Getting Started
The Discovery Call
Is the Discovery Call really free?
Yes. It's a free 30-minute conversation with no obligation, and a personalized assessment is included.
Do you list pricing online?
No. Pricing depends on the program that fits your dog's specific needs. That is what the Discovery Call is for. Once the situation is understood, the right path can be presented.
What areas do you serve?
MK9 Specialists serves Miami and surrounding areas, including Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, Pinecrest, South Miami, and select nearby locations.
What happens after I book?
Fill out the Discovery Call form and we'll contact you within 24 hours to schedule your free consultation. On the call, GuiAlix Douyon (G) reviews your dog's age, breed, environment, behavior patterns, and your goals to decide whether Foundation, Refinement, or Transformation is the right fit.
Programs
Training With MK9
Which program does my dog need?
That depends on the dog's age, breed, behavior, environment, and owner goals. Foundation is for building structure. Refinement is for developing issues. Transformation is for serious behavioral challenges that need personal review.
Do you offer puppy training?
Yes. Level I: Foundation is designed for puppies, young dogs, and new owners.
Do you work with reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes, but these cases require careful evaluation. MK9 does not give serious behavior advice through a generic form. GuiAlix personally reviews complex cases before the next step is recommended.
Do you offer protection or bite work training?
No. MK9 does not offer civilian protection training or bite work.
What is the Lifetime Warranty?
Every MK9 program includes continued support through monthly group tune-ups, unlimited phone consultations, annual courtesy visits, and newborn introductions. The relationship continues after the program ends.
What to Expect
Results, Family & Your Dog
What can I expect out of this training?
You can expect real-world control, true communication, and a balanced, predictable companion. Unlike programs that focus solely on surface-level sit-and-stay tricks in controlled settings, MK9 Specialists builds a lifestyle. We focus on behavior over basic commands—teaching your dog how to settle, handle real-world distractions (like busy Miami streets, outdoor cafés, boat days, and family gatherings), and look to you for leadership. You will walk away empowered with the exact skills, timing, and confidence needed to maintain these results for the life of your dog.
What makes MK9 different from the rest?
We don't offer generic, cookie-cutter programs or quick-fix tricks. MK9 Specialists operates on the core principle: "Train the owner. Lead the dog." Most programs only train the dog, leading to obedience that crumbles the moment the trainer walks away. We evaluate every dog on a personal level based on their breed, age, environment, and specific behavioral triggers, crafting a tailored program that transforms both the dog and the owner. Additionally, our training standard is built for real life—ensuring control in high-distraction environments—and supported by a lifetime commitment to our clients.
At what point can I expect to see a change in my dog?
While initial structural shifts happen right away, behavior modification is a process. It is important to know that you may experience regression before progression as your dog adjusts to new boundaries, structure, and expectations. When old, deeply ingrained patterns are interrupted, dogs often test the new system or experience brief confusion before stepping into complete compliance and calm. Once they realize the new framework is consistent, you will see a profound, lasting breakthrough in their stability and focus.
How will my kids learn to interact with the dog? Will the dog act differently with my children?
Yes, dogs inherently view adults and children differently due to a child's energy, size, and unpredictable movements. That is why family involvement is a core component of our programs. We directly involve your children in the training process, teaching them how to communicate clearly, enforce basic boundaries, and handle the dog calmly. By training the whole household, we eliminate chaos and create clear, safe, and structured boundaries so your dog respects and behaves appropriately around every member of the family.
Is there a difference in training between shelter dogs and breeder dogs?
The core curriculum, underlying principles, and end goals remain identical regardless of where your dog came from. However, the timeline and application often differ. Shelter dogs frequently arrive with established habits, past trauma, or ingrained coping mechanisms that require additional foundational work and patience to unravel. While a breeder puppy might learn a fresh habit quickly, a shelter dog may require extra sessions to unlearn deep-seated behaviors before stepping fully into their new routine.
Tired of medicating your dog for family gatherings or holidays?
Sedation masks symptoms; structure addresses the root cause. Instead of drugging your dog so they can survive family visits, MK9 teaches impulse control, place work, and boundary management so your dog can naturally remain calm, relaxed, and present alongside your guests.
