Fontana Dog Trainer
Contact Us Today!Dog Training in Fontana
It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy has proudly served the Fontana area since 2004, fostering strong bonds between dogs and their human companions. The owner and head trainer, Karen Widaman, began her remarkable journey in dog training at the age of 8. Having honed her skills as a renowned dog trainer over decades and being certified by prestigious organizations like the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and Animal Behavior College, she is recognized as an expert in understanding canine behavior and psychology. Karen’s caring and impactful strategies have supported numerous dogs and their companions through the process of fostering strong connections and reaching obedience and serenity.
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).
At It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy, we hold the belief that educating your dog in real life skills is paramount for their health, happiness, and ability to thrive in a world filled with humans. We are committed to enhancing the connection between you and your furry friend by fair and clear communication and through the use of positive reinforcement techniques that are tailored to your unique circumstances. We concentrate on helping your dog reach his or her full potential, steering clear of harmful methods or aggressive force. Armed with over two decades of experience and a proven record of success, our training programs cover a broad spectrum, addressing both fundamental obedience and complicated behavior issues. Our skilled trainers are devoted to nurturing happy and harmonious relationships between pets and their favorite humans.
The Importance of Dog Training
The significance of dog training cannot be overstated – it fosters effective communication, cultivates good behavior, and strengthens the bond between dogs and their families. The phrase, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is a common misconception. Dogs are incredibly smart, and they can learn and adapt at any stage of life. Professional dog training services are vital because they provide expert mentorship, structured education, and utilize humane, effective training techniques, contributing significantly to ensuring that dogs receive well-deserved training and support.
Bringing your dog to It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy offers numerous benefits, including access to certified trainers with years of experience, personalized training plans tailored to your dog’s needs, and a positive reinforcement approach that fosters trust and obedience. These efforts promote a harmonious and happy bond between you and your canine buddy – a bond that will last a lifetime!
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 prioritize trust-building and holistic methods. Tailoring our methods to suit the individual needs of each dog is at the core of our belief system, whether that entails utilizing essential oils for relaxation and focus, offering personalized attention, or providing ongoing support. We believe in adapting our techniques to suit the specific requirements of each dog, whether that involves incorporating essential oils for relaxation and focus, providing personalized attention, or extending ongoing support. We are dedicated to establishing a positive educational environment that benefits your dog’s learning journey. Our unparalleled approach guarantees ongoing success and bliss for both you and your cherished pet.
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.
If you’re not sure where to begin, Karen is available to discuss our many options and help you design a training plan that meets your dog’s specific needs. Whether it’s getting support from a dog anxiety trainer who helps dogs gain calmness and confidence, one-on-one training at your home, exploring our K-9 training service, or beginning with the basics, we’ll match you with a dog trainer in Fontana who is adept at guiding you and your dog toward reaching all your desired outcomes.