REAL DOG TRAINING
REAL RESULTS

Great place for me and my dog

** this is for virtual training services! Steve & the Nitro K9 Team are so great; I can’t recommend them enough if you’re looking for support and are ready to commit. We struggled with reactivity and obedience with our very high-energy rescue, and Steve was the first person to really make a difference. We live in different states and trained virtually, and he was still able to do more than any of the in-person trainers we worked with. I strongly believe that Steve can help you and your dog - no matter the situation you’re in. I often came in feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and hopeless (as I’m sure anyone who deals with reactivity is familiar with), but I left every interaction with Steve feeling optimistic and empowered. He provides an unparalleled level of support and guidance to his students and will ALWAYS make himself available for questions, concerns, comments, etc. Don’t get me wrong - it’s a lot of work and a very serious commitment - but it’s well worth every dollar and minute. Steve is a literal fountain of knowledge, and is endlessly giving with it, but be prepared to “unlearn”and re-train yourself, too. Thank you, Steve!!! Just wish we had found you sooner.

I am so glad that I found Steve and the Nitro K-9 crew. Last summer, I was given the opportunity to raise and train my own service dog. I didn't know where to start when it came to my puppy's training, so I reached out to Steve and enrolled us in his program. After 10 months of patient training, we are almost done. They helped me figure out what tasks would benefit me the most and walked me through the steps of teaching my dog those tasks. Having my service dog has given me back my freedom and sense of independence. I highly recommend Steve and his crew to anyone wanting to improve their relationship with their dog.

Steve and North were spot on in what kind of training our dogs needed. I was especially impressed in how they could read the dogs personalities and focus individual habits that each animal has.

If you're looking for a team that is truly dedicated to the well-being of both your dogs and your household, look no further than Steve and his incredible team at NitroK9. We came to Steve at a desperate time, struggling with dogs that had become territorially aggressive, and I had even been injured to the point of needing surgery trying to break up dog fights (yes, I do know I shouldn't do this, but my instincts kicked in!) Our home was no longer a safe place, and we were worried we would have to make the impossible choice between our dogs and our safety. But NitroK9 was our last hope—and they did not disappoint. What sets NitroK9 apart is their approach to dog training. They don't rely on treats and rewards as primary incentives because frankly that just teaches a dog to do something to get a treat...not to NOT do something that needs correction in the first place. Instead, they focus on teaching the humans how to understand their dogs’ body language and emotions, so we can recognize when they feel threatened or unsure and might act out. We learned how to set boundaries as the foundation. We learned to mitigate and train our dogs to redirect, not do something inappropriate to then get corrected to get a treat. This was a game changer for us. We realized we could still reward our dogs for good behavior with treats and love, we also needed to be firm about what behavior was unacceptable. Our dogs were craving structure and leadership from us, and with Steve’s guidance, we learned how to provide that. Over the course of our training, we grew in ways we didn’t think possible. And when we had to say goodbye to one of our dogs due to old age, the team at NitroK9 was there for us every step of the way, not only helping us re-establish boundaries but also supporting us emotionally during that tough time. They showed us how to help our remaining two dogs thrive amidst the changes and gave us the confidence to move forward as a family. Here is a behavior transformation example: we previously couldn't ever let one of our dogs off leash until now. She was wild, ran away, caused a ruckus where she ran to, jumped on everything, and didn't know how to read other dogs or peoples energy. Now she runs around our land free, comes when we call her, approaches people appropriately, and will break off from chasing another animal when told. She almost 100% has stoped barking at people coming to our house, she welcomes guests without jumping and pushing. She is happier, healthier, and we can tell she feels more secure in her surroundings. Steve is no longer just our trainer; he’s become family. While our formal training sessions are complete, we continue to reach out to him for advice and adjustments when new situations arise. His insights are invaluable, and his support continues to make all the difference. We share our NitroK9 experience with everyone we know who has dogs—or is thinking of getting one. A 5 star review doesn't feel like enough to capture the value and benefits they provide. They are truly the best, and I can’t recommend them enough.

We came to Nitro for help with my rescue pup's aggression and reactivity issues. We had tried years of medication and positive reinforcement-only training, both with private trainers and classes, with limited success. The change with Nitro was remarkable. I feel like my dog and I are finally communicating. After seven sessions and a lot of practice, he is more confident, relaxed, and walks are much less stressful for both of us. I highly recommend Nitro to other dog owners struggling with these problems.

Working with Steve, North, and the entire NitroK9 team has been nothing short of life-changing for us and our dogs. We came in with fearful, anxious pups who struggled to feel confident in the world, and with Steve’s expert guidance, they’re now blossoming into curious, excited companions who are truly living their best lives. My husband and I are beyond excited for the next steps in our dogs’ training journey. The transformation we’ve seen so far has not only improved their confidence but has also completely shifted our perspective as pawrents. We’re more connected to our dogs than ever, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the enhanced relationship we now share with them. What sets Steve apart is how deeply he cares about every single client and pup. He goes above and beyond—not because it’s his job, but because he genuinely loves what he does. Every dog who comes through his door is treated like family (honestly, like one of his own!), and that kind of dedication is rare and priceless. We can’t recommend NitroK9 enough—especially if you have fearful or anxious little pups and want to see them thrive. Steve’s passion, knowledge, and heart make him and his team the best in the business.

