Valor K9 Academy - Spokane

We recently invested in the 8 lesson in-home obedience training with Valor K9 Academy in Spokane, WA. Having two 1 year old sibling American Bullies, our family felt that in-home training would probably serve better as our pups weight about 150 lbs a piece and can be quite intimidating. We had an initial call with one of Valor K9's trainers named Skye. She was selected to work with us and our dogs and wanted to reach out to have an initial phone consultation to discuss our goals and objectives. Soon after, we participated in 8 in-home sessions and we could not be happier. Skye was not only well-suited to facilitate the training, she was open to working on action items that we were interested in addressing from week to week. Skye is not only very knowledgeable about canines and training practices, but also very passionate and patient which was a complete breath of fresh air as opposed to other trainers I had used for previous dogs of ours. If you are looking to work with one of Spokane's top canine trainers who will work with you to establish a customer training package that is, if followed, 100% fail proof I would recommend giving Skye at Valor K9 a call. Hands down the best training experience we have had. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Excellent training. Beautiful setting.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Skye is remarkable and we couldn't have been more pleased with her passion and detailed information

Reviewed on Google Maps

Our trainer Skye Goodwin did an amazing job with both of our dogs. We sent Koa for the 3 week board & train after feeling like the private lessons weren’t working for us. It was the best decision ever! After seeing the great results with him we decided to send our 9 yr old Chihuahua Mika. We love that they stay on their beds and can walk on the treadmill. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

3 week board and train was the best thing my pup could have received. He listens and does a fantastic job with manners. Jenna is an awesome dog trainer and I highly recommend Valor K9. Thank you so much!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Amy and her staff are amazing trainers! I have gone through basic obedience with both my dogs and had a great experience. They are hard working and give any extra help/tips that you need when training your dog . Their puppy classes and puppy play are a great way to start your puppy off on the right foot. Their open agility is fun for dogs and is great for confidence building. They offer memberships at a fair price. I will definitely be bringing my dogs back for more classes. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Fantastic place to get training for your dog. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, really works with you to bring out the best your dog can be.

Reviewed on Google Maps

I brought my dog to Valor K9 to help with dog reactivity and anxiety. We started with private lessons and passed our basic obedience course, and helping him be able to participate in group classes. We then went through intermediate and advanced course and had so much fun in both. I have attended work shops, drop in classes, pack walks and open gyms. Trainers are always around to answer any concerns you might have and really help you work with what your dog specifically needs. Valor K9 helped us feel more confident in being able to take our dog out in public and feel confident in the fact that if he sees another dog he will not go wild or get overwhelmed in unexpected situations. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

My experience with Valor K9 Academy has been nothing but positive. The professional expertise mixed with the fun and absolute love of dogs permeates everything the teachers do and say. I love this place so much and feel so lucky to be training here! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Staff makes it fun. Being with dogs, even better!

