Putting the leash—and the confidence— back in your hands!

Empowering owners. Elevating dogs. Creating harmony at home.

At Good K9, we believe the best training starts with a strong partnership — one built on trust, clarity, and mutual respect. We focus on clear communication without overwhelming pressure, so both you and your dog can thrive.

Our balanced approach blends positive reinforcement with tools like the e-collar to support gentle guidance, reinforce boundaries, and open up effective long-distance communication. It’s not about control — it’s about giving your dog the freedom to explore while still listening and responding.

We work with your dog’s mindset, not just their behaviors. When dogs feel confident and understood, they become receptive, eager learners — not just rule-followers. That’s where the real magic happens.

Training with us becomes more than a set of commands — it becomes a natural part of your daily rhythm, helping your dog adapt, grow, and enjoy their life alongside you — whether it’s navigating a quiet home or heading out on big adventures.

Hey there, I am Amanda. I’d describe myself as someone with a heart full of kindness and a toolkit full of grit. With a background in nursing and a gift for reading both people and pups, I bring a uniquely empathetic, no-nonsense approach to every training session.
I’m known for being:

Innovative when the standard just won’t cut it (picture MacGyver energy)
Loyal like a Lab with a job (IYKYK!)
And refreshingly real (think honesty with a wink and a side of donut)

Whether I’m helping a sweet but sassy pup find focus or supporting a family through the growing pains of dog ownership, my goal is to create a space where everyone feels safe, supported, and seen.

About GoodK9

Before launching my canine career, I spent years as a registered nurse in high-pressure environments. That experience taught me how to stay calm in chaos, communicate under stress, and show up with compassion — skills I now apply to four-legged learners and their families.

I don’t just train obedience— I build trust. My work is rooted in the belief that kindness isn’t weakness, boundaries aren’t cruel, and progress matters more than perfection. From leash manners to lifestyle transformations, I guide dogs and their humans with my personal blend of science, soul, and steady encouragement.

I deeply understands the realities of everyday life — babies on nap schedules, unexpected guests, work-from-home chaos, and the desire for a little peace and quiet. Through clear communication and solid foundational training, I will help your dog learn respectful boundaries so you can relax, knowing they won’t disrupt the calm. Once those foundations are in place, adding new boundaries becomes simple and stress-free — creating a home environment where your dog adapts to your rhythm, not the other way around.

Because for me, it’s never just about obedience — it’s about connection, confidence, and finally feeling like your dog fits into your life, not runs it.

What Our Customers Say

Many of you may already be familiar with my beloved Pittie, Baxter, who has a bit of a reactive streak—especially when faced with passing delivery trucks or bicycles. Recently, we unexpectedly welcomed a German Shepherd puppy into our family, and I found myself in need of professional guidance to help Baxter adjust. I'm pleased to share my strong recommendation for Good K9 Institute. Mandy has been instrumental in not only addressing Baxter's reactivity but also in helping our family navigate the process of integrating our new addition. The transformation over the past few weeks has been remarkable. Baxter is not only tolerating the puppy but has also started to play and bond beautifully with her. If you're seeking expert training and support, I highly recommend Mandy and the team at Good K9 Institute.

"Mandy at Goodk9 has been a game changer! We were able to bring a new dog home because she gave us the confidence and the skills to properly introduce our existing leash reactive dog to other dogs, something we’d been very nervous about. When our new dog started to develop crate anxiety shortly after we got him we immediately reached back out to Mandy for help. After our first session with Mandy we saw such an improvement in our dogs relationship with his crate that we’ve been able to continue to grow over the sessions we did with her and the work she had us doing in between. She’s wonderful to work with and brings out the best in our dogs! You can tell how much they enjoy working with her. We’re so grateful for Mandy’s help and would highly recommend her for all your dog training needs!"

"Mandy has been a godsend for us with the new dog we added to our house. The dog we already had is leash reactive, and Mandy's work with him and us gave us the confidence to adopt a second. After our new dog started having crate anxiety, we knew Mandy would be able to help us. After just one session, it felt like she had swapped our dog for a new one! He immediately seemed more relaxed in the crate, and the tools she gave us and additional sessions have helped us make huge progress with him. I would work with Mandy for any dog I wanted to train."