I heard about Sparks K9 through two different vets who highly recommended John. I have taken two group sessions with Sparks K9, starting with puppy socialization and recently finished Beginner Novice. The instruction is very clear and concise and very effective. The trainers are very kind to the dogs and really reinforce positive rewards. At the end of beginner novice, I had developed a great relationship with my dog, he was healing consistently, learned sit/stay, and overall was focusing on me and eager to learn. I am looking forward to Novice Obedience! Less

Beginning/Novice Class - if you're looking for a class where the instructor works with you AND your dog this class is not for you. The instructor talks ad nauseum for over an hour while you sit and watch. He'll take specific dogs and demonstrate what the handler should do but in four weeks I never saw him work one on one with dog and handler. He'd rather you watch the videos. I have no doubt that he is a good dog trainer, especially with tough dogs; I just don't feel his approach is for every dog - or for every owner. Less

I brought my GSD to Sparks K9 and participated in several classes with them. John and his team are genuinely some of the best people I've met. You can clearly see they're all about making sure the dogs thrive, and they actively help you build a strong bond with your pup. My dog adores John so much that he was reluctant to leave the facility at one point, which was quite amusing. Kim excels in communication and is so kind! I wholeheartedly recommend this place countless times to anyone seeking help with their dog. The progress my dog made and how well-behaved he is now is truly remarkable. Less

Top tier Dog Training center. We are lucky to have John and Kimmy Sparks in Snohomish county. Not only do class participants travel from King and Snohomish County but John is recognized nationally as dog trainer. Besides your standard puppy training, bully breed training, obedience, recall, etc.. People actually board their dogs with the K9 sparks team for full training as well. The facility is CLEAN Highly respected Easy Parking which I care about when loading in my dogs. Reasonable Pricing Attention to each dog and owner/handler. We all need different skills as an owner and individual dog. They train to your needs and not just a basic class you would find at a typical puppy class. The community of classmates is inviting and we have made friends through the community. I'm a crazy dog lover who competes with my Golden Retrievers nationally. K9 Sparks in known throughout the dog world. Less

Sparks K9 is the absolute best! We contacted John and Kim when dealing with a really tough situation with our dog that was reactive. We had worked with another trainer to address leash reactivity and pulling and saw some improvements but never really fully addressed. Working with Sparks K9 was literally life changing. The approach is different and if you do the homework and commit to the process you will see results. We can now walk on a loose leash and stay in a heal regardless of distractions in our environment. My dog stays in his heal, does not pull or bark even when we see rabbits and squirrels. Our entire family's relationship with our dog has changed for the better and we now have a well trained and responsible dog. Thank you Sparks K9! Less

John is the Dog Trainer I was looking for. He clearly loves the dogs and he is amazing in reading what they need. John always sets the dog up for success. He approached every dog in the way they needed it. John is really patient but also clear with the dogs and the owners. He always explained what we need to learn and what we need to practice on. Expect to get weekly homework, but this really helps to have a clear picture what you need to work on and at the end this is the reason why my dog is now so much better. The video and print outs are a huge help. If I had any questions or any trouble, I could contact him and he always helped me. Thanks you John. He did an amazing job in teaching me to handle my dog better. It is so amazing how fare we came in the last 10 weeks. Yes it was work, but his way to encourage, but also challenging us, really helped me to stay on task and train every single day. So no more pulling on the leash, no more lunging to greet other dogs or people. We now enjoy our walks together. Less

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I came to Sparks K9 with my almost two-year-old dog, Greta. Our main problems were Greta's huge anxiety, which manifested in constant whining, demanding attention, speration anxiety and even though Greta "was taught how to heel" she was constantly pulling on the leash, she was reactive with other dogs, and not obeying known commands in new places even if I tried to bribe her with treats. John showed me how to work with Greta from scratch and only then build more demanding tasks. It was amazing to me how quickly I saw a change in Greta and our relationship. Now I really have a dog that knows how to walk on a leash without pulling, who can perform any command no matter where we are and without trying to bribe her with treats. Our relationship has totally changed and everyone sees it as if Greta was a different dog! I will be forever grateful to Sparks K9 for showing me how to really work with a dog. I must admit that it required us to practice at home every day, but after all, this is what having a dog is all about - don't expect something magically to change in one lesson. Put your time and dedication into it and you will surely see the results! I recommend Sparks K9 to anyone who really cares about their dog and building a healthy relationship with him! Less

I worked through Novice Obedience, play clinic, and part way through nose work with Sparks K9. John Sparks has helped me learn to communicate clearly with my LGD mix and guided us in building a reliable, fun, and rewarding relationship. Kim Sparks is always reliable with scheduling and answering our questions quickly! The Sparks K9 online resources are outstanding - there are writeups for each lesson, outlined homework, and videos detailing the exercises. John has a Dropbox for students to submit videos and receive feedback between classes. The training doesn't stop in the classroom - I have connected with a lovely community through Sparks K9 to practice training with. John has given me the tools to transform my lifestyle with my dog. It's very common for people to approach us and ask how we were able to train our dog to behave so well... the answer is hard work and Sparks K9! Less

