Training a puppy or an adult dog with challenging behaviors can push anyone’s patience to the limit. After sifting through endless free tips online, you might be wondering if it’s time to call in the pros.
We’ve spent months fully diving into the K9 Training Institute (K9TI) Total Transformation Masterclass, so we could provide a complete, honest review and help you decide if it’s worth your time (and money).
After all, this is one of the most expensive online dog training courses out there, so the big question is: Is it really worth the investment?
We’re not going to beat around the bush here: This is an in-depth review of K9TI.
So grab yourself a cup of whatever you fancy, as we’ve got a lot to get through!
How we found out about the K9 Training Institute
We’ve known about the K9 Training Institute for several months now.
In fact, we first heard about it when one of our readers mentioned that it had completely changed the relationship she had with her very challenging six-year-old adopted pup. Just a couple of weeks later, another reader was raving about how K9TI was far more effective than the last course she took.
Prior to that, we had never heard of them.
Normally, when you start to hear several people (in quick succession) talking about a product or service, it’s in its viral stage. But unlike other programs that flood your social media feed with ads, K9TI seemed to be flying under the radar, with no major online presence.
Coupled with a pretty hefty price tag for the course, we were a little curious (to say the least).
We wanted to see if K9TI lived up to the hype and, more importantly, if it was truly a transformational course delivered by experts. After all, we wouldn’t consider recommending it until we were sure it was worth your time and money. So, we got to work!
So, Would We Recommend K9 Training Institute?
Spoiler alert…
Yes, we would 100% recommend the K9TI Total Transformation Masterclass, and in actual fact, have moved this into the No.1 spot for our 13 Best Online Dog Training Courses!
We must say that we were initially a little hesitant to do this, based on the fact that K9TI is quite a bit pricer than the next best option.
However, the results are far more successful than any other course on our list, and it is a completely different method of training, making it (by miles) the best value for money when it comes to dog training that actually works for ordinary dog owners.
And over 1800 raving reviews of K9TI state the same!
Plus, it’s the first time that the secrets of the service dog industry have been made available to ordinary dog owners!
K9TI vs Other Online Dog Training Courses
The old saying “buy cheap, buy twice” couldn’t be more relevant when it comes to online dog training. While many courses promise to fix specific behavioral issues – and some succeed – K9 Training Institute (K9TI) stands apart by offering a deeper, more versatile approach.
Instead of focusing on isolated problems, K9TI teaches two core cues: Watch and Touch. These fundamental commands lay the groundwork for addressing nearly any behavioral issue. Used in service dog training, these cues help dogs stay calm, focused, and well-behaved while giving them a sense of purpose.
Happy, well-adjusted dogs need a ‘job’ to stay engaged. Making them work for rewards not only strengthens the bond with their owner but also enhances their attention and impulse control in challenging situations. This course emphasizes body language – the most effective way to communicate with dogs, according to animal behavior science – rather than relying solely on verbal commands.
The goal isn’t to turn your dog into a service dog but to help them adopt similar traits of calmness, obedience, and impulse control in everyday situations. For example:
- Your dog will maintain eye contact with you, even when another dog is barking or lunging on a walk.
- They’ll sit calmly in crowded places or restaurants, even with tempting food smells.
- They’ll stay relaxed in their bed, even when children are screaming or causing a commotion at home.
This is what the K9TI Masterclass helps you and your dog achieve.
Led by Dr. Alexa Diaz and Eric Presnall, both highly respected in the field, the K9TI Masterclass delivers real transformation, backed by the right expertise and science-based training methods.
The People Behind K9 Training Institute
When searching for the best online dog training course, the trainers’ credentials and expertise are key. What sets K9 Training Institute (K9TI) apart is the extensive experience and unique backgrounds of its trainers, who have spent decades mastering their craft and developing highly effective training methods.
The two main trainers behind the program are:
Dr. Alexa Diaz
Dr. Alexa Diaz is the lead animal behaviorist at K9TI with over 20 years of expertise training dogs, working for a top national service dog organization in the United States.
She has a PhD in Animal Behavior and a clear interest in helping people build thriving relationships with their dogs, contributing towards (and publishing) research for several scientific journals around the world.
As one of the most respected service dog trainers in the United States, Dr. Alexa Diaz has demonstrated that she is uniquely positioned to offer expert guidance on all aspects of training dogs to be calmer and more obedient, just like service dogs – delivering practical and effective solutions for dog owners around the world.
Eric Presnall
Eric Presnall is the lead presenter and trainer for K9TI, although he may be better known as Tillman’s Personal Assistant (Skateboarding Bull Dog) on Animal Planet’s hit show ‘Who Let the Dogs Out,’ where was tasked with locating the most talented and well-trained dog in America (including service dogs) and judging the trainer’s performance.
