About Bella’s K9 Academy

Who runs it

Bella Gaudette, and she dates the start precisely: "I've been training dogs since 1984, when my husband spotted an ad in the local paper for dog obedience classes and suggested I take our new puppy. He had no idea what that one suggestion would spark — a lifelong passion." She has shown Border Collies "Since 1992."

How the classes started

The business grew out of a club that folded: "I began teaching dog training classes as a member of the E-town Dog Training Club. When the club dissolved, Dr. Brown of Helmwood Vet Clinic invited me to continue offering classes at his clinic — and from there, the business grew."

What she teaches

Class-based obedience, in levels. Level 1 Basic Obedience "is for the beginner where you will teach your dog how to sit, lay down, stand, sit stay, come when called and walk politely on a leash," aimed at "jumping on people, darting out doors, excessive pulling on the leash, and other common household problems." Level 2 "gets the owner and dog started on off-leash work, like an off-leash recall with more distractions, longer distance and more distractions on the sit stay, a down stay, and a finish after the recall." Rally follows AKC signs courses and requires Level 1 first. Beyond those the site lists "Off-Leash… Novice Ring Prep… Advanced Rally… and Trick Classes," plus "private lessons for those looking to focus on specific obedience goals or prepare for Rally competition."

Price, schedule and entry rules

"Class Fee: $200 for an 8-week course (1 to 1.5 hours per week). Includes Kentucky 6% sales tax." Entry has a hard floor: "Puppies must be at least 4 months old and have received their Rabies vaccination to attend Level 1 Obedience classes." Dated Level 1 and Rally start dates are published on the home page.

Boarding

Boarding is offered alongside the classes: "Our boarding facility features indoor kennels with raised beds, fresh water, and proper ventilation… Each dog has access to our large, shaded outdoor play yards." The rate is "$25 per night — Includes Kentucky sales tax."

Her own dogs

Three Border Collies are described with their titles — Cinaed, "a twelve-year-old male with titles including PT, BN, UD, RM, NA (Novice Agility), and NAJ (Novice Agility Jumpers), HXAsd"; Tally, "a Rally Champion, UD (Utility Dog), a breed Grand Champion, and also has some herding titles"; and Piper, who "already is a breed Grand Champion, has Rally titles, herding titles, and completed her UD when she was just 2."

Where it is

"1248 Woodland Drive, Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701," with two phone numbers published side by side, "(270) 369-0933" and "(270) 272-2393."

Worth knowing before you book

The stated philosophy is explicitly faith-framed: "A well-trained dog is a happy dog… I also believe that obedience deepens the love in any relationship. As the Bible says, 'This is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands' (2 John 1:6). I believe that truth applies to our relationship with our dogs as well."