Steve and his team of trainers at Nitro K9 are the real deal. Both our young dogs have benefited…read morefrom Nitro's level 1 and 2 classes, and so it's very easy to recommend Nitro if you're looking for a trainer. It is worth acknowledging that Nitro makes use of prong and e-collars in their training method, and if you have concerns about these tools, I am happy to report there's nothing to be concerned about. I have witnessed my dog gaze up lovingly and with attention at Steve while under his guidance on a prong collar; you could feel the genuine connection between trainer and dog. This kind of experience was enough for me to put any concerns I had aside and welcome the training. It's also worth noting that Steve himself can be a bit of a personality, unafraid to speak his mind and get into a range of discussion topics. Underneath the personality is a genuine human, who wants nothing more than for dogs to receive the training that will most help them get along inside the home and the world. Thanks, Steve and Nitro K9 for your help with our dogs!

After suddenly losing one of our dogs in October 2025, our 10 yo Doberman was so heartbroken. He…read morebecame critically ill, resulting in over $5,000 in emergency vet bills and little improvement. We swore to no more dogs but then we saw Mia, a 9-month-old, Doberman puppy found on the street in LA by animal control. Her leg was degloved, necrotic and filled with maggots. She was intercepted by a rehab, received amputation and much needed medical attention. We followed her story for a couple months, hoping she would find a home, but she didn't. Somehow, we caved, did the unthinkable and flew to Los Angeles, scooping her up and driving her back to Washington in a rental car mid-winter. She was terrified, ferrell and full of dominant "spicy" energy so we booked an appointment with one of the top positive-treat-based trainers with reactive-dog expertise in the state, to help us introduce our dogs upon return and it was a disaster. Our senior exploded in pure terror, barking and lunging. She tossed treats; they ignored her. Twenty minutes in she shrugged, said she had "no magic wand," sent us home and refunded half our session. 2 days later she emailed us suggesting we rehome Mia to a foster "for our safety" which felt like a slap in the face. The very next day we thoroughly researched every trainer in Washington, and Nitro K-9 stood head and shoulders above the rest. I emailed Steve and he called back within minutes with genuine understanding, zero judgment, got us in within days and made our 2-hour commute in separate cars well worth it. In the first ten minutes Steve had both dogs calmly obeying, walking together on leash, and listening! He instantly saw what the other trainer missed: our senior was fear-reactive, meaning he was scared. Steve and North have taught us clear communication and connection with our dogs. They've taught us how to properly command quick correction and full attention using high-quality prong collars, like a mother dog's natural nips. No pain, no fear, no endless treats or bribes, just genuine praise, affection, and connection, the way real bonds and parenting work. He showed us how to step into calm leadership so our dogs could relax, trust, and stop carrying the burden themselves. He stayed by our side through every panicked text, every "what now?" and our dog's transformation is nothing short of miraculous. Mia is happy, confident and loves her big brother now. Our senior knows his role and is playing with her like a puppy again. They love each other and actually enjoy being together! If you're a reactive, rescue, fearful or high-drive dog parent, have been let down by "treat-motivated training" and have avoided prong collars because of the myths, you have been misinformed like we were. Don't give up, stop scrolling and call Nitro, I promise you won't regret it! IWe are forever grateful!

Not me crying on the way home from Puzzle's lesson today! I'm just so stinkin' proud of her and…read morehow far she has come with the help of A Canine Experience (ACE). Before we started training with ACE, several people were telling me to "give Puzzle back to the rescue " or "put Puzzle down" because of her behavior and the damage she was doing. It broke my heart because I knew she had it in her to be great - we just needed to learn how to work together. ACE taught us how. Our trainer, Lauren, was exceptional! I'm so thankful that she believed in Puzzle like I did. She changed both our lives! Puzzle is now the best friend I always hoped for and the goodest girl ever!

Porter is always happy when he comes home from "camp". He is a nervous boy who needs camp while we…read moreare away. We also had him in board and train. He came home a more confident and happy boy. He has great manners and is so much easier to work with at home. We are grateful for the staff. They really do love their job!

Mary Crawford and her team are the best of the best. From evaluation through completion of our…read moretraining series, I have been blown away by the care and service provided by this team. Mary knows dogs better than anyone, and her ability to understand and troubleshoot the dog-human relationship is remarkable. She works with her whole team (including Kimberlee who provided extremely helpful guidance and emotional support from day one!) to troubleshoot difficult issues and develop creative solutions. My pup's training plan felt extremely customized, and we also felt (and continue to feel) super supported by the team. Training with Crawford Canine Connection is worth its value x10. I would recommend Mary to anyone and everyone struggling with their pup. She has changed our lives!

We rescued a Great Dane mix who was a street dog in Mexico. She was very frustrated on a leash. She…read moreis very social and wants to meet all the dogs she sees but she's big and looks aggressive when she sees a dog on a leash. Mary was referred to us by our vet. We had an amazing experience with her. She taught us how to help Annabel not practice her leash frustration. With consistent practice, Annabel's progress was significant and it has made our lives with her so much more enjoyable. We have even taken her camping with a campsite full of dogs and she done so well. I am so proud of her and so grateful for Mary. She is the true dog whisperer!

