bare knuckle dog training

Suki is ‘Queen of the House’, so she thinks anyway, and really timid. I don’t have a lot of experience with dogs so that combination made it really difficult for me to get her to listen (adopted her at 4 so she had some set in her ways already). Kehli took the time to first get to know Suki. He let her know he’s not a bad guy and wasn’t there to hurt or shame her. It took a few weeks for her to really open up to him but she loved to see him and looked forward to some games. Kehli taught us both many things and what I liked most is the mini tests... ‘ok let’s see you do this now’. The final training test was a doozy and admittedly I was terrified as a few other dogs came out while Suki was off leash. Guess what? She listened and came back when called. Quite impressive if you knew her :) Loved the training, and actually miss it a bit and look forward to some sporadic training and refresher courses in the future. Kehli was a great teacher for both of us... Suki and I. Pictures of Suki off leash… still amazing. :)

I contacted Kehli after having limited success working with other “trainers” for my 2 year old Australian Shepherd, Nellie. We went with the two week basic obedience board and train program. Nellie went to training with limited basic obedience and moderate to severe reactivity to dogs and people from limited socialization during Covid. Although the two weeks felt like years, I couldn’t be happier with the dog that I picked up. I can now take Nellie out into social situations and we BOTH know what to do. I didn’t expect that the most valuable part of her training would be the lessons I received to maintain and build on everything she learned. I received frequent check-ins while she was away and several after training to make sure she is doing well. Kehli has taught me how to be a better owner with his enormous amount of knowledge that he is more than willing to share. Nellie went from being a parvo puppy who barely survived to a beach girl living her best life thanks to Kehli.

We looked for some time to find a trainer for our 4 year old Australian Cattle Dog, Stark, and were so happy to have happened upon Kehli! We sent Stark to train with Kehli for his 4 week behavior modification program as she was very reactive on leash and extremely overwhelmed when riding in the car or out in public. Kehli was able to teach Stark (and us) a lot of new skills to use as tools to curb her behavior! Stark is one of two ACD babies we have and became the problem child who always ended up having to be left at home. We felt terrible, but taking her anywhere was such a hassle and so stressful that we felt there was no other option until we found Kehli! I never thought we would be able to have another peaceful car ride again with our girl or be able to take her out to coffee with us, but Kehli's training has truly improved our lives and definitely Stark's! We are so impressed with Kehli we are sending our other 3 year old ACD to him for 2 weeks as well! He truly cares about every dog that he takes in to train and their quality of life, as well as the dogs' owners. He is extremely passionate about his job and is willing to take texts or calls with any questions following training and even the photos and videos I like to send of our happy Starky girl out and about :) We cannot thank him enough!

They did an amazing job with my two dogs. Had a lot of trouble training both my dogs together because of size difference. They keep your dogs in their own home and give them plenty of love and education. My dogs came back after the 2 week session with all the knowledge and ability I expected. They also dl a great job of training the owner on how to maintain, adapt, and continue to train your dog to whatever suits your needs. I reccomend this service to anyone who asks about our dogs or compliments their good behavior.

We sent our 2 year old Doxie to Kehli for the 2 week training and he has returned a changed dog. Kehli not only trains your dog, but educates the owner so that they are successful moving forward. He follows up through home visits and video chats and is always available to answer questions. With work on our part, we will eventually have the well behaved dog of our dreams!!

Where do I begin?

Initially we signed our boy Marv up to go for a 4 week Behavior Modification with Kehli. After just 4 days and Marv not showing improvement with how nervous he was being away from us there was very careful consideration and knowledge from Kehli and he made the decision to send Marv back home and instead do in home sessions and virtual check-ins with us. We thought for sure we wouldn't be able to train Marv the way he would have, but Kehli is absolutely amazing. Every in home visit we had he guided us, helped us and trained with Marv. We still have a long ways to go and a heck of a lot more to learn, but we are so incredibly thankful for how much he has taught us, shown us and proven to us. Marv is a very special case and he has a lot going on we have had to work through, but we are so happy Kehli never thought twice to help. You're the "Dogfather" Kehli, just like the mug I made you says!! We look forward to working with you more in the near future. 🐾

Kehli works wonders! He gave us and our pug Frankie all of his attention, expertly focusing not only on what our dog needs to be the best version of herself, but also providing us with the tools we need to help her along the way. Everyone’s better off in our household thanks to Kehli! Recommend especially for any dog who needs desensitization training like our lil one did.

Exceptional Training for Deaf Dogs at Bare Knuckle Dog Training!