To say that Steve, North, and the entire team at Nitro are phenomenal would be an understatement. They truly get to know your dog and you. My wife and I have two rescue dogs that had severe cases of anxiety, fear, pulling, refusing to walk, barking, crying, you name it… we were desperate and at rock bottom. Even from the initial visit, we immediately saw what we had been doing wrong. We didn’t just get dog training. We have had a complete renewal on life as we know it. Our dogs are confident, engaged, and happier than ever. No more pulling, no more barking, no more fear. They are not only more obedient, they are just happier dogs now, and we can all enjoy life that much more. The philosophy and approach Steve takes is rare, direct, and so effective. He leaves you feeling more confident too, not just your dogs!! The focus on energy and your relationship with your canine is really the foundation of why I believe Nitro K9 is so effective at what they do. With consistency and engagement from everyone involved, I believe there is nothing Nitro K9 cannot help you accomplish. I just wish we found them sooner!! If you’re on the fence, don’t wait!! Go!!

It is absolutely worth your time and energy to go through training with Steve. Training my dog at Nitro K9 brought me to a whole new understanding of dogs and of myself. I went to Steve with my rescue pup just 3 weeks after getting him. I was looking to get him trained as a service dog but I had no idea where to begin. My first couple sessions with Steve were very enlightening. I had never seen a prong collar used to train dogs before and my first instinct was to believe everything I had seen in the media about them. Steve explained to me how they should be used correctly and how they are often used incorrectly. I trusted him through this process and thank god I did because I never would have believed it would be possible to have a relationship with my dog the way I do now. I was even able to stop taking most of my medications because of my service dog. Every dog owner should learn these basic skills of taking care of your dog. Their curriculum changed my life in many ways I wasn't expecting. No matter what you choose to train your dog for with Steve, I am 100% positive your relationship with your dog and with yourself will improve.

This was our first experience working with Nitro K9, and it was wonderful. My daughter worked with Steve and his team over the past year to train a service dog for her upon the recommendation of one of her healthcare providers. We opted for in-home visits for the training. Towards the end of the training process, the trainers very kindly met us in a variety of public settings (even school!) to help my daughter and her dog gain more experience and exposures. Steve and his team were patient and kind with my daughter and her dog. I should note that my daughter was only 12-years-old (now 13) when she began the process, and her dog was just a few months old when training began. It’s clear that the folks at Nitro K9 love what they do, and they are highly skilled at doing it. I highly recommend their services for training service animals!

Steve and his team are magicians. We had an even tempered corgi puppy that they turned into an amazing service dog for my young daughter. They were very encouraging and were able to motivate both the dog and child to keep going and to improve their skills. We did about 6 months of weekly skills training and then about 6 months of every-other-week "out in public" training. That worked really well for us. My daughter's dog accompanies her everywhere and recently took his first flight! Steve and his team have really changed our lives for the better!

Our dog Pixie used to be very reactive on the leash, which made everyday walks stressful and unpredictable. We often had to walk her late at night just to avoid encountering other dogs. Another major challenge was the lack of obedience - she constantly pulled on the leash and would get overstimulated by rabbits, birds, and squirrels. After several years of trying to manage her behavior on our own, we realized we needed professional help. I'm so glad we chose Nitro K-9. After 14 sessions, we saw a remarkable transformation in our dog's behavior. Almost all of the issues we struggled with have been resolved, and she now listens even in off-leash situations. Walks are no longer a source of stress - we can finally enjoy our time with her. We are incredibly grateful to North and Steve for their work with our dog. The results exceeded our expectations, and we highly recommend Nitro K-9 to anyone facing similar challenges.

My partner and I found Nitro K-9 after struggling with our fearful and reactive dog. We were desperate to help Atlas after working with other trainers with little success. She was attacked by an off leash dog that completely set back any progress she made and we felt lost and hopeless. We could only walk her at night in an attempt to avoid all dogs and people. She struggled with leash pulling, basic obedience, and reactivity. It began to greatly impact my quality of life as well as our pup. We knew something needed to change after many scary encounters, especially given her breed. After seeing so many positive reviews of Nitro K-9 from clients with similar experiences, I finally felt hopeful we found somebody that could truly help us and our dog. Knowing that Steve at Nitro K-9 specializes in anxious and aggressive dogs was a great comfort, as I was scared my dog had become aggressive and I had no idea how to help her. After only two sessions and plenty of at home practice, it's like Atlas is a completely different dog. Walking her has become enjoyable again. Atlas and I are both learning so many valuable skills and her anxiety has decreased exponentially. We no longer are afraid of encountering other dogs and people. The prong collar has been a game changer for the leash pulling, and the organized and controlled environment has really helped Atlas learn to break through her anxiety and thrive. She has made progress I never thought was possible. The people at Nitro K-9 are incredibly knowledgeable and truly are committed and passionate about what they do. I would absolutely recommend Nitro K-9 to anyone who shares similar experiences.

Steve has been an absolute game-changer for me and my Samoyed Archie. We came to him struggling with reactivity, where walking with him was more stressful than an enjoyable activity. Thanks to his expert guidance, patience, and dedication, we’ve made incredible progress. One of the biggest milestones was achieving reliable off-leash recall—something I never thought possible for a northern dog. Now my dog can run freely through open fields and snowy trails, satisfy his adventurous spirit, and I have full confidence he’ll come back when called. What really sets Steve apart is the amazing support network he’s built—I felt heard and knew I wasn’t going through this alone. His organized play sessions have been key in helping my dog build confidence in a safe, structured environment, and I’ve grown just as much alongside him. Steve doesn’t just train dogs—he transforms the bond between dog and owner. I can’t recommend him enough!!!

