Covina Dog Trainer
Contact Us Today!Dog Training in Covina
Over two decades ago, It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy began a journey toward enriching the lives of dogs and humans in our Covina community. Karen Widaman, who now serves as owner and head trainer, began her journey in dog training back when she was just 8 years old. With decades of professional experience and certifications from prestigious institutions like the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and Animal Behavior College, she has become a seasoned dog trainer with a profound grasp of canine psychology and behavior. Karen’s empathetic and successful methods have empowered numerous dogs and their families to forge deep connections and find obedience and unity.
Karen is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) through the organization Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and she also holds two certifications through Animal Behavior College: Animal Behavior College Dog Trainer (ABCDT) and Animal Behavior College Service Dog Trainer (ABCSDT).
Our philosophy at It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy is rooted in the belief that providing your dog with an education in real life skills is essential for their overall well-being and for their positive interaction with every human they encounter. We strive to deepen the bond between you and your beloved dog by fair and clear communication and by implementing tailored positive reinforcement approaches that are adapted to your distinct circumstances. We prioritize your dog’s achievements while avoiding any aggressive force or abusive methods. With over twenty years of experience and a long track record of success, we offer a comprehensive range of training services that range from basic obedience to addressing challenging behaviors. Our skilled trainers are devoted to cultivating positive and fulfilling bonds between pets and their loving owners.
The Importance of Dog Training
Training your dog is essential for improving family communication, cultivating good behavior, and building a lasting bond between humans and dogs. The idea that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ is utterly incorrect. With their impressive intellect, dogs can adapt and be taught new things at any age. The role of professional dog training services is critical because they deliver expert guidance, employ humane, effective training methods, and provide structured learning, all of which are instrumental in ensuring that dogs receive the support and training they deserve.
Choosing It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy for your dog’s education offers numerous benefits, including access to certified trainers with years of experience, personalized training plans that accommodate your dog’s unique qualities, and an emphasis on positive reinforcement techniques that nurture obedience and trust. This promotes a harmonious and gratifying relationship between you and your canine companion, leading to a life filled with joy and happiness together.
Tailored Training Programs
We offer a variety of training programs, including:
- Board & Train
The best way to get your dog off to a great start on their training journey, and the most effective way to solidify commands and behavior. Packages range from 1 to 4 weeks and cover essential skills like heel, sit, down, stay, come, place, and good manners, with go-home lessons included so the training transfers to you. - Day Training
All the benefits of our Board & Train program without your dog spending the night. Drop-off and pick-up 5 days a week, Monday – Friday, with a lesson at the end of each week. Your dog builds obedience, socialization, and good manners in a structured day-camp setting — ideal for everything from rambunctious young puppies to dogs working through behavioral issues. - Home Stay Training
We do all the hard work and come to you! Your dog is trained in his or her own home environment 5 days a week, Monday – Friday — like Boot Camp for dogs in their own home, with no boarding required. Once your dog is fully trained, you receive a 30-minute handover lesson at the end of each week so you can confidently maintain the results. - Private Lessons at the Glendora property or the client’s home.
Individual lessons uniquely tailored to you and your dog, covering everything from basic obedience and off-leash work to behavior modification. Train with a certified professional dog trainer on our beautiful, spacious turfed and shaded field in Glendora, or in your own home to tackle issues that only occur in your home environment.
Feeling unsure about where to start? Karen is available to discuss our diverse range of options and collaborate with you to devise a personalized training strategy for your dog. Whether you’re turning to a dog anxiety trainer who specializes in developing calm and confident, your pup needs one-on-one attention at home, you’re interested in our K-9 training service, or you’re just diving into the basics, we’ll set you up with a dog trainer in Covina who knows exactly how to help you and your dog achieve every goal you have in mind.
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) #1
The AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is the foundation level of the AKC’s good-manners training series. In CGC #1, dogs learn essential obedience skills such as accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, walking on a loose leash, coming when called, and remaining calm around other dogs and people. The focus is on building a strong relationship between dog and handler while teaching reliable behavior in everyday situations. The CGC test consists of 10 skills that demonstrate a dog’s good manners at home and in public.
Prerequisite: Basic Obedience
AKC Community Canine (CGCA) #2
AKC Community Canine, often called CGCA (Advanced Canine Good Citizen), is the next step after earning the CGC title. These classes move training into real-world environments such as parks, training facilities, pet-friendly stores, and community settings. Dogs practice advanced skills including controlled behavior around distractions, longer stays, polite behavior while owners interact with others, and loose-leash walking in busy areas. The goal is to demonstrate that the dog can remain well-mannered and responsive in everyday community situations, not just in a classroom setting. Dogs must already have a CGC title before earning the CGCA title.
Prerequisite: CGC Level 1
AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU)
AKC Urban CGC is designed for dogs that regularly accompany their owners in towns and cities. This title tests practical urban skills such as walking through crowds, ignoring food on sidewalks, reacting appropriately to traffic noises and other city distractions, crossing streets under control, riding elevators or using stairs, and entering dog-friendly buildings and transportation. The Urban CGC test is conducted in real public environments and demonstrates that a dog can safely and politely navigate the challenges of city life. Like the Community Canine title, dogs must first earn their CGC before pursuing the Urban CGC (CGCU) title.
Prerequisite: CGC Level 2
What Sets Us Apart
Karen Widaman and our team are committed to holistic practices and building trust. We are committed to tailoring our techniques to match the individual needs of each dog, be it through incorporating essential oils for relaxation and focus, providing personalized attention, or extending ongoing support. Our objective is to establish a peaceful and happy connection between you and your four-legged companion, founded on mutual understanding and respect. We are dedicated to establishing a positive educational environment that benefits your dog’s learning journey. Employing our unique strategies, we ensure continued success and happiness for both you and your beloved companion.