Akina K9 - Gilroy, California

Ashkon Hamidieh

Rich is the best, point blank period! We originally met Rich in 2019 with our first pet and after such a great experience with equally great results, had no choice but to return for training with our second pet in 2024. To say that we are satisfied would be an understatement. We originally did private sessions for our first go around and this time did private sessions as well as a 30-day board and train, which to no surprise, went smoothly and completely improved our dog’s obedience. No matter what you are looking for, whether it be potty training, obedience, protection, board and train, etc. Rich is the man to see! I’ve never met anyone who takes their job more seriously who is also genuinely caring and compassionate. Choose Akina K9!

Marina Corrales

When Akina K9 says that they can train any dog, it's 100% true. My family and I started taking our dogs to Akina K9 after we saw the incredible progress of some of his clients. We've had everything from Pitbulls to teacup chihuahuas and each has benefited from training here.

For one of my dogs I did the board and train program and would highly recommend it. She came home with foundational skills that allowed us to move on to more complicated training that I haven't been able to do with previous pets.

Rich is a saint. He is patient and answers any questions you have. And I have lots! He also makes himself available outside of class when I have a question about our homework.

I could not recommend this company more!

S M

Hands down best trainer in the bay area. Rich makes training your dog fun. He always finds a way to teach you on a level that you will understand and always welcomes questions. If you follow his direction and do your homework you WILL see results with your dog. His facility in Gilroy is private, clean, smells great and amazing AC! They also host boarding and board & train but they book up fast so call as soon as you know your travel dates. Overall one of the best experiences with my dog!

Juan Alvarado

Training with Rich (Akina K9) has been the best thing to happen to my dog, Chico, and I. Rich has always been extremely patient, helpful, and professional. He explains his training so that everything makes sense to the dog handler. Training sessions and group classes are always fun and useful. I strongly recommend this service to any dog owners looking to fix unwanted behaviors and communicate effectively with their dog. Tell them Juan and Chico sent you.

Nicolay Wiborg

Having known Rich for over a decade, I can attest to his dedication to continuous professional development. He is a master of his craft, and is able to make both high level and technical concepts easily understandable.

There isn’t a behavior that he can’t demonstrate with his own dogs, or yours, on the spot. It says a lot when your dog gets excited to see him and work with him each session. Most importantly, the curriculum is tailored to the goals that you and your pup have in mind.

Akina K9 is worth every penny, and is arguably the best investment you can make towards your dog, and your relationship with it.

AN NGUYEN

Awesome teacher and staff that are willing to work with my complicated schedule, plus great environment!
The training is worth every single penny. I understand my dogs better and that makes it easier for them to understand and listen to me. My dogs and I need more practice, but I finished the training feeling confident in handling my dogs.
Thank you, Rich and Suzana!

christian de jesus

My wife and I have been taking our pup, Hana to Rich at Akina K9 since January. Within 2-3 sessions we started to already see results in her behavior. Prior to the classes, Hana had high anxiety very skittish. After those few sessions, she started to have more confidence outside and started to warm up to friends and neighbors. Now in about our 5th month with Rich, Hana listens to commands in different environments, is now off leash at home, and a lot more confident than before. Rich was definitely able to unlock the potential Hana has and continues to help us achieve the goals we had at the start of our training.

We highly recommend Rich and Akina K9's services and training methods. From behavior to protection training they got you covered and will help you achieve your goals for you and K9!

Kenny Hoang

I would give Rich and his team 10 stars if I could. But, let me start by sharing a bit of my story. I brought home an abandoned puppy from the street, and as he grew, he began to show signs of territorial aggression, resource guarding, reactivity, and dominant behavior, which seriously disrupted our household. We’ve taken all precautions to prevent this, but it was almost like these behaviors were harbored within his genetics. It eventually became a safety concern, especially around strangers. He was always unfriendly, barking, and snapping at anyone he didn't know. This made it challenging to take him out or have new friends and family over. It felt like we were stuck, caring for a dog who might turn on us at any moment. At one point, I even considered rehoming him due to safety concerns towards my family.

I had my doubts about dog training, thinking it might not work. But when we brought our dog to Rich, he conducted a thorough assessment, testing our dog's reactivity in various situations. Right then and there, it became clear that he was a trainer who knows exactly what he's doing, and most importantly, a trainer who genuinely cares about his clients' dogs.

Fast forward to the end of Rich's training program, my dog has gone through an unbelievable transformation. He now behaves in ways I couldn't have imagined before. The quality of life for both my family and my dog has improved significantly, and I've never been happier. If you've ever had a reactive dog, you'll know it can be quite a rollercoaster. But I'm happy to say, life has become amazing after this training. We can now have guests over without stress, take him on walks, go out in public, and he's become a much friendlier dog. I finally feel like I have a normal dog doing normal dog things.

Rich has always been responsive, answering my questions through text between sessions and providing thorough explanations when we talked on the phone. He's extremely patient, never making me feel dumb, since dog training can be hard to understand for a first time dog owner. It's clear that he genuinely cares about the dogs he trains and has an effective technique that makes communication between me and my dog clear and effective.

If you find yourself in a situation similar to where I was just a couple of months ago, don't hesitate to take your dog to Akina K9. It was hands down the best decision I ever made.

One more thing to note is that Rich offers boarding services for your dog, which is a huge relief when you need to go on vacation. I wouldn't trust anyone else besides Rich to take care of my dog while I'm away. He knows my dog well, and I can now enjoy vacations without any stress.