704-233-5738
About Us
“A Trained Dog is a Happy Dog”
We're excited to share our rich history and our dedication to providing top-notch dog training services. With 5 decades of experience, we've grown from a family-owned business founded by Billy and Susie Wagner in 1975 to a multi-generational team that includes their sons, Billy Jr. and Charles Malone, and Billy Jr.'s daughter, Morressa.
Our Story
In 1975, after a life-changing accident, Billy Wagner found his calling in an unexpected place - a veterinarian clinic parking lot. Watching the challenges dog owners faced, he knew help was needed. His past experiences in the 82nd Airborne Division and Vietnam, where he witnessed disciplined, obedient dogs, inspired him. William Koehler's books on dog training and a chance encounter with a former Air Force dog trainer ignited his passion.
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Over the years, the pieces fell into place, leading Billy to become a dog trainer. His dedication to understanding William Koehler's methods and his unwavering love for dogs shaped his path.
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"A TRAINED DOG IS A HAPPY DOG!" became his mantra. Obedience training became his life's work.
Today, Wagner K9 School, a family-owned business, continues the legacy. Billy's & Susie’s sons, Billy Jr. and Charles, have over 40 years of training experience. Charles now leads the school, ensuring the Wagner tradition lives on. Morressa has a wealth of knowledge, a walking encyclopedia “all things dogs” with over 20 years experience.
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Wagner K9 School is not just about training dogs; it's about transforming lives, one obedient dog at a time.
Where Disney Magic meets Canine Obedience
At Wagner K9 School, we embrace a training approach that marries the enchanting world of Disney with the same time-tested techniques employed in training seeing eye and police dogs. It's this unique blend of magic and practicality that sets our method apart and leads to canine success stories.
We train your furry friend using a blend of the Disney-inspired techniques that brought beloved characters to life and the foundational methods used in training seeing eye and police dogs. Through a combination of voice commands, hand signals, and body motions, we create a magical connection between you and your pet.
Ever played the chase game with your pup as they dash after something that catches their interest? Our training equips you with a command that turns the page on that habit, preventing your dog from getting into unwanted trouble.
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Wagner K9 establishes a strong foundation with obedience commands: Heel, Sit, Sit-Stay, Down, Down-Stay, and Come, Place (go to your bed) “break / free”.
Obedience training isn’t just all work and no play. We want our dogs to enjoy working and just being with us. We use various rewards like verbal praise, food rewards and play/tug to show our approval of a job well done. We don’t “work for free” and neither should our dogs!
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We delve into character-building. We address common problems such as digging, chewing, barking, lack of confidence, jumping, fighting, and aggressive behavior toward humans or other animals. This holistic approach empowers your dog to become a well-rounded, obedient, and happy companion.
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At Wagner K9 School, we believe that by incorporating the magic of Disney and the wisdom of seeing eye and police dog training techniques, we can make your dog's training journey an enchanting and successful adventure!