A VERY GOOD K9
​Balanced, Relationship-Based Training
At A Very Good K9, we strive to provide a balanced training methodology to build a relationship of trust and respect between you and your dog. Browse our site to learn more about us or contact us to schedule a consultation.
WHO WE ARE
Dog training isn’t just about your dog. In fact, the most integral part of the training process is you. That’s why we work with you to make sure your training plan fits your lifestyle and is tailored to what you need. With practical and flexible programs, we strive to do what’s best for you + your dog.
HALEY AVERY
From a young age, I’ve always dreamed of working with animals. I’ve cared for a variety of pets, from dogs to lizards, horses, and hamsters, but my passion for dogs has remained a constant. Turning my love for dog training into a career has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Helping improve the lives of dogs and their owners has been truly fulfilling.
My husband Austin and I own 7 wonderful dogs: Thor (Belgian Malinois), Finn (Malinois Mix), Una (Belgian Malinois), Zephyr (Belgian Malinois), Sprout (Chihuahua Mix), Khan (Dutch Shepherd), and Bunny (German Shepherd).
I compete in PSA (Protection Sports Association) with my two Belgian Malinois, Zephyr and Una. Una and I achieved our PDC in the fall of 2023 and Zephyr and I earned ours in the fall of 2024. We’re currently working towards our PSA1 titles.
Besides dog sports, I enjoy hiking, skiing, and traveling! I also hold a Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences from the University of Southern Maine.
AUSTIN AVERY
My name is Austin and I'm passionate about dogs (who would have guessed?). For the past eight years, I’ve been learning and training with them, starting with our first dog, Rex. We faced challenges like leash pulling and jumping on people, which sparked my interest for dog training. Needless to say, I was hooked. Now, I share my life with seven dogs alongside my wife and business partner, Haley: Thor, Finn, Una, Zephyr, Sprout, Khan, and Bunny.
Thor and I compete in PSA (Protection Sport Association), where we've earned a PSA2 title and are currently training for a PSA3. I also plan to compete with my younger dog, Khan, as we are working towards our PDC (Protection Dog Certificate).
I am a Certified x2 World and Regional Select PSA Trial Decoy, which I thoroughly enjoy!
In my free time, I love skiing, rock climbing, traveling, and hiking—anything that gets me outdoors.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Criminology from the University of Southern Maine.
Where do we service?
We are located in Brooklyn, CT! Other service areas include:
Quiet Corner Area (Full Service)
Putnam, Pomfret, Woodstock, Thompson, Canterbury, Hampton, Plainfield, and Moosup
Surrounding Towns to the Area (Full Service)
Dudley & Webster, MA, Griswold, Windham, Willimantic, Pascog & Foster, RI
Maine and Other Surrounding States (Limited Services)
New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
SERVICE LIST
BOARD + TRAIN PROGRAMS
2 Week Foundational Program
$1,800
Our 2-Week On-Leash Board & Train Program lays the foundation for obedience and good behavior. Your dog will stay with us and receive daily, personalized training to master commands like sit, stay, place, and come while building focus and calmness in real-world environments.
Highlights:
Leash Manners: Polite walking and no more pulling.
Calm Behavior: Teaching your dog to stay focused in any setting.
Real-Life Exposure: Practicing good manners in everyday scenarios.
You’ll receive regular updates, a tailored training plan, and multiple take-home lessons to ensure lasting success. Perfect for dogs needing structure, confidence, and better habits!
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4 Week Advanced Obedience Program
$3,300
4 Week Adventure Board and Train
$4,500
Our 4-Week Adventure Board & Train Program combines advanced training with unforgettable experiences. Your dog will travel, explore, and train alongside us as we embark on adventures to different states, providing the ultimate opportunity for socialization and learning.
Highlights:
Advanced Training in New Environments: Your dog will practice obedience and impulse control in real-world settings, gaining confidence and reliability.
Socialization Opportunities: Exposure to new places, people, and situations helps your dog develop well-rounded social skills.
Adventure-Focused Learning: Training is seamlessly integrated into exciting outdoor activities creating a fun and rewarding experience for your dog.
You’ll receive progress updates, a high-quality e-collar, and multiple take-home lessons to ensure ongoing success. This program is ideal for adventerous pups and owners looking for expert training paired with enriching exploration!
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Our 4-Week Advanced Obedience Program is perfect for owners seeking off-leash control and advanced communication with their dog. Building on basic skills, this program teaches obedience using modern tools like e-collars from E-Collar Technologies, included in the program.
Highlights:
Off-Leash Reliability: Master commands like heel, stay, and come, even with distractions.
Real-World Training: Practice obedience in parks, trails, and public spaces.
Impulse Control: Develop focus around distractions like wildlife or other dogs and people.
You’ll receive progress updates, a high-quality e-collar, and multiple take-home lessons to ensure ongoing success. ​
HANDS-ON TRAINING
One-On-One Lessons
$100/hr
(In-Home $150/hr)
These lessons are designed for dogs and their humans who need some extra support to reach the level of obedience that unlocks greater freedom & safety. We focus on essential commands like place, recall, sit, and heel; much like the foundational puppy program. However, for older dogs, we incorporate more advanced obedience techniques and introduce tools like the E-Collar, for an enhanced training experience.
Puppy Lessons
$60/hr
(In-Home $110/hr)
Got a new puppy and not sure where to begin? We’re here to help! Our puppy training lessons focus on the essentials; including food luring techniques, socialization, and tackling puppy behaviors such as crate training, potty training & puppy biting. We will also begin to teach basic, yet, key commands like recall, sit, down, heel, and place. We’ll guide you through the process to set a strong foundation for your pup’s training!
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We also offer a Raise and Train Program for puppies. These are case-by-case and customizable. Price is determined on the duration of program or based on the goals you’d wish us to achieve!
Protection Lessons
​$100/session
Our protection lessons focus on building confident, controlled, and purposeful protections skills, tailored to both sport work and personal objectives. All sessions are led by Austin Avery, a 2x Regional & World Select Decoy, known for his versatility in developing solid foundations in young dogs and troubleshooting advanced behaviors in experienced working dogs. Each lesson is tailored to the individual dog, emphasizing correct development at every stage.
WEDDING SERVICES
Your Dog, Included in Your Biggest Day
Wedding Day Handling
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Professional handler present for your event
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We manage your dog throughout the day
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Potty breaks, exercise, calm transitions
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Bring dog in/out for ceremony, photos, and special moments
Day-Of Coordination
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Timeline planning with you (and your planner if applicable)
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We map out: when your dog is involved, when they rest/decompress, and backup plans if needed
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Is Your Dog A Good Fit?
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We work with:
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Friendly, social, or neutral dogs​
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Dogs who can safely be in public environments
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Dogs who are comfortable being handled by us
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Unsure if your dog is ready? No worries! We'll guide you honestly & create a plan if they're not there yet.
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Pricing varies based on location, timeline, and level of support. Please contact us directly for quotes and pricing!
"As longtime clients of A Very Good K9, when my husband and I were looking for someone to help with our two dogs at our wedding, we knew they were the best people to reach out to! Haley was amazing from the start of the whole process, going through the schedule for the day with me and assessing the best way they could help. It was such a relief for us to know that the dogs were well cared for the entire day and not have to worry about them. A Very Good K9 made sure we got the best pictures with the dogs, helped get the dogs down the isle, and ensured they were cared for and comfortable throughout the entire busy day. If you're looking for someone to help handle your dogs during your wedding day, we cannot recommend A Very Good K9 enough!" - Leah W
Lets chat about your training goals!
