Dog Board and Train In Pittsburgh SpitzeK9

Tracking, Protection, and Obedience Training For Dogs in Pittsburgh

Antonio; dog trainer at Spitze K9
police k9 training

Very well trained dog, the handling and obedience are both outstanding, will definitely be enlisting the help of training my shepherd.

-- Josh

daycare-full
I see Antonio out with his dogs.  All I can say is, WOW! Immediately scheduled with him just to get my dog to come when he called.
-- June
obedience-full


On cloud nine, Drago has been engaged with me, like crazy! He has been really driven, I live it. Thank you!! You're the BEST! THE BEST in the world!
-- Mellissa

159085322_3542303385993955_1711981036505529808_n
police-military-full


I see Antonio out with his dogs.  All I can say is, WOW! Immediately scheduled with him just to get my dog to come when he called.
-- June

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Pittsburgh Dog Training Services

dog and antonio at spitze k9 board and train near me

Dog Board And Train Program

Our board and train option provides your dog with daily training at our facility. The duration can be from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the needs of the dog and the goals of the handler. Your dog receives multiple sessions per day, which is a great option for faster results, and problem solving.

Board & Train Details
dog that was just groomed

Dog Grooming And Spa Packages

Our all-natural and organic spa package and your best friend will be pampered with the highest quality holistic products and groomed from nose to tail by our expert groomers. When you come to SpitzeK9 you and your best friend will be treated like one of the family in a fresh and friendly environment

Dog Grooming Details
Dog Training & Socialization

Training Daycare and socialization

Spitze K9 understands that dogs are social animals. Dogs greatly benefit in their training, and overall well-being, from regular structured socialization. Our daycare provides your dog a comfortable environment to safely socialize with other dogs under the supervision of our highly-trained staff.

Dog Daycare Details
basic dog training and advanced dog training

Basic & advanced off-leash Obedience Training

SpitzeK9 offers many options to train individuals and their dogs ranging from: basic to advanced obedience, sport, police, military, personal protection, and detection training.

We also specialize in training socially aggressive and animal aggressive dogs that other trainers and kennels refuse to. We train the dog, and work with the handler to achieve control and peace of mind resulting in a better relationship with your furry companion.

Dog Training Details
Police & Military Dog Training

Police & Military Dog Training

We have trained dozens of police and military K9 teams around the globe to certification, and helped countless others fix police dog training issues, always producing stellar results for handlers and their dogs. Spitz K9 is devoted to helping to produce qualified dogs for military and police use!

Police Dog Details
Personal Protection Dog training

Personal Protection
Dog Training

We offer privately-tailored personal protection dogs. Every dog is selected and trained to suit your individual needs, and integrate seamlessly into your family and social dynamics, at home, work, and on the go with the same advanced training as Military and Law Enforcement Patrol Canines.

Protection Dog Details

Happy Dog Training Clients

Victoria Mimna
05:45 12 Dec 24
Went with another company originally, big mistake. Antonio is a miracle worker. Go with SpitzeK9 first, you will not regret it.
Craig Upton
01:32 09 Dec 24
Antonio is honestly patient, professional, knowledgeable, and excellent at his craft. We started training our pup pretty early, and we are so grateful for the results we see.
I see some lady gave SpitzeK9 a bad review on here, and I couldn't be further from that perspective in my evaluation of our value received.
If you care about your relationship with your pet and the well-being of your pet long term, give Antonio a call.
Thanks Antonio!
Christina Kriznik
12:28 27 Sep 24
Nathan Hamm
14:54 16 Sep 24
Money can buy happiness. After Luca completed a two week board and train with Antonio we've been able to have so much fun with him! He knows he's commands and we can now take him everywhere with us. He has gone to street festivals, canoe camping, and backpacking. We did several other training classes with Luca before we went to bootcamp with Antonio. While his obedience improved in those classes, Antonio's methodology gave us the real world tools needed for both us and Luca to enjoy our time together.
KiKi Chanel
19:19 24 Aug 24
Initially we wanted a two week board and train but ended up having to do at home training due to Rusty’s aggressive attitude. Antonio was very professional and helped us get Rusty under control. We couldn’t thank him enough for his time, effort, and patience with us and our family.
cody peters
18:26 23 Aug 24
heather tricarico
20:15 19 Aug 24
We did the 2 week boot camp with Antonio and his team for our 1 and a half year old Australian Shepard. After her two week stay she was more confident and knows exactly what is expected of her and we are more confident showing her those expectations. We just returned from a trip to Cuyahoga National Park where she was able to explore off leash and we knew she would be the best girl. Thank you! Antonio and his team are wonderful! And a shout out to Lily for hanging with our boys while we went over all the important training for Clover. ✨️
Karen Klink
23:49 10 Aug 24
Best training, trainer for my dog. Thank you!
Ryan Deasy
00:39 06 Aug 24
I had my first meeting with Antonio today and was extremely happy about the session. We were able to pinpoint things my dog can work on and develop a plan thru the next 4-6 session and forward. Antonio’s mindset and philosophy that he lives by shows through his dog training.