My wife and I have been training our puppy with Kim since November. Our dogs name is Redford and he…read moreis currently a 6 month old Goldendoodle. We were really excited to get our first puppy but we did not realize all the headaches that were to come. A month or so in, I was at Pet Pros in Lake Stevens buying a muzzle for my puppy because he would not stop biting my wife. The clerk suggested that rather than use the muzzle begin working with a trainer. She handed me Kim's card. Kim has been a great trainer. The constant nipping has become a thing of the past. Redford knows over a dozen commands. Whether he listens or not is something we are still working on :-), but he is only 6 months old. Incredible! Additionally, my favorite thing about Lake Stevens K9 Academy LLC is that I am able to board my puppy with Kim. Redford loves his "playdates". So it gives me peace of mind when I'm away from him because I know he is in a place he loves and that he's in great hands. Thanks Kim! Nathaniel and Brittany Van Duine

We have been working with Kim at Lake Stevens K9 Academy since 2021. We enrolled our energetic…read moreBelgian Tervuren in a few puppy classes and he eventually completed his Canine Good Citizen test. It was a great way for him to be socialized and learn good manners. The classes were very low key and practical. We have continued to work with Kim and her team with dog boarding during our vacations and occasionally home drop ins when we have to work long hours. There's no one else we trust more! They always have great attention to detail and treat our dogs like family. We also have an elderly German Shepherd with reactivity and she does great with Kim as well. Highly recommend!

I have been taking my dog there for the last thirteen years. Friendly excellence service, always…read morethere to help you and your pet.r

I have gone to Debbie from Doggy Haven for years for grooming my fur baby. She is so patient while…read moregrooming my senior doggy. At times Bellah's hind legs just go out and I trust Debbie to treat her like her own animal. We recently took over the care of my mom's dog, Maddie. Again, the girls went in shaggy and came out beautiful. We love Mary too. She schedules and notify us is if we need to update vaccines. I highly recommend Doggy Haven!

I recently adopted a little white Poodle from a high kill shelter that rescued animals that…read moresurvived the Hurricane in Puerto Rico last year. It took quite a bit of maneuvering (and funds) to get her to Washington state and by the time she got here she looked a mess and was a nervous wreck. She was a bit matted, she wouldn't look you in the eyes and she trembled a lot. I named her 'Diamond' and brought her home me and my cat Coal gave her unconditional love and helped her to calm down for a month. When I'd saved a few dollars I took Diamond to PetSmart and introduced her to your groomers and told them a bit of her story and explained that I wanted to give her a "Pretty Woman" day at the doggy spa. But I only had enough for a bath, so please make it a nice, long special bath. They asked if I wanted a haircut or at least a poodle facial cut (I had no idea what that was) but I explained that money was tight. They said they'd call when she was ready and that it should take about 90 minutes. 2 hours later I still hadn't gotten a call. When it was going on 3 hours I went back to the store a little concerned. They were very busy and as I waited for someone to come to the counter, I was looking at all the doggies being 'finished up' and noticed a beautiful fancy, upscale, fritzy little white poodle standing proud and holding her little head high and thought to myself "one day, that's how I want little Diamond to look and feel. Proud and strong." The lady gave me the paperwork and told me to go pay up front and by the time I got back she'd be ready. Well, imagine my surprise when I was given a $10 'first visit' discount (woo hoo!) which made the visit easily fall within my price range. When I back to the grooming area, the ladies handed me my lease and pink collar attached to the glamorous Poodle I'd been eyeing earlier. It was Diamond! I hadn't even recognized her! These wonderful woman had taken it upon themselves to give this puppy a full "Pretty Woman" doggy day. They tried to whisper all this to me around the other customers, but by that time I was crying, one of the groomer ladies was kinda crying, some were grinning and looking silly and a few of the other customers were looking misty. The dog was absolutely beautiful and happy and dancing. As was I. And can't say 'Thank You' enough to the groomers at PetSmart in Everett, Washington. You made my day. And the little furry 'Julia Roberts' will never be the same. Thanks again ladies! Rejina Brown Lynnwood, WA

Petsmart Grooming Salon of Everett Mall Way in Everett, WA...get expert groomers, please! Not like…read moreANGELA!!! People, please do not get or make an appointment to this lady if you really want to go to this location. If i could give 0 star, i would! Please see photos of my poor Shihtzu haircut. So awful!!! Very disappointed!!!

Shawna is Amazing. We have friends that have used her and loved her so when we found the puppy we…read morewanted to train as my service animal as a disabled vet we met with Shawna. First, we started with puppy classes for basic manners. After that, we switched to service Dog Training. The video with the light switch is at her facility. The second video is at our house. For the service Dog Training we train at both locations. It is nice that she comes to our house once a week rather than us having to travel to her location only. Highly recommend. Nala turns 1 year old tomorrow and is doing so good.

I would highly recommend Shawna to any puppy or adult dog owners! For the first 7 months of having…read moreour first puppy, I read and watched fair amount of dog training books and videos, thought I had my pandemic puppy well trained and don't need a trainer. I was wrong! Those only sustained me through the first 6 months. When the puppy transitions into its adolescent phase, I encountered many challenges that I did not observe before and would like to address. I needed affirmation and correct ways to train immediately. Shawna was professional, prompt, and very pleasant to work with. She recommended the best approach (social walk club) and guided me through most economical way to continue my adolescent puppy's training. The program is so worth it with many customized tips and tricks. My puppy is so happy to be on the weekly social walk club program. Love his new friends and Shawna! I can see his steady improvements over just 4 visits!

Shea is the best dog instructor ever!! Helped us make our crazy puppy into a civilized young man!!!read more

From the owner: Training Your Animal Friends: Passionate. Patient. Persistent. These are just a few of the…read morecharacteristic that describe us here at Pawsitive Dog Training School. We know that each dog is different and we'll work with yours to give them the specific guidance they need. Whether you're thinking about getting a new pup, have a new pet, own a pet with behavioral problems, or are taking your dog to the next show, we are here to help! We are offering 3 custom Board & Train options, along with private lessons with exclusive access to training equipment packages and boarding priority in the future!