Dog Training
Professional Dog Training That Empowers Owners for Life · Altavista, VA
Published in partnership with The K-9 Academy
Book online anytime
| Mon | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Tue | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Wed | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Thu | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Fri | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Sat | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Sun | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
The K-9 Academy is a multi-award winning dog training and boarding facility located in Altavista, Virginia, serving the Lynchburg area and clients throughout Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington DC. Founded in June 2019 by Ronnie and Ashley Coleman, the business has grown to train over 900 dogs while maintaining a perfect 5.0-star rating from over 300 Google reviews. Their mission is simple: empower dog owners to gain complete control so they can love and enjoy their pets with strong peace of mind, without the worry of disobedience.
Ronnie Coleman is a professional dog trainer and Certified Dog Trainer (CDT-IACP) through the International Association of Canine Professionals. While he's been a professional trainer since 2019, Ronnie has been informally training dogs for over 15 years. His approach focuses on providing dogs with structure and clear understanding of expectations, while simultaneously educating and empowering owners to have the confidence needed to provide their dogs with the best life possible. The K-9 Academy doesn't just train dogs—they train owners to succeed long-term.
The K-9 Academy's philosophy is that training is a lifelong journey, not a quick fix. They prepare owners to continue and advance training at home, meeting their dog's mental stimulation needs every day for the rest of their life. There is no such thing as a 'perfect' dog who will never need work again, and The K-9 Academy is committed to setting clients up for long-term success. They offer lifetime support to all graduates, ensuring that the 900+ dogs they've trained and their owners have ongoing access to guidance and expertise.
As a family-owned and operated business, Ronnie and Ashley Coleman are committed to providing each client with a personable and enjoyable experience. Customer service is a top priority, and they take pride in the relationships they build with both dogs and their owners. With comprehensive services including professional training programs, boarding, and grooming all under one roof, The K-9 Academy has become Central Virginia's go-to destination for dog owners seeking expert care and lasting results.
Ronnie Coleman — CDT-IACP, IACP Member
Best for: Dog owners struggling with obedience and control issues, families seeking lifetime training support, clients throughout Virginia and neighboring states willing to travel for expert training, anyone looking for comprehensive dog care including boarding and grooming
Service area: Altavista, Lynchburg, Central Virginia, and clients throughout Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington DC
Why choose The K-9 Academy: The K-9 Academy stands out in Central Virginia by offering lifetime support to all training graduates—unlike most trainers who disappear after programs end. With Ronnie Coleman's IACP certification, 900+ dogs trained, and a perfect 5.0-star rating from 312 reviews, they've built a reputation for owner empowerment and long-term results that keeps clients traveling from multiple states.
Certified IACP Dog Trainer with 15+ Years Experience: Ronnie Coleman is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT-IACP) and member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, with over 15 years of dog training experience and a track record of training 900+ dogs since 2019.
Lifetime Support for All Graduates: Unlike trainers who disappear after your program ends, The K-9 Academy offers lifetime support to all graduates, ensuring you have ongoing guidance as your dog grows and your training journey continues.
Owner Empowerment Focus: The K-9 Academy doesn't just train your dog—they train you. Their approach focuses on educating and empowering owners to have the confidence and skills needed to maintain control and continue training at home for life.
Perfect 5.0-Star Rating from 312 Reviews: With over 900 dogs trained and a flawless 5.0-star Google rating from 312 reviews, The K-9 Academy has earned the trust of dog owners throughout Central Virginia and beyond since opening in 2019.
What are Ronnie Coleman's qualifications as a dog trainer?
Ronnie Coleman is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT-IACP) and a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. He has been a professional dog trainer since 2019 and has been informally training dogs for over 15 years. Since opening The K-9 Academy in 2019, he has trained over 900 dogs and maintains a perfect 5.0-star rating from 312 Google reviews.
What training philosophy does The K-9 Academy follow?
The K-9 Academy believes that training is a lifelong journey, not a quick fix. Their approach focuses on empowering dog owners to gain complete control by providing dogs with structure and clear expectations while educating owners to have the confidence needed to continue training at home. They emphasize that there is no such thing as a 'perfect' dog who will never need work again, and they prepare owners to meet their dog's mental stimulation needs every day for life.
Do you offer support after training is complete?