We had a terrific experience with Steve and the K9 Nitro team. We had a non-stop barker & runner (Bella) + a reactive and sometimes aggressor towards other dogs and delivery people (Sadie). Their idiosyncrasies were getting worse at age 4.5 and 5.5. Yesterday Bella & Sadie finished their 14-week level one training. Remarkably, they are different dogs. Bella comes immediately when called — and stops barking on command. Sadie has calmed down tremendously and is lovely around strangers, other dogs and is perfect on the leash. It’s an unbelievable transformation! Thank you Steve & North! 🐾💕

Steve's training has helped my family immensely. His love for dogs shows through with him helping owners fully connect and gain trust with their animals. My sister is far better now than a year before when we got our dog and went into training here. Everyone I meet I will tell about Steve and his training because of what I've seen and experienced.

I have a working dog breed and I didn’t have the knowledge, skills and mindset needed for her to flourish, instead she was displaying some challenging problem behaviors and I knew I needed help. I found Nitro K9 through a local vet and couldn’t be happier with them. It’s so rewarding to put effort in and see improvement! Steve understands working dogs and clearly loves them. Big shout out to Steve and the Nitro K9 gang!

Working with Steve and the Nitro K-9 team was hands down the best decision my wife and I have made for our two large dogs. Before finding Nitro, we were extremely limited in what we could do due to their reactivity—walks were stressful, parks were off-limits, and travel was nearly impossible because we didn’t feel safe leaving them with anyone. That’s all changed. Now, we’re able to enjoy experiences with our dogs we never thought possible. It’s been truly life-changing—not just for us, but for our boys as well. If you’re looking for real, lasting transformation for your four-legged best friends, I can’t recommend Nitro K-9 highly enough

The progress with our puppy Daisy even after the first lesson was incredible! She used to pull me on the street and was so reactive with other dogs and people. She just had her first flight in the cabin and behaved exemplary❤️. Steve has been an amazing mentor throughout the process and it is obvious that he is very passionate about his job; he’s build a great community!

Doing business with Steve was great. His understandings and accomplishments I was expecting were met perfectly. He was always thorough with everything that needed to be done for the services I needed. Also i purchased some items from him and the transaction went smoothly with no issues at all. I would highly recommend!

We started our dog training hoping to get some help with our dogs and are finishing with a stronger marriage. Our black lab wouldn’t stop barking at random noises and wouldn’t listen. Our 1yr old golden retriever was entering the “T-Rex” phase. All that and the dogs were causing tension in our marriage. Now our dogs are calmer, better behaved, and our marriage is stronger than ever. We get compliments on a regular basis on how different our dogs are and how our labs anxiety has gone away and doesn’t bark. Thank you Steve and North. Your training helped us create amazing dogs and helped our marriage in ways we didn’t realize we needed. I highly recommend Nitro K-9 Steve and North for your dog and maybe it will help your marriage too.

Working with Steve and his team is hands down one of the best things we did for our dog. My wife and I are first time dog owners and we enrolled our 1.5 y/o Australian shepherd Quinn for the 14 week basic obedience course. We started our training journey with a few food based trainers and classes. We were able to teach Quinn some basic commands like sit, down etc. but hit a ceiling when it came to real life skills like walking without pulling, extended stays, consistent recall, and ignoring distractions. You know, actual manners and obedience. Steve and his teams approach changed everything for us. Quinn is like an entirely different dog now. They trained us first by teaching us how to read her and communicate through leash skills. Quinn knows what is expected from her now, and eagerly awaits direction. She’s a much happier, calm and confident pup. We’ve developed a rock solid heel/recall on and off leash. She knows when it’s play time vs work time, when she can meet other dogs and when she can’t. Quinn’s favorite part, we have the off leash confidence to safely trail run + mountain bike (where appropriate), my favorite part too. Beyond a highly knowledgeable trainer, Steve is also a wealth of knowledge all things dog. We left every session with some additional facts about food, diet and health - to how dogs pick up smells and scent travels through the air. Thank you Steve, Haddyn, Kate, and team, for helping give us an incredible relationship and bond with Quinn.

My heart is so full of gratitude for Steve the incredible impact he’s had on our journey with Gwen. In just three short weeks, the progress has been unbelievable - not just in her behavior, but in our connection with her. She listens, walks calmly on leash, and today at the park I was blown away with how far her recall has come already. Watching her respond with so much trust and confidence made me feel so proud of her—and of us. Steve’s and North’s guidance has given me and my husband the confidence I didn’t know we needed as a dog owners, and it’s brought us even closer to our sweet Winnie girl. I honestly can’t thank him enough. 1000/10—highly, deeply, and wholeheartedly recommend.

I reached out to Steve for basic and advanced obedience for my dogs. I have two rescue staffy‘s who are timid and shy but Steve understood their remper right away! I was already training my dogs for about 2 years and I never thought I would see this progress! Only after 3 lessons my dogs were so much more confident and were able to hold a focused heel!! Working on the heel made all the difference for us. If you‘re willing to put in the work Nitro is the place!!