A long overdue review! In my opinion and experience, Sparks K9 is the best dog trainer in the area! I started working with them when I got my new German Shepherd puppy, who is now a year and a half old. I also have an older German Shepherd, who is now 7 years old, that I have taken to multiple other trainers/classes in the area, but despite my efforts there, she still became reactive (the usual barking/lunging) and continued to be reactive even when trying to work on the issue itself. Working with other trainers didn’t solve the problem. I was really impressed with how my puppy was coming along through taking the puppy and beginner novice obedience class and learned a TON that I never learned from other trainers, so I finally decided to take my older dog to Sparks to see if we could nip her issues. Before that I was pretty much at the point of giving up on her. After going through the Novice Obedience class with her, we no longer have reactivity issues! I have had a lot of people comment on how well-behaved she is 😁. My vet office even said she is one of the most well-behaved shepherds they have ever seen. Sparks is well worth it and focuses on the big picture and how you live with your dog and not just specific pieces. If you are truly committed to working with your dog, because there is a lot of homework, then this is definitely where it’s at! John and Kim are very responsive and helpful outside of the classes and have a lot of resources and videos, which is not something I’ve encountered with anyone else. Less

A long overdue review! In my opinion and experience, Sparks K9 is the best dog trainer in the area! I started working with them when I got my new German Shepherd puppy, who is now a year and a half old. I also have an older German Shepherd, who is now 7 years old, that I have taken to multiple other trainers/classes in the area. Despite my efforts there, she still became reactive (the usual barking/lunging) and continued to be reactive even when trying to work on the issue itself. Working with other trainers didn’t solve the problem. I was really impressed with how my puppy was coming along through taking the puppy and beginner novice obedience class and learned a TON that I never learned from other trainers, so I finally decided to take my older dog to Sparks to see if we could nip the reactivity. Before that I was pretty much at the point of giving up on her issues. After going through the Novice Obedience class with her, we no longer have reactivity issues! I have had a lot of people comment on how well-behaved she is! My vet office even said she is one of the most well-behaved Shepherds they have ever seen! Sparks is well worth it and focuses on the big picture and how you live with your dog and not just specific pieces. If you are truly committed to working with your dog, because there is a lot of homework, then this is definitely where it’s at! John and Kim are very responsive and helpful outside of the classes and have a lot of resources and videos, which is not something I’ve encountered with anyone else. I’d give 100 stars if I could! Less

We recently went through puppy class with Sparks, signed straight up for the next set of classes. We did extensive research and education on dog training before getting one; books, forums, YouTube videos etc... The knowledge and content that John has is second to none. It's been great fun working through the content and we've learned so much already. Looking forward to all the future classes to come! Less

Sparks k9 truly dedicates themselves to helping your dogs find their way. its not about training your dog for you, they teach you the skills so you can show your dog how to behave and maintain their training. Sparks is always their to help you with anything you might need. The bond you will have with your dog after training with Sparks will be incredible. I highly recommend sparks k9 to everyone who is willing to put in the work to helping their dogs. Less

John & Kim are absolutely wonderful. Kim is great and very responsive to emails and being on top of things (like even reminding us about upcoming 1:1 trainings). John very much knows everything there is with training dogs and is great to ask a million questions to. Their facility is easy to find and a great place with plenty of space for lessons. We have one super skittish rescue dog and one very smart, high energy bordoodle and we've seen huge improvements in our dogs already. Looking forward to continuing our lessons past the ones we've originally signed up for. Highly recommend going here for any of your dog training needs. Less

Amazing group. We took our rescue, Gunther, through the novice class and participated in weekend walks. If Gunther was unsure in a situation, he would bark and react. John helped me to become a confidant, competent owner and how to communicate to Gunther (90 lbs. of some kind of bully breed) what my expectations are. It’s made so much difference—we go to Ace Hardware in Arlington, into the Cenex when I get logs, and for walks on the Centennial Trail! I get compliments on how well behaved he is!! Love John and Kimmy to the moon and back! Less

john and Kim have been absolutely amazing over the past 4 going on 5 years they have helped me manage a rambunctious driven german shepherd and are currently teaching me to put our newest puppy on track to being a well mannered dog as well ! these guys are the perfect amount of strict ( for myself ) and passionate and caring! I wouldn't reccomend anyone else john is firm when he needs to be and that's absolutely the kind of trainer I need. I'm the one that needs the help 🤣♥️ my dogs know what to do I've tried several classes prior to finding john and it wasn't a good fit for us. I want my dog to want to work not be bribed or forced and John teaches to encourage and grow the bond and relationship between you and your dog so they CHOOSE to do the correct behaviors hand down the best there is Less

We (Zer0 and UNO) have been part of the Sparks family for 3 yrs. We want to tell you how much John and Kim have imparted their knowledge and wisdom to our family. If you are dedicated and willing to put the time in, you will truly have a long lasting and honest relationship with your dogs. Not just a animal that lives in your house and controls the actions, but an understanding of what is to be expected and enjoys the communication and interaction. If you commit, you will have a bond with a truly noble animal and partner. You will understand what it means to have "Man's best friend" Kudos to Sparks K9! Less

Sparks K9 was the perfect solution for my young dog who was reactive and difficult to walk on leash. Fast forward three years and she is the best walking companion I could ask for! Still alert but no longer reactive to people and others often comment how well trained she is! Since then two more dogs have joined our family and each of them have gone to John Sparks for training. We have taken group lessons, utilized board & train, which had amazing results, and participated in day training, and Real World Walks, which is a wonderful way to practice skills out and about with other dogs and owners. I don’t have enough words to say how thankful I am that we found Sparks K9. John and Kimmy Sparks are the best team and their love of dogs is the foundation for everything you will encounter and learn! Less

