Dog training in San Antonio, Texas
A BETTER BEHAVED DOG.
A MORE CONFIDENT YOU.
Board & train, private lessons, puppy training, and behavior modification for San Antonio dogs and the people who love them. Our trainers work in real homes and real public spaces, choose methods based on your dog, not a formula, and teach you how to keep the results going for good.
Flexible payment options available →
Veteran-Owned
Founded by a 19-year
Navy veteran and former
Military Working Dog trainer.
1000+ Dogs Trained
From new puppies to
complex behavior cases,
and their families too.
Trained Every Day
Board & train dogs train
all 7 days. A 14-day program
means 14 days of training.
AKC Evaluators
We offer AKC S.T.A.R.
Puppy and Canine
Good Citizen (CGC) testing.
Certified Trainers
Select trainers hold NePoPo®
and other certifications
OUR SAN ANTONIO ROOTS
Built in San Antonio.
Built for real life.
Black Anchor K9 started in San Antonio with Eric West, a 19-year Navy veteran and former Military Working Dog handler. While recovering from knee surgery, Eric realized the part of his career he loved most was the dogs, and that the same clarity, structure, and consistency behind military working dogs could change life at home for everyday pet owners. So he started Black Anchor K9 right here.
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Today, BAK9 is a family-run business. Eric leads training and is growing our New England team, while his partner, Tatyana, runs operations, from your first application to your dog's final session. Our family is growing too, and San Antonio will always be our home base.
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Our San Antonio trainers carry on the standards Eric built. Board & train dogs live and train in trainer homes, private lessons happen in real-world public spaces, and every plan starts with your individual dog, not a one-size-fits-all program. More than 1,000 dogs later, the goal is the same: a dog you can enjoy anywhere, and an owner who knows how to keep it that way.
DOG TRAINING PROGRAMS IN SAN ANTONIO
TRAIN FOR YOUR GOALS
We don't sell one-size-fits-all packages. Tell us about your dog and what you want to achieve, and we'll recommend the program that gets you there. Program length is based on results, not the calendar, so your dog is never rushed through the last week just because time is up.
BOARD & TRAIN
Your dog lives with one of our trainers and trains every single day, weekends included, in real homes and real-world settings.
Programs range from puppy foundations to advanced obedience and behavior modification, and every one ends with hands-on owner coaching so the results carry over at home.
PUPPY TRAINING
For puppies in their first 12 months. Build manners, confidence, and household structure early, before bad habits set in. Available as a puppy board & train or private lessons, with AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy testing available.
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
For dogs struggling with reactivity, fear, or aggression. We start by learning your dog's history, triggers, and home life, and aggression cases may require a consultation first. From there we build a plan focused on real change, not a band-aid. Board & train is usually recommended, with private lessons for the right fit.
"They are incredibly responsive, so communicative, and care about the issues that you're facing with your dog"
- Jocelyn Drasher, NH
CLIENT SUCCESS STORY
Naya: From bolting to a reliable recall
THE CHALLENGE
Naya was anxious, difficult to engage, and unmotivated by food. She pulled on leash, ignored commands, and would bolt, which was especially concerning because her family lived near train tracks. Her owners felt overwhelmed and unsure how to safely manage her behavior.
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THE TRAINING
Naya completed an Advanced Obedience Board & Train program followed by three private lessons with her family. Her training focused on clear communication, engagement, leash manners, core obedience, and building a more dependable recall around real-world distractions.
THE RESULT
Naya became calmer, more responsive, and easier to manage. Her leash walking and obedience improved, and she now listens to everyone in the family. Her owners feel more confident taking her out without constantly worrying about her behavior.
FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS
Pay in full or explore available financing through PayPal, Affirm, or the All Pet Card. Financing is subject to approval and provider terms.
WHY SAN ANTONIO DOG OWNERS
CHOOSE BAK9
Training is a partnership, and you get out what you put in.
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We're a great fit for owners who are curious, committed, and want the best for their dog, even when that takes time and investment.
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We're probably not the right fit if you're looking for a quick fix, a bargain group class, or someone to "fix" your dog without being involved yourself. We'd rather tell you that up front.
01 —
TRAINED EVERY DAY, NOT JUST WEEKDAYS
Board & train dogs train all 7 days. When your dog spends 21 days with us, that's 21 days of training, not 15 with weekends off.
02 —
REAL HOMES, REAL-WORLD PLACES
Board & train dogs live in our trainers' homes, not a kennel. Private lessons happen in parks, on patios, and in busy public spaces, where your dog actually needs to behave.
03 —
THE RIGHT APPROACH FOR YOUR DOG
We don't put the same tool on every dog on day one. Your trainer chooses methods and equipment that fit your dog's temperament and goals, and explains every step so you understand the why.
04 —
WE TRAIN YOU, TOO
Every program includes hands-on owner coaching, so the dog you pick up is the dog you keep. Our job isn't done until you're confident handling your dog on your own.
I'm grateful to have experts train my dog and family! This adorable puppy was driving me nuts while working from home, and she's so much better already just one training session in.
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-- Becky Trantham, Google Review
Eric trained our 3 year old golden retriever puppy over 3 weeks and we had a great experience! Extremely professional, communicative, and comes with a wealth of knowledge. Would recommend Eric to anyone who needs help training their pup!
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-- Magda Mazri, Google Review
We couldn’t be happier with the support provided by the Black Anchor team. Our trainer, Mary, has made huge strides with our moody rescue, Rocky. He’s not the same dog, in a very GOOD way!
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-- Jennifer Kilbourn, Google Review
AREAS WE SERVE
Dog training across Greater San Antonio
Black Anchor K9 works with dog owners throughout San Antonio and the surrounding communities.
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We train where real life happens: home improvement stores like Lowe's and Home Depot, dog-friendly patios like Hops & Hounds and Texas Dog Co, busy shopping areas like La Cantera, and other dog-friendly places around town.
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Training locations are chosen based on your dog's needs and the skills you're building, so good behavior doesn't only happen at home.
San Antonio & surrounding areas​
San Antonio
The Dominion
The Rim
Stone Oak
Alamo Heights
Helotes
Boerne
Leon Valley
Schertz
Cibolo
Converse
Live Oak
Universal City
New Braunfels