Reviewed on Google Maps

If i could give more than 5 stars I would!I just have to say how wonderful trainer Jenna is! We picked up our German Shepherd puppy yesterday from Valor K9's puppy head start 4 week board and train program. She is a totally different dog now then when we left her there - and it is all thanks to Jenna! She is amazing and in my opinion is one the best parts of Valor! She has not only been wonderful to our puppy and trained her on everything that was included in the board and train program but more! She has been so nice to our family and went the extra mile to help with our 8 year old son in the training. Since our puppy is our son's dog the most important thing to us was to have her listen and respect him. Jenna not only went above and beyond in making her perfect for our family, but she now not only loves our son, she totally respects him on all of the commands he gives her!Thank you so much to Amy for helping us thru this process. Not only did you help us find the perfect breeder, but you sent Jenna our way too and she is truly an angel!I want everyone in the world to know just how wonderful this program is and how much these people at Valor really care about the dogs they train AND their owners as well! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I took my Doberman, Lucy, in for private lessons with Jenna and she was fantastic. Lucy has already attended puppy classes but we wanted to work on her manners, recall and leash walking before moving into basic obedience. Since working with Jenna, we have such a better mannered dog! Jenna was super helpful in class and always available to answer questions through email. We would recommend Jenna and Valor to anyone. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I recently had the privilege of attending Valor's six day April Shadow program.. which far passed my expectations!! It was hands down, the greatest week of my life! Amy is incredibly knowledgeable and was always open to answering every single question I had. She does a great job touching on academics along with getting hands on opportunities to work with different dogs. I didn't want the week to end! I highly recommend this program to anyone that's interested at an inside look at dog training or even expanding their skills! The Valor team is also very professional! I loved watching every single one of them work their magic while also providing owners with the information and skills they needed to work with their dogs.From my personal view, Valor holds the safety of EVERY dog at the facility as high priority. There was never a point in my time there that dogs were left to their own devices. Everything is incredibly well managed and every dog was well taken care of. I would never think twice of leaving my own dog with Amy or anyone on the Valor team. Valor K9 is top notch!! Thanks again, Valor, for having me! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I am about two weeks out from attending Valor K9 Academy’s Shadow Program and I am still trying to wrap my mind around everything I learned. Here is a list of a few of the items that were included in the program: observed multiple group classes, observed multiple private lessons, worked with a rehab dog, learned how to train all the basic commands including e-collar recall, field trips, academics, agility, and bite work. If you have never run across a snowy field with a GSD in pursuit and then being taken down by a perfect placed bite on a sleeve you are missing out! (SO MUCH FUN!). Amy, Justin, and their training team where all wonderful and so knowledgeable. I highly recommend this program there is truly something for everyone. Thank you for teaching me so much, I am excited to put what I have learned into practice. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Board & Train with Amy Pishner, Owner @ Valor K9 Academy is the best investment dog parents can make for themselves and their puppies! This review is several weeks overdue. However, this past weekend, my 8-month old German Shepherd, Otis, made me so proud that I can not procrastinate any longer. For two straight days we dragged our puppy out on intensive shopping trips. This included four to five stops and nearly seven hours each day, including visits to heavily trafficked malls with thousands of adults, kids, and babies, plus loud noises and tons of other distractions. Otis stayed by my side the entire time (in a sit or a down), always alert, but never alarmed. Walked perfectly next to us and not once asked to “greet” other people (or furry friends) who wanted to give him attention. He never pulled, barked, or whined (check out Amy’s instagram @dogtraineramy to see Otis before and after). Half of the time, I didn’t even notice that he was there and the other half, I was just a content dog owner gladly receiving compliments on my puppy’s behavior. I am just amazed at how far he’s come, at home and outside. The decision to send Otis away to a board and train program was not an easy one for us to make. Luckily, it was a process that started months before Otis even came home to us. We wanted a German Shepherd, but also realized how challenging it would be, as first time owners, to raise one well on our own. After speaking with several trainers in our area and never feeling quite “right,” we decided to take a referral from a friend (and owner of Otis’ half-sister), and spoke with a trainer 5 hours away from us. Good thing we did!Our first lesson with Amy happened on video chat, several weeks before Otis came home. Aside from the tips and advice on socialization and house training, we were immediately drawn to Amy’s balanced approach. Firm, but equally compassionate. Purposeful, but also fun. Her goal was not to turn my puppy into an emotionless, obedience machine. She wanted to harness his potential, turn his sensitivities into productivity, and help him develop the foundation of a sound-minded family companion. That was evident from the first day we met Amy, on video, and further reinforced by the results we have seen every day since he came home.The day we dropped off Otis was tough, because we knew how much we would miss him. I can assure you that it would have never happened without first trusting and believing in the person we were leaving him with. For my wife, it also helped that Amy let Otis stay in her home! If you are considering a Board & Train program for your puppy (or adult dog), don’t think twice about reaching out to Valor K9 Academy.We can’t thank Amy, her husband Justin, and their team enough for helping Otis build a strong, family-oriented foundation, and for teaching my wife and me to be better puppy parents. @dogtraineramy, if you’re ever considering a prospective client and want them to hear a new puppy owner’s perspective, send them our way! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We are more than happy with the training we’ve received from Valor K9! Our 9 month old German Shepherd started becoming reactive to other dogs so we were recommended VK9 from a friend who had a similar problem. After taking private lessons with trainer Courtney he has improved incredibly in almost area of obedience and his reactivity. We are excited to continue training in the many drop in classes and group lessons available. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Our miniature Australian Shepherd had severe behavioral issues, and with a baby on the way our only options were a major, necessary change or giving him away. We had tried other positive reinforcement trainers, but his attitude only got progressively worse. We decided to go all-out and try the 4 week rehab board and train at Valor with Amy as our last resort. It was the best thing we did. Jax came back a different dog who is well-behaved and respects us as his owners. We worked with Amy to get up to speed on all the training he learned over the 4 weeks with her and she helped us feel so confident and gave us the necessary tools to continue his training - lifelong! We can’t recommend or thank Amy and the Valor team enough. Thank you for helping our little guy be the best dog he can be! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Went there with my lady and her puppies and it seemed like a profession yet fun environment. The dogs and kids all seemed to enjoy themselves while learning a thing or two.