If you have a dog that’s part land shark, part tornado, and part demon in a fur coat, stop scrolling and call Nitro K9. I took my German Shepherd-Husky mix, Camina, to Steve and North about a month ago, and the transformation has been nothing short of miraculous. Before Nitro K9: - Camina walked me. - My arms were gaining muscle mass from resisting her sled-dog ambitions. - My neighbors feared for their kneecaps. - My social anxiety was thriving because interacting with people is already hard enough without a feral wolf embarrassing me. After Nitro K9: - I walk Camina like a functional human being. - My arms have returned to normal proportions. - My neighbors no longer cross the street when they see us. - Steve and North have somehow managed to train both my dog and me (a socially awkward disaster) with endless patience and good humor. I’m convinced they are part dog whisperer, part magician. They’ve made training actually fun, even for someone like me who prefers dogs to humans 99% of the time. If you’re on the fence, just do it. Your dog—and your sanity—will thank you. 10/10, would trust them to train a velociraptor.

Working with Steve and crew at Nitro K9 has changed my life for the better! Steve really took the time to train ME! With the 14 week program my partner and i learned how to communicate with our wild GSP puppy who was more than a handful. We learned all the basic commands and a few bonus commands. We learned the proper use of a prong collar, hand signals, and an e-collar. I was not into the prong collar at first, but boy did I have it all wrong. It was the prong collar used correctly that saved our relationship with the our doggie. Thank you Steve and crew! We are back again with puppy number two!

The first time I spoke with Steve over the phone I thought he sounded a bit arrogant or cocky. Then I met him in person and had a great conversation and was able to ask a ton of questions. It was then I realized my initial judgement was very wrong. And while I was wrong about my initial assumptions about him, I also realized he is right to be so confident and sure that his training techniques, expertise, and ability to help people properly train their dogs works and works quite well. Once I met Steve in person and was able to have a conversation with him, I immediately knew he was the right choice to select as our trainer. At times the tips, advice, and training techniques he shares seem so simple in theory or thought. And once you put them into practice, you will quickly realize how well they work. You will quickly understand during daily practice and exercise of your dog that the tips, advice, and training techniques Steve shares are the easy part. You will quickly come to understand that the most difficult part about training your dog to be successful is that you have to train and exercise your dog daily and consistently. I would even say to see the best success in and to see best of your dog’s abilities; you should be doing all this 2 or more times each day, don’t miss or reschedule any of your weekly training sessions, and if there is a dog social event scheduled during the week, try to attend them whenever possible. Last, to share our own experience; we are training a small service dog. When we started she expressed a lot of anxiety toward just about any dog she saw no matter the distance or what the dog was doing. Taking her into establishments as a service animal often created a feeling of being anxious because we weren’t sure or confident she wasn’t going to act out which is never good when she’s supposed to be working. It was only a matter of a few months of training with her consistently that the feeling of anxiety disappeared and we could take her into any establishment without hesitation believing she was going to perform without any issues without worry that she might act out when any situation arose that could cause a distraction and her behavior might change. Thank you Steve for providing such a great place to train and all the advice and tips along the way that have made Izzy a fantastic service animal. She’s truly the amazing dog she should be and so much better for it.

I can’t say enough wonderful things about Nitro K9 and the incredible experience I’ve had training my amazing pup to become a fully trained service animal. After searching for years and coming up short, finding Nitro K9 truly changed everything. From day one, Steve — the fabulous trainer and owner — has been nothing short of phenomenal. His expertise, patience, and dedication made all the difference, not just for my dog but for me as well. The transformation in my pup has been remarkable. She’s now obedient, confident in public, and able to perform essential tasks for me during difficult times. But what I didn’t expect was how much I would grow through this process too — training her has also taught me patience, calmness, and the importance of consistency. One of the things that really sets Nitro K9 apart is the community Steve has created. He goes above and beyond, even hosting service animal meet-up groups in his own free time. These sessions focus on training with high levels of distraction, recalls, and social etiquette — and they’re invaluable. Not only do they strengthen our dogs’ skills, but they also foster a supportive and safe community for handlers and their service animals. I feel so incredibly grateful and blessed to be part of this journey. If you’re looking for exceptional training and a trainer who truly cares, Nitro K9 is the place. Thank you, Steve, for everything you do — your dedication changes lives.

If you are looking for a dog trainer who will not only transform your dog’s behavior but also revolutionize the way you understand and communicate with your four-legged companion, look no further than Nitro K9 and Steve! From the very first session, it was clear that Steve doesn’t just train dogs—he trains YOU to think, lead, and connect with your dog on a whole new level. What sets him apart from other trainers is his ability to cater every session specifically to your dog’s unique personality, your lifestyle, and your skill level. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned dog owner, he meets you exactly where you are and builds from there. But Steve isn’t just about teaching commands—he teaches a philosophy. This isn’t some rigid, cookie-cutter obedience program. Instead, Steve empowers you with the knowledge and skills to develop your own commands and truly understand how your dog thinks. His methods create a level of trust and respect between you and your dog that goes beyond simple sit-stay exercises—it’s about building an unshakable bond. And for those of us with unpredictable schedules (shoutout to my fellow on-call professionals rushing into the ER at a moment’s notice!), Steve is incredibly understanding when last-minute cancellations happen. He gets that life happens, and his flexibility and compassion make a world of difference. But Nitro K9 isn’t just a training service—it’s a community. Steve actively helps connect dog owners with each other, fostering a supportive network both online and in-person. His free socialization and training classes are absolute gold, giving dogs and their humans a safe and structured environment to practice and learn together. If you’re serious about unlocking the full potential of your relationship with your dog, Nitro K9 is THE place to go. Steve is not just a trainer—he’s a mentor, a guide, and a game-changer in the world of dog training. Five stars? I wish I could give ten. Nitro K9 is simply the best.

