Dog Training Academy Opening in Atlanta

Inspired by her lifelong love of animals, Atlanta resident Gayleen Maurer is opening a professional dog training and obedience facility.

The vision of her business, K-9 Pawsitivity Training Academy, is to inspire clients to look forward to and love training their dogs as an activity and to lead a generation of pet owners who are passionate about K-9 education and leadership development.

It is located behind the home she shares with her husband, Steve, on the north side of Atlanta. 

The Phelps County Development Corporation is assisting the business launch with a Digital Development Grant for website and social media development, a Building Exterior Impact Grant, and a Business & Franchise Development Grant.

Gayleen started training dogs at age 8 in the 4-H dog obedience program and has never stopped even while working in her full-time careers, first as a nail salon owner and now as the Senior Relationship Banker at Bruning Bank.

“I’ve always been drawn to animals and people and understanding why or how you get a behavior out of a dog, or why they behave a particular way,” Gayleen said.

So, she decided to finally make an official side business out of her passion. She has spent nights and weekends continuously learning as much as she can about dog behaviors and training. She is obtaining certification from an animal behavior college in California and a professional certification from renowned dog training and canine expert Nate Schoemer in Oregon.

Last fall, the Maurers started construction on a 40 x 60 building on their property in Atlanta to house the new business. Inside the building will be a 30 x 40 training room, a small kitchen, a bathroom, and a canine bathing room for members to wash their dogs. The outside of the building will feature a 60 x 8 foot covered porch for customers to view the beautiful Nebraska sunsets. A fenced-in area outside of the building will house a professional obedience ring with agility equipment. 

“I will be training both ends of the leash,” Gayleen said. 

Some of the dog behaviors Gayleen can help with are separation anxiety, fear, reactive behavior, leash pulling, jumping, house-training, and crate training. She will work with dog owners, professionals, and volunteers. Her group classes will be limited to six dogs and owners to provide the best experience for all.

Gayleen is currently training her daughter’s dog to be prepared for a new baby in the house, and she is training a Newfoundland and three retrievers to become therapy dogs. One of the retrievers will be taught a specific task to assist a disability. 

The K9 Pawsitivity training facility is expected to be completed this spring when the Maurers will invite the public to a grand opening and open house to learn more about the business. For more information, email Gayleen at K9pawsitivitytrainingacademy@gmail.com.

To learn more about PCDC's GO! BUSINESS Grants: visit the PCDC website, contact the PCDC office at 308-995-4148, or email Sally@PhelpsCountyNE.com.