I cannot speak highly enough of the incredible experience our pit terrier mix, Bones, had at Bare Knuckle Dog Training. Bones is deaf, presenting unique challenges in training, but thanks to the exceptional skills and dedication of head trainer and owner, Kehli, our journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

Kehli's patience with Bones was truly commendable. He took the time to understand Bones' individual needs and crafted a personalized training plan that catered specifically to her deafness. This level of attentiveness set the tone for a positive and successful training experience.

The diligence demonstrated by Kehli throughout the training sessions was impressive. He consistently went above and beyond to ensure that Bones not only grasped the hand and collar commands but also understood them in various environments. The training wasn't just about commands; it was about creating a strong bond and understanding between Bones and his human counterparts.

What struck us the most was the genuine care Kehli showed for Bones. It was clear that he wasn't just doing a job; he was invested in the well-being and success of every dog he worked with. This level of passion is what makes Bare Knuckle Dog Training stand out in the world of canine education.

If you have a deaf dog or any dog in need of professional training, I wholeheartedly recommend Bare Knuckle Dog Training. Their commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine love for dogs, makes them the go-to choice for anyone looking to embark on a positive and transformative journey with their furry companions. Thank you, Bare Knuckle Dog Training, for making a lasting difference in Bones' life!

Bare Knuckle Dog Training was the best thing we ever did! We had been using Kehli to board our dog Togg for a couple of years since we were only comfortable boarding Togg under certain criteria. Kehli took such good care of Togg and built such a strong relationship with him that we decided to do private training lessons. Kehli changed our lives. He saw a potential in Togg and quickly pushed us and Togg to reach that potential. Kehli taught us how to understand our dog's behavior and look for communication clues that completely changed our perspective on how to train. Kehli taught us how to use reinforcement effectively and appropriately, how to up the stakes and keep our dog engaged, and how to use any situation as a training moment. Us and Togg now have a trust and relationship that allows us to explore out and about as well as be settled in and comfortable at home. We cannot recommend Bare Knuckle Dog Training enough. If you want to give your dog it's best life - this is the place to start.

Would highly recommend! He takes his time and helped me train my dog and explained why the dog was doing the things he was doing. I am very confident in taking my dog anywhere in public and he responds very well! If I ever have any questions he is there to assist and takes his time to explain it. My dog loved his training and responds better than I expected! Very experienced trainer and friendly. I will definitely be using his services again in the future.

We first reached out to Kehli when our new puppy was a little more than we bargained for. He immediately helped us to make changes that benefited both our sweet girl and ourselves. Even though I have previously owned dogs, I still had/ have a lot to learn. Kehli is patient, thorough, super knowledgeable and his passion for dogs shines clearly through everything he does. After 4 puppy sessions, our whole family was at ease with our previously 'out of control' monster dog. It turns out, it wasn't her, but US! Further, after a board and train booking, we're well on our way to having a great furry family member, with all the tools in our belt to continue moving forward with her in a positive way! She also LOVES Kehli and gets excited even when she hears his voice on a video. We highly recommend BKDT for all your dog training needs!

Kehli's passion for dogs and training them is truly evident. My dog, Cairo, absolutely loves Kehli and gets excited even when he hears Kehli's voice on the phone. I contacted BKDT about training before my puppy was even 5 months old. We enrolled in the "Raising a Champ" program, which wasn't advertised on BKDT's website, but is excellent for puppies. Kehli came to my house for four weekly one-on-one training sessions, each at least an hour long.

This approach allowed Kehli to ensure my puppy was developmentally ready for a board and train program. These one-on-one lessons prepared Cairo for more advanced training and gave us piece of mind during B&T since Cairo already developed a great relationship with Kehli.

During our training, Kehli always took his time to explain everything thoroughly. He made learning fun and never rushed our sessions, often staying well over an hour to ensure we were confident in everything we discussed. The training was hands-on, but I also appreciated learning about the psychology behind dog training and how it relates to human psychology.

There was a big focus on fostering a positive relationship with our dog, understanding things from his perspective, and training through play rather than just using treats. I also really appreciated that Kehli didn't focus solely on positive reinforcement like some trainers. While that was a primary tactic, he recognizes there's a time and place for negative reinforcement and "punishment." The training plan is highly personalized based on what you want to prioritize, not a standard checklist.

After our weekly one-on-one lessons, we used BKDT for a two-week basic obedience board and train while we went on vacation. This was money well spent for the peace of mind knowing Cairo was with someone he loves and getting excellent training. I appreciated the extra days—18 total vs. the standard 14—for the dog's adjustment period. Kehli shares regular pupdates on Instagram so you can see what your dog is up to during boarding, which is incredibly reassuring. He encourages you to reach out if you have questions or concerns and is very responsive.

