The K9 Encounter

When my male Collie puppy was five months old, he completed a two-week board-and-train program with Rob and Kaitlyn at The K9 Encounter, and the transformation was incredible. They truly understand the Collie breed and helped correct the behavioral challenges I was facing, laying the groundwork for a confident, well-mannered dog. What gave me even more peace of mind was knowing that my breeder—Saltwater Collies—also trusts and uses The K9 Encounter for their own dogs. Since then, I’ve continued training through their group classes in Jacksonville, which are amazing for reinforcing skills and connecting with a community of dedicated dog owners. Rob and Kaitlyn are professional, knowledgeable, and work exceptionally well with a wide variety of breeds and personalities. I’ve also used thei

I’ve been a client of The K9 Encounter since October 2024, and I can’t say enough great things about our experience. My dog Marley started training with them in October, and we’ve seen amazing progress. In March, we added a new puppy, Diesel, to the family, and he’s now following in Marley’s pawsteps with lessons of his own. Rob and Katlin are truly fantastic trainers—knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about what they do. They tailor their approach to each dog’s personality and needs, and they’re always available to answer questions or provide extra tips. Beyond the training, the classes are genuinely fun. The other handlers and their dogs create a welcoming and supportive environment that makes every session something to look forward to. I give The K9 Encounter a 10/10 and highly re

We have a 7-year-old female pitt mix rescue who has always been extremely dog-reactive and aggressive—something that has only worsened over the years. The stress this causes at home is enormous, especially for my son, who lives in constant fear that she might hurt another dog and be taken away. After speaking with Rob on the phone, we agreed to start with a one-on-one training session to see how Molly would respond. The morning of the session, my son was so anxious he begged me to cancel; he had been up all night worried about taking Molly to a public park to meet Rob. All I can say is that we were absolutely shocked by the results of just one session. Rob was incredible. Molly encountered several dogs at the park and, while she initially showed aggression, Rob immediately had her under

For months, we struggled with our beloved German Shepherd, Chief. We had tried different training programs, each promising results, yet we found ourselves trapped in a frustrating cycle of progress and setbacks. Our home life was divided—on one side, we had an affectionate, submissive dog who loved his ball; on the other, a highly reactive GSD who pulled so hard on walks it felt impossible to control, lunging at dogs and strangers, ignoring commands, and making everyday outings a battle. We reached a point where we had to face an uneasy truth: we couldn’t handle him anymore. The thought of giving up was heartbreaking, but we had exhausted every option. That’s when a neighbor recommended “The K9 Encounter”. With nothing left to lose, we took a leap of faith, scheduling a private lesson wit

We contacted Rob recently regarding our newly adopted( from ACPS ) mixed breed, 2 year old dog, Penelope. She was taken in as a stray so we didn't know much about her history. We needed help with her reactivity and fear of strangers and dogs. She is 44 pounds and was pulling on the leash and would bark at other dogs. We met with Rob and within 5 MINUTES she was not pulling at all. It was unbelievable!!! We are now able to take for a walk without worry. Just now, I took her( I am very petite and weigh 100 pounds) for a walk in our neighborhood where there were 4 wild turkeys ahead of us and with my command using the prong collar, she simply waited for them to pass and was a perfect dog! I cannot recommend Rob and his company enough!!! He is very easy to work with and extremely knowledge