Training

Larry Hopper, is the K9 Commander of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.  Larry is a Master Trainer with DLE (Dogs for Law Enforcement) and is a former trainer with IPWDA (International Police Work Dog Association).

Larry advocates for prong and e-collars when used/paired correctly.  Larry will give you and your dog the foundation, however, it is up to you to keep your dog obedient and looking sharp. 

 

Training Packages

Package One

Basic On-Leash Obedience – Owner Attends

Our Basic On-Leash Obedience Training Package is designed to foster a strong bond between you and your dog while teaching essential commands for everyday control and safety. Through hands-on sessions, owners actively participate alongside their dogs, learning to effectively communicate commands such as sit, stay, come, heel, and loose-leash walking. Guided by our experienced trainers, this program emphasizes positive reinforcement techniques to build confidence and good behavior in your dog, ensuring they respond reliably while on a leash. Perfect for new pet owners or dogs needing a refresher, this package empowers you to maintain consistent training at home, creating a well-mannered companion for walks and public outings.

Your dog will learn:
  • No Jumping
  • Loose Leash Walking
  • Sit
  • Down
  • Stay
  • Here
  • Conditioned Reinforcer
  • Conditioned Punisher
Schedule

Training consists of seven days:

DAY 1: NO DOG(S). Training starts on Thursday @ 5pm – 6:30pm

Day one will consist of 1 ½ hour lecture over the two theories of training (Classical and Operant Conditioning).  During the lecture, you will participate in leash exercises along with reward marking exercises.  Larry believes this is one of the most important days of training! You will have homework over the weekend!

Days 2, 3 & 4 – Training continues the following week – Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – 5pm – 6:30 pm

We will work with you and your dog on: Sit, Down, Stay, Here, Conditioned Reinforcer and Conditioned Punisher.

Days 5, 6 & 7 – Continues on the following week – Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – 5pm – 6:30 pm

We will work with you and your dog on: Sit, Down, Stay, Here, Conditioned Reinforcer and Conditioned Punisher.

Supplies Needed

*** During your seven-day training course, owners will need a prong collar, treats and a treat pouch. Prong collars and treat pouches will be available for purchase in the lobby ***

Cost

$1,100

Larry Training Small Dog Indoor
K95 Training Academy Training Room
Larry Providing Dog Training Tips
Larry Training Dog Outdoor
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Package Two

Board and Train Basic Obedience

Our Basic Obedience Training Package (Owner-Absent) is tailored for busy pet owners who want their dogs to master essential commands without requiring their direct involvement during training sessions. Our expert trainers work one-on-one with your dog to teach fundamental on-leash skills, including sit, stay, come, heel, and loose-leash walking, using positive reinforcement techniques to ensure effective learning and a stress-free experience. Conducted in a controlled environment, this program focuses on building your dog’s confidence and responsiveness, preparing them for real-world situations. Upon completion, we provide a detailed handover session to guide you on maintaining and reinforcing your dog’s newly acquired skills at home, ensuring a well-behaved companion ready for walks and public settings.
Note:
We strongly recommend our other training package (Basic On-Leash Obedience – Owner Attends). Our experience is that when the owner participates in the training, the results are effective and last longer.
Your dog will learn:
  • No Jumping
  • Loose Leash Walking
  • Sit
  • Down
  • Stay
  • Here
  • Conditioned Reinforcer
  • Conditioned Punisher
Schedule
Training consists of twelve days of training while boarded at our facility.
 Cost
$1,300
Larry Training Dog Outdoor
Larry Training Dog Outdoor
Larry Training Small Dog Indoor
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The foundation that Larry gave us in this class is amazing. I feel there’s nothing I can’t teach my dog after taking this class. We saw great results after just an hour with our dog. Larry was able to explain everything he was doing in several ways that anyone can pick up on. I look at the cost as a lifetime skill I can use on future pets. We also did boarding and grooming with great results.

Kevin Twing

If you are thinking about training for your dog, don’t walk, run to K9.5 Training Academy. The knowledge you will gain from Larry is amazing! The first night when we met with him felt like he was already invested in each dog, by asking about behaviors and things we as owners wanted to work on. Larry is 100% dedicated to helping dogs and owners in our community and it truly shows by his interactions with every dog that comes through the door.

Melyssa Greer