Steve at Nitro K9 is a lifesaver! We have a 105lb Tibetan Mastiff cross named Winston, and his reactivity at our exterior gates was becoming a serious safety concern. He was extremely reactive, and frankly, it was terrifying. With my husband often traveling, I was genuinely worried I wouldn't be able to control Winston, and that he could seriously injure a delivery driver or someone else at the gate. Within just a few weeks of training and then 3 sessions with Steve on E collar training, Winston went from a roaring lion to a gentle baby lamb. The training from Nitro was nothing short of miraculous. He understood Winston's breed and temperament perfectly, and his approach was calm, consistent, and effective. He didn't just train Winston; he empowered us with the tools and knowledge to manage his reactivity. Now, Winston is calm and controlled at the gate, and I feel completely safe and confident handling him. What I didn't expect was how emotional the process would be for me. Steve helped me realize I wasn't being a leader with Winston, and honestly, not even in my own life. He helped me see that and gave me the tools to change. I never expected this kind of dog training to bring up so much of my own stuff, but I'm so grateful it did. Steve is a straight talker. He won't give you BS and will expect you to become a leader and take full responsibility for your dog. He holds you accountable, which is exactly what we needed. Steve's expertise and dedication are unparalleled. If you have a large, reactive dog, especially one with strong protective instincts, Steve Walter at Nitro K9 is the answer. He's given us peace of mind and, most importantly, a safe and very very happy chilled out dog.

Steve helped us with a 2 yo female Husky that was a frenetic mess. In a year she was reliably off leash and a wonderful companion until she died. Now we have a new 4 month old beautiful red Husky. We are amazed at what a puppy is capable of with a little guidance, but he is still a Husky;). Thanks brother!

Great place to train and connect with your Dog. I came to Steve and Nitro K9 with my 8 moths XL American Bully and purchased basic obedience package (14 Sessions, On leash and Off Leash) Can only say words of gratefulness and thankfulness to Steve and team for helping my dog to be who he is today. We can freely walk in parks and play with other dogs, also his recall is amazing. Would definitely recommend Steve and Nitro K9 to anyone who is ready to take on the leader role and help your best four-legged friend to become fully trained dog.

*A successful foster-fail* ❤️ I’m so grateful for the incredible progress Dottie has made. When we rescued her in October, she was a fearful, defensive dog, struggling with trust after being dumped. We definitely felt like we needed a major intervention for her wellbeing. We reached out to NitroK9 and was able to get her into an assessment quickly. By pure luck we were able to slide into a rare cancellation spot at the board and train program. After her three week stay, she has returned a totally different well behaved dog. One of the most heartwarming changes is her bond with our older dog—she's seeking companionship instead of dominance. Dottie has also made significant strides in reducing her crate anxiety, no longer Houdini’ing her way out of the crate! Thank you for giving Dottie the chance to become the confident and happy pupper that she deserves to be in this lifetime. We’re so grateful for the love and care you’ve provided! We plan to continue working with NitroK9 now that we feel confident that we can be the right family for her.

We just finished 14 lessons with our 2 year old Maltese. He became heavily reactive to other dogs making it difficult to walk or take him anywhere. We had worked with 6 other trainers coming to K9 Nitro with things only getting worse. In fact one trainer suggested we put our dog on Prozac, which us and our vet were appalled by the recommendation as our dog is not a case for Prozac. We travel with our animals and don’t want to stop because of reactivity. With this training we have seen improvements and have the tools to work through reactions. We will be continuing maintenance sessions and work towards off leash reliability.

We just completed seven sessions with Nitro K-9, along with a four-day board and train. Nitro K-9 was recommended to us by two other Samoyed owners, and I can’t express how much of a relief it’s been to find this place. We were at our wits’ end with our one-year-old Samoyed, Nali. After investing so much time with several trainers, we still saw no progress. Nali would constantly bark to demand attention, jump on everyone and everything, and had developed excitement-based reactivity, so she would lunge and bark at other dogs on walks like a maniac. Steve can tell you all about how we first walked through the doors—I could barely control Nali with her barking, pulling, and frantic behavior, paying me zero attention. It was embarrassing. Anyone who saw her then would never have believed we’d spent hours upon hours each week trying to train her. Things immediately took a turn for the better when we found Nitro. I’ll be the first to admit that I was very hesitant to use a prong collar or e-collar. People in our circles had been suggesting them for months, but I refused to even open my mind to the idea. However, nothing else was working, so I decided to at least learn more about them. Within our first session, I realized much of my hesitation was misinformed, and I hadn’t understood how these tools are intended to be used—not to harm the dog, but to communicate clearly. Nitro introduced these tools with such care, technique, and attention to detail. I would have stopped immediately if I felt Nali was being mistreated, but that never happened. Learning how to use these tools has allowed us to communicate and build a relationship with our dog that has completely changed both our lives and hers for the better. Watching Steve handle Nali for the first time, I was in disbelief—she was not the same dog. The trainers are so dedicated to these dogs and love them deeply. Even with all her sass, Nali adored each trainer she worked with. She learned to heel, stay, focus on us (the best thing ever!), and much more. Through these training exercises, Nitro supported us in building a positive relationship with Nali, one that’s based on clear communication, boundaries, and love. Now, Nali is a much calmer, happier, and less anxious dog, and we are much calmer, happier, and less anxious people. 🙂 She has made incredible progress over the past few months, and we hope to come back for more sessions soon to continue building on her success. Long story short: I can't recommend Nitro-K9 enough.