I currently have a protection dog in the works that will also be going to Antonio for training.
Diane Moore
22:57 14 Jul 24
I’ve owned standard poodles for 18 years. I’ve never boarded any of them.
My 6 month old standard puppy was pulling on the leash, jumping on people,
digging in the garden and other not so nice behaviors.
I interviewed a few local board and train professionals.
I chose SpitzeK9 because a good friend recommended him.
I was apprehensive about the entire process.
Then I met Antonio and he was very professional, knowledgeable and kind.
My pup was there for just over two weeks. She is a joy now. She walks unleashed and reacts instantly to commands. The best part is she was so happy and confident when I picked her up. She had a great time at “boot camp”!
It’s amazing!!! Highly recommend!!!
Lisa Klimenko
02:48 04 Jul 24
Working with Antonio to train my rescue pup Levi was a life changing experience. He gave me the insight, tools and confidence needed to safely handle Levi’s over protective instincts. Levi is now working as a therapy dog and absolutely loves it!
Jacqueline Cronin
19:27 19 May 24
Tracy Hobby
00:51 13 May 24
We were pulling our hair out trying to train our new, extremely skittish rescue pup. Two family members had recommended Spitze K9, and seeing how well behaved their dogs are we decided to give them a try. After 6 sessions working with Antonio we have a more relaxed, happy, well behaved dog and we are more confident handlers. Antonio is very knowledgeable and easy to work with, always eager to address any questions or concerns. Highly recommend SpitzeK9!
Megan Dupont
18:52 18 Feb 24
Lori Hilty
19:41 05 Dec 23
Excellent trainer! Highly recommended.
Andrew Nau
18:13 25 Nov 23
Once you accept the use of the e-collar as a sensory tool for communicating with your dog, Antonio’s behavior modification program will help you to build a better relationship and give him or her a more fulfilling life. Antonio and Mel offer a professional and personal tailored service that is well worth the money and will build handling skills that will last a lifetime. We have been very happy and impressed with the results. I’ve had several conversations with other clients during joint training sessions and each has echoed the same satisfaction. Antonio has a passion for dog training and takes pride in seeing the that dogs that he has trained are well adjusted and well behaved as evidenced by patiently making sure we understood all aspects of the process, following up on our progress, and answering all of our questions even after we had completed the program. Our 2 year old GSD was exhibiting some troubling behaviors that we hadn’t experienced with our past dogs. With Antonio’s help, we now have the handling skills to manage our dog’s unique personality and he has developed into a better balanced, better behaved, and more confident canine citizen. We have also started using the kenneling service because we trust these guys more than any other place we have used in the past. Whether you are looking for a personal protection dog, are struggling with some of your dog’s negative behavior, or are simply looking basic obedience training, I would highly recommend Spitze K9 and the services they offer.
jason kessler
00:03 07 Nov 23
It has been just over a week since we picked up our girl, an adopted 15-month-old, 150-pound, Great Dane from SpitzeK9 and we’ve been pinching ourselves ever since believing we must be dreaming. Before dropping her off for the two-week board and train, we had her for a month and knew we needed professional help. She has come home as a completely new dog. She stays in “walk” at our left hip, without a leash if we choose, even with high distractions like other dogs, deer or squirrels. She immediately drops into “sit” or “down” and will stay in down while we walk away up to 50 yards (probably further, we haven’t tried) and not come until commanded. We’ve never had a dog, and we’ve had lots of dogs, with better recall. We are so grateful and in awe of how well trained she is and can confidently take her out anywhere in public and know she will be a masterful example of the breed. Most importantly, Antonio trained us upon pickup and took all the time we needed to feel confident bringing her home. He was responsive to calls and text messages and regularly updated us with videos of her progress. Both he and Mel are expert trainers, and we couldn’t recommend SpiteK9 any more highly.
Richard Smith
16:00 25 Oct 23
Antonio was very knowledgeable and great with our Shih Tzu Spencer.
Jamie Kean
13:15 24 Oct 23
My husband and I have had many puppies over the years. We did not realize now that we are in my 60’s, we did not have the strength to handle one. As our 3 month old black lab puppy got older and larger, we could not even walk him anymore. To the rescue came Antonio and Mel. He went to their 15 day board and train and returned a puppy that we could handle. He can be walked off leash and follows all our commands. It’s actually beautiful to see. When we are on the trail together people are always saying how well trained Koda is. We were worried he wouldn’t be a puppy anymore but that’s not the case. His personality did not change at all. Our training is going slower than Koda’s. Again, Antonio and Mel to the rescue. They have spent hours with us and Koda to ensure we am doing the training correctly. They are the absolute best as what they do and are committed to making sure their clients are happy. We cannot recommend them enough. I think President Biden needs to use them for his German Shepard’s!
AJ Lykens
00:57 04 Oct 23
Within one singular training session my dog changed drastically. After a few more sessions and a few more months of training, he is now a completely changed dog! Antonio was also very helpful throughout the whole process and always gave me any information I needed! My dog was about a year and a half old and acted just like a puppy, by pulling the leash, jumping, no recall, etc. He is now almost two and is off leash, listens to a recall, knows multiple commands, etc . I am more than satisfied with the way my pup now acts! I would like to thank Antonio, and would recommend SpitzeK9’s services to everyone!
Sophia
20:17 05 Sep 23
Would give 0 stars if i could. If you care about your dog's wellbeing, do not send them here.
Jamie Kean
20:58 12 Aug 23
Taking my 9 month black lab puppy to Antonio next week for boot camp. I am so excited, my neighbors two Rottweilers were trained by him and they are amazing to watch.
Kyra F
21:05 23 Jul 23
-EDITED COMMENT: There was literally a video posted on the Facebook page that showed that he was drinking creek water. Looking back at the videos, I suspect that may be part of the reason he had diarrhea. I agree the stress and when he had diarrhea may have been out of your control, and this was our first time training a dog. I also agree that you guys did take care of him and trained him the best you could esp leash training and maybe summer time wasn't the best time to train him, although walking early morning, walking indoors at a store, or later when the sun is out would serve the same purpose . But I am not happy w/ the assumption made, because we only had ONE private session, not multiple private sessions and then the board and train. We did the board and train because we thought that it would be more bang for our buck considering how expensive training is. While yes my pup was a lot to handle and there were times I felt giving up, I always picked myself up and am doing the best with what I know. I just think that now it would be better to train alongside w/ your dog and trainer as opposed to boarding so that he would not be stressed but at the same time he would still get adequate training (I was advised this by someone who takes care of malamutes after the training had already happened). I also wrote on a document that was handed when my dog came on board and train the list of problems and while leash training was covered for board and train, potty training and resource guarding wasn't. I was told that for aggressive behavior I would nearly have to pay double (I don't have thousands more to spend). In terms of swimming, if any double coated dog gets wet and isn't dried efficiently, they can get red sores.

