Evaluate
Meet in person so Max can assess temperament, goals, and the right program before you commit.
Bowling Green, Missouri
Built from the field. Trained for home.
Practical private dog training for puppies, companion dogs, and working dogs — led by former U.S. Fish & Wildlife K9 Officer Max Carr.
- USFWS K9 background Field-tested handling standards
- Private evaluation first No package guessing
- Pay after completion No upfront training cost
Training Without Guesswork
Clear structure for owners who want calmer, safer, more reliable dogs.
Vertical K9 keeps training focused on the dog in front of us — age, temperament, drive, household routine, and the owner handling the leash every day.
Every program starts with a free in-person evaluation. From there, Max builds a private training path with practical homework, clear expectations, and payment after completion.
StoryTraining Path
A clear progression from evaluation to reliable handling.
Train
Work through private sessions built around obedience, confidence, drive, or specialty skills.
Transfer
Practice the handling habits that help the training hold up at home, in public, and around pressure.
Programs
Private training for household manners and working-dog capability.
Puppy Basics
Early obedience, house manners, recall, leash work, potty training, and crate confidence.
Puppy Basics
Obedience
Reliable sits, downs, leash manners, place work, distance stays, and behavior correction.
Obedience
Scent Detection
Scent foundations, container searches, interior work, exterior work, and buried odor.
Scent DetectionWhy Vertical K9
Built from field experience, not a template.
Working K9 Background
Former law-enforcement K9 experience informs calm, disciplined handling standards.
Private Evaluation
The first meeting identifies the right path before time or money is wasted.
Owner Transfer
Sessions are designed so the handler can repeat the work outside training.
Payment After Training
No upfront cost keeps the focus on fit, progress, and completion.
Start Here
Book the free evaluation before choosing a package.
Tell us what is happening now, what you want to change, and what kind of life your dog needs to fit into.