La Verne Dog Trainer
Contact Us Today!Dog Training in La Verne
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 La Verne community. Since she was 8 years old, Karen Widaman, our owner and head trainer, has been passionate about training dogs. Having amassed years of professional experience and holding certifications from prominent entities like the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and Animal Behavior College, she is now a distinguished dog trainer with an exceptional understanding of canine psychology and behavior. With her compassionate and impactful methods, Karen has helped countless dogs and their owners cultivate lasting bonds and achieve obedience and equilibrium.
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).
It’s A Dog’s World K-9 Academy believes in the importance of giving your dog an education in real life skills, as it contributes significantly to their health, happiness, and ability to live harmoniously in our human world. We strive to enhance the bond between you and your furry family member by fair and clear communication and by employing tailored positive reinforcement techniques. We prioritize your dog’s success without resorting to abusive methods or extreme force. Backed by two decades of expertise and a proven history of achievement, we provide an extensive array of training solutions covering everything from fundamental obedience to tackling complex behaviors. With a commitment to nurturing happy and harmonious connections between pets and their devoted families, our skilled trainers bring expertise and passion to every session.
The Importance of Dog Training
Deciding on 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 characteristics, 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.
Training your dog is essential for improving family communication, cultivating good behavior, and building a lasting bond between humans and dogs. Effective dog training can be achieved regardless of age, which might be surprising to learn. At any age, dogs can pick up new skills and adapt due to their keen intelligence. The significance of professional dog training services lies in their delivery of structured education, expert mentorship, and use of humane, effective training methods, all contributing to ensuring that dogs receive well-deserved, much-needed support and training.
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
Holistic approaches and trust-building are central to Karen Widaman and our team. Tailoring our methods to suit the unique needs of each dog is fundamental to our philosophy, whether that entails incorporating essential oils for relaxation and focus, providing personalized attention, or offering 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 strive to cultivate a positive learning environment for your dog. Employing our unique strategies, we ensure continued success and happiness for both you and your beloved companion.
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 feeling uncertain about where to begin, Karen is available to discuss the wide range of options and collaborate with you to design a customized training regimen for your dog. Regardless of whether your dog requires individualized training in your home, you’re interested in our K-9 training service offerings, you’re seeking the guidance of a dog anxiety trainer who specializes in helping dogs stay calm and confident, or you’re starting from scratch, we’ll set you up with a dog trainer in La Verne who can assist you and your dog in reaching their fullest potential.