For now in terms of my dog guarding, we have followed up w/ a different trainor for a smaller cost, followed advice, and he has not bitten my boyfriend or me since. Overall my dog is well behaved, socialized, and despite all the stress, much better to walk w/ and an enjoyable companion. He hasn't pottied in the house since after he healed from his diarrhea. Ultimately, it is up to us as owners to continue that training.

I will admit that despite all this you guys did still do a good job w/ the leash training, I do appreciate the efforts given. Because it was effective 4/5 is a generous rating. even then, my mal must be on a leash and never off leash due to their independent nature, even though they emphasized off-leash training.

-ORIGINAL COMMENT:

Honest opinion:

I took my malamute to the board and train w/ Antonio and Mel. They helped him w/ his leash training. No more unmanageable crazy pulling! He does get distracted every now and then and needs some reminding but I feel more comfortable walking him anywhere, even at the vets or grooming. While stubborn, it is easier to also give commands without the need for treats.

I will give four out of five because unfortunately my malamute did get diarrhea coming home, and I suspect it was from the creek water he drank while walking. He got medications and has felt better since, but for next time I will let anyone caring for him to only provide clean water and to NOT have him drink just any water. Future training for my future dogs will also be ideally in-home as opposed to board and train, I suspect my dog was incredibly stressed coming home due to the diarrhea, licking excessively, and becoming more fatigue.