Reviewed on Google Maps

It's difficult to put into words how grateful I am to Amy and her fabulous team at Valor K9 I had followed Amy on social media for a long while before we took our dog Bella for the Good Dog Board and Train program. Since we live a little over 2 hours away I didn't think it would ever work out for us to to take her there. After much deliberation we decided to go ahead and we are so very happy that we did. Valor K9 is a top-notch organization. My only disappointment is that we don't live closer so we could take advantage of all that she has to offer there. Thank you Amy for everything you and your staff have done for Bella; I am over-the-top excited for our future with her. The Harts More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Amy saves dogs with balanced training. She teaches owners to offer treats for good behavior and corrections for bad behavior. I know we would not have been able to keep our dog if we had not followed Amy's advice to use a prong collar and e collar to correct leash pulling, nipping, jumping, digging, whining, and chewing--bad behaviors she had learned while living with her original owners before being surrendered to a rescue for being unmanageable. Now, after going through Amy's board and train program and almost a year of balanced training here at home, our nearly 2-year-old hound is mostly calm, well behaved, and happy. She even comes when we call her when she is off leash running through the woods! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

When I came to Valor K9 Academy last year I had a dog who was red-zone aggressive towards strangers and most other dogs. He is a rescue who was abused by his previous owners and I really tried to help him myself, but there are some things in life you need a professional for, and Amy is that. She has always been straightforward and honest with me and we have come so far with my boy Falco. He was a 7 year old, 80 lb German Shepherd that didn't want treats, and didn't value praise; a dog who lacked confidence and could inflict a lot of harm. I had considered worst case options, but after his 45 day rehabilation I now know how to give him structure and advocate for him in all situations so that he can have a long happy life without harming anyone. Amy's balanced approach truly saved his life. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I am so thankful that Rescue 4 All referred me to Amy. I cannot put into words how fantastic she was with my dog, Kali. The minute my pup stepped in the same room with her, she was there to work and listen. I have no doubt that with everything Amy taught me, I will have the dog that I always wanted....we are well on our way!! I took the beginners class private lessons and I will be highly recommending to anyone that needs a trainer! Thank you, Amy! Kali thanks you too!! We hope to see you in the future for advanced lessons!! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Amy and Valor K9 Academy have been truly amazing for us. We wanted to find a dog who would be a great fit for our family- playful and able to keep up with an active lifestyle including our kids ages 3-15, a deterrent to anyone with ill will toward our home and family, but gentle and obedient enough to have the potential to be a therapy dog for going to hospitals and nursing homes. It was a pretty big order. Not only find this amazing animal, but then help us get from puppyhood to the final product over a period of 1-2 years...which includes training all of us, as well as this distinctive puppy! Amy has not disappointed. She put us in contact with several high quality, though not extravagantly expensive breeders. As we were considering our options, she contacted me having found the perfect breeding pair for the qualities we were looking for in a dog. 2 months later we went down and got Tess! She has been everything we hoped her to be and more. Though genetics can be important in regards to determining a dog's baseline disposition, environment is probably the most important, so our family's goal is to give Tess the best home in which to thrive. Amy has been wonderful helping us navigate through this process with recommended reading sources to help us better understand how to raise a healthy, well-balanced puppy. The Valor K9 Academy website has much if this very useful information available for free on its website. As smart and wonderful we found Tess to be, we were blown away by her progress after 2 weeks in Amy's Puppy Head Start Program. We are keeping up with Tess's "head start" with private lessons with all of our family members-including the kids. It is so much fun to go to Home Depot or other public areas and have Tess work on her sit/down stays and heeling on the left- people can hardly believe she just turned 14 weeks old! Amy provides many opportunities to keep Tess socialized at Puppy Play as well as classes and open training options throughout the year. We are really looking forward to our journey with Tess, and I know that she is going to be an amazing dog for our family. It is so hard to imagine what she will be doing after her 30 day board and train coming up in May- she might be able to fix the refrigerator! Thank you to Amy and her team for taking such good care of Tess, and us. Our only complaint is that Tess has so much fun at Valor K9 Academy that she doesn't always want to come home-LOL:) More...

