FAQs

If you are unable to bring your own dog, we suggest that you consider asking a friend, relative, or acquaintance about the possibility of using their dog during the course. This is an excellent opportunity for your friend, relative or acquaintance to receive training at no charge. This arrangement also provides you with your first dog owner to work with in follow-up lessons at completion of your course.

Please contact us if you have additional questions by email at info@nk9.com or 614-864-0213.

Yes, each student is required to bring a dog with them to participate in workshops and testing throughout the course. The following are our recommendations to prospective students that allow them to get the most out of their experience at National K-9.

We recommend a medium- to large-sized dog for 4-week Professional Obedience/Behavior Course. Smaller dogs and puppies could also be candidates for 4-week Professional Obedience/Behavior Course. We have had a wide range of dog breeds and mixed breeds participate in our courses. The breed you choose would be a matter of personal preference. The size, type of coat, characteristics, and activity preferences for a dog varies from person to person.

We recommend a dog between the ages of 4 months to 4 years for the 4-week Professional Obedience/Behavior Course. Dogs under 4 months of age are not permitted in the course. If you are considering a dog over 4 years of age, please contact an instructor at 614-864-0213 to discuss in more detail.

The dog you bring should not have previous professional/ formal training. Ideally, the dog should have very little or no training at all. Dogs that know a few basic commands and have some basic manners may still be eligible. Dogs with formal or extensive training will prevent the school’s instructors from assessing student’s progression in practical workshops and during practical testing. Dogs should be social with people and other dogs but not have any major behavior problems. Dogs with excessive aggression, fear or shyness are not usually good candidates for students to work with due to the length and intensity of our courses. Training dogs with excessive aggression, fear and shyness will be covered during our courses. If you have questions regarding the dog’s behavior, please contact an instructor.

All dogs should be in good physical health, have no physical limitations, and be current on all vaccinations. If you plan to bring a non-spayed female, she cannot come in heat/season while in attendance. Please note that changes in environment may alter the timing of a female’s heat cycle. Females in heat/season are not in an appropriate mental or physical state to participate in the intensive training involved in our courses. Females that do come into heat/season while in attendance will need to be removed from the course and facility immediately. Dogs must also be free of internal and external parasites.

All students’ dogs are provided with grooming facilities and an individual kennel and food bin. Students at National K-9 have access to their dogs as needed for workshops, independent study, and exercise. If you have any questions about whether your dog would be a good candidate, please contact National K-9 for guidance.

The school’s policy is that tuition must be paid in full by the day the student arrives at the school.  We will accept any funding as long as full tuition is received on or before the first day of the scheduled course.

We have had students obtain funding from many different sources.  Most students pay for courses through their personal funds.  This can be done by personal check (received 14 days before the start of class), bank check (required if less than 14 days from class start date), or credit card (Visa MasterCard, Discover).  Credit card transactions must be done in person and cannot be accepted online or by phone. Contact our business office at 614-864-0213 or 1-888-927-1991 if you have additional questions.

Students must provide their own funding. Full tuition payment is due on or before the first day of the course.

Although the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers does not provide financial aid, we will gladly accept most any financial aid a prospective student can obtain if the full tuition payment is received on or before the first day of the course.  Check online or with your local library, they usually have information on financial aid such as grants or scholarships. You will need to contact financial aid agencies and sources to determine their requirements and restrictions.

Please note that the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers chooses not to participate in the Federal Title IV Program. National K-9 also does not offer scholarships, payment plans, internships, exchange services, or give discounts to prospective students.  The Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools regulates our school and the state requires that we have the same policy for each student that wishes to attend National K-9.  Full tuition payment is due on or before the first day of the course.

Yes, we invite all prospective students to visit National K-9 for a tour and to have an opportunity to meet with one of our instructors. This is an excellent opportunity to see National K-9 for yourself and to have your questions answered. If you would like to set up a time to meet with an instructor and take a school tour, contact our business office at 614-864-0213 or toll free at 1-888-927-1991 to set up a tour by appointment.

National K-9 has had students from over 40 foreign countries. All students must be able to adequately comprehend and apply the English language. This includes the ability to speak clearly and confidently when working with people. Each student must also be capable of expressing the concepts covered throughout the course in various essay exams to receive certification. International students may be subject to a phone interview to confirm their English comprehension level.

National K-9 cannot assist in obtaining a Visa to enter the United States. National K-9 is not a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school and cannot issue a Form I-20 for initial attendance. Only a SEVP-certified school can issue a Form I-20 to obtain a Student Visa. International students who have attended National K-9 in the past have received a Visitor’s Visa. This is because our courses are less than 90 days (three or six weeks).

International students are responsible for providing a dog that is capable of participating in the training covered in the course. See the course catalog for more information about the schools’ recommendations for a dog to participate. National K-9 does not provide a dog for students to use during the course.

If you are an international student, do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions by email at info@nk9.com or phone: 1-614-864-0213.

At National K-9, a student must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or the equivalent. We are proud to point out that our graduates range in age from 18 to 79 years old.

You are never too old to learn, but an open mind and good health is necessary. If you have additional questions regarding the physical requirements of the course, please feel free to contact one of our instructors.

No experience is necessary. Students must not only care for animals but have a genuine interest in improving the relationship between people and dogs. National K-9 has had students that have no previous experience owning or caring for a dog. National K-9 has also had students that have had only personal experience with their own pets. Other students have had previous professional experience with dogs (veterinarians, trainers, groomers, kennel owners, breeders, and more). National K-9 does not provide advanced standing for students that have previous related experience, credit, or have attended another course or school.