Absolutely top-notch dog training. Steve and his colleagues taught us that training our dog to ignore distractions actually calms her down, because she learns that it's not her job to protect us from everything that might be out there. Our dog didn't respond very well to previous treat-based training because she just isn't food-motivated. Now we can take her for a walk without her running every which way and being totally unpredictable about which dogs she would ignore and which she would bark at -- she ignores almost all of them now.

I'm so glad we found Nitro K-9 because it was a total game changer for us! We adopted our shepsky Nitro in February when he was around 3 months and a half. Being a first time dog owner I knew I needed some help because getting a puppy can feel pretty overwhelming and nordic/ working dogs aren't the easiest to handle, especially if you don't have any experience with dogs. We took him to puppy classes but that didn't really do much for us. We also started training with a trainer but her methods weren't a good fit for Nitro. At around 6 months his character really came out and he was starting to jump up a lot and being very mouthy which ended up in me being covered in painful bruises. I struggled to understand how to fulfil his needs and what he was trying to tell me. I knew Nitro wasn't an aggressive dog but training with treats only just wasn't working for us. I felt very overwhelmed and discouraged until I came across Steve and his team. I remember leaving the facility after our first assessment feeling relieved that we could turn things around for Nitro and that I could go back to enjoying our walks and our time together. We did 15 sessions in total and Nitro also did one week of board and training (we're coming back as he enjoyed it so much!) and I'm so impressed with all the progress he's made! He's really come a long way and my relationship with him has improved so much. I'm able to go for runs with him and I feel much more confident in handling him now. If I think back at the beginning I wasn't sure we could do all of this! Huge thanks to Heather (Nitro's fave!), Haddyn, Steve, Jess and the rest of the team for supporting us in our journey. I strongly recommend anyone who's struggling with their dogs to get in touch with Nitro K-9 and get the support they need because the bond with your dog will only get stronger.

The Nitro K9 team has been an absolute game-changer for our dog training. We mainly worked with Steve and Haddyn, both of whom were instrumental in understanding our dog's unique training needs and style and creating training personalized to the dog and the human. As a little puppy, we started with a lot of positive, food-based training, which for that time in development, created a pretty good puppy. As he continued to develop (read: get smarter, express more of his herding dog traits, and get a little defiant), we realized that he needed a deeper level of training, but were unsure what course to follow. If you have ever found that your dog does not want to listen to you, even if you have treats, because he or she is more interested or fixated on something else - squirrels, other dogs, etc. - then you are in the same place we were. This is where Steve, Haddyn, and the Nitro K9 team came in. They promote an effective style of training that emphasizes our bond with the dog instead of with food, and create the structure of positive praise and rewards for good behavior coupled with the guardrails of correcting negative behaviors. There, we focused on service dog training, starting with basic handling and expanding to tasking. They showed us how to identify different signals our dog was sending us and how to listen to his queues on a deeper level. We developed an excellent heel (both on and off-leash) and many other handling commands, progressing to proper behavior in public settings (like restaurants and airports), to PSD tasking. Nitro K9 even helped us conquer a bout of leash reactivity during a developmental period around turning 1 year old. They also provide instructions for the human on how to properly use our tools - leashes, e-collars, etc. We also met many other dedicated owners and great dogs going through their own programs. We even met up with some outside of class to keep up our training during the week. I must say that no dog training will work with just one class a week, but the Nitro K9 team were excellent at telling us what our homework for the week was so we could maintain progress. The Nitro K9 team have helped us develop a deep bond with our dog to the extent I can not imagine not being able to communicate with our dog. I guess the biggest testimonial is the consistent praise for our dog's behavior we get from family and friends, who all remark at how well behaved he is, even compared to their own dogs!

Nitro K-9 is the best. I discussed the kind of companion dog I wanted with Steve he helped me understand what to look for I did my research and found the breeder I believed would give me the genes needed. My list: personal protection dog that can also be a companion and safe in all situations. Next step was training my companion, Raven, we started at 16 weeks as she was a Tasmanian devil with the prey drive and stubbornness that comes with working line giant schnauzers. After prong/leash training I had Nitro do their board and train for the off leash work. The board and train was awesome. I visited and practiced with her and when she came home she was perfectly trained for off leash. Nitro’s protection classes and individualized assistance in training Raven to think for herself and be able to determine threats vs play and level of alertness all while following my lead and commands. Nitro trained me to be her handler it’s very clear Raven is way better trained than I am. Having a personal protection dog comes with a lot of responsibility and handler alertness at all times in public so it’s not for everyone. I have the companion I wanted thanks to Nitro K9. Raven does everything I have challenged her to do with complete trust. At 80 lbs I can pick her up and physically move her in any way. She will go on my hybrid paddle board/kayak. Perfect hiking companion off leash with her pack, she stays close and when she sees others on the trail she will stop and sit until they pass, people are always complimenting how well trained she is. On our walks in our neighborhoods many joggers after seeing us everyday will actually stop and say we are the only handler/dog off leash they never worry about because she is so well trained. Raven is a love she greats others with her tail wagging to say hello but then she is all about the attention I give her. She truly is everything I was wanting. I would not have my perfect companion without Steve and Nitro K9. Oh and I’ll add I also use Nitro for boarding Raven and she does wonderful at the ranch with the horses and other farm animals.