We had an excellent go-home lesson upon picking up Cairo where we learned how to maintain what he had learned: down, drop, heel, loose leash walking, etc. I had one of my two follow-up sessions yesterday, which really improved my confidence in handling a few issues that have come up since returning home. Kehli truly cares about the dogs he trains and their humans. He wants every dog to live a full, happy life with their owners in the real world. His passion shines through when he teaches us how to be better handlers and guides to our furry companions. You can also talk to him about PSA or bite work, which is a whole other fascinating realm of dog training!

Thank you so much for all your help, Kehli, and to Teresa for coordinating everything and keeping the business running smoothly. I will definitely return to BKDT for future training and recommend them to all my friends.

I can not be more grateful that my friend recommended Kehli to me when I had expressed wanting to work on my dogs reactivity. I remember her telling me that Kehli truly understood dog behavior and could really tell what they wanted out of training.

This was evident on the first day of training. I remember Kehli coming over and within the first minute or two of meeting Banks he knew he was ready to go learn and start his training! Which had an exciting approach, Play! Which, lucky for me, Banks will do anything for a tennis ball so this method worked amazingly well for Banks during his training with Kehli and at home with me as we practiced. It was crazy to see how fast Banks was learning and growing with his patience towards other dogs.

Kehli lays out his session in the perfect order and makes training fun and easy to do in day to day life. It was amazing to see how each session connected to our end goal of being able to walk near dogs without the reactivity occurring. We began with behavior training with play and being patient with the ball during play. We were able to incorporate play into a heel and then into a a heel around other dogs.

I can’t begin to express how this training has brought Banks and I closer together. So many people have told me that Banks is a different dog. I’m so happy to see Banks so happy and thriving. Banks also loves Kehli so much! It’s so funny to see how excited he gets if I play his videos on instagram or mention his name. He has had so much fun learning new skills and getting to hangout with Kehli every week!

I can’t wait to use Bare Knuckle Dog training again in the near future to improve even further on skills for Banks!! We can’t wait! I will always recommend Bare Knuckle Dog training to everyone!!

Wonderful experience. Cannot be happier. I was able to reach out at anytime and asked questions and they promptly responded with solutions to any Concerns or questions, also sent videos to help as a visual!!!

I don’t even know where to begin - it has been such a wonderful experience working with Kehli and Teresa and I HIGHLY recommend Bare Knuckle Dog Training. Kehli is so passionate about dog training and truly wants the best for you and your dog. My dog Koda gets SO excited to see Kehli in follow-up training sessions and absolutely loves him. I cant thank Kehli and Teresa enough for how much they went above and beyond for Koda and I. Just one of many examples but I expressed to Kehli that I was nervous to bring my dog to Washington D.C. so he arranged for us to meet in a city like setting during one of our follow-up sessions to help both Koda and I feel at ease. I was at a total loss when it came to dog training and I am so happy I found bare knuckle dog training - they are so knowledgeable and truly the absolute best.

I really can’t say enough about how incredible Kehli and Teresa have been! It’s clear they’re passionate about every dog they work with. Our Dusty girl arrived with some typical, unruly puppy behaviors. She came home a confident, focused dog. We’ve been so happy to have her home and explore everything new she’s learned. This entire process has actually been so fun and we can’t say enough thank yous. We are especially appreciative of the time Kehli has spent making sure Dusty’s transition home is successful!

Early this year, I convinced my husband to adopt the sweetest 6 y/o deaf pitbull named Apollo from Hope For Life. Our guy is a lover of people but was not always a lover of dogs. He loved stuffies but sometimes too much in a possessive manner. While baths were never a high point grooming ears were an absolute no, like do not even pet my ears. Nail trimming brought up trauma and was a no, unless medicated and by a professional. He came with limited signs and was a challenge to communicate with and he is a very strong willed guy.
We tried a force free trainer and unfortunately got no where and no results.
Kehli was recommended to us by Hope for Life. I was hesitant to send my deaf dog away but Kehli and Teresa assured me they thought it would be best. They never saw his deafness as a disability or a limiting factor to his training.
Apollo completed 32 days of board and train and I cannot sing the praises of Bare Knuckles Dog Training enough. My dog gets to live the life he deserves. We practice our training and relationship building at home daily. We are able to go out to Home Depot, Coffee, breweries and parks without a hitch. He got groomed for the first time unmedicated and we received such a good report. We can touch his ears and are working on cleaning in our follow up. We still notice other dogs but we have learned what acceptable social behavior is. Cats still get us a bit excited but we are working on learning to ignore them. We love a good game of tug and have dropped 1.5lbs making us a healthier guy too. My guy loved Kehli sometimes I think more then he loves us. His ability to bond with dogs is amazing and he has truly found his niche in life.
He caters the program to exactly what your dog needs. In my opinion he is the best in the business in this area. I highly recommend everyone gives their dog the chance to live a good fulfilled life and work through their quirks by choosing Bare Knuckles.