DOG & PUPPY TRAINING
IN UNION.
MLK9 Kentucky is led by an active police K9 handler and a 22-year firefighter/SWAT medic — professionals who’ve trained dogs where performance isn’t optional. We bring that same standard to your family dog.
- Board & Train — Your Dog Stays In Our Home, Not a Kennel
- Lifetime Support on Select Programs
- Real-World Obedience Built for Everyday Life
- Owner Education Included — Results That Stick
CONTACT US TODAY
FIND A DOG TRAINER BELOW.
Questions? Call or text Sam & JP directly: (859) 800-3754
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We Hear This
Every Day
He pulls so hard I dread walks. I’ve tried everything.
She ignores me completely when other dogs are around.
He’s great at home but impossible in public.
We’ve done group classes — nothing stuck.
I’m embarrassed to bring her anywhere.
We Train Dogs
for Real Life.
Most training teaches dogs to perform in a controlled setting. We train for real life — neighborhoods, parks, busy sidewalks, guests in your home. Our law enforcement and emergency services background means we’ve worked dogs where reliability isn’t optional.
Or call: (859) 800-3754
Trained Under Real Pressure.
Ready for Your Dog.
Trainer Sam
8 Yrs · Northern KY Law Enforcement
Sam has served as a police officer in Northern Kentucky for eight years, working directly with K9s — handling a black Labrador and currently a German Shepherd, both dual-purpose dogs deployed in real-world situations.
In 2025, he connected with Mike Lilley at a K9’s United Conference. After seeing proven results with his own dog, he joined the MLK9 team.
“I want owners to enjoy their life with their dogs, not struggle through it”
Trainer JP
22 Yrs · Firefighter Paramedic
JP brings 22 years as a firefighter paramedic, including time as a SWAT team medic. In 2025, he trained Calvin, a black Lab, for human remains detection and search-and-rescue tracking.
He connected with Mike Lilley around the same time and saw firsthand how elite working-dog principles apply powerfully to family companions.
“My goal: a dog that can travel with you, behave in public, and be a full part of your family’s life.”
We've Seen It All.
We Can Fix It.
These are the most common issues Northern Kentucky dog owners struggle with. Every one of these behaviors is addressable with the right approach — clear communication, real-world consistency, and structure your dog can understand.
Or call: (859) 800-3754
Training Programs Built for
Real-World Results
Every program follows the same standards that guide working K9 training — clear communication, consistent structure, and results that hold outside the training environment.
Starting at $2,500
3-Week Board & Train
Your dog stays in our home — not a kennel — and receives structured daily training in real-world environments: public walks, busy spaces, doorbell situations, other dogs.
- Multiple daily structured training sessions
- Real-world distraction & socialization work
- Heel, sit, down, stay, recall, place & more
- Regular photo & video updates
- Hands-on owner transfer at graduation
Starting at $3,500
4-Week On-Leash Program
Our most popular program — includes a lifetime guarantee on all trained behaviors plus in-home lessons after graduation. We train the dog AND the owner.
- Everything in the 3-Week program
- Multiple in-home lessons after graduation
- Lifetime guarantee on trained behaviors
- Full owner education — you'll know every command
- Ongoing support from Sam & JP
Starting at $4,500
6-Week Off-Leash Program
True off-leash reliability in any environment — parks, crowded sidewalks, family gatherings. Advanced distraction work, lifetime guarantee, and lifetime phone access to Sam & JP.
- Everything in the 4-Week program
- Advanced off-leash in any environment
- Lifetime guarantee + lifetime phone support
- Multiple in-home lessons post-graduation
$100 / Hour
Private Lessons
One-on-one sessions with Sam or JP built around your dog’s specific needs. Ideal for owners who want to be hands-on in the training process.
- Customized to your dog's temperament & goals
- You learn exactly how to communicate with your dog
- Flexible scheduling — works around your life
- Great complement to Board & Train
Inside Board & Train:
Day by Day
Day 1: Drop-Off & Assessment
We get to know your dog — their temperament, drives, and current command understanding. This shapes the custom plan for the entire program.
Daily: Structured Training + Real-World Exposure
Multiple focused sessions per day in public spaces, neighborhoods, and parks. Between sessions, your dog rests, eats well, and is treated as part of our family.
Throughout: Regular Updates
Photos and videos sent regularly so you can see your dog’s progress. You’re never left wondering.
Graduation: Owner Transfer Session
We walk you through every command with hands-on instruction. You leave knowing exactly how to maintain everything at home.