I overall still recommend them for training but it’s better for the owner to actively participate and ideally the training should be in-home or actively going to places w/ your dog so that there is less change in environments. I think my mal has separation anxiety.
Theresa N
20:16 19 Jul 23
Antonio was amazing. We came in needing help with training our Shepherd pup. Our new shepherds personality was very different from our first girl and our basic training wasnt working. We particularly looked for someone who knew and understood the breed. He was very knowledgeable, easy to talk to and really took his time with training.
I couldn't walk her with her ripping my arm off, dragging me down the street it was dangerous for both of us. She was aggressive when passing other dogs on walks and almost to much for me to handle.
We worked with Antonio for 4-5 weeks on training her and US and it paid off. We couldn't be happier. This isn't like going to Petco for training, you have to put the work in with your dog be dedicated to the program. In the beginning of the training I thought I was in over my head and became flustered easily, but I'm happy we stuck with it! I'm now able to walk with her off lead and keep her with me. I can't thank him enough!
1990 YJ
22:52 16 Jul 23
Our experience with Mel and Tony can not say enought for the great job they did with Baxter. They are wonderful trainers. If you want a truly wonderful dog afterwards can not find a better place.
Steph Cornelius
15:45 23 Jun 23
Antonio was great and very knowledgeable and kind. He was patient with my husband as I when he was teaching us how to train our dog. I'm excited to continue our training with him. If you are looking for a dog trainer, definitely go with spitzeK9.
Jesse Anzelone
01:44 13 Jun 23
Antonio and Mel were great, our two dogs stayed with them for the two week board and train. The results were fantastic. We got updates on the dogs regularly and they spent time training us when we went for pickup. Both of the dogs came home happy, we can tell they were well taken care of!
Amanda S.
10:10 09 Jun 23
We absolutely adore Antonio and his Team! I had a lot of anxiety bringing home a new female puppy (Cora) with our established 9yr old male (Thor) after years of him being the top dog. Both are very strong breeds and felt my confidence was lacking in situations where I would be the only person around to correct and control undesirable and possibly dangerous situations. Thor fully responded to Antonio's methods within moments, I was amazed! I can now enjoy so many new and exciting activities with my pack like going to dog-friendly restaurants, walking off-leash with ease and highly populated areas without the stress of my dogs being an issue. We get so many compliments on how well-behaved the dogs are, seriously life changing! I am so grateful to Antonio and recommend SpitzeK9 to everyone!!
Jennifer Grillo
01:52 01 Jun 23
I’m so glad a friend recommended that I call Antonio to help me with my rescue dog, a Great Dane mix. Ace seemed like the perfect dog, until he became very reactive on the leash when he would see another dog. I could no longer handle him safely.
Without Antonio’s knowledge and guidance I would never have been able to keep my dog.
He helped me to be a better handler and I’m grateful for the amazing training!!
Kelly Welnick
22:52 21 Mar 23
After only our first session/introduction I've seen a difference in my 2 yr old pitty. I've had issues with her pulling me on walks, jumping in excitement when seeing/meeting people and just overall listening to commands.
Louis Volle
22:20 10 Feb 23
We spent 1 hour with Antonio and his staff and the results are unbelievable. We have a 5 month old Poodle- German Shepard puppy and the instructions we were shown have improved the behavior of Rufus. Highly recommended to any puppy or dog owner. Everything Antonio explained to us made sense and works. Thank you Spitz K9.
Bethany Cadez
01:45 24 Jan 23
Antonio and his staff were great with our lab, Marco! He was very responsive to all of my questions and concerns, and they were great about posting video updates during Marco’s training. We are so excited to utilize all of the new skills Marco learned at his training. We will absolutely be back for boarding in the future. Thank you!!
Riley Bakayza
19:13 11 Oct 22
i had a great experience with spitzek9! i sent my 8 month old puppy away with them for 2 weeks and she is a changed girl! i could tell she loved her trainers when i came to pick her up. i am so thankful for the help i received from the group!! definitely recommend :)
Brooke
15:54 04 Oct 22
Amazing work! We had our 8 month old german shepherd in the board and train and I am extremely pleased with the result! What was once a leash pulling, destructive puppy is now a dog who listens to all commands and has proper manors! 10/10 for Antonio and his Crew!
charlotte vehec
22:17 24 May 22
