First Friend K-9 Training

Great instructor- excellent communication skills, quality of service was also very good. Would recommend and use again

Our dog had a lot of energy and was constantly pulling the leash on walks. We saw a dramatic difference just after 1 class (2 classes if you include the initial 2-hour class for the handler/owner). Really it was more about training us to properly handle our dog. Once we learn how to train our dog, Abbey, learned very quickly. By the end of the classes, our Abbey could heel on walks, sit, down, stay, and come on command. Now it just our job to keep reinforcing the training at home. The owner/primary trainer, Bruce, uses a "balance" training program of both praise and correction. This method worked very well for our dog, and Abbey actually enjoyed the training, wagging her tail pretty much all the time while training. Obviously other dogs may take to it differently and learn at different pace, but none of the dogs from our classes was untrainable.

It was a great experience! My dog and I achieved desired results. Bruce and his team have a very structured and proven program for dogs of all ages and obedience levels. They demand a lot from the handlers and the dogs. Do your homework. You'll be glad you did!

Bruce McNabb is an excellent dog trainer and teacher. He has an obvious passion for his work, keen knowledge of dog behaviors, extensive experience with all levels of dog training, and patience with dog owners and handlers. He has high expectations for owners and dogs in his training classes. His classes included not only hands-on training but take-home instructions, homework, and weekly follow-up emails. We researched several puppy and dog training programs throughout the Indianapolis area, and his training methods were more balanced and thorough than any others we found. Bruce made himself available before and after classes for questions and advice. His assistants were excellent as well. The First Friend K9 program exceeded our expectations. We will use him to continue our dog's training and will recommend him everyone we know who needs an excellent dog/owner training program.

My dog has very bad socialization skills and had a mind of his own. This class built structure in his life and he is a completely different dog now. He has a long way to go, but for an eight week class the difference in all of the dogs who attended is miraculous!!! It also trained me in how to handle my dog which was the "key" to his successful graduation. Thank you First Friends.

Bruce is a great trainer! amazing experience and our puppy so much at the classes.

I brought my dog to training class when he was about 4 months old. The class taught us the basics: sit, down, stay, etc. The instructors showed the class an example of what we were to teach our dogs for each exercise which was great. If I was having difficulty with the exercise the instructors would come over and help. Along with training exercises there were classes that went over cleaning ears, clipping nails and brushing which was great. You can tell Bruce really knows what he's doing and I will continue my dog's training with their novice class.

Very well, our dog stayed with them for 1 week of training and did classes for 8 weeks.

They did a great job with my dog . He is drastically better and listens. The hard part is training myself after the training to keep using the correct terminology. I would highly recommend .

It went well. This is the second puppy I've taken to First Friend for Puppy Kindergarten. I've not been to this training anywhere else (to compare), but they seem to do a very good job. Friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.

I can't say enough good things about them! All the staff and trainers really care for each and every dog. They know them and owners by name and really make you feel like they care about the progress your dog makes. They are happy and willing to answer all questions and spend extra time with your dog if they are having trouble catching on :) Zeus (our boxer) really responded very well to the puppy class and the Novice obedience class as well. He was so much easier to take on walks and listen when told to do something. The techniques First Friend use really do work!

Melissa called the day of to confirm the time. Arrived on time, answered questions, very friendly and great w/ the dog and even my 2 year old son. She was patient with the dog, me and my toddler (who wanted to be involved too). Would highly recommend!

Each person has been very helpful & professional talking care of our needs as well as our dogs our dog is happy to go there so i assume she has had good experiences.

Great- will bring my dogs here for future training or boarding.

Great experience. Highly recommend for any dog/puppy owner that is need of training.

Learned valuable info on training puppy to be a dog with manners and to make. The dog as best as it can be as a family dog.

My Black Lab behavior changed after losing his doggie brother. He was getting on counters and destroying things around the house. He even was aggressive to other dogs. A friend recommended First Friend K9. I was nervous because my dog, was older, 10. There was nothing to be nervous about and I am so glad we participated in the class. The 7-week course challenged him. I noticed after the 3rd class he minded much better. This is week 6 and I am comfortable with him sitting and staying off leash. It is amazing how the difference a little over a month can do. I highly recommend it.

Puppy Kindergarten has been an invaluable training tool with our puppy. Bruce and his staff are clear, concise and patient. You can clearly see that everyone at First Friends truly cares about the overall well being of our family pet. The program is a step by step training tool that helps you establish rules and boundaries that allows for a calm and happy home with your dog. Doggy Day care is a great way for our puppy to build social skills with other dogs and burn off lots of energy! She comes home happy and tired! The grooming services provided by Kelsi are top notch. Kelsi has clearly explained how to groom and care for our puppy. The prices for grooming services are very fair.

