About Hudson Valley K9 Academy

Who runs it

Hudson Valley K9 Academy operates from "701 Prewitt Pike, Mt Sterling, Kentucky 40353," a line the home page repeats four times. The trainer is Bob Conklin, who writes in the first person throughout and states: "I have over 50 years experience training dogs and fixing their behavior." His About page traces the route: "I started Military training and then Police dog training," and a caption on the same page reads "US CUSTOMS K9 ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (ME) WITH MY K9 TATOO."

The method

The site names one method and repeats it: the "BOB CONKLINS' NATURAL DOG TRAINING METHOD," which it says is "developed, used and taught by Bob Conklin." Its defining claim is what it leaves out: "NO FOOD, NO CLICKER, NO COMPULSION. I TRAIN THE DOG'S BRAIN AND NOT THE BODY!" The longer explanation says he uses "energy and the release of applied pressure to the dogs body to obtain the correct result."

What they offer

Training runs as "six weekly one hour sessions," scheduled across eight slots so two classes can be missed with 24 hours' notice; further missed classes count as training time. The site says "Obedience, Puppy and Behavior are all different classes" and that he trains "PRIVATELY WITH 1 OR 2 PEOPLE." Also listed: behavior modification ("Behavior Modification Specialist( we actually work your dog)"), a "TRAINER'S CERTIFICATION COURSE," and puppy sales from "CZECH BORDER PATROL AND SLOVAKIAN POLICE DOG LINES." Evaluations carry a "MINIMUM CHARGE $85." Payment is due in full on day one.

Before you book

The business name points at New York's Hudson Valley and the contact number carries an 845 area code, but every address on the site is the Mt Sterling, Kentucky farm. The named method is his own; ask about any third-party certification.