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Alan's K9 Academy

Therapy & Service Dog Training

How it works

At Alan’s K9 Academy in Cartersville, Georgia, we believe dogs have the power to change lives.

Our Therapy and Service Dog Training programs are designed to bring out the very best in your dog — building the skills, confidence, and reliability needed to provide meaningful support for you, your family, and your community.

We proudly serve families across Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Paulding, Floyd, and Polk counties, as well as the greater North Metro Atlanta area.

"Alan and Morgan are absolutely amazing! I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants a happier dog!"
‍-Joshua Davis

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Service Dog Training

Service dogs go beyond companionship — they are trained to perform specific tasks that support their handler’s unique needs. At Alan’s K9 Academy, we tailor our training programs to each client’s lifestyle and goals.

We work closely with you to develop a personalized plan that matches your dog’s abilities with your individual needs.

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    Obedience Foundations – calm, reliable behavior in public and at home.
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    Task Training – teaching specific skills such as alerting to sounds, retrieving items, guiding mobility, or providing calming pressure during anxiety episodes.
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    Public Access Skills – preparing your dog to behave confidently in all environments, from restaurants to grocery stores.
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Therapy Dog Training

Therapy dogs bring comfort, joy, and emotional support to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other settings. Our program prepares your dog to become a confident, gentle partner who can brighten the lives of others.

Whether your goal is to visit hospitals and schools, or simply provide extra support within your own family, we’ll help your dog develop the skills to make a positive impact.

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    Obedience & Manners – ensuring polite behavior around all ages and abilities.
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    Socialization – exposure to different environments, people, and situations.
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    Certification Preparation – guidance on steps to achieve therapy dog certification if desired.
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Voted "Best Of Georgia 2025!"

#1 Dog Training Company in Georgia!

our reviews

Trusted by Dog Owners in North Atlanta

Are you next?

Join the rest of our happy clients!

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Getting started is easy

Here's how to get started

Book an evaluation

Click “Get Started” and complete the short form. A member of our team will contact you during normal business hours to discuss your dog and schedule your evaluation with Alan Carr.

Choose your program

Alan Carr will personally meet with you for your evaluation, assess your dog’s behavior, discuss your goals, answer your questions, and recommend the training program that best fits your dog’s needs.

Let the training begin!

Regardless of your dog’s age, breed, or behavioral challenges, Alan Carr will honestly evaluate your situation and recommend the training program that best fits your dog’s needs and your family’s goals.

Join the rest of our happy clients today!

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Areas We Serve

Serving North Metro Atlanta and Surrounding Communities

440 Lucas Rd SW, Cartersville, GA 30120

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth hiring someone to train your dog?

Absolutely! Investing in professional training for your furry friend is like giving them the gift of communication. It's not just about obedience; it's about building a deeper bond. Trained dogs are happier, more confident, and safer companions. Plus, it fosters mutual respect and understanding.

What Type Of Training Methods Do You Use?

Alan’s K9 Academy uses a balanced, customized training approach. We combine positive reinforcement, clear communication, structure, and appropriate training tools based on each dog’s temperament, behavior, and individual needs. Our goal is to create reliable results while strengthening the relationship between dogs and their owners.

How Much Does Your Obedience Training Cost? 

Each of our training programs is customized to the individual dog and owner. We consider your dog’s age, temperament, previous training, behavioral concerns, and your goals before recommending a program. Pricing depends on your dog’s needs and the amount of training required. The best way to receive an accurate recommendation and price is to schedule an evaluation.

Where Do We Train?

Alan’s K9 Academy provides personalized, one-on-one training in clients’ homes and in appropriate real-world environments. Depending on the dog’s needs and progress, training may also take place in backyards, neighborhoods, parks, downtown areas, and pet-friendly stores. These carefully selected environments help dogs develop calm behavior, confidence, social skills, and reliable obedience around everyday distractions.

‍Do We Offer Payment Plans?

Yes. Financing options may be available through Affirm, Klarna, or LendingUSA, subject to approval and the terms established by each financing provider. Please contact us for current financing information.

Do you take all dogs regardless of age, breed, or issues?

We work with dogs of many breeds, ages, temperaments, and experience levels. Our programs can address obedience needs and behavioral concerns such as insecurity, anxiety, impulse-control problems, hyperactivity, leash reactivity, dog reactivity, aggression, and other challenging behaviors. Because every dog and situation is different, acceptance into a program and the recommended training plan are determined through an evaluation.

Do you offer therapy or service dog training?

Yes. Alan’s K9 Academy offers customized Therapy Dog and Service Dog Training programs. Please contact us to discuss your dog, your goals, and whether one of these programs is appropriate for your needs. To answer this question, we will start by explaining what a service dog does and how a service dog is different from a therapy dog and an emotional support dog. A service dog, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, is a dog individually trained to perform specific tasks and to work with people with disabilities. The work of a service dog must be directly related to the handler's disability. The ADA mandates that service dogs have full public access rights. Therapy dogs are trained to be comfortable in new environments and to interact with different people. They typically have certain personality traits, and they volunteer in clinical settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Therapy dogs do not have the same legal right to access service dogs, and although a dog can be certified as a therapy dog through an organization, there are no uniform state or national rules that regulate the certification. Emotional support dogs are not considered service dogs under the ADA. They may be trained for a specific owner, but they are not trained for specific tasks or duties to aid a person with a disability. ESA owners have only limited legal rights, and those typically require a letter of diagnosis from a doctor or psychiatrist. They have certain access when it comes to housing but do not have unlimited access to public spaces.

Why should I work with you instead of a less expensive trainer?

Alan’s K9 Academy is built on more than 35 years of professional dog-training experience from founder and Master Trainer Alan Carr. Our programs are customized to each dog and owner rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system. We focus on practical, real-world results, clear owner instruction, and continued support through our Life-of-Dog Support Guarantee. Alan’s K9 Academy was also selected as Georgia’s Number One Best of Georgia winner for Pet Training in both 2024 and 2025.