I had my 5-year=old German Shepherd boarded and trained at SpitzeK9 for 3 weeks. My family and I were able to view daily videos of her progress. We were surprised and pleased to see her responses and improved behavior. This is what we expected and we were certainly not disappointed. Antonio brought her home and patiently went through the training process with me, explaining the techniques and asking frequently if I had any questions. My amazement was when he removed her leash and had me walk with her giving her the commands. I was very apprehensive at first. We were walking outside on our street but she performed well, as she did on the leash. Antonio expressed joy in seeing her performance. He shows such concern in promoting excellent behavior from the dogs in his care. I certainly would recommend him to anyone who needs help training their dogs. It is very personal to him to make your dog a good K9 citizen.
Lauren Merante
16:44 29 Apr 22
We used SpitzeK9 for private in-home training sessions when we first got our puppy. Antonio was very receptive to our and our puppy’s needs, and gave us solid tips and assignments to work on in the weeks in between our sessions.
Trent C
00:31 02 Apr 22
My girlfriend and I had a great experience with both Mel and Antonio. They worked wonders on our 9 month Australian Shepard. Highly recommend them for training. We did board and train program and Antonio responded to all our messages and check ins on our pup. They posted a bunch of videos and it was cool to see the process and the progress they made with my dog. Can't thank them enough!
Susan Terlingo Saxon
12:38 18 Mar 22
Antionio has helped us so much, we have a 10 month old very smart and feisty Australian Shepherd, I could not take her on walks because she barked and was out of control anytime she saw a dog, a child, or an adult walking towards us. I was skeptical about the e-collar and now understand that it is a necessary tool in modifying and eliminating these behaviors. We now can take walks thru children at the park, she can sit next to other dogs, and we are no longer fighting her instincts in public. She is happy too as she was anxious and that is corrected. He clearly loves dogs and has a great sense of what they need. He also helped me to understand that it about safety as well.
Elizabeth Vahaly
16:45 21 Feb 22
Antonio was extremely knowledgeable, professional and above all friendly and personable. He taught us so much in such a way that he seemed like like a long time friend. Dog training to me is more of owner training so we can be good pet owners. He made us feel comfortable and confident that we can get our pack under control. Looking forward to working with Antonio and his company.
Victoria Mimna
05:45 12 Dec 24
Went with another company originally, big mistake. Antonio is a miracle worker. Go with SpitzeK9 first, you will not regret it.
Craig Upton
01:32 09 Dec 24
Antonio is honestly patient, professional, knowledgeable, and excellent at his craft. We started training our pup pretty early, and we are so grateful for the results we see.
I see some lady gave SpitzeK9 a bad review on here, and I couldn't be further from that perspective in my evaluation of our value received.
If you care about your relationship with your pet and the well-being of your pet long term, give Antonio a call.
Thanks Antonio!
Christina Kriznik
12:28 27 Sep 24
Nathan Hamm
14:54 16 Sep 24
Money can buy happiness. After Luca completed a two week board and train with Antonio we've been able to have so much fun with him! He knows he's commands and we can now take him everywhere with us. He has gone to street festivals, canoe camping, and backpacking. We did several other training classes with Luca before we went to bootcamp with Antonio. While his obedience improved in those classes, Antonio's methodology gave us the real world tools needed for both us and Luca to enjoy our time together.
KiKi Chanel
19:19 24 Aug 24
Initially we wanted a two week board and train but ended up having to do at home training due to Rusty’s aggressive attitude. Antonio was very professional and helped us get Rusty under control. We couldn’t thank him enough for his time, effort, and patience with us and our family.
cody peters
18:26 23 Aug 24
heather tricarico
20:15 19 Aug 24
We did the 2 week boot camp with Antonio and his team for our 1 and a half year old Australian Shepard. After her two week stay she was more confident and knows exactly what is expected of her and we are more confident showing her those expectations. We just returned from a trip to Cuyahoga National Park where she was able to explore off leash and we knew she would be the best girl. Thank you! Antonio and his team are wonderful! And a shout out to Lily for hanging with our boys while we went over all the important training for Clover. ✨️
Karen Klink
23:49 10 Aug 24
Best training, trainer for my dog. Thank you!
Ryan Deasy
00:39 06 Aug 24
I had my first meeting with Antonio today and was extremely happy about the session. We were able to pinpoint things my dog can work on and develop a plan thru the next 4-6 session and forward. Antonio’s mindset and philosophy that he lives by shows through his dog training.

