Maybe your dog pulls on the leash, barks at every sound or ignores you the moment something more interesting appears. You'd like a calmer, more attentive dog, but private lessons aren't in the budget right now, and you'd rather learn at home, at your own pace.
K9 Training Institute (K9TI) may be worth considering if you're looking for structured training you can follow at home. Its entry point is a free, pre-recorded online workshop built around the idea of borrowing techniques from service dog training for everyday pet dogs. The workshop introduces a paid ten-week course, the Total Transformation Masterclass.
This review explains what K9TI's public pages say about the workshop and paid Masterclass, what its published terms say, and who may find the training format useful.
Sign up for K9 Training Institute's free workshop
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The affiliate link opens K9 Training Institute's free workshop sign-up. Registering for the workshop is separate from purchasing the paid Masterclass.
K9 Training Institute at a glance
- The free workshop: a pre-recorded online dog training workshop. K9TI's FAQ says you can watch it right after registering, and the link is emailed to you.
- What you'll be asked for: K9TI's sign-up form asks for your first name, your dog's name, your email address and a mobile number. K9TI says it will send the workshop link and training tips by email and text.
- The paid course it introduces: the Total Transformation Masterclass, described in K9TI's FAQ as a ten-week online dog training program. It isn't free.
- Format: online video lessons, homework and transcripts. Q&A access varies by plan: Basic lists recordings, Premium ten weeks of live calls and Deluxe one year.
- Training emphasis: K9TI says its training starts with body language, with verbal cues introduced later.
- Daily time: K9TI's homepage suggests around 10 to 15 minutes of training a day.
- What it isn't: K9TI states the Masterclass doesn't certify dogs as service dogs or therapy dogs.
Our verdict: The free workshop is a low-commitment way to see whether K9TI's body-language-first approach makes sense to you and suits your dog. It's likely to appeal most to owners of everyday pet dogs who want structured, self-paced video training at home and are comfortable practicing a little every day. If your dog shows aggression, panic when left alone, or a sudden change in behavior, start with your vet and an individual professional instead.
Watch K9 Training Institute's free workshop
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What is K9 Training Institute?
K9 Training Institute is an online dog training company. K9TI's About Us page lists a US office as a division of WebSpectrum LLC in Dover, Delaware, and a European office as a division of Digitools Ltd. in Nicosia, Cyprus.
K9TI's training is presented by two people:
- Dr. Alexa Diaz. K9TI's About Us page describes her as holding a PhD in animal behavior and says she has trained service dogs for more than 20 years.
- Eric Presnall. K9TI says he previously hosted the Animal Planet show Who Let the Dogs Out.
These details come from K9TI's own pages.
What the free workshop covers
K9TI presents the workshop as an introduction to techniques it says are used in professional service dog training. According to its homepage, it covers:
- Seven stages of obedience and "mindfulness" training, including focus, calm greetings, an "Auto SIT" and impulse control
- Common problems such as barking, pulling on the leash, jumping up, chewing and not coming when called
- Body language as the starting point, rather than spoken commands
Because the workshop is pre-recorded, you can watch it when it suits you. The workshop is also where K9TI introduces the paid Masterclass. Expect follow-up emails, and possibly texts, about it after you sign up.
What the Total Transformation Masterclass includes
According to K9TI's FAQ, the Masterclass is a ten-week online program for everyday dog owners, using techniques that professional service dog trainers use. Here's what K9TI says it includes.
Video lessons, released weekly. When you enroll, week one and three bonus classes unlock right away. A new class then unlocks each week for the following nine weeks.
Lasting access to what you've unlocked. K9TI's FAQ says that once a class is unlocked, you have "lifetime access" to it.
How the weekly release schedule works
The course is paced rather than fully open from day one: week one and three bonus classes unlock on enrollment, then one class is released each week for the following nine weeks. That may suit you if you prefer one topic at a time and can practice regularly. If you need a particular skill quickly, or want to browse the entire curriculum before deciding, check the release schedule and course outline before paying. K9TI describes lifetime access to each class once it has unlocked. Read that alongside the weekly schedule so you know both when lessons become available and how long you can revisit them.
Homework and transcripts. Each week has a Materials tab with homework and transcripts you can open and print.
Group Q&A access varies by package. K9TI's package selector lists ten weeks of recordings for Basic, but does not list live-call access for that plan; its Masterclass page says Basic customers cannot join calls. Premium lists ten weeks of weekly live Q&A calls, the option to email questions for a separate downloadable call, and call recordings. Deluxe lists one year of those live calls, question submissions and recordings. K9TI's FAQ lists calls on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. Eastern Time, while its Masterclass page focuses on Saturday calls and contains conflicting wording about which versions can join. The official pages do not line up, so verify the schedule and access for your exact plan at checkout. These are group sessions, not private observation of your dog or a tailored plan; K9TI presents VIP Coaching as separate one-to-one support.