Eric Presnall has grown up with many dogs and has a true love for training canines. His years of experience have given him a deep understanding of what it takes to transform the lives of both pets and owners alike.
While Dr. Diaz provides much of the theory and context, Eric Presnall leads many of the practical sessions, bringing his hands-on experience to the program.
Together, Dr. Diaz and Eric Presnall make K9TI a powerful resource for dog owners looking for expert-led, science-based training that works.
Who is the K9TI Total Transformation Masterclass For?
The K9TI Masterclass is designed for dog owners of all experience levels, providing the tools to achieve long-lasting results quickly. Whether you have an 8-week-old puppy, a senior dog, or a newly adopted pet with behavioral issues, this course can help you establish a strong foundation.
Many people only get serious about training once behavioral problems arise, but with K9TI’s methods, you can teach any dog to be calm, well-behaved, and responsive – no matter their age or background.
This course is ideal if you:
- Want to understand what motivates your dog
- Need them to be more sociable
- Want more trust with your dog at home
- Worry about their safety (running off, chewing dangerous items)
- Want it to be easier for others to care for them
- Simply want a better relationship with your dog
One key caveat: you’ll need to dedicate 10-15 minutes a day to one-on-one training with your dog. Consistency is crucial, so if you struggle to find time, this course might not be the best fit for you.
Regardless of your experience – whether you’re new to training or have tried other methods without success – K9TI is designed to be easy to follow and effective for anyone.
What Will The K9TI Masterclass Help With?
The K9TI Masterclass will show you exactly what you need to do for your dog to become calmer and more obedient (with impulse control) – similar to the traits of a service dog.
And when we say obedient – we’re not talking about scaring your dog into submission!
It’s about understanding your dog’s capabilities, what makes them tick, and using their favorite rewards as a way to motivate them and ‘give them a job to do.’
When your dog feels like they have a purpose, they are more likely to be engaged with you, in turn listening to you better and watching for signs in your body language as a means of communication.
This course will show you how to train your dog using simple commands that they can understand, which in turn will drastically help with behavioral issues such as:
- Jumping up at people
- Pulling on their leash
- Ignoring commands
- Indoor accidents
- Nipping or biting
- Destructive chewing
- Stealing items
- Food guarding
- Begging for food
- Constantly trying to escape
- Chasing other animals
- Digging
- Separation anxiety
- Excessive barking
You don’t need any special tools or a background in animal behavior – just 10-15 minutes a day to consistently apply the techniques and transform your dog’s behavior.
The best part? No whistles, clickers, or extra gadgets required!
One-of-a-Kind Dog Training Course
The K9TI course is like no other when it comes to the way you train your dog. Traditional courses rely on the use of verbal commands when teaching a dog their cues.
With K9TI, you’ll learn why dogs react better to body language and hand signals, along with a few necessary verbal commands in certain situations.
This is the first time the secrets of the service dog industry are being made available to general owners, and it’s all thanks to Dr. Alexa Diaz and her team. Now you can learn how to use the same methods in your own home with a comprehensive guide that includes everything you need to know.
The course is broken down into easy-to-follow sections that build on each other, so as long as you’re willing to commit at least 10-15 minutes per day, you can start seeing results with your dog from the first few sessions.
K9TI Masterclass – Key Features
The K9TI Total Transformation Masterclass offers everything you need to successfully train your dog, guided by experienced professionals. Here’s what makes this course stand out:
- A comprehensive training course led by one of the world’s top dog trainers
- A step-by-step blueprint that’s easy to follow and can be done at your own pace
- Hands-on practice with expert guidance
- Clear, detailed explanations of training techniques
- 100% force-free methods focused on positive reinforcement
- Video demonstrations using untrained dogs, showing real results post-training
- Unlimited personal coaching from expert trainers
- Live Q&A sessions with trainers for additional support
- Lifetime access to all course materials and resources, so you can revisit topics anytime
In addition, the course provides unlimited access to detailed resources and materials, allowing you to study at your own pace and revisit topics as needed.
K9TI Free Workshop
The first thing that we were most impressed with was the extremely generous Free Training Workshop that was being offered by the K9 Training Institute.
It gives you so much useful information and an incredible taster of what you can expect from the Total Transformation Masterclass, that by the end of it, you are in no doubt whether it’s going to be suitable for you and your dog.
Other online dog trainers will often give you no option but to sign up first and then later decide whether you think it is likely to suit your needs.
Of course, K9TI do not want a load of people signing up only to cancel later as a result of not knowing what to expect, so this is another big tick from us for making sure that dog owners know exactly what they are getting before they make any commitments.
Cost of K9TI Masterclass
We must say we were initially taken aback when we first saw the cost of the K9TI Masterclass at $497. You’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s just far too much of a risk to part with that sort of cash for a training course that you can’t be certain will work for your dog.
While free resources are available, nothing compares to the depth and expertise of a professional training program like this one.