I currently have a protection dog in the works that will also be going to Antonio for training.
Diane Moore
22:57 14 Jul 24
I’ve owned standard poodles for 18 years. I’ve never boarded any of them.
My 6 month old standard puppy was pulling on the leash, jumping on people,
digging in the garden and other not so nice behaviors.
I interviewed a few local board and train professionals.
I chose SpitzeK9 because a good friend recommended him.
I was apprehensive about the entire process.
Then I met Antonio and he was very professional, knowledgeable and kind.
My pup was there for just over two weeks. She is a joy now. She walks unleashed and reacts instantly to commands. The best part is she was so happy and confident when I picked her up. She had a great time at “boot camp”!
It’s amazing!!! Highly recommend!!!
Lisa Klimenko
02:48 04 Jul 24
Working with Antonio to train my rescue pup Levi was a life changing experience. He gave me the insight, tools and confidence needed to safely handle Levi’s over protective instincts. Levi is now working as a therapy dog and absolutely loves it!
Jacqueline Cronin
19:27 19 May 24
Tracy Hobby
00:51 13 May 24
We were pulling our hair out trying to train our new, extremely skittish rescue pup. Two family members had recommended Spitze K9, and seeing how well behaved their dogs are we decided to give them a try. After 6 sessions working with Antonio we have a more relaxed, happy, well behaved dog and we are more confident handlers. Antonio is very knowledgeable and easy to work with, always eager to address any questions or concerns. Highly recommend SpitzeK9!
Megan Dupont
18:52 18 Feb 24
Lori Hilty
19:41 05 Dec 23
Excellent trainer! Highly recommended.
Andrew Nau
18:13 25 Nov 23
Once you accept the use of the e-collar as a sensory tool for communicating with your dog, Antonio’s behavior modification program will help you to build a better relationship and give him or her a more fulfilling life. Antonio and Mel offer a professional and personal tailored service that is well worth the money and will build handling skills that will last a lifetime. We have been very happy and impressed with the results. I’ve had several conversations with other clients during joint training sessions and each has echoed the same satisfaction. Antonio has a passion for dog training and takes pride in seeing the that dogs that he has trained are well adjusted and well behaved as evidenced by patiently making sure we understood all aspects of the process, following up on our progress, and answering all of our questions even after we had completed the program. Our 2 year old GSD was exhibiting some troubling behaviors that we hadn’t experienced with our past dogs. With Antonio’s help, we now have the handling skills to manage our dog’s unique personality and he has developed into a better balanced, better behaved, and more confident canine citizen. We have also started using the kenneling service because we trust these guys more than any other place we have used in the past. Whether you are looking for a personal protection dog, are struggling with some of your dog’s negative behavior, or are simply looking basic obedience training, I would highly recommend Spitze K9 and the services they offer.
jason kessler
00:03 07 Nov 23
It has been just over a week since we picked up our girl, an adopted 15-month-old, 150-pound, Great Dane from SpitzeK9 and we’ve been pinching ourselves ever since believing we must be dreaming. Before dropping her off for the two-week board and train, we had her for a month and knew we needed professional help. She has come home as a completely new dog. She stays in “walk” at our left hip, without a leash if we choose, even with high distractions like other dogs, deer or squirrels. She immediately drops into “sit” or “down” and will stay in down while we walk away up to 50 yards (probably further, we haven’t tried) and not come until commanded. We’ve never had a dog, and we’ve had lots of dogs, with better recall. We are so grateful and in awe of how well trained she is and can confidently take her out anywhere in public and know she will be a masterful example of the breed. Most importantly, Antonio trained us upon pickup and took all the time we needed to feel confident bringing her home. He was responsive to calls and text messages and regularly updated us with videos of her progress. Both he and Mel are expert trainers, and we couldn’t recommend SpiteK9 any more highly.
Richard Smith
16:00 25 Oct 23
Antonio was very knowledgeable and great with our Shih Tzu Spencer.
Jamie Kean
13:15 24 Oct 23
My husband and I have had many puppies over the years. We did not realize now that we are in my 60’s, we did not have the strength to handle one. As our 3 month old black lab puppy got older and larger, we could not even walk him anymore. To the rescue came Antonio and Mel. He went to their 15 day board and train and returned a puppy that we could handle. He can be walked off leash and follows all our commands. It’s actually beautiful to see. When we are on the trail together people are always saying how well trained Koda is. We were worried he wouldn’t be a puppy anymore but that’s not the case. His personality did not change at all. Our training is going slower than Koda’s. Again, Antonio and Mel to the rescue. They have spent hours with us and Koda to ensure we am doing the training correctly. They are the absolute best as what they do and are committed to making sure their clients are happy. We cannot recommend them enough. I think President Biden needs to use them for his German Shepard’s!
AJ Lykens
00:57 04 Oct 23
Within one singular training session my dog changed drastically. After a few more sessions and a few more months of training, he is now a completely changed dog! Antonio was also very helpful throughout the whole process and always gave me any information I needed! My dog was about a year and a half old and acted just like a puppy, by pulling the leash, jumping, no recall, etc. He is now almost two and is off leash, listens to a recall, knows multiple commands, etc . I am more than satisfied with the way my pup now acts! I would like to thank Antonio, and would recommend SpitzeK9’s services to everyone!
Sophia
20:17 05 Sep 23
Would give 0 stars if i could. If you care about your dog's wellbeing, do not send them here.
Jamie Kean
20:58 12 Aug 23
Taking my 9 month black lab puppy to Antonio next week for boot camp. I am so excited, my neighbors two Rottweilers were trained by him and they are amazing to watch.
Kyra F
21:05 23 Jul 23
-EDITED COMMENT: There was literally a video posted on the Facebook page that showed that he was drinking creek water. Looking back at the videos, I suspect that may be part of the reason he had diarrhea. I agree the stress and when he had diarrhea may have been out of your control, and this was our first time training a dog. I also agree that you guys did take care of him and trained him the best you could esp leash training and maybe summer time wasn't the best time to train him, although walking early morning, walking indoors at a store, or later when the sun is out would serve the same purpose . But I am not happy w/ the assumption made, because we only had ONE private session, not multiple private sessions and then the board and train. We did the board and train because we thought that it would be more bang for our buck considering how expensive training is. While yes my pup was a lot to handle and there were times I felt giving up, I always picked myself up and am doing the best with what I know. I just think that now it would be better to train alongside w/ your dog and trainer as opposed to boarding so that he would not be stressed but at the same time he would still get adequate training (I was advised this by someone who takes care of malamutes after the training had already happened). I also wrote on a document that was handed when my dog came on board and train the list of problems and while leash training was covered for board and train, potty training and resource guarding wasn't. I was told that for aggressive behavior I would nearly have to pay double (I don't have thousands more to spend). In terms of swimming, if any double coated dog gets wet and isn't dried efficiently, they can get red sores.

