Killian's K9 Academy
Welcome to
About Us
It's our passion.
Teaching K9 Communication
Hi, I’m Rudy Montalvo, and together with my wife Sheri, we founded Killian’s K9 Academy, LLC to help dogs become well-loved members of the family by teaching their owners K9 communication. I’ve been training dogs for over 30 years. After moving from Northwestern New York to North Carolina in 2011, we adopted three amazing dogs, Levi, Brenneke, and Fritz, from the Johnston County animal protection league, one of the rescues we proudly support. We strongly believe in adopting, not shopping, there are so many incredible dogs out there just waiting for a second chance.
Levi’s adoption was especially challenging. He came to us with severe resource guarding issues and other behavioral concerns. At 2 1/2 years old, he wasn’t the cute little puppy most people look for, and sadly, nobody wanted him. After bringing him into our then well-balanced pack, things did not go smoothly. Sheri was understandably worried, and we even had a moment of regret. I had trained many difficult dogs in the past, so I knew we could help him.
We made a full commitment to Levi. We took him everywhere, observed his triggers, and worked patiently to help him feel safe and understood. We slowly introduced him to our other dogs, helping him learn that they weren’t a threat. It was a long, slow process – but after 12 months of consistent work, Levi transformed into a loving, social, and well-balanced dog. Today, he gets excited to meet people and dogs of all sizes, and those who see him regularly are amazed by his progress.
Levi’s Journey inspired us to reopen our dog training business, Killian‘s K9 Academy. We saw a real need for personalized, private lessons tailored to each dog and owner. Our goal is to help families build strong, lasting bonds with their dogs and prevent the heartbreak of surrendering a pet due to frustration or misunderstanding. They need guidance, patience, and a chance to thrive.
Dogs offer unconditional love, and they deserve the same in return.
As responsible dog owners, it’s our job to learn how to communicate with our K9.
Why We Don’t Use Shock/Static Collars
We’ve seen firsthand the harm shock collars can cause—and have had to help dogs recover from their effects. That’s why we strongly discourage their use.
Here’s why:
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They cause pain, stress, and fear.
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They can lead to aggression and behavioral issues like marking or anxiety.
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They’re often misused and can even cause burns.
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Humane, effective alternatives exist—so why not use them?
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Shock collars are banned in many countries due to their risks.
Some say, “It’s just a tap,” but for a shock to change behavior, it must be painful enough to make the dog comply. That’s not training, it’s fear.
As veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall explains:
“People reach for shock tools when they feel helpless. Companies prey on that fear, but there’s no evidence these collars help—and plenty showing they harm.”
Read more here!
Choose kindness, choose education, choose positive reinforcement and methods that make sense to your dog’s nature.
The Montalvo Pack
Levi
Brenneke
