About Kim’s K-9

A Kentwood facility running since 1987

Kim's K-9 lists its address as 3108 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Kentwood, and states it "has been family-owned and West Michigan-based since 1987." The history page records that "In 1987, Kim Steffes started Kim's K-9 at her home, training dogs from her back yard in Wayland, Michigan," before the business purchased the Broadmoor Ave location. In 2021 "Kim began her transition to retirement and Martha Wiltse and her family took over the business."

Training programs

Four programs are published: Puppy Kindergarten for puppies "aged 12-18 weeks who are actively receiving vaccinations" (six weekly classes); Puppy Preschool, "a one-hour session you take before or shortly after your puppy comes home"; Adult Dog Bootcamp, "Four weeks of care and round-the-clock shaping from our full staff"; and Adult Dog Day Training, where "We will work with your dog during the day for three consecutive weeks Monday-Friday" with the dog home evenings and weekends. Private training is "six one-hour sessions over the course of six weeks."

Method

The site states training "is guided by the relationship-based, Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) principles established by the International Association of Canine Professionals," and that owner Martha "holds a LIMA certification." The stated emphasis is skills over tricks: "we don't train 'tricks,' we train real-world, useful skills," listing "focused & polite walking, waiting at doorways, not jumping up, sitting until released, laying down until released, formal 'heel' walking, several types of recalls, and a five minute or longer down-stay."

Practical details

An initial one-hour assessment is published at $125, which "will go toward any of the obedience packages." Vaccine records are required for any dog entering the facility; vaccines "are NOT required for private lessons," though unvaccinated private clients are not eligible for daycare or boarding. Boarding and daycare run alongside training.