Do you want to protect your investment and keep dogs out of shelters?
A dog is a multi-year commitment, but unmanaged behavioral issues—such as reactivity, bite history, or severe anxiety—are the primary reason dogs end up surrendered to shelters. Professional behavioral training protects the investment you've made in your pet, prevents escalation, and guarantees long-term harmony in your home.
Dog Behavior
What the Research Says
General education drawn from published studies, each linked. It isn't a diagnosis: every dog is different, and sudden changes or anything involving biting should go to your veterinarian first.
When should I start training my puppy?
Early. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior calls the first three months of life the most important window for socialization, and supports starting puppy classes as early as 7–8 weeks of age, with at least one set of vaccines given 7 days or more before the first class (AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization). Talk to your veterinarian about the right plan for your puppy.
More in Puppy Socialization: Why the First Three Months Matter Most.
How often should I practice with my dog, and for how long?
Short and spaced beats long and daily. In a controlled study, dogs trained once or twice a week learned a new task faster than dogs trained every day, and one session a day beat three sessions back to back. All groups still remembered the task four weeks later (Demant et al., 2011). The study used 44 laboratory Beagles learning a single task, so treat it as a direction, not a schedule.
Why does my dog lunge and bark at other dogs on walks?
Usually fear, frustration, or overexcitement, not a "bad dog". In a study of 13,700 dogs, 72.5% showed at least one problematic anxiety-related behavior, and 17% were afraid of other dogs (Salonen et al., 2020). The leash limits a dog's options: it can't approach and it can't create distance, so it reacts.
Read Leash Reactivity in Dogs: Why Your Dog Lunges and Barks on Walks.
My dog's behavior changed suddenly. Should I call a vet or a trainer first?
Start with your veterinarian. A review of problem behavior in dogs estimated conservatively that about a third of referred cases involve a painful condition, and in some caseloads close to 80%. Musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and skin problems were common (Mills et al., 2020). Training can't fix discomfort.
My dog knows "sit". Why won't they listen outside?
Knowing a cue at home isn't the same as behaving well in the real world. In a study of 1,984 dogs surrendered to shelters, 40% had at least one behavioral reason, and whether the dog had been to obedience classes made no difference to why it was surrendered (Salman et al., 2000). Consistency matters too: in a survey of 1,276 owners, more consistent owner behavior went with better obedience (Arhant et al., 2010).
Does timing really matter when I reward or correct my dog?
Yes. In one study of how dogs learn, 60% of dogs learned a task when the reward came immediately. When it came just one second late, only 25% learned it (Browne, 2015). Your dog connects the result to whatever it was doing at that moment.
How do I keep my kids, or a new baby, safe around our dog?
Focus on your own dog at home. In a study of children treated for dog bites at an urban trauma center, 72% knew the dog. Most bites to younger children happened indoors, during friendly interactions the child started with a familiar dog, and for children under 6 the most common context was resource guarding (44%) (Reisner et al., 2011). Supervise every interaction, give your dog a protected resting space, and know its triggers around food, toys, and resting spots.
More in Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby.
Can an older dog still learn?
Yes. In a study of 95 Border Collies aged 5 months to 13 years, dogs of all ages learned the task, though older dogs learned more slowly. Long-term memory showed no age difference (Wallis et al., 2016). Expect progress to take a little longer, not to stop.
Is it too hot to walk my dog in Miami?
Check the pavement, not just the air. Washington State University's veterinary teaching hospital reports that at an air temperature of 77°F, asphalt can reach 125°F. Their test: press the back of your hand on the pavement, and if you can't hold it there for a full seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Walk on grass or soil, or move walks to early morning or late evening (WSU, 2017).
Do dog trainers in Florida need a license?
Florida doesn't require a state license for dog trainers, and certification is voluntary, through organizations such as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Some counties set their own rules. Hillsborough County, for example, requires dog-training businesses to be licensed and trainers to register (Hillsborough County).
Whoever you choose, ask how they evaluate your dog before recommending a program, what you'll learn as the owner, and what support continues after training ends.
Still Have Questions?
Ask them on a free 30-minute Discovery Call. No obligation, and a personalized assessment is included.