Not only will you receive one-on-one attention from an experienced trainer, but you’ll also have access to a wealth of resources. And although the cost of the K9TI course may seem high at first, it’s important to remember that it’s an investment in your dog’s future AND your relationship with them.
Once we had been through the entire course, we could completely justify the price based on the level of value it delivers.
Is the K9TI Masterclass Worth the Price?
At $497 for the Total Transformation Masterclass, with video guidance from a very well-respected service dog trainer and unlimited access to other expert dog training professionals, we can now honestly say that it’s extremely good value.
We’ve seen how similar courses have worked out in the past, and once popularity (and demand) rises sharply, so does the cost of the course – as naturally, more members require more resources and updates to their programs.
And whilst the K9TI training course is still a fairly new kid on the block, we actually think it won’t be too long before we see a price increase to reflect the level of support they provide to dog owners around the world.
If you are serious about training your dog effectively from the start, then the K9TI Masterclass is most definitely worth the price.
90 Day Money-Back Guarantee
K9TI are so confident in the value of their course, that they are more than happy to provide one of the most extended refund periods of any online dog training course, with a 90 Day Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.
This means that if you are not satisfied with the course for any reason, you can get a full ‘no-questions asked’ refund within 90 days, making this 100% risk-free (which we absolutely love).
You can’t say fairer than that!
K9TI Special Offers
The great news is that K9TI often run promotions on the Masterclass which can save you up to $200 on the full price.
The best way to find out is by registering for this free workshop, watching the video (to decide if it’s right for you), and then seeing whether there are currently any special offers running at the end.
If you spot a deal, take advantage while it lasts!
Much Cheaper Than Hiring a Professional Trainer
If you consider how much it costs to hire a professional dog trainer, you’re looking at upwards of $50 an hour, at least twice per week, for around 10 weeks.
For a highly skilled instructor (such as a service dog trainer), prices can soar to $200 per hour!
Plus, it’s often far better to train your dog yourself than hire professional help, as you will be the one to continue this training with them, and they will respond better to you than someone who comes in temporarily and then leaves.
Cost of Keeping a Dog vs Course Fee
When we really put things into perspective, how much do we actually spend during the lifetime of owning our dog?
We’re talking thousands.
If we’re looking at an average medium-sized dog with a life expectancy of 13 years, that could be anywhere between $15,600 – $62,000
This includes:
- Initial costs: Dog, bed, leads, toys
- Ongoing Costs: Food, treats, pet insurance, grooming, replacement of toys and bedding
- Medical Fees: Vaccinations, flea treatments, spaying/neutering, routine checks, unforeseen injuries
- Damaged Items: Chewed furniture, household goods
- Pet services: Dog walkers, pet sitters
Most people drastically underestimate the cost of owning a dog, and considering they are a huge part of our lives, there’s no real price you can put on superior dog training that will set the foundations to a happy partnership for life.
By training your dog appropriately as soon as you can, we can promise you one thing – you’ll most definitely save a lot of time, money, and stress by reducing the number of damaged items and veterinary visits over the course of their life!
Why Free Online Dog Training Courses Won’t Cut It
Free online courses may offer basic tips, but they often fall short when it comes to truly shaping your dog’s behavior. While they provide general guidance, they lack the depth and expertise needed to understand why certain methods work and how to apply them effectively.
It’s not just about knowing what to do—it’s about understanding how and why particular training techniques make a difference. That’s where paid courses excel, offering detailed, step-by-step instruction through clear, engaging video and audio, which helps you see real progress with your dog.
Experienced trainers in paid courses have worked with dogs of all temperaments and can guide you through challenges, offering support at every step. This level of professionalism and insight can’t be expected for free.
If you’re serious about successfully training your pup, investing in a quality paid course is the way to go. Free resources simply don’t provide the hands-on guidance and expert advice needed for lasting results.
What we don’t like about the K9TI Masterclass
We highly rate the K9TI Total Transformation Masterclass as the best dog training course we’ve found online, so finding faults is tough!
If we had to be picky, some of the videos could be a bit shorter. While not a big issue – especially since you can fast-forward through areas where you’re already seeing progress – the course is designed for dog owners needing a complete, step-by-step overview, and repetition is essential when training any dog.
We would’ve like to have complained about how pricey the course is, but honestly, it provides so much value that we believe the results are totally worth the time and investment.
Our K9TI Review
Overall, we believe that the K9TI Total Transformation Masterclass is the best online dog training course we have come across to date.
It is suitable for all levels of dog owners, delivered by one of the most respected dog trainers in the United States, backed by a 90 day money-back guarantee, and it provides lifetime access to the member’s area.
If you are serious about training your dog using the most effective, force-free methods, then we highly recommend that you take advantage of the Free Workshop and see how it goes for you.
With K9TI’s help, your dog will quickly become the well-behaved and happy canine companion that you’ve always dreamed of!