John and Kimmy Sparks of Sparks K9, have created a top notch establishment that is effectively providing people and dogs with constructive and effective solutions for basic and complex behavioral issues that are very prevalent in most human/canine relationships. The instruction, material, and learning environment is highly organized, strategic and geared in a manner that addresses and solves immediate struggles owners are having in social environments and everyday coexistence with their K9 companions. It was refreshing and inspiring to see the commitment that John and Kimmy devote to providing their clients with the highest level of knowledge, guidance and continuing support beyond the set class times. The open participation with the instructors and other students was instrumental for my personal growth and problem solving scenarios with my own dog. The step by step assignments, online learning tools and face to face instruction time provided me with a very clear training plan, effective problem solving skills and confidence to work with my challenging dog. This is not a program where you show up, observe and magically have a trained dog. It's a challenging program that provides you with the tools, skills and mentorship necessary to do the work yourself and clear up the conflict you’re unknowingly creating with your dog. I look forward to continuing training and learning with the crew and community at Sparks K9. Thank you for your inspiration to recommit to my training goals and my relationship with my dog. Billye Crafton & Bodhi Rainier, Washington Less

Sparks K9 was recommended to us by a highly respected Doberman breeder and we couldn’t be more thankful. John’s straight forward training style works well on all types of dogs but if you have a working breed this is the place you should go! We have done puppy class, day training and are in beginner novice with them and will continue to bring Kaiser back for additional training because he loves going and we see results. Each week there is homework, so it does require a daily commitment at home but if you put in the work the results are worth it. John, Kim and the rest of the team have created a special community and go above and beyond to make sure you and your pup have the tools you need to be successful! Less

We’re several weeks into the Beginner Novice puppy class and can’t say enough great things about John and his team! We have a 5 month old male Cane Corso (mastiff), and John is very familiar with their guardian breed specific training needs. Their facility is high-end and they offer the option of purchasing training tools onsite. We’ve already noticed a difference in Leo’s training progress and look forward to learning more. Less

We have 2 rambunctious doodles that we were running into dead ends with when it came to obedience. Sparks K9 has really helped us break through the wall with figuring out how to improve the dog's listening skills and responsiveness when training and that you get out the effort you put in. Dogs want to please you, they just need expectations. John and Kimmie are great trainers and also took our boy for a.week of fine tuning. Well worth the cost! We recommend them highly. Less

If I could give 10 stars I would. We have a very anxious & reactive German Shepard mix named Jake. I took Jake through novice obedience with John and let me tell you, it was best thing I could've done for him. I learned tools to help keep Jake (and others) safe and Jake learned that he could trust me to never put him in a situation where he would need to lash out. These classes are a ton of work, but beyond worth it! Less

I’m completely blown away by what I’ve learned through John and his team in the novice obedience class. My 110+ lb German Shepherd used to love pulling on the leash. We tried using a harness, gentle leader, and a bunch of YouTube videos to no avail. After the first few weeks in this class, he was no longer pulling - and now he heels properly by my side as we walk - with a “happy leash”. He was a complete spaz when we first started, and now I’m able to leave him in a sit stay for at least 3 minutes, a down stay for at least 5 minutes, a stand stay for 3+ minutes, and most amazingly, a place for 3+ hours. We’re able to have guests in the house without him going all crazy - he knows to stay in place till we’re done. You can tell John has a strong love and passion for dogs. The methods he teaches are effective, with the caveat of having to put the effort in. Show/teach your dog what you want him/her to do, with low level distractions, and proof it with increasing distractions as they progress. The best part of this training? - is having the dog choose the right thing to do. Intriguing, isn’t it? I learned so much about dog behavior in these last 10 weeks, and it’s helped me develop a much better relationship with my furry friend. If you’re having dog behavior problems, enroll in one of John’s courses. You’ll have a completely new dog by the end of the course. By no means do I have a perfect robotic dog. We’ve got a lot more work to do, but now I have a big toolbox of training methods to work with. As John says, dogs are really smart and they will pick up these things - it’s the humans that are hard to train (something along those lines). I couldn’t agree more though. I had to break some bad habits for sure. But imagine this - having your dog do an automatic sit as you come to a stop. And I don’t mean having to hold your dog back with the leash, and then sitting. Through this course, your dog should be able to sit on their own as you come to a stop. That’s where my once hard leash-pulling dog is at now. Thank you John (and team)! This was such a fantastic experience for me (and Chief). Less

Five Stars - Six Stars if Google would let me. I have taken two private classes with Sparks and am currently taking the group class. Our dog is a rescue Pit-mix that was previously abused, very dog reactive and hard to control. This was our first pet and I was completely lost in the complexities of dog training. John and Kim provided me a balanced and specific structure of training obedience. The approach is based on building a partnership with your dog rather than purely corrective or treat based training. The website, homework and instruction is very high level and second to none. We (handler/dog) have made great progress. The group class is really helping polish my handling skills. I’m amazed at the progress the other students are making with their dogs in just three sessions. Committing to the system, reviewing the member website and doing the homework will lead to positive results. Less

My dog is only as good as the expectation I set. Truly the best thing I learned going through the novice class. Training is frustrating. You want it to go faster and things to click and just work. But reality is it takes work for you as their human and them. It was great to be able to learn, grow and connect with my dog. Seeing him change in responses and overall more at ease. I love randomly taking my knowledge and working on refreshing it for both of us. It never fails that I too get excited when we remember or re-sync our knowledge and work together as a team. Less