Bruce and his staff were amazing. Bruce is a no nonsense kind of guy that has a soft spot for pups. We learned so much in 6 weeks and our puppy is way better off. We liked Bruce so much that we signed up for the novice classes. One of the best things about First Friends is that they offer 3 free days of day care for your puppy when you sign up. That in itself is a great value.

A little over a year after we had to put down our first GSD, we were ready for another one. However, we completely forgot just how much work goes into raising a GSD puppy, especially one that wants to be the alpha of the family. After doing some research and asking around, we decided to try First Friend K9 despite the fact that the training center is a 40min drive away. Bottom line..... It's worth the drive. We couldn't be happier with Bruce, his staff, the facility and the puppy training. The class was large, but it was reassuring to see that we weren't the only ones with a sometimes "difficult" pup. The class was both informative and instructional. The staff is enthusiastic, and you get the sense right away that they care about their students....canine and human. They really want the pups to become a successful member of their family. Each week, we were shown various training exercises, and practiced them under supervision at the class. We would then leave with a week's assignment of training exercises to continue at home. If there were ever any problems, issues or questions, Bruce and his staff made themselves available to help out during the week between classes. Over the course of the 6 week class, our pup transformed from Kujo to a much more attentive and mannered pup with a knowledge of basic commands. There is still a long way to go with this GSD, and we plan on continuing our training at First Friend K9. He has started his novice class, and will continue through advanced training.

Like many other's have commented, our puppy came out of the classes having learned many behaviors that will make him a much more enjoyable dog for not only us but for himself and all those around him. The classes were always started on time and we were taught many "puppy-life" skills as well as behavior skills. Bruce and his staff were nothing short of amazing! The comment that I want to talk about was what my 11 year old daughter got out of the training classes, as well. My daughter has ADD. I can tell you that this is THE MOST AMAZING experience she has ever had! Our puppy class training was really for her, as much as for the puppy. Bruce instilled in her, something that no other adult has ever done. He encouraged her and commended her on a job well done yet taught her in a positive way how to train her puppy. Each and every week, she looked forward to going to class. This child that NEVER wants to get out of bed, SPRANG up early on Saturday mornings to go to puppy training classes, dragging me out the door! His staff were equally as amazing! They were always encouraging and always helpful when she had questions and problems. I paid $99 for a puppy class. What I got in return was a well behaved puppy, and something that I could never repay Bruce for. He has given my daughter the self-confidence that I have never seen in her before. That is PRICELESS. This was the first time I have experienced a training facility that I not only will return to again and agin, but I refer ALL of the people that I sell puppies to. I expected to get a great puppy out of the class, but I received much more that I ever expected!

What an AMAZING experience we had with the 4-week in-kennel training program!!! We dropped our 10 week old male puppy off, not knowing really what to expect. At that time, we met with Kyle, the in-kennel trainer that would be working with him. He asked many questions to get to know all he would need to know to do the best possible job. We said our good-byes and were asked to return in about 2 weeks. At the two week visit, we were simple astounded at what our puppy had learned. Even though Kyle only showed a small portion of his total training. Upon our return to pick him up after four weeks, we were asked to come so we could learn the commands. Without going into a long story, our 10 week old puppy had turned into a little bundle of knowledge. Kyle had transformed him into a puppy that has been so totally enjoyable to be around!! We followed his training by going to the puppy classes to help embed the behaviors even more, but what Kyle did was wonderful! I am a responsible breeder. I now recommend that every person that purchases a puppy from me, consider the in-kennel training. I guarantee them that it is money well spent! I will use this service many times over and over.

It was a great experience. My puppy is definitely more behaved than my sister's puppy that has not been trained in a formal class.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Bruce. II have trained several dogs in the past few years with different trainers and he by far has been the best I have worked with. Not only is he teaching some basic obedience commands but also helping owners learn how to properly care for their pet also. He truly has a passion for what he does and for the dogs he works with. I work in the veterinary field and would highly recommend to clients that they use First Friends for their training needs. His assistants are helpful but at times could pay more attention to the trainers that need extra help. Bruce does an excellent job helping children train their dogs during class even. I will most definately be continuing training with First Friends with my current puppy and any future dogs!

Every session of obedience classes started on time and was very useful. Trainer was helpful and patient with dog and handler.