Online only. The course is available only online. K9TI doesn't offer DVDs.
Notes for deaf and blind dogs. K9TI says there are no special classes for deaf dogs, but because training starts with body language, standard lessons should work. For blind dogs, it says the program can be adapted with more verbal, touch and scent cues.
Separate paid extras. K9TI's FAQ also describes a VIP Coaching Program (weekly 30-minute one-to-one sessions for a year, which K9TI says includes in-house vet consultations for that year) and a set of ten "Ultimate Guide" eBooks on topics such as housetraining, barking and separation anxiety. These are separate from the Masterclass, and their prices aren't listed on the pages we checked.
If you're comparing courses, our guide on how to assess an online dog training program before buying suggests what to look for.
Price, payment and refund terms
K9TI's affiliate program page lists the Total Transformation Masterclass at $297, or three monthly payments of $99. The current package selector identifies that as Basic and also lists Premium at $387 or three monthly payments of $129, and Deluxe at $687 or three monthly payments of $229. These were the displayed figures on 15 October 2026. The plans include different Q&A access, and K9TI's public pages do not describe call access consistently. Confirm the plan name, exact amount, payment schedule and support at checkout.
A few terms are worth knowing before you buy:
- Refund window. K9TI's affiliate page and FAQ refer to a 90-day refund policy. Its terms say refund periods are shown on the site before purchase, and that purchases made after the refund period ends are final.
- Installments. K9TI's terms say the installment plan charges your card automatically, and that these automatic payments can't be canceled unless you request a refund.
- Refund processing. The terms say refunds are processed within 10 business days of a request.
- Statement name. The terms say charges appear as "K9ti.org" or "PIX*K9ti."
Our guide to checking trials, renewal and cancellation before you subscribe explains what to look for in any training purchase.
Check these details before you pay
The workshop registration and the Masterclass purchase are separate decisions. Before paying, make sure the order page matches what you intend to buy.
- Confirm the package name. The free workshop is an introduction, not the paid course. The VIP Coaching Program and eBooks are separate extras, so do not assume they are included unless the selected package says so.
- Check the full amount and schedule. Compare the one-time price with any installment option. Note how many payments are scheduled and when the next charge will be taken.
- Read the purchase-time refund terms. K9TI says refund periods are shown before purchase. Save a copy of the offer and terms for the package you choose.
- Check when lessons become available. The FAQ says lessons unlock weekly, with week one and three bonus classes available at enrollment. This format may suit you if you prefer a paced course, but not if you expect every lesson immediately.
- Check the selected plan's Q&A access and schedule. Basic is listed with recordings, while Premium and Deluxe list live access for ten weeks and one year. K9TI's public pages conflict about call times and who can join, so confirm the current terms for your plan. VIP Coaching is separate one-to-one support.
- Ask about training tools. We have asked K9TI for its current methods outline. If you do not want electronic collars or other aversive tools used or recommended, get a clear answer before purchase.
What training approach does K9TI teach?
K9TI's central idea is to start training with body language and hand signals, then bring in spoken cues later.
There is some independent support for giving body language a big role. In a study of trained retrievers reported by psychologist Stanley Coren, dogs followed hand signals slightly more reliably than voice commands, and when the two conflicted, they followed the hand signal more often. Coren also notes that combining voice and hand signals often works well, and that the study involved a specific group of trained working dogs (Psychology Today: Are voice commands or hand signals more effective?). So the evidence supports body language as a useful tool, rather than proving that verbal cues alone are a poor approach.
The K9TI public pages we reviewed do not state whether every technique is reward-based or whether aversive tools are excluded. A Canine Journal review, updated 9 May 2024, reports that the course materials discuss electronic collars and when they may be needed. That is an older third-party account, not confirmation of the current Masterclass or of how any collar is used. We have asked K9TI to clarify the current course methods and share its latest outline. Until we receive an answer, we cannot describe the paid course as reward-based throughout. If reward-based methods only are important to you, ask K9TI before purchasing. The pre-recorded free workshop is not the paid course, so do not assume it shows every Masterclass method. DogTrainingScout recommends reward-based training, in line with the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, which states that evidence supports reward-based methods for all dog training. Our guide on how to choose a reward-based dog trainer without relying on badges explains what to look for.
What do other reviews say?
On Trustpilot, K9TI showed a 4.5 out of 5 rating from 472 reviews when checked on 15 October 2026. Positive reviewers praise the clear, easy-to-follow video demonstrations.