For now in terms of my dog guarding, we have followed up w/ a different trainor for a smaller cost, followed advice, and he has not bitten my boyfriend or me since. Overall my dog is well behaved, socialized, and despite all the stress, much better to walk w/ and an enjoyable companion. He hasn't pottied in the house since after he healed from his diarrhea. Ultimately, it is up to us as owners to continue that training.

I will admit that despite all this you guys did still do a good job w/ the leash training, I do appreciate the efforts given. Because it was effective 4/5 is a generous rating. even then, my mal must be on a leash and never off leash due to their independent nature, even though they emphasized off-leash training.

-ORIGINAL COMMENT:

Honest opinion:

I took my malamute to the board and train w/ Antonio and Mel. They helped him w/ his leash training. No more unmanageable crazy pulling! He does get distracted every now and then and needs some reminding but I feel more comfortable walking him anywhere, even at the vets or grooming. While stubborn, it is easier to also give commands without the need for treats.

I will give four out of five because unfortunately my malamute did get diarrhea coming home, and I suspect it was from the creek water he drank while walking. He got medications and has felt better since, but for next time I will let anyone caring for him to only provide clean water and to NOT have him drink just any water. Future training for my future dogs will also be ideally in-home as opposed to board and train, I suspect my dog was incredibly stressed coming home due to the diarrhea, licking excessively, and becoming more fatigue.

