About Yahr Complete K9s – Animal Training and Behavior

Yahr Complete K9s is a training and behavior business with a studio at 1020 S. Commercial St in Neenah, Wisconsin. Its welcome sets a whole-life frame: "At Yahr Complete K9s, we provide complete care and a wide range of training services for pets of all ages. Our mission is to help you create a complete and harmonious living environment that includes your furry friends." The note is signed "Amy Yahr, KPA-CTP, FFCP", and the site says its "certified dog trainer uses force-free techniques and a unique approach backed by science".

Services

Four lanes are described on the home page. Puppy Day School is called "This premier all-inclusive service … excellent for busy professionals and families alike", where the business takes care of "letting the puppy be a puppy in a controlled, safe environment, so you can enjoy a mannered, tired pup when you bring them home". Day Training is described as "Get your dog trained for you. Training will occur during the day, then we will meet and go over results at the end of each week" – a daytime service, not an overnight stay. Private lessons and coaching are "One-on-one sessions to help modify a behavior issue or work on manners". Group classes run "weekly or drop in" and are "offered 7 days a week, meeting at our studio or Pet Supplies Plus in Neenah". The site's own menu adds Behavior Modification, One-to-One Courses, Group Puppy Classes, Drop In Manners, Advanced Manners, Operation Socialization, Playtime, Specialty Classes and a live training camera.

Method

The about page defines force-free in its own words: "Operating with force-free principles means using positive reinforcement to strengthen positive behaviors, replace unwanted behaviors, and be proactive in teaching you and your pet. All our training values are positive, backed by science, and proven effective." It also commits to continuing education and to "working with you and your veterinarian as necessary to support behavior modification".

The team and the name

The about page lists the owner's certifications as Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, Fear Free Certified Professional, professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, animal first aid and CPR, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Drink With Your Dog certified class instructor and evaluator, Click to Calm instructor, Puppy Start Right instructor and Pets for Vets satellite trainer, with a separate list of staff certifications including a certified veterinary technician. The team is named as Amy Yahr, owner and head trainer, with trainers Lacey Miehe, Kristina Knight and Courtney Kolodziej and training assistant Heather Barker. The site explains the name itself: the business was first called Balanced K9s in 2018, and "In February of 2022, we decided to rebrand and modify the business name to Yahr Complete K9s" so it could "encompass training for your companion's whole life, from the new puppy who came home to your senior pet who may need help with mobility". Ask about prices; the footer notes services and prices are subject to change.