After: In-Home Lessons & Ongoing Support
Select programs include in-home lessons in your actual environment. The 6-Week program includes lifetime phone access to Sam and JP.
Your Dog Stays
In Our Home.
Most board & train programs put dogs in kennels between sessions. Not us. Your dog lives in our home — exposed to real daily life: doorbells, visitors, other dogs, cars. That’s where real-world reliability comes from.
Why Serious Dog Owners
Choose Us Over Everyone Else
Tested Under Real Pressure
Our trainers have handled K9s in active law enforcement and SWAT operations. That precision carries into every family dog we work with.
Your Dog Stays In Our Home
No kennels. Your dog lives with us — around daily routines, meals, visitors, and life. Real training in real environments.
We Train You Too
A dog that listens to us but not you isn’t a success. Owner education is built into every program so results last at home.
Tailored to Your Dog
Every dog gets an individual assessment. No templates — programs are built around your dog’s specific temperament and goals.
Lifetime Support
Our 4 and 6-Week programs carry a lifetime guarantee on trained behaviors. We stand behind every result we deliver.
Obedience for Real Life
We train for travel, public outings, family gatherings, distractions. Your dog should be able to join your life — everywhere.
Lifetime Support
Included with our 4-Week and 6-Week programs — because we believe in the results we produce.
We Stand Behind
Every Result.
Most training programs hope the results last. We guarantee they do. Our lifetime guarantee covers all trained behaviors and we’ll continue working with you until they hold in any environment.
- Lifetime guarantee on all trained behaviors (4 & 6-Week programs)
- In-home lessons post-graduation — locks in results in your environment
- Lifetime phone access to Sam & JP (6-Week program)
- We don't consider the job done until you feel confident
How It Works: 3 Simple Steps
Getting started takes 60 seconds. Here’s what happens after you reach out.
Complete the Form
Tell us about your dog and the behaviors you’re dealing with. Takes about 60 seconds.
Free Phone Consultation
Sam or JP calls you to discuss your dog’s situation and recommend the right program. No pressure.
Training Begins
Drop your dog off. Regular updates, photos, and videos throughout the entire program.
What Dog Owners Are
Saying About MLK9 Kentucky
★★★★★
“Sam worked with our German Shepherd for 4 weeks and the transformation was unreal. She now heels off-leash. The owner session at the end made sure everything stuck at home.”
Sarah R.
German Shepherd · Union, KY
★★★★★
“JP trained our Golden and the results were beyond what I expected. Three weeks later he’s calm, responsive, and a joy to be around. The daily photo updates were a great touch.”
Mike T.
Golden Retriever · Fort Mitchell, KY
★★★★★
“The law enforcement and first-responder background is what sold me. Our Lab came back a completely different dog. The lifetime guarantee sealed the deal.”
Karen W.
Labrador · Florence, KY
MLK9 Kentucky is a new business building its review presence. Ask us for references on your free consultation call.
Serving Northern Kentucky
& Surrounding Communities
We primarily serve Northern Kentucky. Priority zones include high-end residential communities. Contact us to confirm availability in your zip code.
Don’t see your city? Call us at (859) 800-3754 — we may still be able to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your dog will spend time in our homes as well as our training facility. They’re part of our daily routines: around household activity, guests, and real-world situations. We treat every dog as our own.
We send regular photo and video updates throughout the program so you can see progress in real time. You’re never left wondering. Reach out anytime between updates.
Our 4-Week and 6-Week programs include a lifetime guarantee on all trained behaviors. If a behavior regresses, we’ll work with you at no additional charge. The 6-Week program also includes lifetime phone access to Sam and JP.
We do a hands-on owner transfer session — we walk you through every command and technique your dog learned. You leave knowing exactly how to maintain and reinforce everything. Select programs also include follow-up in-home lessons.
Programs start at $2,500 (3-Week Board & Train), $3,500 (4-Week with Lifetime Support), $4,500 (6-Week Advanced Off-Leash), and $100/hr for Private Lessons. The average client invests around $3,000 — for a dog that can travel with you, behave around your family, and be part of every aspect of your life.
Yes. Behavioral modification is one of our core services. We assess each case on the free consultation call. Even challenging cases are often very addressable — don’t hesitate to reach out.
All breeds and ages. Excellent results with Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds, Labradoodles, and all working breeds. We assess each dog individually and build the program around their specific temperament.
Ready for a Dog That
Actually Listens?
Book your free consultation with Sam or JP. We’ll walk through your dog’s situation, recommend the right program, and answer every question — zero pressure, zero commitment.
Or call/text: (859) 800-3754
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