Kennelwood Academy

Reviews

• KS

  Kathryn Smith

  Jul 3, 2024
  5.0
  I had an amazing experience attending Kennelwood Academy. The instructors go above and beyond for each and every student. I learned so much about training in every avenue. I wouldn’t be the person or trainer I am today without this school and the people in it. They are the best!
• AS

  Alyssa Smith

  Jan 19, 2024
  5.0
  I toured two schools before I learned about kennelwood and neither felt right but after I toured the beautiful campus and spoke with the instructors, I knew this was where I wanted to be. I attended Kennelwood Academy as part of the 2023 July-December class and it was an amazing experience. I had a blast and gained an incredible amount of knowledge. From picking a puppy to graduating, the instructors were right there to teach, guide, and answer questions. I had a late night puppy emergency and Dave quickly responded to my message and gave me the information I needed to handle the situation. Dave, Jeremy, and Matt are all amazing instructors with impressive credentials. They are eager to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of dog trainers. They sat down with each student and learned about each person’s goals for the program and helped us accomplish them taking into account each person’s training style and the pups that we had. Going into the program I had some experience with training and client interaction but I was not super confident. Coming out of this program I am so much more confident because I am equipped with so many tools, resources, and experiences that you really can’t get anywhere else. Emily is an amazing administrator, landlord, life coach, mediator, friend, and cheerleader! She is like the school mom in that we could go to her with any issues and she was happy to help. She would come to every testing day with a positive attitude and be our cheerleader through it all. The campus is beautiful and the housing is great. My room was much bigger than expected. I love the massive training hall. It is the perfect set up to facilitate effective training. Specific odor detection was my favorite part (and a large portion of why I attended the school). The instructors taught us effective methods and helped us problem solve. I learned so much about how dogs’ noses work and how to teach them to use it effectively. The barn is a huge resource when it comes to solidifying the dog’s skills. I love that people skills and client interactions was part of the program. That is something I struggle with but they really prepare you and give you ways to boost your confidence and communicate clearly and effectively. Not only do you learn about dog training and communicating with other people, but you also learn a lot about yourself. There is a lot of character development that happens here. I would not be the person or trainer I am today without Kennelwood Academy! I highly recommend this school. .
• NS

  Nate Schoemer

  Oct 24, 2023
  5.0
  I have had the privilege of being mentored by numerous dog trainers in my pursuit of excellence within this domain, yet none have left a lasting imprint on my professional journey quite like Dave Van Garderen. My tenure as his assistant instructor at a reputable school for professional dog trainers wasn't just a learning experience, but a monumental chapter in my career. The knowledge and finesse Dave exhibits in dog training are nothing short of exemplary, and I attribute a significant fragment of my success to the teachings imparted by him. Dave's expertise is a culmination of a rich and diverse experience, evident from his bio. His journey commenced with a burning passion for dog training as a teenager, leading him to prestigious dog training schools, and eventually to Kennelwood Pet Resorts, where he dedicated twelve years, honing not just his skills but enriching the lives of thousands of pets and their owners. His accolades are a testament to his mastery and dedication to dog sports competition. From clinching the Schutzhund National Championship in 2010 to bagging the “Highest Score of the Year” award by the Protection Sport Association in 2011 and 2015, his achievements are a beacon of inspiration for every aspiring dog trainer. Dave’s transition from a passionate learner to an esteemed instructor since 2013, has seen him nurturing hundreds of students towards achieving professional dog training certifications. His graduates, dispersed across various facets of the dog training industry, are a living testimony to his proficient mentorship. His tenure at Kennelwood Academy is not just a training program, but a legacy being created in real-time. The spectrum of canine behavioral understanding Dave and his fellow instructors provide at Kennelwood Academy is unparalleled. From pet obedience, odor detection, personal and police protection, to competitive dog sports and business ownership, the breadth of practical and applicable knowledge is vast. For anyone poised to elevate their training acumen or morph their passion for dog training into a rewarding profession, I wholeheartedly recommend Dave Van Garderen and his esteemed team at Kennelwood Academy. The mentorship here is not merely a learning curve, but a life-altering experience, setting a solid foundation for an illustrious career in professional dog training.
• AB

  Adri Beale

  Jul 5, 2022
  5.0
  Dave, Jeremy, and Matt are all very knowledgeable and such amazing instructors. They all go above and beyond to make sure that all their students understand what they teach and can go on to teach future clients. Without this school, I wouldn’t be in the career I love. If you’re considering going to this school, please go. You wont regret it for a second. I wish I could go back and soak up even more knowledge from Dave, Jeremy, and Matt.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kennelwood Academy