Nitro K-9 was a great investment for me and our little Havanese, Gigi. I had been doing only positive reinforcement training exercises with Gigi through her puppy-hood. I learned some great techniques through these other methods as well, and Gigi was doing great with some of her behaviors, but I started to become concerned with her behavior on walks. In fact, anywhere outside the home. Any time Gigi saw a person or a dog, she got sooooooo super excited she basically went nuts, doing backflips on her leash and harness (and later on her flat collar). The people or dog could be a whole block away, and as soon as Gigi spotted them, she was excitedly pulling and flipping and seeking for a way to interact. For her, the chance of human/dog interaction was wayyyyyyyyy more reinforcing and enticing than a treat, so she ignored all attempts to gather her focus with a tasty morsel. I was a little apprehensive when I started with her prong-collar training at Nitro K-9, and to make matters worse, Gigi was quite a sensitive little baby, which added to my guilt at giving her corrections. She even became a little mopey for a little while when she saw the prong-collar. The trainers patiently showed me how to keep working with my dog, all the while instilling confidence that her reactions were normal, and showing me how to build her confidence and enthusiasm for the work we were doing. We did the Little Heroes package, and we had 14 sessions. Immediately after the first training session, Gigi's excited back-flipping was a thing of the past. She understood that she had to focus on me and that she had to focus on me, no matter what the distractions. Over the sessions, we built on this foundation. Around week 7, we introduced the E-Collar, and around week 10, we started applying corrections via that method. This new tool accelerated her response to training prompts dramatically, and it allowed me to have the confidence to start walking her off-leash in controlled setting. Just this weekend, after our 13th session, I put Gigi's hard work and training to the test by taking her on an off-leash excursion through the Arboretum. My pride, happiness, and confidence in Gigi soared to all-time highs as I watched her heel right next to me any time I asked. It was so satisfying to give her the freedom to run off ahead of our family as she explored her environment, and watch her immediately respond to her recall commands, regardless of dogs or humans in her vicinity. As she strutted her stuff through the trees, I thought Gigi understood that all the hard work we had put in was all leading up to this freedom and success. I don't want anyone to think this was easy. It took a lot of consistent work over the 14 weeks. Steve and his training team have a masterful eye for spotting errors handlers are making, and I benefited immensely from their feedback and corrections on my behavior. It all starts with the human, and the human has to be willing to grow, accept criticism, and put in consistent, daily training time with their pup. As an educator, I had the summer off, and I was able to consistently implement morning and evening training sessions outdoors (10-15 min each), with several informal mini-sessions mixed in during the day. All in all, I'd definitely do this again if I had the choice to re-make. I can now walk Gigi anywhere, and I have confidence in her focus on me, and her ability to respond to commands when I need her to. I'd recommend Nitro K-9 that wants to have this type of freedom and confidence with their dog. Thanks to Steve, Heather, and Haddon for all the hard work, feedback to me, and love they showed Gigi. Their love of pets really shines through the tough love required to get a dog to this stage of freedom and obedience. Thanks again!! Best, Dan & Gigi

Steve is a true expert, he understands dogs and how to shape their behavior through relationship. I am so happy I found Nitro K9 and could work with their team. We started training our puppy at 14 weeks with Nitro after a few months she comes every time! I don't live in the same state and so did lessons virtually over video FaceTime and it worked out well. It took a little time to figure out how to most effectively set up my computer to get a good view of each other but that came with trial and error. The team was patient.

I spent several weeks at training with my puppy at Nitro K-9 and they were very patient and friendly but firm enough to make the changes in my puppy that were necessary. My puppy is obedient and focused on me as his person. They are a great training business. I wound definitely recommend them.

Very helpful and informative. Steve and his team do a great job. Attentive and listen well so that they could come up with solutions that worked for my dog and I.

Big shoutout to Nitro K-9 regarding my experience with my GSD, Bodhi. We came to Nitro when he was 5 months old and met with Steve, the owner regarding On-leash/Off-leash training. Living in the city of Seattle, I felt I needed some education on training my GSD puppy. Training with Steve and his team, was as much for me as it was for Bodhi. I had never trained any of my prior pups, but moving to the city, I felt it was important for me/us to gain some etiquette. We worked primarily with Steve and Haddyn for 14 weeks- learning the power of heel, on-leash and off-leash obedience, hand and voice commands, but also building my confidence within myself to work with Bodhi, earning and gaining his respect. Steve also educated us on nutrition- Bodhi doesn’t eat kibble, he eats real food improving his energy, stature and coat. I can’t thank Steve and his team enough. We get so many compliments on Bodhi’s behavior and most importantly, our connection.