John and Kimmy Sparks of Sparks K9, have created a top notch establishment that is effectively providing people and dogs with constructive and effective solutions for basic and complex behavioral issues that are very prevalent in most human/canine relationships. The instruction, material, and learning environment is highly organized, strategic and geared in a manner that addresses and solves immediate struggles owners are having in social environments and everyday coexistence with their K9 companions. It was refreshing and inspiring to see the commitment that John and Kimmy devote to providing their clients with the highest level of knowledge, guidance and continuing support beyond the set class times. The open participation with the instructors and other students was instrumental for my personal growth and problem solving scenarios with my own dog. The step by step assignments, online learning tools and face to face instruction time provided me with a very clear training plan, effective problem solving skills and confidence to work with my challenging dog. This is not a program where you show up, observe and magically have a trained dog. It's a challenging program that provides you with the tools, skills and mentorship necessary to do the work yourself and clear up the conflict you’re unknowingly creating with your dog. I look forward to continuing training and learning with the crew and community at Sparks K9. Thank you for your inspiration to recommit to my training goals and my relationship with my dog. Billye Crafton & Bodhi Rainier, Washington Less

Dog training can be very confusing for the owner and therefore the dog too. But my experience at Sparks was so encouraging because all of the work MAKES SENSE !! After the first week, I felt so at peace with where this training was taking us :) John and Kim are amazing trainers and are there to help!!! Each individual dog and owner is important in class and we all get a chance to see how we are progressing . Great place! I will always recommend it ! Less

Short story: Best trainer out there! John can work with any kind of dog and get fantastic results. He's dedicated to helping you succeed with your dog and if you stick with the program and do your homework, you will be amazed with the results! Long story: We have two dogs. One who became very reactive to most people, especially children and all dogs. Both of our dogs were uncontrollable on the leash. They were excessive pullers and would often times get loose if we ran into something unexpected (bunnies, etc). We had been through training courses with each dog in the past, yet saw little results out in the real world. I was referred to John by my veterinary office and enrolled our dogs in the Novice Obedience group classes. On the first day I knew this was the place for us! The people attended the first class without their dogs so that everyone could understand dog behavior, instinct, and the expectations for the classes. The second class, we all entered with our dogs in an orderly fashion. It was night and day from what I had experienced in other classes that have been chaos from the beginning (dogs barking off the wall at each other, pulling their people over, etc). Even though this is the Novice Obedience group class, John makes a huge effort to make sure each and every person understands what he is teaching. He does a great job of demonstrating and explaining all different scenarios and challenges that you may come across. After each class, we are given weekly homework that we are responsible for practicing at home and in different environments. He sets you up for success and has an AMAZING website that gives you detailed videos, notes, and information for the week. I cannot tell you how useful it has been to be able to go back and watch how we are suppose to be practicing. In addition, there is also a forum to ask him questions and get guidance along the way. He is very responsive and detailed in his responses. Our dogs can now heel off leash with automatic sits when we stop. They can walk by distractions (bunnies, people, skateboarders, cars, dogs) and ignore them all. They can stay for extended periods of time in all sorts of environments. And best of all, I can now walk my two dogs together and have the same results. It's more than I ever expected out of one set of classes! John teaches you how to set your dog up for success, how to communicate with them clearly and if you stick with it and practice daily in between classes, you will have the BEST and most rewarding relationship with your dog that you could ever ask for! Every dog deserves this! Less

Short story: Best trainer out there! John can work with any kind of dog and get fantastic results. He's dedicated to helping you succeed with your dog and if you stick with the program and do your homework, you will be amazed with the results! Long story: We have two dogs. One who became very reactive to most people, especially children and all dogs. Both of our dogs were uncontrollable on the leash. They were excessive pullers and would often times get loose if we ran into something unexpected (bunnies, etc). We had been through training courses with each dog in the past, yet saw little results out in the real world. I was referred to John by my veterinary office and enrolled our dogs in the Novice Obedience group classes. On the first day I knew this was the place for us! The people attended the first class without their dogs so that everyone could understand dog behavior, instinct, and the expectations for the classes. The second class, we all entered with our dogs in an orderly fashion. It was night and day from what I had experienced in other classes that have been chaos from the beginning (dogs barking off the wall at each other, pulling their people over, etc). Even though this is the Novice Obedience group class, John makes a huge effort to make sure each and every person understands what he is teaching. He does a great job of demonstrating and explaining all different scenarios and challenges that you may come across. After each class, we are given weekly homework that we are responsible for practicing at home and in different environments. He sets you up for success and has an AMAZING website that gives you detailed videos, notes, and information for the week. I cannot tell you how useful it has been to be able to go back and watch how we are suppose to be practicing. In addition, there is also a forum to ask him questions and get guidance along the way. He is very responsive and detailed in his responses. We are in week 9 of the 10 week novice obedience class. Our dogs can now heel off leash with automatic sits when we stop. They can walk by distractions (bunnies, people, skateboarders, cars, dogs) and ignore them all. They can stay for extended periods of time in all sorts of environments. And best of all, I can now walk my two dogs together and have the same results. It's more than I ever expected out of one set of classes! John teaches you how to set your dog up for success, how to communicate with them clearly and if you stick with it and practice daily in between classes, you will have the BEST and most rewarding relationship with your dog that you could ever ask for! Every dog deserves this! Less

