K9 facility located at 10201 Hague Road (Between 96th Street and 106th). For more information call (317) 284-1299 or visit their website www.alphak9u.com or Facebook.com/alphak9u.
P.S. I loved the boarding suite area so much, I am thinking about making my own “personal” vacation reservation. Bow Wow!
Alpha K9 University
(Between 96th St. and 106th Street
(317) 284-1299
OBEDIENCE TRAINING COURSE SCHEDULES:
- Freshman “Puppy” Course – May, 22nd
- Sophomore “Novice” Course – May 24th
- Junior “Advancement/Teamwork” – May 24th
- Senior “Master” Course – On-Going
- Dock-Diving Course – May, 3rd
- Agility Course, May, 8th
- Nose Work Course, May 8th