Reviewed on Facebook

We have 3 German Shepards 2 months old, 14 months and a 18 month old that have attended puppy class and continued group education classes. So thankful for GOOD dogs. Amy is so Amazing that if we turn a YouTube video on the dogs go into INSTANT oh i better listen mode when they hear Amys voice!! ALWAYS complemented on how well behaved our dogs are when we are traveling, eating at restraunts, shopping or when they come to work with me. 5 stars is not a high enough rating for someone that has been such a huge part of training us humans to be real knowledgeable responsible dog owners! LIFE CHANGING More...

Reviewed on Facebook

One month ago Scout was introduced on this page as the runner. She'd escape from the house and spend hours running up and down the Palouse Highway. Killing chickens and causing traffic jams. There was no way to get her attention let alone catch her.

Today we left the house wth no leash. Went to the dog park where she exited the car, with no leash and returned home to be let out of the car....with no leash. She never left my side.

Amy's training is worth every penny. Learning to use the e-collar correctly has helped me to turn Scout into a listener and not a runner! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Before we got Luca Brasi, I had already picked Valor K9 as the place we'd go for training. We love Amy's training style. She is loving but firm and is so encouraging. Luca Brasi has taken Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience and is currently enrolled in Intermediate Obedience. He just received his Canine Good Citizen too. Highly recommend Valor K9 to anyone who is willing to listen and put the time in to train. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I have 2 very stubborn mastiffs and I cannot speak highly enough of Courtney training me to train my dogs. There were definitely moments of wanting to give up but she was there answering any questions I had and showing me the proper way to train and correct their behavior. We had a breakthrough today and I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I highly recommend Courtney to come into your home and show you how your life can be much happier for you and your fur babies. Thank you so much!!!! ���� More...

Reviewed on Facebook

AMY IS AWESOME! I can’t thank her enough for the knowledge she has shared with us over the past year. I am so thankful we found a trainer who presents herself as well as her business extremely well. We walk away from each training session a little more confident and a little more knowledgeable! Amy is extremely passionate about what she does & it shows 100% through the training she has done with Courtney and her business!! � We can’t thank you enough Valor K9 for helping us create obedient dogs � More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Best dog trainers ever. Has been very helpful with Stanley’s aggression, reactivity and general good dog manners. I’m happy, but more important my dog is happier.