{{Long review but much needed!!} Sparks K9 is the absolute BEST dog training facility out there. We were at our last option to keep our French Bulldog puppy, Bella, who had extreme aggression issues (and of course Frenchie stubbornness!). She was biting and attacking our children and wouldn't listen when we tried to get her to stop. Our household was very chaotic and stressful due to Bella being so out of control. My husband and I agreed that if Bella didn't stop this behavior, that we would have to bring her back to the breeder. I decided to contact John and see if he could help us with her because I didn't want to give up on our girl. We started with a consultation about what I would like to work on and within minutes, John had Bella sitting, going to place and touch. This was NOT my puppy! We decided that a board and train would be best for Bella as I wanted to tackle the issues as soon as possible. I was so scared that Bella wouldn't be trainable and would be defiant the whole time. To my surprise, Bella was with John and Kim for two weeks and in days she was already making progress. John would post updates about Bella on this page and I was shocked! I was able to email them whenever I wanted to check in on her and ask for updates. When Bella got home after the two weeks, we implemented everything that John had taught Bella as well as worked with her on her e-collar. John also sent a video of Bella and him and what he worked on with her so that I could go back and have a refresher as needed. There is also great information in their client portal on the website for help with your training. Bella has flourished so much and has done a COMPLETE 180. Instead of trying to attack my children by biting/nipping them, she just goes up to them and tries to play. She does have her little moments where she wants to try and have that playful aggression, but once redirected with her e-collar she listens very well. I cannot thank for John and Kim enough for helping us with Bella. Bella is my sweet girl and it would have broken my heart to have to re-home her. If you even have one little thought of training your dog, THIS is the place to go, hands down. You can definitely tell that John has a passion for canines and he applies that passion to training them. I cannot recommend Sparks K9 enough. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, John and Kim! Sincerely, Ryan and Michelle Kedrowski Less

{{Long review but much needed!!} Sparks K9 is the absolute BEST dog training facility out there. We were at our last option to keep our French Bulldog puppy, Bella, who had extreme aggression issues (and of course Frenchie stubbornness!). She was biting and attacking our children and wouldn't listen when we tried to get her to stop. Our household was very chaotic and stressful due to Bella being so out of control. My husband and I agreed that if Bella didn't stop this behavior, that we would have to bring her back to the breeder. I decided to contact John and see if he could help us with her because I didn't want to give up on our girl. We started with a consultation about what I would like to work on and within minutes, John had Bella sitting, going to place and touch. This was NOT my puppy! We decided that a board and train would be best for Bella as I wanted to tackle the issues as soon as possible. I was so scared that Bella wouldn't be trainable and would be defiant the whole time. To my surprise, Bella was with John and Kim for two weeks and in days she was already making progress. John would post updates about Bella on this page and I was shocked! I was able to email them whenever I wanted to check in on her and ask for updates. When Bella got home after the two weeks, we implemented everything that John had taught Bella as well as worked with her on her e-collar. John also sent a video of Bella and him and what he worked on with her so that I could go back and have a refresher as needed. There is also great information in their client portal on the website for help with your training. Bella has flourished so much and has done a COMPLETE 180. Instead of trying to attack my children by biting/nipping them, she just goes up to them and tries to play. She does have her little moments where she wants to try and have that playful aggression, but once redirected with her e-collar she listens very well. I cannot thank for John and Kim enough for helping us with Bella. Bella is my sweet girl and it would have broken my heart to have to re-home her. If you even have one little thought of training your dog, THIS is the place to go, hands down. You can definitely tell that John has a passion for canines and he applies that passion to training them. I cannot recommend Sparks K9 enough. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, John and Kim! Sincerely, Ryan and Michelle Kedrowski Less

I want to start off by saying that IMO - dog training is a matter of preference, not everyone's style is compatible with your own. In the case of Sparks, I wasn't thrilled with their style of training. Having to use a choke chain and "pop" my dog into correction just isn't for me. The other thing that got to me was the poor quality training videos I had to watch. Some of them had really bad audio and I couldn't make out what John was saying. Additionally, when talking to John, I felt that half our sessions involved John talking in analogies. Rather than just going into the meat of the training, John managed to explain in 50 different ways (often very repetitive) of what a dog is saying/thinking/or doing. I have no doubt John knows how to train dogs using his style. Less

So thankful that John, Kim, and the team at Sparks K9 have trained me (oh wait, Charlie) well enough for a start that allows for this crazy pup to know his basic commands to get this photo when so many others are passing by. Continuing to basic what has been taught and training is extremely valuable for our pups to be successful in society when we take them out and this would not have been possible with their help. Less

I've had a great experience with Sparks K9! I have a very strong, 80-pound dog that was very leash aggressive and pulled terribly on walks. I tried other trainers in the area, who were highly recommended, and used a treat-based method. However, I could never find a treat that was high value enough to lure my dog away from whatever distraction came along on a walk. The first time I went to John for a consultation, I knew something was different. My dog listened to him immediately and gave him his full attention. John's training technique just makes sense. He has a very structured program and I've been working with him through 7 private lessons. It does take some work but it is all worth it, and the change in my dog is remarkable. I can finally take my dog on walks in the neighborhood, and he has also learned a lot more commands. And we've done all of this without a single treat! I couldn't recommend Sparks K9 more. I mean I drive 2 hours from downtown Seattle to Monroe after work just to make the training classes, and it has most definitely been worth it. Less

I've had a great experience with Sparks K9! I have a very strong, 80-pound dog that was very leash aggressive and pulled terribly on walks. I tried other trainers in the area, who were highly recommended, and used a treat-based method. However, I could never find a treat that was high value enough to lure my dog away from whatever distraction came along on a walk. The first time I went to John for a consultation, I knew something was different. My dog listened to him immediately and gave him his full attention. John's training technique just makes sense. He has a very structured program and I've been working with him through 7 private lessons. It does take some work but it is all worth it, and the change in my dog is remarkable. I can finally take my dog on walks in the neighborhood, and he has also learned a lot more commands. And we've done all of this without a single treat! I couldn't recommend Sparks K9 more. I mean I drive 2 hours from downtown Seattle to Monroe after work just to make the training classes, and it has most definitely been worth it. Less

