Knoxville K9 Experienced Training Team

Effectively Training Dogs & Their Humans

At Knoxville K9 Academy, we are dedicated to crafting success stories through expert obedience training and behavior modification. Our team of professionals is committed to shaping well-mannered and obedient dogs with a balanced approach.

“Tommy is good people. If you need dog training in Knoxville, I can recommend him. He has an awesome facility and is eager to teach and learn.”

-Tom Davis, Top International Dog Training Expert

Revolutionary Dog Training

Meet Your Dog’s Second Best Friend – Tommy Blackburn, Owner/Head Trainer

Tommy has been loving and working with dogs ever since he can remember. It all started with the training of “Summer”, a family pet Golden retriever, to not only do the basics, but to do more complex behaviors like retrieving ducks. He often found himself helping friends with the behavioral issues of their pets in high school. From a young age, working with and training dogs has always made sense to him. As a professional trainer, his heart is to help the misunderstood and marginalized behavioral cases. That passion was the inspiration and beginning of Knoxville K9 Academy. Founded in 2024, Knoxville K9 Academy exists to transform dogs by empowering owners. 

He has experience with a wide range of training philosophies and tools. With that knowledge, he offers expert coaching and evaluation to determine what methods best fit each individual dog and owner, and will help them be successful in achieving their goals. By working with Knoxville K9 Academy, you are choosing to partner with your dog on an educational journey that will lead to not only a better understanding of your dog, but also the opportunity to grow confidence in your communication and leadership skills as your dog’s owner/handler/leader. So, as a team, you will learn: Together, you can conquer anything!

Meet Bear, Golden Training Boy

Bear is a young, energetic, playful Field-line Golden Retriever. He is very easy going and is the “do it all” life companion. Whether it is hiking, swimming, camping, playing fetch, or simply hanging around the house, Bear will be found wherever his family is chewing on a stick or playing with a frisbee/ball. He also helps with desensitization work often at Knoxville K9 Academy, helping dogs become more confident around other dogs.

Bear’s favorite activities – Ball, frisbee, or swimming. He prefers them all to be combined! 🙂

Meet Houdini “Houdi”, Training Companion & Sleep Extrordinaire

Rescued from rough previous circumstances, Houdi is a Pit Bull mix that is more interested in a slow, relaxed life. Upon adopting Houdi, we spent a lot of time building confidence and showing him how good life can really be. He can be found cuddling with his dad or sleeping around the house. He is an adorably sweet, well-meaning, fat-headed house hippo. 

Houdi’s favorite activities – Lying in the sun, sleeping on the couch, cuddling with dad, and being the most handsome fat head around!

More Than Just Dog Training – It’s Lifestyle Training

Our Philosophy

We take a holistic approach to your dog’s well-being—physical, mental, and emotional. By blending proven techniques from various training styles, we create a balanced and effective plan tailored to your dog’s unique needs.

What is Balanced Dog Training?

Balanced training uses a thoughtful mix of positive reinforcement and fair corrections to shape behavior. It recognizes that no two dogs are the same, so we adapt our methods to what works best for each individual dog.

Knoxville’s Key Principles of Balanced Dog Training

We take a holistic approach to your dog’s well-being—physical, mental, and emotional. By blending proven techniques from various training styles, we create a balanced and effective plan tailored to your dog’s unique needs.

Positive Reinforcement

Rewarding good behavior with treats, praise, or play to encourage repeat actions.

Fair Corrections

Humane, consistent corrections to discourage unwanted behaviors—never harsh, always clear.

Clear Communication

Teaching owners to use cues, body language, and commands to build mutual understanding.

Individualized Plans

Training tailored to each dog’s personality, needs, and learning style for optimal results.

Consistency & Patience

Steady effort and repetition are key—behavior change takes time and commitment.

Benefits of Balanced Training

Ask Your Dog Trainer

What is Balanced Dog Training?

Balanced dog training is rooted in the principle of using a combination of positive reinforcement and correction techniques to shape desirable behaviors in dogs. It acknowledges that every dog is unique and may respond differently to various training methods. Rather than adhering strictly to one approach, balanced training focuses on finding the right mix of techniques tailored to the individual dog’s needs.

Yes, all dogs can benefit from training! Regardless of breed, age, or temperament, training helps dogs understand boundaries, build confidence, and improve communication with their owners. Whether it’s basic obedience, addressing behavioral issues, or strengthening the bond between you and your dog, training provides structure, mental stimulation, and a positive outlet for energy. Our key is to tailor the approach to your dog’s individual needs, making the experience enjoyable and effective for both of you

Training dog owners alongside their dogs is crucial because it ensures both the dog and owner understand each other’s expectations and communication styles. It empowers the owner to become a confident pack leader, helping them manage their dog’s behavior consistently and effectively. This creates a balanced relationship where both the dog and owner feel understood, which leads to a happier, healthier bond and more successful training outcomes.

No! While the saying is you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, you can teach an old dog better obedience. However, it is crucial that as the owner you are committed and patient to learning alongside your dog.

Absolutely, aggressive, reactive, or anxious dogs are my specialty. While these dogs often get a bad reputation, they’re not bad dogs, they just need to be better understood. We provide specialized boot camp weekends once a month for dogs just like yours!

Refine Your Dogs Behavior & Your Partnership

Your relationship with your dog is our first priority. Contact us today to discover how our expert behavior modification and obedience training can transform your dog’s life. Take the first step towards a harmonious relationship today!