North Star Family K-9

04/22/2025

Meet Obi!
She’s here working on her house manners and learning that all-important “off switch” while inside 🐾

We train in our home, not a kennel — so your dog learns real-life manners in a real-life environment 🏡

We only work with 1–2 dogs at a time, which means lots of hands-on training, personalized attention, and lifetime support.
Spots for May are almost full! Don’t wait — message us now to snag your FREE evaluation before they’re gone!

04/21/2025

Miss Obi is 1 week into her 3-week board & train—and she’s already crushing it!
Before training, this sweet girl needed to be sedated just to get her nails trimmed or go to the vet. Now? She’s building confidence and handling it like a champ!

Big love to our go-to groomers at Fancy Bones in New Prague—they’re amazing with our reactive pups, and the dogs actually love going there after sessions!

We’ve got May openings starting THIS weekend!
Got a nervous or reactive pup who needs some help? Send us a message—we’d love to chat!

04/19/2025

Are you ready to transform your furry friend?

Join our Board and Train program and enjoy:
✨ Free in-home consultation
✨ Ongoing support for the life of your dog
✨ Frequent video updates✨

Opportunities to train alongside your dog during the program
Available Dates:📅 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24
Price: $3750 for 3 Weeks

Prefer training in the comfort of your home?

Our In-Home Training offers:
✨ Free in-home consultation
✨ Lifelong support
✨ 8-week program with just 2 slots available

Price: $2500 for 8 Weeks

Whether you're looking for basic obedience or need help with behavior modification (anxiety, aggression, reactivity), we’ve got you covered! We provide you with the tools to communicate effectively with your dog.

💰 Custom packages available to suit your budget.

Financing options through Affirm!

Join the pack of satisfied pet owners with our 5-Star Google Reviews!

📞 Contact us today to secure your spot and give your dog the training they deserve! 🐶❤️

04/17/2025

Thank you Courtney! Looking forward to seeinf Veronas continued growth!

“I can’t say enough positive things about North Star Family K9! My 11 month old rescue puppy and I just completed their 3 week board and train program, and the progress has been incredible.
The program took place in Hank’s home, where my puppy worked on building confidence, leash skills, excitement around people and other dogs and long stays in both sit and down positions. The best part for me was that I was able to train alongside Verona (my puppy) during the entire process. With two sessions at Hank’s house and one at Home Depot, talk about real life experiences. I was able to learn as much as my dog did!
Hank’s open communication throughout the program was so helpful- I could ask questions at any time and received regular video updates. His knowledge and the resources he provided made a huge difference, and I saw so much improvement in just three weeks. When Verona came home, I was also given a detailed 3 week homework plan to continue building on the skills she learned, which is a great way to keep the momentum going. What really impressed me is that the help and communication didn’t stop when my dog came home~ Hank is always available for follow up questions and providing ongoing guidance to ensure we stay on track.
If you’re looking for a place that offers more than just a simple board and train, I highly recommend North Star Family K9. They tailor train to cover real life with a dog and it’s clear Hank and his wife genuinely care about both the dogs and their owners!”

04/13/2025

Welcome, Obi!
Obi is staying with us for 3 weeks of training, and her family chose our program because they wanted her to learn in a real home and family environment—just like theirs.

She’s here to work on impulse control, loose leash walking, and solid home manners. With a dad recovering from a shoulder injury and two teens at home, it’s important that everyone can confidently direct and enjoy life with Obi!

Fun fact: “Obi” means “heart” in both Igbo and Swahili—a perfect name for a pup who’s clearly the heart of her family.

We’ve got one more opening left in April and are now taking reservations for May—DM us to save your pup’s spot!

04/13/2025

We are booked until 4.26.25!

Looking forward to welcoming Obi tomorrow!

The force is strong in this one! ☝️

04/12/2025

Gus & Ducky graduated today!
Gus tackled separation anxiety, impulse control, and laid down solid foundations in leash work, e-collar training, and reliable recall!

Ducky got a full e-collar reboot—relearning it through positive associations while rebuilding confidence and easing reactivity, especially when her brother’s around (no more bodyguard duty needed!). She also imprinted a solid off-leash recall!

Mom and the fam learned clear, fair, and FUN ways to keep communication strong. The baseline is set… now the real magic continues at home!

04/10/2025

we got the best compliment tonight! When we left, other patio guests said they didn’t know we had a dog. We had a great trainer! I worked her off leash today in the campground for her dinner.“

04/09/2025

Building Confidence, One Tail Wag at a Time

When Ducky first came to stay with us, it was just supposed to be a short visit while the family went on spring break and her brother completed our 3-week program. She had already been through another Board and Train elsewhere, but unfortunately, that experience left her spirit broken—her mom’s words, not ours.

From day one, our focus with Ducky was clear: build her up, not break her down. Through consistent use of the right tools, fair communication, relationship-building, and making desired behaviors self-rewarding, we watched her transform. We shared her progress through videos and private lessons, and her mom couldn’t help but mention how much happier she looked.

That happiness was impossible to ignore—so much so that the family chose to extend her stay. At their final private lesson last night, mom and the kids lit up seeing the confident, joyful dog standing in front of them. “She just looks so happy,” they said again and again. Both Duck and Gus go home Saturday!

That’s what it’s all about—helping dogs feel safe, successful, and understood.

Because when we focus on connection, everything else follows. We offer lifetime support and you train with your dog while they’re here!

04/06/2025

Is there a trainer discount or reseller channel for dog trainers and dogPACER Treadmill? I may have ruined mine accidently but I also have clients that want one when their dog is done with their board and trains.

Thanks!

04/05/2025

Verona finished our 3-week board and train program. We are eager to see her continued success with Courtney.

04/04/2025

Thank you Gus and Ducky are doing so well!

04/04/2025

Meet Gus! Who is addicted to his treadmill!

Transform Your Dog’s Behavior in Just 3 Weeks!

Struggling with unwanted behaviors? Imagine a well-mannered dog that listens, follows commands, and behaves calmly in any situation. Our 3-Week Board & Train Program is designed to give your dog the structure, training, and confidence they need—while making your life easier!

What’s Included?

✅ Comprehensive Training – Obedience, leash manners, recall, and behavior modification
✅ Lifetime Support – We’re here for you and your dog for life!
✅ Owner Training Sessions – Work hands-on with your dog during their stay
✅ Real-World Socialization – Training in various environments to ensure success

Give your dog the training they deserve and enjoy a lifetime of stress-free companionship! Spots are limited—book now!

04/04/2025

April 5 is booked!

We have an opening on April 12th
Phone and inhome consults are free.

04/01/2025

Verona is going home this weekend! Courtney rescued Verona and wanted to set her up for suceess.

Courtney and Verona have been a blast to work with. Verona has so much personality and has been super fun and loveable to train!

They have one more private lesson when mom comes back from vacation!

03/31/2025

Thank you Kate Cravens! We love Maise!

★★★★★ "We’ve worked with Hank at North Star for a couple years. We’ve met at home, at the park, at Home Depot, and at his house. Hank takes time to understand your dog and your living situation. He sets goals and helps you meet them. He was recommended by friends and we would recommend...

03/31/2025

Thank you Lukas!

★★★★★ "When I first rescued him at the age of 4 months from a dog shelter he was a very skittish and high anxious dog with no form of behavioral control but after spending 3 weeks at North Star I was surprised how far he had come from where he was and from where he is now in just 3 weeks. ...