I can not recommend Sparks K9 enough. I was hesitant at first with the cost but I have totally seen the value of what you get here. I had tried several different trainers prior to working with John. The benefits, techniques, classes, and instruction is top notch. I began working Rex (Malinois/GSD) with John in Dec 2016 and since have gone through my fourth class now all helping me to gain the tools and instruction needed to keep training fun and focused. I will continue to recommend and use Sparks K9 to continue my and my pups training for years to come. Less

I have a very aggressive intelligent male German shepherd. I previously tried some other popular training service (barkbusters), but it just didn't work with my dog. I was pretty much hopeless after throwing away all my money trying other things -- until I met John at Sparks K9. He was recommended from a friend at Petco, and from the moment I arrived on site, I knew this training was legit. Super intimidating at first, but worth every penny. It's been a couple years since my last visit, but I've practiced what I've learned from John and my German shepherd is much more obedient than he once was. Once I'm ready for the next step of training, I'll sign up for more sessions and it will definitely be with John. If I need someone to watch over my pup while I'm out of state, it will be John. Trust me, he knows what he's doing! Less

My neighbor Julie and her husband Philip recommended Sparks K9 to me when I rescued Nikko. Today was graduation day and it's amazed me the difference I've seen in Nikko over the last 10 weeks of the Novice Obedience course. So much so that I've realized just how untrained my 9 year old German Shepherd Elsa is. She starts class in two weeks. I highly recommend Sparks for all your dog training needs. Update: Elsa graduated and has become so much better than she used to be. Even with her occasional stubbornness. Nikko developed some dog reactivity later on and we’ve been doing private sessions to work through it. Can’t recommend them enough and can’t wait to take our next puppy through all their courses. Sparks has been instrumental in my dogs’ performance. Less

My neighbor Julie and her husband Philip recommended Sparks K9 to me when I rescued Nikko. Today was graduation day and it's amazed me the difference I've seen in Nikko over the last 10 weeks of the Novice Obedience course. So much so that I've realized just how untrained my 9 year old German Shepherd Elsa is. She starts class in two weeks. I highly recommend Sparks for all your dog training needs. Update: Elsa graduated and has become so much better than she used to be. Even with her occasional stubbornness. Nikko developed some dog reactivity later on and we’ve been doing private sessions to work through it. Can’t recommend them enough and can’t wait to take our next puppy through all their courses. Sparks has been instrumental in my dogs’ performance. Less

I cannot tell you how happy I am a client of mine at SplashDog told me about Sparks K9. After one private session and Novice Obedience class my 2 1/2 year old mix breed, Miss Jovi James (aka JJ) is a happier, more confident and more of a stable dog. We can now enjoy walks/runs and experiencing new places in a calmer state. JJ's self-confidence has improved immensely and is no longer as frightened by new things in the world. One of the best things that came out of this class, besides the increased bond she and I have, is how I have improved as a handler. I am calmer and know how to handle new situations that happen (like people walking directly up to her - with or without their dogs - without asking first to approach). I have done classes in the past with JJ and we may have gotten some training out of them but I was still having problems with her focus, pulling and barking at people and other dogs and her being nervous in some situations (which is why she was barking at people and animals). Those classes were treat motivated classes but with JJ they were reaffirming some behaviors I didn't want. I wanted JJ to think for herself and choose to be with me over any distraction (which makes her listen better) without treats. Now I have a stronger foundation with her and can introduce treats when appropriate. I look forward to doing the Real World classes with Sparks K9 and actually going out in the real world and experiencing more of the outdoors with my sweet girl. Thank you, John, for all your help. Your approach was definitely what JJ and I needed. :-D Less

I cannot tell you how happy I am a client of mine at SplashDog told me about Sparks K9. After one private session and Novice Obedience class my 2 1/2 year old mix breed, Miss Jovi James (aka JJ) is a happier, more confident and more of a stable dog. We can now enjoy walks/runs and experiencing new places in a calmer state. JJ's self-confidence has improved immensely and is no longer as frightened by new things in the world. One of the best things that came out of this class, besides the increased bond she and I have, is how I have improved as a handler. I am calmer and know how to handle new situations that happen (like people walking directly up to her - with or without their dogs - without asking first to approach). I have done classes in the past with JJ and we may have gotten some training out of them but I was still having problems with her focus, pulling and barking at people and other dogs and her being nervous in some situations (which is why she was barking at people and animals). Those classes were treat motivated classes but with JJ they were reaffirming some behaviors I didn't want. I wanted JJ to think for herself and choose to be with me over any distraction (which makes her listen better) without treats. Now I have a stronger foundation with her and can introduce treats when appropriate. I look forward to doing the Real World classes with Sparks K9 and actually going out in the real world and experiencing more of the outdoors with my sweet girl. Thank you, John, for all your help. Your approach was definitely what JJ and I needed. :-D Less

I adopted a very strong and willful pit bull in San Diego not realizing at the time he had a history of attacking other dogs. I worked with him for a couple of years and when introduced the proper way, he did very well & enjoys hosting and playing with others. However I sought out help from John to curb Magnus' dog reactivity and all it took was one visit and we are well on our way to canine happiness! Thank you so very much! Less

