Every dog has a story, and sometimes, that story includes a few hurdles along the way. For Athena, a young German Shepherd, those hurdles came in the form of selective reactivity and the uncertainty that comes from limited socialization.
Like many first-time owners, her human was eager to give her the best start possible but quickly realized that building confidence in a high-drive breed isn’t always simple.
That’s where K9 Basics stepped in. With patience, structure, and a team of trainers who truly understand working dogs, Athena’s path began to change.
Athena’s Story: Raising a German Shepherd Puppy
When Athena first came home at just 10 weeks old, her owner was stepping into the world of dog training for the very first time. As a German Shepherd puppy, Athena was bright, eager, and full of energy, but raising her also came with challenges. Like many first-time owners, her human poured effort into basic training and obedience, building a solid foundation through consistency and love.
But one area proved more difficult: socialization. Out of concern and a little bit of anxiety, her owner kept Athena’s world smaller than it should have been during those key early months.
As a result, Athena developed selective reactivity toward other dogs and uneasiness in unfamiliar situations. What was once a happy, playful puppy started showing signs of uncertainty and hesitation whenever she was pushed outside her comfort zone.
Her owner recognized that Athena needed more than just the basics, she needed a structured program, guided by experienced trainers, to help her build confidence and learn how to thrive around other dogs.
That realization is what ultimately prompted the search for professional help and led them to our K9 Basics team.
Finding K9 Basics: A Search for the Right Fit
Like many owners, Athena’s human began with a simple online search: “best board and training.” What they found was K9 Basics, but the decision wasn’t easy at first. Leaving a beloved dog with strangers can feel daunting, especially when it’s your first experience raising a dog.
Overcoming Hesitations About Board & Train
In the owner’s own words, “I initially was hesitant over the idea of leaving my dog with strangers and the potential price point.” The goal wasn’t to start from scratch, but to build on the foundation of training they had already worked so hard on and to help Athena gain the confidence she was missing around other dogs.
A Warm Welcome: First Impressions That Built Trust
From the very first visit, the anxiety of leaving Athena began to fade.
“From the moment I walked into the office, I have felt safe, welcomed, and overjoyed being met with friendly, professional staff in addition to Wally and Major who are some of the staff’s training dogs who were SO CUTE and were a massive help to Athena’s progress.”
That welcoming environment immediately showed Athena’s owner that this wasn’t just a program; it was a team dedicated to both dogs and their families.
Experienced Trainers Who Lead With Care
“Staff and trainers were exceptional, it was obvious they were very experienced in their work and knew their stuff which gave me a lot of comfort leaving Athena in their hands.”
For an owner worried about reactivity and anxious behavior, knowing Athena was with people who could guide her with expertise was a game-changer.
Training Tools That Empower, Not Intimidate
One of the biggest hesitations was about training tools. The “education collar,” in particular, initially felt intimidating. But as the owner explained, those fears were quickly eased:
“The collar is easy to use and I’m someone who is tech dumb as there are only three buttons and the technology only uses vibrations so there is no shock or pain to the dog. I used it on myself and it feels like a TENS unit.”
What once felt overwhelming became an empowering tool, giving both owner and dog confidence in the training process.
Programs That Fit Every Dog and Every Family
The investment in training was not taken lightly, but it quickly became clear that it was worth it.
“The board and training program is definitely not cheap, however compared to most boarding programs generally, the price is more affordable. Additionally, it didn’t feel like a chore or a bill I was paying for, but instead an investment into my dog which is really important to me.”
With options tailored to different needs and budgets, K9 Basics made training accessible, while also offering a lifelong promise:
“You get a free private at home lesson with a trainer in addition to FREE TRAINING CLASSES FOR YOUR DOG’S LIFE!”
Athena’s Transformation During Training
The three weeks Athena spent in the board and train program marked a turning point in her young life. What began as a leap of faith quickly became a journey of progress, confidence, and joy.
Building Confidence Around Other Dogs
For Athena, one of the biggest hurdles was interacting with other dogs. Her owner admitted,
“My biggest mistake raising her was that I didn’t socialize her enough due to my own anxiety to which she developed selective dog reactivity.”
At K9 Basics, structured play and controlled exposure gave Athena the chance to safely build positive associations. Seeing her run and play with other dogs for the first time was a milestone that left her owner “admittedly emotional.”
The Struggles of Limited Socialization
Athena’s selective reactivity wasn’t the result of a lack of effort, but rather a gap created in puppyhood. Her owner worked tirelessly on obedience and relationship-building, but kept her world too small. This is a common story for first-time German Shepherd owners, who love their dog deeply but unintentionally limit the socialization that can prevent anxiety later in life. K9 Basics helped fill in that missing piece, providing both Athena and her owner with the tools to navigate social environments with more confidence.
Breaking Through Reactivity and Anxiety
From the very first day of drop-off, Athena’s transformation was underway.
“As I was leaving after dropping her off, the trainer immediately started work on Athena without wasting a moment, which said to me right there I made the right decision.”
Through expert guidance and structured exercises, Athena began to replace her uncertainty with calm focus. The once-reactive German Shepherd learned how to channel her energy into work, rather than worry.
Learning New Skills That Last a Lifetime
Athena didn’t just improve, she excelled. The review captures her progress best:
“From day one, she excelled in her training and even learned new tricks that I’m beyond excited to work on with her.”
K9 Basics is More Than Just Training, it’s a Lifelong Resource!
Call us at (866) 592-2742 or, if you’re from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New York, visit us at 131 Kenilworth Road, Marlton, NJ 08053, to learn more about our group training classes.
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