Reviewed on Facebook

I can't even begin to say how amazing Valor K9 training is! Amy truly saved our dog! I was desperate and without hope. I didn't think our dog could stay with us any longer. His behavior was unpredictable, scary and not acceptable for our family! After reading Amy's web page and watching almost ALL of her Youtube videos, I knew she was the trainer for us. She worked not only with our dog, but our entire family. She taught us how to be pack leaders, she taught us how gain our dogs trust and respect, she taught us how to "play" with our dog. We now have harmony in our home. Our dog hasn't had one misbehavior since the bulk of his training in the Fall of 2017! For us, it was a process. One that is continual for us and our dog, but it's been more than worth it! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I love Valor K9 and Amy's expertise. We started with Valor in private lessons, Our new puppy who we recused has major issues with trust, he is very scared of all people. We found that our skills in "training" were not going to work with him. Learning to "sit" and "stay" were not our biggest challenges. She provided clear direction and advice on how to train and over come his challenges and fears. I appreciate that our training is going to be a journey with our dog and I know that Valor K9 and Amy will be with me as I need support. It isn't just a one class and your done training. We have and will continue to take advantage of the fun opportunities such as Open Gym and Pack Walks that Valor provides to their clients and others. I highly recommend Amy and Valor to all my dog owning friends. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

After going to a different trainer we came to Valor. Amy’s professionalism, approachability and knowledge deepened the connection with my GSD Maxx. We went through the basic and intermediate classes and ultimately passed the CGC test and our team evaluation to become a registered therapy team! I cannot say enough positive things about Valor. I highly recommend them without hesitation! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Amy is an absolute inspiration. You can see her passion for dogs and owners 100% through social media, so I can’t even begin to imagine seeing it in person.

She puts free content out daily and helps not only dog owners, but dog trainers alike. She is such a strong female force in the Training world and one hell of a business woman. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I have a 1 year old Mastiff that stole my heart therefore ruled the roost. I tried a training club where both Samba and I trained together but that didn’t work well with her strength and the lack of mine. I did some research and after checking out a few clubs chose Valor K9. This was the hardest thing I had done leaving her there for two weeks but when I returned to pick her up and learned how to maintain her training it was the best thing ever. She’s a teddy bear full of energy but listens to me. I had to go out of town a few days ago so I decided to see if Amy could board her. They we eager to have her come visit. I gave them a 5 star rating because of my experience but I must say with the excitement that Samba showed her trainer upon arriving for her stay over I would say she gives a 5+ rating S well. Thank you Amy for helping me enjoy my pup. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

We have always been very fortunate to have dogs that have been great listeners and trained without a professional until we got our lab/pointer mix Sawyer. We knew we needed help and started with the Puppy class and went onto the Basic obedience class at Valor K9 with Amy. The difference was night and day, we have learned so much and are so grateful. This past week we boarded Sawyer with Amy for the first time and it was amazing!! Between the pictures and the videos I knew that she was very well taken care of. I would recommend Valor K9 and Amy and her staff to everyone. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I just finished up six private lessons with Amy for my very adult dog Faye (she's going on 9). I had done obedience when I first rescued Faye, but after a relocation, a new addition to the household (I got married), and some of your basic "I'm getting old and spoiled" stubbornness, I knew it was time to do an obedience tune-up. My husband and I are basically convinced that Amy is magic, because we can't quite figure out how Faye came so far in just six lessons. Her primary problem was being highly reactive and nervous around other dogs, in addition to making the most horrendous yodeling sound any time she got excited. During our last lesson yesterday, we went to the dog park and Faye waited nicely to get out of the car, didn't make a peep, let other dogs sniff her and did some sniffing on her own, heeled off leash, and did a sit stay and a down stay in the park, even with other dogs around smelling her and asking to play. I can't wait to continue working with Valor K9 Academy and Amy. I'm a better dog owner because of our lessons, but more importantly, Faye is a happier much more confident dog. Thank you Amy! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

As a dog trainer, I'm always looking to expand my knowledge and learn more about how to better myself for my clients. The information I learned through the Shadow Program was invaluable.

Often I find trainers either lean too much on the positive side or rely too much on punishment. I found Amy to be an exceptional trainer that is truly balanced - She is firm, but fair.