Yes! The K-9 Academy offers lifetime support to all graduates. Unlike many trainers who disappear after your program ends, they provide ongoing guidance and support as your dog grows and your training journey continues. This ensures you have expert help whenever you need it.
What types of dogs and behavioral issues do you work with?
The K-9 Academy works with dogs of all breeds, ages, and temperaments. They specialize in obedience training and addressing common behavioral issues like disobedience, lack of control, and poor manners. Their goal is to help all dog owners love and enjoy their pets with strong peace of mind, regardless of the challenges they're facing.
What services does The K-9 Academy offer besides training?
In addition to professional dog training programs, The K-9 Academy offers boarding and grooming services. This makes them a one-stop destination for dog owners in Central Virginia who want comprehensive care for their pets under one roof.
Where do your clients come from?
While The K-9 Academy is located in Altavista and primarily serves the Lynchburg, VA area and Central Virginia, they regularly work with clients from all areas of Virginia, as well as North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington DC. Dog owners travel to them because of their reputation for results and lifetime support.
How do I get started with training at The K-9 Academy?
You can book a consultation or training program by visiting their website at thek9academyva.com and clicking 'Book Now,' or by calling (434) 665-1709. Ronnie and Ashley Coleman are committed to providing a personable experience and will work with you to determine the best training approach for your dog and your goals.
What can I expect from training with The K-9 Academy?
You can expect a personalized, owner-focused approach where both you and your dog learn together. The K-9 Academy will teach your dog structure and obedience while empowering you with the skills and confidence to maintain control at home. You'll receive lifetime support after your program ends, ensuring you're never left on your own as training continues throughout your dog's life.
“Our German Shepherd, Jagger, is very smart and protective. While he was always wonderful with people and children, he saw every other dog as a threat and became too aggressive to safely take in public. Walks were stressful, and we felt limited in what we could do as a family with him. Ronnie completely changed that. From the start, he took the time to understand Jagger’s behavior and our concerns. He is knowledgeable, professional, and incredibly patient. What impressed us most is that he didn’t just train Jagger, he taught us how to be better, more confident handlers. He gave us step-by-step tools, listened to our questions, and shared practical tips to make sure we could maintain the progress after the program. Ronnie was also friendly, approachable, and always responsive whenever we needed guidance. The results have been amazing. Jagger is still the loyal protector we love, but now he is calmer, happier, and gets to enjoy life right alongside us. He loves being able to go places with us, and we love the peace of mind that comes with knowing he’s safe and under control. We are so grateful for Ronnie’s expertise and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a trainer who truly understands both dogs and their owners.”
— Mary Sherry, Google Review
“What a great experience it was working with The K9 Academy on training our 4 year old German Shepard. It’s not just training for your dog but also training/learning for my wife and I as new dog owners. We learned just as much as our doggo did and I would highly recommend The K9 Academy. My wife and I are looking forward to bringing our futures dogs to them! And don’t forget they are a one stop with the grooming services as well, had our pretty girl smelling and looking GREAT!!! A special thanks to Mr. Coleman and The K9 Academy family for their exceptional work/training, we greatly appreciate it!”
— Jalen Ross, Google Review
“Well worth the drive from Concord to Altavista! Ronnie did an amazing job with our two huskies. He took the time to grind the nails so they weren't sharp, and shave the bottom of their paws so they won't slide so much on our floors. The facility is new and clean, and I was able to take each dog outside while we waited for the other to finish. If we ever need boarding or grooming services we will be back for sure! 100% recommend!”
— Kristin Stawicki, Google Review
“Ace went for a 2 week board and train. When I went to pick him up, he was much different. He listens so well now, enjoys walks daily without dragging me along and more. Great place if your dog needs training. Very clean and professional complex.”
— Lil Bit, Google Review
“Ronnie did such an amazing job with our two golden retrievers. Not only was his grooming top notch but it is clear he really cares about the animals and knows how to take care of their needs well. After tow years in VA and not finding a good groomer I am relieved to say we found a great one! Highly recommend.”
— Sara Jerred, Google Review
Book online: Book Now →
Phone: (434) 665-1709
Address: 273 Riverbend Rd, Altavista, VA 24517 (Get directions)
Website: thek9academyva.com/
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