Noozhawk’s 3rd Annual Four-Legged Friends and More is here! This section features articles covering aspects such as health, comfort, training, exercise, and the overall well-being of your beloved animals.
In our mission to highlight the pet-friendly establishments in Santa Barbara County, we’ve conducted countless interviews with representatives from local businesses. This year’s Four-Legged Friends and More Guide is set to provide a comprehensive look at what these businesses have to offer, ensuring your tail will be wagging with delight.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Eric Smith, Owner at K-Nine Solutions, to learn more about the training services they offer.
K-Nine Solutions
Question: What is the name of your business or practice?
Answer: K-Nine Solutions.
Q: What is the mission behind your business?
A: To provide dog owners with the help, answers, and results they desperately need, along with the care, compassion, and understanding they deserve.
Q: What types of animals does your business cater to?
A: Dogs.
Q: How long have you been in this industry?
A: Over 10 years here in Santa Barbara, 5 Years in Boston and 4+ years working dogs for the US Army.
Q: Can you describe the services or products your business offers?
A: We offer all types of dog training services. From puppy classes, to basic obedience to problematic behavior modification such as aggression, separation anxiety and destructive behaviors.
Q: What training, education and experience do you and your staff have? Do you hold any professional certifications?
A: Combined, our staff has over 60 years of training and coaching experience! Between us, we have a variety of certifications and varied degrees of education on animal behavior. We are AKC Certified Trainers and Evaluators and members of the IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals).
Q: What makes your business unique?
A: What makes us unique is that we take a holistic approach to dog training / behavior modification. We take the time to examine, evaluate and create a plan of action that extends far beyond our time with you and your dog. We need you to be successful with your dog for a lifetime, not just for the moments you are working with us. We focus on skills and methods that are practical and easy to work into your daily life living with your dog. We teach you how to manage your dog in any environment, no matter what the situation is. That way you learn to trust them more and they earn more freedom, which makes both you and your dog happier!
Q: What is your level of expertise regarding pet health and behavior?
A: While we are not Veterinarians, we do have quite a bit of experience on how a dogs’ health may effect its’ behaviors. We get many dogs who exhibit unwanted behaviors simply because they are in pain, or just don’t feel well. While we are working with you and your dog and if we see something that could make a difference in your pets health, we will always do our best to guide you in the right direction to help you out.
Q: Do you work with all breeds/ age groups?
A: Any dog. Any age. Any problem.
Q: What method of training do you use? (i.e. positive reinforcement, electronic training, clicker training, training equipment etc.)
A: We take a balanced and humane approach to training and behavior modification. We use solely positive reinforcement to teach the dog the skills it needs to know and then we teach you how to reinforce those skills and stop unwanted behaviors through negative reinforcement (taking away something the dog wants to increase a behavior you want) and positive punishment (adding in a correction to decrease unwanted behaviors).
Q: What advice would you give to a new pet owner?
A: OMG, where do I begin? Training your dog and making them a good ambassador of their breed is of the utmost importance!
Q: Are you currently accepting new clients?
A: Yes, always.
Q: How do you help make your client feel at ease leaving their pet in your care?
A: The majority of new clients are referred by someone that has worked with us, whom they know personally. We love these types of clients because they know us through their friends experience with us.
Q: How do you keep the public informed about your business or service(s)?
A: We have a great presence on social media and we are always out and about in the community.
Q: What are your hours of operation?
A: 9am – 6pm, Monday through Friday.
Q: Is there anything you would like to tell our readers that was not mentioned above?
A: We are a Veteran owned and operated business.
Click here to learn more about K-Nine Solutions.
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