Gainesville Canine Academy

11/13/2026

Getcha someone who looks at you like Panda looks at his dad during leash training 😍🤩

11/10/2026

Tomorrow and Wednesday! 🐶 Day-of entries are allowed! 🐾
Citra, FL 🐩

🐾 Attention Service Dog Teams! Looking to build skills, earn titles, and strengthen your bond? 🐾

The Sunshine State Herding Group Association is hosting a fantastic lineup of AKC testing and certifications that are perfect for service dogs in training or fully trained working partnerships!

While these tests are open to all dogs, they offer an incredible opportunity for service dog teams to practice public access skills, demonstrate solid temperaments, and add official titles to their resume.

📆 When: Tuesday & Wednesday, November 10 & 11, 2026
📍 Where: My Mystic Oak Farm (18852 & 18840 North US Hwy. 301, Citra, FL 32113)

🏅 Available Testing & Certifications:

CGC & CGCA Testing: Canine Good Citizen tests are the gold standard for proving polite public behavior and advanced obedience in real-world settings.

AKC Temperament Testing: Excellent for showcasing your dog's stability, confidence, and focus around unexpected stimuli.

AKC Trick Dog Testing: A fun way to build engagement, hand-signal responsiveness, and teamwork with your partner.

AKC Farm Dog Certification: Great for testing your dog's self-control and focus around unique distractions, livestock, and outdoor sights or sounds.

Ready to level up your partnership?

📞 For more information or to register: Please contact Michelle Holmes at (352) 207-4919 (call or text).

11/06/2026

A big thank-you to the wonderful folks at Lowe’s for being so welcoming and helpful during our training sessions! 🐾

During a recent visit, a team member in the cabinet department told us that getting to pet Sage was the best part of his day. His kindness was a highlight of ours, too! 💙

From all of us at Gainesville Canine Academy, thank you for making us feel welcome and being part of Sage’s therapy dog training journey.🐕‍🦺

11/02/2026

Service dog Bear learns how to be neutral around other dogs! ❤️🐶 Service dogs need to be able to ignore other dogs in the area so that they can maintain focus on their handler.

10/30/2026

Callie is learning to ignore crowds around her, and focus on her momma! Good job Callie!

10/25/2026

Service puppy Rusty is learning how to tag along on bike rides with his mom and dad! The first step is desensitizing and getting him comfortable with his wagon.

10/19/2026

Saturday’s service dog training crew! 🐾📸

Every dog in this collage worked on building skills, confidence, and a stronger connection with their person - and we loved being part of their progress! 😍

From small wins to proud moments, we’re celebrating the effort these pups and their people put in. Progress happens one practice session at a time. 💙

10/16/2026

Bear is learning that being ready to work also means knowing when to settle. 🐾

A high-drive Belgian malinois/German shepherd mix, Bear is a working service dog for his dad, combat veteran Josh. 🐕‍🦺 He’s social, enthusiastic, and quick to turn up the intensity when other dogs are around! 🔥

During this session with Samantha, Bear practiced dialing back that excitement and responding to Josh’s direction - even with a canine friend nearby. 🐕The goal is a reliable “off switch,” so Bear can disengage from other dogs and refocus on his dad, especially while working.🫡

We’re not looking to change Bear’s big personality - just helping him learn when to bring the energy and when to turn it down. 💛

A special thank you to Emma the Shih Tzu for lending a paw during this training session! 🐶

10/07/2026

Cali is focused on her handler and ready to take plane rides by the wings!

10/03/2026

Betty’s sharp little puppy teeth are no joke! But today she put that busy puppy brain to work! 🦈🐾

In our training session, Betty learned some problem-solving skills to earn her reward with less teeth involved. Instead of leading with those tiny chompers, she practiced making calmer, gentler choices and figuring out how to get what she wants without using those sharp puppy teeth. 😃

The goal: less bitey, more licky. And lots of thoughtful puppy choices in between! 💕🐶

Contact Samantha Purcell or Michelle Dunlap at Gainesville Canine Academy today for your puppy's training! 🐶🐩🐕

➡️ [email protected]