I overall still recommend them for training but it’s better for the owner to actively participate and ideally the training should be in-home or actively going to places w/ your dog so that there is less change in environments. I think my mal has separation anxiety.
Theresa N
20:16 19 Jul 23
Antonio was amazing. We came in needing help with training our Shepherd pup. Our new shepherds personality was very different from our first girl and our basic training wasnt working. We particularly looked for someone who knew and understood the breed. He was very knowledgeable, easy to talk to and really took his time with training.
I couldn't walk her with her ripping my arm off, dragging me down the street it was dangerous for both of us. She was aggressive when passing other dogs on walks and almost to much for me to handle.
We worked with Antonio for 4-5 weeks on training her and US and it paid off. We couldn't be happier. This isn't like going to Petco for training, you have to put the work in with your dog be dedicated to the program. In the beginning of the training I thought I was in over my head and became flustered easily, but I'm happy we stuck with it! I'm now able to walk with her off lead and keep her with me. I can't thank him enough!
1990 YJ
22:52 16 Jul 23
Our experience with Mel and Tony can not say enought for the great job they did with Baxter. They are wonderful trainers. If you want a truly wonderful dog afterwards can not find a better place.
Steph Cornelius
15:45 23 Jun 23
Antonio was great and very knowledgeable and kind. He was patient with my husband as I when he was teaching us how to train our dog. I'm excited to continue our training with him. If you are looking for a dog trainer, definitely go with spitzeK9.
Jesse Anzelone
01:44 13 Jun 23
Antonio and Mel were great, our two dogs stayed with them for the two week board and train. The results were fantastic. We got updates on the dogs regularly and they spent time training us when we went for pickup. Both of the dogs came home happy, we can tell they were well taken care of!
Amanda S.
10:10 09 Jun 23
We absolutely adore Antonio and his Team! I had a lot of anxiety bringing home a new female puppy (Cora) with our established 9yr old male (Thor) after years of him being the top dog. Both are very strong breeds and felt my confidence was lacking in situations where I would be the only person around to correct and control undesirable and possibly dangerous situations. Thor fully responded to Antonio's methods within moments, I was amazed! I can now enjoy so many new and exciting activities with my pack like going to dog-friendly restaurants, walking off-leash with ease and highly populated areas without the stress of my dogs being an issue. We get so many compliments on how well-behaved the dogs are, seriously life changing! I am so grateful to Antonio and recommend SpitzeK9 to everyone!!
Jennifer Grillo
01:52 01 Jun 23
I’m so glad a friend recommended that I call Antonio to help me with my rescue dog, a Great Dane mix. Ace seemed like the perfect dog, until he became very reactive on the leash when he would see another dog. I could no longer handle him safely.
Without Antonio’s knowledge and guidance I would never have been able to keep my dog.
He helped me to be a better handler and I’m grateful for the amazing training!!
Kelly Welnick
22:52 21 Mar 23
After only our first session/introduction I've seen a difference in my 2 yr old pitty. I've had issues with her pulling me on walks, jumping in excitement when seeing/meeting people and just overall listening to commands.
Louis Volle
22:20 10 Feb 23
We spent 1 hour with Antonio and his staff and the results are unbelievable. We have a 5 month old Poodle- German Shepard puppy and the instructions we were shown have improved the behavior of Rufus. Highly recommended to any puppy or dog owner. Everything Antonio explained to us made sense and works. Thank you Spitz K9.
Bethany Cadez
01:45 24 Jan 23
Antonio and his staff were great with our lab, Marco! He was very responsive to all of my questions and concerns, and they were great about posting video updates during Marco’s training. We are so excited to utilize all of the new skills Marco learned at his training. We will absolutely be back for boarding in the future. Thank you!!
Riley Bakayza
19:13 11 Oct 22
i had a great experience with spitzek9! i sent my 8 month old puppy away with them for 2 weeks and she is a changed girl! i could tell she loved her trainers when i came to pick her up. i am so thankful for the help i received from the group!! definitely recommend :)
Brooke
15:54 04 Oct 22
Amazing work! We had our 8 month old german shepherd in the board and train and I am extremely pleased with the result! What was once a leash pulling, destructive puppy is now a dog who listens to all commands and has proper manors! 10/10 for Antonio and his Crew!
charlotte vehec
22:17 24 May 22
I had my 5-year=old German Shepherd boarded and trained at SpitzeK9 for 3 weeks. My family and I were able to view daily videos of her progress. We were surprised and pleased to see her responses and improved behavior. This is what we expected and we were certainly not disappointed. Antonio brought her home and patiently went through the training process with me, explaining the techniques and asking frequently if I had any questions. My amazement was when he removed her leash and had me walk with her giving her the commands. I was very apprehensive at first. We were walking outside on our street but she performed well, as she did on the leash. Antonio expressed joy in seeing her performance. He shows such concern in promoting excellent behavior from the dogs in his care. I certainly would recommend him to anyone who needs help training their dogs. It is very personal to him to make your dog a good K9 citizen.
Lauren Merante
16:44 29 Apr 22
We used SpitzeK9 for private in-home training sessions when we first got our puppy. Antonio was very receptive to our and our puppy’s needs, and gave us solid tips and assignments to work on in the weeks in between our sessions.
Trent C
00:31 02 Apr 22
My girlfriend and I had a great experience with both Mel and Antonio. They worked wonders on our 9 month Australian Shepard. Highly recommend them for training. We did board and train program and Antonio responded to all our messages and check ins on our pup. They posted a bunch of videos and it was cool to see the process and the progress they made with my dog. Can't thank them enough!
Susan Terlingo Saxon
12:38 18 Mar 22
Antionio has helped us so much, we have a 10 month old very smart and feisty Australian Shepherd, I could not take her on walks because she barked and was out of control anytime she saw a dog, a child, or an adult walking towards us. I was skeptical about the e-collar and now understand that it is a necessary tool in modifying and eliminating these behaviors. We now can take walks thru children at the park, she can sit next to other dogs, and we are no longer fighting her instincts in public. She is happy too as she was anxious and that is corrected. He clearly loves dogs and has a great sense of what they need. He also helped me to understand that it about safety as well.
Elizabeth Vahaly
16:45 21 Feb 22
Antonio was extremely knowledgeable, professional and above all friendly and personable. He taught us so much in such a way that he seemed like like a long time friend. Dog training to me is more of owner training so we can be good pet owners. He made us feel comfortable and confident that we can get our pack under control. Looking forward to working with Antonio and his company.

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