I recommend Amy's Shadow Program to aspiring trainers or experienced trainers looking to expand their repertoire. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Amy and Courtney are wonderful to work with. They truly care about the dogs and by extension their owners. We look forward to every session and can’t imagine training a GSD puppy without them!

Reviewed on Facebook

Top notch training for dogs and educating for owners. Even after classes are over Amy is just a phone call or email away and has continued to help me with things that pop up. Highly recommend and will continue to send people her way! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I can’t say enough about how excellent our experience with Dana has been. We have a 75lb 8-month-old pit bull named Hammer. We’ve had him since he was a small puppy and we love him. He was always a little rambunctious but it got harder to handle, as he got bigger. Being that we have a toddler and live in a gated subdivision with young families, we were facing the heart-breaking decision that we might have to rehome him. We decided to give professional training a chance before taking what would be a very difficult step for all of us.

Dana was extremely professional, experienced, and knowledgeable. She actually exceeded our expectations. She helped transform our energetic, uncontrollable gigantic puppy into an obedient and contributing member of our family. Our neighbors have even commented on how calm and obedient he is now and how they feel totally safe having their children around him. We are so amazed with the results, we plan to continue our training with Dana and have Hammer become an official children’s hospital therapy dog. Thank you Dana for how much you care and invest into your clients and for giving us the tools we needed to help us keep Hammer as part of our family! This was one of the best decisions and investments we have made. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Dana is an excellent trainer! She has helped our German Shepherd, Rose, make such progress with obedience & confidence building. Rose spent 28 days in their board & train program Oct 2016 and now we are also continuing with follow up private lessons. We could not be happier with the progress Rose is making! Dana not only helps the dogs she works with but it is obvious that she wants to help their owners develop an even stronger bond & trust with their four legged family members. I highly recommend Valor K9 to anyone who's looking a using a dog trainer! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Many thanks to Dana—her knowledge and patience has been great for our Bär. He’s a big dude (about 100# at 8 mos) so his learning some manners has been a must.

Reviewed on Facebook

We knew Dana as a friend and couldn't be more excited when she began her training career. When we received our first puppy we knew exactly who we were going to choose to help us start him off on the right foot. She exceeded all expectations and helped us create an awesome bond with our puppy. She has an amazing connection with owners and also to the dogs she is helping form into wonderful family members. She customizes your training plan and is very good about helping with anything you don't understand. We also used Dana for boarding our sweet boy and I never worried once about the hands he was in. We couldn't thank Valor K9 for giving us a wonderful family member!!! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

My puppy Marley did the 28 day board and train program. Marley was having great difficulty with potty training, listening to commands, socialization, and leaving her elderly canine brother alone. I'm happy to say that after 28 days with Dana of Valor, Marley is a different dog. Dana was somehow able to work her magic and Marley was completely crate trained, potty trained and able to follow commands. Marley now is an enjoyable member of our family. Additionally she learned several tricks. The investment of the 28 day board and train is an investment in the life of your pet. I can't wait to see what else Marley is capable of achieving. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

My dog, Shiloh, and I have finished 10 hrs of Mild Behavior Rehabilitation Training and he is a more obedient and confident dog. Shiloh had been socialized early on but had some incidents happen with other dogs and it caused him to become reactive. Before we started lessons with Dana, my husband and I were losing hope in getting our happy and carefree puppy back. But with Dana's help I was able to learn the proper techniques and tools that has made Shiloh more obedient and more confident which is very important. He still wears his correction collar for some minor corrections (gets a tad excited) when we are out in public but we are so excited that we can take him back out in public and not having to leave him at home!
Dana and her training has created a huge turnaround in a dog who started off barking at Charlie and wouldn't stop and even get close to him. Now he uses his nose more than his eyes to pick up what all is around him! He still loves to play "Find It"! We can approach and pass other dogs in a mostly calm fashion! I would definitely recommend using Dana for either basic obedience or behavior issues. More...

Reviewed on Facebook