Canine Journal's review also describes weekly lesson releases and the need for daily practice. Its review was updated in May 2024, so it is an older account rather than confirmation of the current course.
Where K9 Training Institute is strongest
- A free way to try the approach. You can watch the workshop before deciding whether to pay for anything.
- Structure. The Masterclass gives you a ten-week path, with homework and transcripts, which can help if you struggle to know what to practice next.
- Short daily sessions. K9TI's suggested 10 to 15 minutes a day fits around work and family.
- A live option in higher tiers. K9TI's package selector lists weekly group calls for Premium and Deluxe, with ten weeks and one year of access respectively. Basic lists recordings; the public pages differ on exact call access and schedule, so verify before buying.
- Lasting access. Lessons stay available once unlocked, so you can revisit them as your dog grows or new problems appear.
Our guide on self-paced dog training or live coaching can help you decide how much live support you need.
The format may be most useful when you can practice short lessons consistently and are comfortable learning from video before asking questions in a group call. It may be less suitable when you need immediate feedback on a safety-sensitive situation, or when you want an instructor to watch your dog and adjust each exercise. In those cases, compare the course with individual support rather than assuming an online curriculum can replace it.
A few practical points before signing up
- Use an email address you check. The workshop link is sent by email.
- Expect follow-up messages. K9TI says it sends training tips by email and text, and the workshop introduces a paid course.
- Confirm Q&A access and times. K9TI's FAQ lists Tuesday and Saturday calls, but its Masterclass page and package selector do not align fully on schedule and plan access. Check the details for the plan you are buying.
- Read the refund terms at checkout. Note the refund window and how installments are handled before you pay.
- Plan for weekly releases. Masterclass lessons unlock week by week, so you won't see the whole course on day one.
- It isn't service dog certification. The course borrows from service dog training but doesn't certify dogs.
When you need individual help instead
An online course works best for everyday training and manners. Some problems need someone who can see your dog.
Talk to your vet and a qualified, reward-based behavior professional if your dog:
- Growls, snaps, bites or guards food, toys or people
- Panics, howls or damages things when left alone
- Has a sudden change in behavior, which can have a medical cause
- Seems fearful in many everyday situations
Our guide on when your dog needs professional behavior help explains how to find the right support.
Frequently asked questions
Is the K9 Training Institute workshop free?
K9TI describes the workshop as free. You'll need to register with your name, your dog's name, an email address and a mobile number.
Is the workshop live?
No. K9TI's FAQ says it's pre-recorded and can be watched right after registering.
What is the Total Transformation Masterclass?
It's K9TI's paid ten-week online course, with weekly video lessons, three bonus classes, homework and transcripts. Q&A access varies by plan: the package selector lists recordings for Basic, ten weeks of live calls for Premium and one year for Deluxe. K9TI's FAQ and Masterclass page give conflicting descriptions of call access and schedule, so confirm the current terms for the selected plan.
How much does the Masterclass cost?
K9TI's affiliate page lists $297, or three payments of $99, which matches the Basic plan in its package selector. The selector also lists Premium at $387 or three payments of $129, and Deluxe at $687 or three payments of $229. Prices and packages can change, so confirm your selection and total at checkout.
Is there a refund policy?
K9TI refers to a 90-day refund policy. Its terms say purchases after the refund period are final and that installment payments can't be canceled unless you request a refund.
Will this certify my dog as a service dog?
No. K9TI states that the Masterclass doesn't provide service dog or therapy dog certification.
Does it work for puppies and older dogs?
K9TI's pages we checked don't set out age limits. Young puppies and senior dogs may need shorter sessions, and any dog with health problems should see a vet before starting a new training plan.
Final verdict: should you try K9 Training Institute?
If you'd like structured, at-home video training and are curious about a body-language-first approach drawn from service dog training, the free workshop is a sensible first step. K9TI describes it as free, it shows you the style of teaching, and it lets you decide about the paid Masterclass with more information.
Go in with clear expectations: it's a recorded workshop that introduces a paid ten-week course, the methods ask for regular daily practice, and serious behavior problems still need individual professional help.
Sign up for K9 Training Institute's free workshop
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You can also browse our online training guides to compare your options.
Method note: This review is based on K9 Training Institute's public pages, its published terms and the linked third-party material. DogTrainingScout has not enrolled in the paid Masterclass.
Affiliate disclosure: This review contains affiliate links. DogTrainingScout may earn a commission if you buy a K9 Training Institute product after signing up through these links. K9 Training Institute sets its own prices, offers and terms. Details in this review were checked on 15 October 2026 and can change.