About Caravan K9

Behavioral science training in Jacksonville

Caravan K9 is a dog training business run by trainer Curtis, serving Jacksonville, the Jax Beaches, Ponte Vedra and Nocatee. Curtis lists experience as training director at Karma K9 in Jacksonville and at Tarheel Canine Training, where he worked with police departments, military contracts and personal protection dogs. Consultations and evaluations are free.

Method

The philosophy draws on behavioral science and psychology. Training starts by activating a dog's cognition through operant conditioning and building a confident relationship, then works within the four quadrants with the least amount of pressure possible. Curtis holds that any behavior taught with force is destined to extinguish as fast as it was learned, and he teaches owners the psychology behind canine cognition.

Programs

The four-week board and train keeps dogs in a relaxing home environment with 24/7 care, multiple daily sessions, weekly report cards, free follow-up lessons and lifetime trainer support. Private lessons run 1.5 hours weekly at Curtis's home, the owner's home or in public. Puppy Skills combines four private lessons with a board and train, and Day Training adds pickup and drop-off, several sessions a day and socializing. Programs cover manners, crate training, socialization, anxiety, aggression, reactivity, on and off leash obedience, heel, recall and place.

What owners say

One client wrote: "There is a healthy communication between our dogs & us now, game changing."