Great experience with Steve and his team training our American Akita (around 1 years old)! Highly recommend them for effective balanced method for dog training that's different from the positive reinforcement only method that many trainers use. Need to invest time into the training at home once training session is completed for progress. We tried the positive only method with other trainers, but the effectiveness was inconsistent due to the stubbornness of our dog (typical for Akita breed). It seemed to work inside a controlled environment like backyard or home, but positive reinforcement failed for us when we brought him outside with distractions like rabbits or other dogs. It was extremely frustrating to keep tossing treats on the floor to distract him and finding new higher value treats when he wasn't interested in the previous ones anymore. Since our Akita was very stubborn, sometimes he would listen and other times, he ignored the commands (regardless of the praises or treats). Without treats, it was extremely difficult to keep him under control. The balanced training method from Nitro K9 made a huge difference in helping us control our American Akita better. The prong collar and leash that they recommended worked well in training him without the need for treats anymore. We tried a different prong collar from Amazon prior to Nitro K9 and our dog hated it for some reason. Training sessions included: - Learning how to effectively use prong collar and leash (very important foundation) - Heel and other basic commands with hand motions and voice - Providing advice and techniques during training sessions to improve effectiveness through observations on areas of improvement and listening to concerns and feedback from clients to see how training went during the week after training ended - Taking control of the leash to show client how to do it properly as needed and how well it works with your dog once you can master that technique - Each trainer on the Nitro K9 team has a slightly different style of teaching (such as more hands-on control of our dog with the trainer or taking time to understand and read signals from your dog), but the foundational techniques/skills follows the same principles Steve provided valuable knowledge and recommendations for improving the health of our dog when he developed unknown allergies that resulted in red bumps on his body. Example: Changing his kibble food to higher quality freeze-dried food has been working well in improving his health so far.

We never thought we’d find a place that would love and care for our rescue mastiff Lady as much as the team at Nitro K 9 does. Before we met Jessica, Jesse, Heather and Haddyn, we were unable to walk down the street without Lady lunging and barking uncontrollably. Now, with the tools we have learned, as well as a great Nitro leash, we are on our way to enjoying walks with our dog knowing we always have the support of our Nitro team! Plus, Lady has made some great doggy friends!

The team here does a really good job of taking care of you and your dog — the training was top-notch. They are responsive, friendly, and effective. I did the at-home lessons with Heather. She’s terrific.

We LOVE Nitro K-9!! My dogs Bizzie and Carl have been training with Steve for a little over 3 months now, and it’s been truly incredible! TLDR: Steve is a masterful trainer with the history and outcome to prove it. Vet your trainers people! A little back story, I trained previously with someone who told me she trained with Steve and that he supported her opening her own company. I was with her about a year, but I saw the red flags from the beginning… she consistently blamed me for things out of my control that were well within hers. When we got our second dog she basically told me I knew what I was doing and could take it from there. Once teaching a certain level with my first dog, she told me she just wasn’t interested in continuing. I finally left when she boarded my dogs and then got upset with me for checking on them, and then blamed me for their bad behavior when she left them unattended. She was a friend, so I stayed way longer than I should have - but man have I seen the light! I’m so happy I reached out to Steve because what she said couldn’t have been further from the truth!! She apparently only worked there for a few months and was let go due to her poor behavior!! Steve was shocked with the “version” of his program she taught me, and we had to go back to basics for a LOT, but it was worth it! The dogs are so happy to come to training, they’ve bonded with the staff so much. Bizzie looses it every time she see’s her Haddyn!! Both dogs are working off leash and I’m so excited to keep working to see what else these pups can do. Steve and his team are so thoughtful and really put in the time and effort to work with you and your dog. Dogs can’t lie and it is so obvious how much happier they are with the Nitro team, and just in their lives in general!! The boarding facility is amazing too, there’s tons of space for pups to run and play and get lots individualized attention.

5 Stars - Exceptional Dog Training and Boarding Nitro K9, based in Snohomish, has transformed my relationship with my giant schnauzer, Max. Their training methods have helped us achieve a level of control and mutual trust I never thought possible. Training Experience: We started when Max was six months old, completing both beginner and intermediate obedience programs. Max mastered heel command within just a few sessions. Progressed quickly through basics to off-leash command training. Nitro K9's versatile approach adapts to your goals - you're only limited by what you want to learn. Results: Despite Max's high prey drive, we now walk and interact with others without incident. Max remains under control even when other dogs are aggressive. She still enjoys playtime and chasing, but always within boundaries. What Sets Nitro K9 Apart: They train the owner as much as the dog, making me a better handler. Their methods make it easy to put in the necessary work. Excellent boarding services, sometimes including bonus training from new handlers. The bottom line: Nitro K9 has given me and Max an incredible bond of mutual trust. Whether you need basic obedience or advanced training, I cannot recommend them highly enough. They truly deliver results that speak for themselves.

I cannot recommend Nitro K-9 enough to anyone that is looking for a quality trainer that is incredibly knowledgeable about the inner thought process of canines. I brought my Siberian Husky, Zeus, through multiple levels of training with Nitro over the course of a year and a half, to the point where he is a qualified service dog! Steve had taught us so much about how to train a dog properly without use of treats and how to obtain a stronger bond and respect with your companion. Steve will work with you at a pace and level you and your dog are most comfortable with and will not hold you back if you advance at a faster pace! Nitro had completely changed Zeus’ behavior, attention, and obedience for the better! I have received numerous compliments on how well Zeus behaves on and off leash and would recommend anyone to Nitro who wants a training program that yields impressive results!