About Rubus K9

Rubus K9 is a one-trainer business in Knoxville working across pet, sport and working dogs. It carries a 5-star Google rating from 5 reviews.

Who runs it

The trainer introduces himself on the site as Chris and gives his background: a Search and Rescue K9 handler with his SAR dog Delia, with the resulting philosophy "forged during my time" in that work and since applied to working dogs for teams nationwide and sport dogs competing at a high level. He also writes about rehabilitating a rescue, Lycan, who had a spinal injury, teaching him to walk short distances and to use a wheelchair, and calls it the most rewarding work he has done.

The method, in his words

"Motivation, Communication, Mastery." The stated sequence is to "build a solid foundation of motivation, add clear communication, and polish it with precision", with the aim of dogs that "perform with a genuinely happy attitude and true reliability" – attitude being weighted as heavily as accuracy, which he traces to sport and working standards.

What they publish

Everything starts with a complimentary 30-60 minute consultation, framed as a mutual fit test: "the best dog trainer is the one you have the best communication with, and I want to make sure I am the best trainer for you before any commitments." The Home School program is the distinctive offer – the depth of a board and train delivered at the client's house, with the trainer coming Monday to Friday for three weeks, working directly with the dog Monday to Thursday, covering basic obedience and behavior modification including jumping, barking, chewing, nipping and reactivity. Board and train, private lessons, puppy training, tracking, detection, protection and sport work in PSA and IGP are also named.

Who it suits

Owners wanting a sport or working standard applied to a pet dog, handlers preparing a dog for real work, and households that want board-and-train depth without sending the dog away.