I adopted a very strong and willful pit bull in San Diego not realizing at the time he had a history of attacking other dogs. I worked with him for a couple of years and when introduced the proper way, he did very well & enjoys hosting and playing with others. However I sought out help from John to curb Magnus' dog reactivity and all it took was one visit and we are well on our way to canine happiness! Thank you so very much! Less

I am so happy to have found John and Sparks K9. I initially found Sparks K9 when I was looking for help with my happy, albeit out of control 85lb Pit Bull/Rottweiler mix. To my abject horror, he pulled me down and drug me across the street in front of my neighbors chasing a cat. I was mortified an decided that it was time for professional intervention. Yancy and I took the 10 week Novice Obedience Class. At first glance the $450 price tag seems high, but this is 10 1 & 1/2 hour classes (which are sometimes even longer) and you can retake the class with the same dog or even a different dog in your household. You also have the support of an online forum to ask questions and problem solve. I found John to be very responsive to questions and always willing to help with issues or unexpected things that might come up. Other people asking questions on the forum was also really helpful because sometimes those issues would come up later with Yancy and I already had the answer at my fingertips. Now, I'm not going to lie....this is NOT an easy class that you can just sail through without work. There is a lot of homework and you need to be accountable for getting it done. At first, it seemed overwhelming but as soon as you start seeing the progress your dog is making, it clicks and you realize that the baby steps are well laid out to build the foundation that you'll need to really connect with your dog. By week five I was seeing some seriously great progress with Yancy and by the time he graduated, he was a rock star. My neighbors started stopping by when I was working with Yancy in front of my house and complimenting him on his obedience. I was so impressed that I immediately signed up one of my other dogs who had been severely beaten and neglected. Due to this she was terrified of everything and the world was a big scary place. Working with a soft dog was very different and I was so thankful to be able to take the class again as I had to really change my training style. While Yancy was a happy go lucky party boy, Banana was reserved and soft and really different to work with. John gave me the tools I needed to build her confidence and, voila! Banana graduated today and is like a totally different dog. She's happy, relaxed and no longer afraid of the world. She now knows what's expected of her, and she is happy to show off all of her new skills to anyone who will watch. TLDR; if you're looking for an easy class that uses gimmicks and requires no time and effort, look somewhere else. If you're looking for quality training that gives you the support and tools you need to be a fair leader to your dog and build a real connection with some effort on your part then Sparks K9 is the place! Yancy and Banana approved! Less

I am so happy to have found John and Sparks K9. I initially found Sparks K9 when I was looking for help with my happy, albeit out of control 85lb Pit Bull/Rottweiler mix. To my abject horror, he pulled me down and drug me across the street in front of my neighbors chasing a cat. I was mortified an decided that it was time for professional intervention. Yancy and I took the 10 week Novice Obedience Class. At first glance the $450 price tag seems high, but this is 10 1 & 1/2 hour classes (which are sometimes even longer) and you can retake the class with the same dog or even a different dog in your household. You also have the support of an online forum to ask questions and problem solve. I found John to be very responsive to questions and always willing to help with issues or unexpected things that might come up. Other people asking questions on the forum was also really helpful because sometimes those issues would come up later with Yancy and I already had the answer at my fingertips. Now, I'm not going to lie....this is NOT an easy class that you can just sail through without work. There is a lot of homework and you need to be accountable for getting it done. At first, it seemed overwhelming but as soon as you start seeing the progress your dog is making, it clicks and you realize that the baby steps are well laid out to build the foundation that you'll need to really connect with your dog. By week five I was seeing some seriously great progress with Yancy and by the time he graduated, he was a rock star. My neighbors started stopping by when I was working with Yancy in front of my house and complimenting him on his obedience. I was so impressed that I immediately signed up one of my other dogs who had been severely beaten and neglected. Due to this she was terrified of everything and the world was a big scary place. Working with a soft dog was very different and I was so thankful to be able to take the class again as I had to really change my training style. While Yancy was a happy go lucky party boy, Banana was reserved and soft and really different to work with. John gave me the tools I needed to build her confidence and, voila! Banana graduated today and is like a totally different dog. She's happy, relaxed and no longer afraid of the world. She now knows what's expected of her, and she is happy to show off all of her new skills to anyone who will watch. TLDR; if you're looking for an easy class that uses gimmicks and requires no time and effort, look somewhere else. If you're looking for quality training that gives you the support and tools you need to be a fair leader to your dog and build a real connection with some effort on your part then Sparks K9 is the place! Yancy and Banana approved! Less

This past Sunday I took my APBT/AMSTAFF cross Gracie to lure coursing practice at an AKC course. One year ago I would not have dreamed of taking her off of my property, let alone to an event full of dogs/owners and off leash dogs in a controlled environment. Gracie was flawless and did perfect off leash, (very controlled environment.) Without Sparks K9 and the work that they helped me to accomplish with my dog in basic obedience class this would never have been possible. This has given me the freedom to enjoy my dog and my life 10 fold more than I ever thought possible! I simply can't recommend them more highly than to say "it is possible, with work, love and commitment" thanks John and Kim you guys are 1-1,000,000,000! Less

This past Sunday I took my APBT/AMSTAFF cross Gracie to lure coursing practice at an AKC course. One year ago I would not have dreamed of taking her off of my property, let alone to an event full of dogs/owners and off leash dogs in a controlled environment. Gracie was flawless and did perfect off leash, (very controlled environment.) Without Sparks K9 and the work that they helped me to accomplish with my dog in basic obedience class this would never have been possible. This has given me the freedom to enjoy my dog and my life 10 fold more than I ever thought possible! I simply can't recommend them more highly than to say "it is possible, with work, love and commitment" thanks John and Kim you guys are 1-1,000,000,000! Less

