Alaska Dog Works — Local services in Alaska

If you need well behaved dogs and haven't yet mastered the self-discipline to get that far with your pups, make the investment with Dog Works. We have two spinonis--a nearly 4 year old and a 2 year old. The first came with anxiety. The vet recommended medication. We decided instead on our own training (inconsistent) and an effervescent puppy pal, both which helped. But this wasn't enough given we would have a decade plus with two big dogs with big voices, some stubbornness, and inconsistent parental commands. Our first training last summer with Michelle was interesting: With the two dogs leashed next to her and quiet but firm commands "leave it," we saw the dogs sit calmly as dogs and people passed on the street, rather than bark and strain on their leashes with us. They attended a two week camp -- with the youngest even returning willing to sit on command while running around 30 plus feet away. The Woodhouse Way TV program years ago basically said: look at how you deal with your dog first. Woodhouse could right wrong behaviors at camp, and it was up to the owner to follow-through. We have to admit, we don't always follow our "Dog Works" take-home instructions. That's on us. We know what we should do. When we slip, the pups do their best to retrain us to do their will. What is nice: the pups know what to do. With just a little work, we can get back on track. We took advantage of Dog Work's 1-hour weekend group 'distracted dog' training sessions spring through fall, and will again. They are excellent. It is amazing to see the pups work. We have also logged into the weekly call-in program a few times for recommendations. This is all part of the training package. This past March, rather than board the dogs while we traveled, we sent them to a re-boot camp. From the photos, it looked like they thought school was easier the...

Alaska Dog Works are the best trainers I have ever worked with! They came highly recommended by a friend, who is an Iditarod musher, after she also had a great experience with them working with her pet.

Communication with both Michele and Nicole was a breeze. They offered a really thorough phone consultation, and answered all of my questions on specific behavioral concerns with my dog. They provided a comprehensive online training course, and zoom meetings to help keep up the training, too.

My golden doodle Jasper stayed with Alaska Dog Works for a three week board and training, as well as a vacation stay board and work for a week. I trust them 100% with my dog and could tell that they gave him tons of love and attention. Their space is clean and welcoming. They even offer individual training updates and photos of your dog throughout their stay.

Nicole did excellent work with our energetic young dog. She is exceedingly patient and warm, but firm. She was so kind and encouraging with me as she taught me how to better train and interact with Jasper as well. His walking skills, manners and basic commands are strong and consistent thanks to his time with Alaska Dog Works. They taught me how to manage his excitable behavior and reinforce his skills over time.

I am so grateful to have found the Fortos and for the skills they have taught both me and my dog. He is a more enjoyable member of the family with these skills! Jasper will be back to visit them for a vacation and refresh next summer and hopefully for many years after. Definitely highly...

Rags is my spirit animal! After successfully training my first dog through group classes, including Agility, our second dog, Rags, gave us quite a different experience! Pretty quickly into having Rags, we knew she was not going to be trained in a group setting and I began panicking and reaching out. I quickly found AK Dog works and have not regretted my decision. Michele and Nicole have been working with us (training the humans, along with Rags). They have incorporated the fact that I have a second, very attached dog and that Rags is mostly my preteen daughters' dog (the type that puts in half the work-eyes rolling.) Rags has successfully gone through the program, along with extra one on one sessions in public settings to help prepare her for CGC. We are still working on typical adolescent dog behaviors but we have more of a grasp of how to handle Rags and everyday life. Michele and Nicole are readily available for continued questions and support. I have recommended this program to several families and I use our training daily with both of our dogs.

Added a third doodle!!!! I'm crazy! But with Nicole's help, we are getting our third dood to fit in and trained. Nicole keeps me grounded when the dogs act like teenagers! We will continue to train with...