Couldn't be happier with the changes Lily has made in our short 9 months of adoption, anyone who knew her could see that she had issues. Only a select few were able to see her true dorky and loving personality. As she slowly started to gain comfort in Dan and I she became this complete happy spaz that we struggled to control. For anyone who thinks their dog is worth the work and want a better level of communication and respect without breaking their puppy spirit, I couldn't recommend Sparks K9 enough. She still loses herself in play or excitement of small things but she knows how to behave and do what we ask of her now, taking her to public environments is fun for all 3 of us. Lily has learned to love attention from strangers, she no longer cowers and pees. She knows how to tell us if she isn't feeling the situation she's in without reacting on her own first instincts (barking, peeing, pancaking) which has been a dramatic change. Both Kimmy and John are amazing at reading dogs and what their underlying issues are which makes it so helpful to learn how to fix problems at their root. Even though we did a group class the time that was taken out to show owners what each dog is capable of and what their issues are makes it personable enough to get more benefits that we ever have anywhere else. Less

Couldn't be happier with the changes Lily has made in our short 9 months of adoption, anyone who knew her could see that she had issues. Only a select few were able to see her true dorky and loving personality. As she slowly started to gain comfort in Dan and I she became this complete happy spaz that we struggled to control. For anyone who thinks their dog is worth the work and want a better level of communication and respect without breaking their puppy spirit, I couldn't recommend Sparks K9 enough. She still loses herself in play or excitement of small things but she knows how to behave and do what we ask of her now, taking her to public environments is fun for all 3 of us. Lily has learned to love attention from strangers, she no longer cowers and pees. She knows how to tell us if she isn't feeling the situation she's in without reacting on her own first instincts (barking, peeing, pancaking) which has been a dramatic change. Both Kimmy and John are amazing at reading dogs and what their underlying issues are which makes it so helpful to learn how to fix problems at their root. Even though we did a group class the time that was taken out to show owners what each dog is capable of and what their issues are makes it personable enough to get more benefits that we ever have anywhere else. Less

This is the best training ever! Our rescue pup a boxer/lab mix named Hodges had leash aggression and was unsure of every encounter with of a new dog. We had an unsuccessful training experience with another trainer that seemed to worsen his behavior. John Sparks was able to help us start all over with the basics with Hodges, giving him a solid foundation. Starting over with a solid foundation, increased Hodges confidence and is now way more attentive to us and we have a much better connection with him. Training with John makes the training fun and easy to understand, everything is black and white, and just learning how to communicate clearly with your dog. Everything you do is setting your dog up to succeed. I would recommend him to anyone who is contemplating training with their dog. Less

This is the best training ever! Our rescue pup a boxer/lab mix named Hodges had leash aggression and was unsure of every encounter with of a new dog. We had an unsuccessful training experience with another trainer that seemed to worsen his behavior. John Sparks was able to help us start all over with the basics with Hodges, giving him a solid foundation. Starting over with a solid foundation, increased Hodges confidence and is now way more attentive to us and we have a much better connection with him. Training with John makes the training fun and easy to understand, everything is black and white, and just learning how to communicate clearly with your dog. Everything you do is setting your dog up to succeed. I would recommend him to anyone who is contemplating training with their dog. Less

Sparks K9 is my number one recommendation for any level of dog training. Thank you John and Kimmy for being so open and understanding with all different canine situations. You are both huge assets to our community. I cant even express how thankful I am for your continued support of our rescue program and every dog that has needed your help. I can only imagine that you have changed thousands upon thousands of lives for the better. Less

Sparks K9 is my number one recommendation for any level of dog training. Thank you John and Kimmy for being so open and understanding with all different canine situations. You are both huge assets to our community. I cant even express how thankful I am for your continued support of our rescue program and every dog that has needed your help. I can only imagine that you have changed thousands upon thousands of lives for the better. Less

I am so happy that I found Sparks K9. We were having problems with severe leash aggression and aggressive behavior at the groomers with our mutt Bandit. It was getting out of hand and I was afraid Bandit would never be able to leave our backyard. After a one hour session with John, I was able to enroll him in the basic obedience class. I was surprised because I didn't think he would be able to be in a group class he was so bad. I was mortified at the first class as he tried to eat every dog and even tried to bite John. We did our homework and started seeing changes right away. I am very happy to say that after the 10 week course, Bandit is a very different dog today. He no longer tries to attack other dogs on leash, pays attention to us and minds so much better. While we still have some polishing to do with him, he has changed so much for the better because of Sparks K9 training. I would highly recommend Sparks K9. My only regret is that I didn't find them sooner. Less

I am so happy that I found Sparks K9. We were having problems with severe leash aggression and aggressive behavior at the groomers with our mutt Bandit. It was getting out of hand and I was afraid Bandit would never be able to leave our backyard. After a one hour session with John, I was able to enroll him in the basic obedience class. I was surprised because I didn't think he would be able to be in a group class he was so bad. I was mortified at the first class as he tried to eat every dog and even tried to bite John. We did our homework and started seeing changes right away. I am very happy to say that after the 10 week course, Bandit is a very different dog today. He no longer tries to attack other dogs on leash, pays attention to us and minds so much better. While we still have some polishing to do with him, he has changed so much for the better because of Sparks K9 training. I would highly recommend Sparks K9. My only regret is that I didn't find them sooner. Less