Ken Schilling got started training dogs in 1973, when he joined the U.S. Military. After hearing that the military trained dogs to. do everything but fly, and in that case we teach them to parachute. Ken signed on and started his long career as a trainer of dogs, training them to find snipers, ordinance, weapons, even search and rescue. Known as the "Dog Whisperer" to his students, Ken has an amazing ability to get dogs to do what he wants them to, through what he calls the Schilling's Balanced Method.
Services
Every dog is welcome at Schilling's obedience classes, where the purpose is to develop compliance using the Schilling's Balanced Method, which emphasizes balance in all aspects of training. For people that want to take their dog training to the next level, Schilling's offers Protection Training, where the dogs are trained over a 16 week course.
Reviews (9)
KiAnna McKinley
Aug 17, 2021
As far as being responsive they are great, I was not expecting a call back due to my previous experience with another dog training company. The phone call I received today started off well but was not a conversation that I did not expect to feel overwhelmed and felt like I could not get much out of the conversation that lasted 1 hour and 45 mins. I felt as if I was being TOLD I was a horrible human to my dog, and that my methods should be changed to fit the way their program is set up.
Which a few of their methods are against my beliefs and I felt as if my voice, my story was literally disregarded, whenever I tried to speak. During the call, there was a lot of pauses and a lot statements of discouragement about if my dog would be a suitable candidate to become a service dog. When clearly she has never met him, nor really heard my dog's history of how he came to me or anything at all. (She even couldn't say my name after I've pronounced it several times, and she said " I'm sorry, I didn't know how to pronounce that." Nor did she acknowledge my dog's name, he was "the dog".) Most of this was about her and the hyping up of how wonderful her husband was at his career.
Don't get me wrong, I am one who loves to give credit when it's due. But this was overkill. As I continued this conversation, I felt like my questions weren't fully answered without the negative backlash on how I should handle/train my dog. I felt micromanaged on what to say and this is not what you should do with potential clients. Before the end of the call, I was in tears because of the things I was hearing and I didn't know how to cope at the time (it still triggers me) so I down played it off.
This behavior is not a healthy, nor positive way to conduct business or clients. If this was a normal conversation that was not solely for the purpose of seeking a dog trainer, I would have been okay with the overly causal withdrawn conservation but this was not the way to do it. I hope that in the future, the questions are answered, and more back history is listened to despite having a "prior" glimpse of what the potential client has emailed/messaged. It is always good to refer back to what was asked and see if you could help or not, then try to help them with some resources, if that is possible.
Which a few of their methods are against my beliefs and I felt as if my voice, my story was literally disregarded, whenever I tried to speak. During the call, there was a lot of pauses and a lot statements of discouragement about if my dog would be a suitable candidate to become a service dog. When clearly she has never met him, nor really heard my dog's history of how he came to me or anything at all. (She even couldn't say my name after I've pronounced it several times, and she said " I'm sorry, I didn't know how to pronounce that." Nor did she acknowledge my dog's name, he was "the dog".) Most of this was about her and the hyping up of how wonderful her husband was at his career.
Don't get me wrong, I am one who loves to give credit when it's due. But this was overkill. As I continued this conversation, I felt like my questions weren't fully answered without the negative backlash on how I should handle/train my dog. I felt micromanaged on what to say and this is not what you should do with potential clients. Before the end of the call, I was in tears because of the things I was hearing and I didn't know how to cope at the time (it still triggers me) so I down played it off.
This behavior is not a healthy, nor positive way to conduct business or clients. If this was a normal conversation that was not solely for the purpose of seeking a dog trainer, I would have been okay with the overly causal withdrawn conservation but this was not the way to do it. I hope that in the future, the questions are answered, and more back history is listened to despite having a "prior" glimpse of what the potential client has emailed/messaged. It is always good to refer back to what was asked and see if you could help or not, then try to help them with some resources, if that is possible.
Debbie Sneddon
Jun 25, 2020
We took our border collie/aussie to Ken for a two wk training. She is very friendly and was pulling me over on her leash to get to people and other dogs. She was really distracted and didn't listen well. When we picked her up after 2 wks she was literally a different dog. He talked to us about what we needed to do to follow through when we returned home. Ken is not much for words but he is really in tune with dogs. Winnie really bonded with him and I could tell he really did with her also. We are so pleased and happy and would never hesitate to use him again if needed and highly recommend him to others!
Colby McIlhenny
Jun 02, 2020
My dog was a rescue, when I got him he was frantic and unfocused, his personality is what I refer to as an "ADD dog". Ken's obedience training courses not only transformed my pup, but also taught ME how to be a better dog owner. Going to Schilling's was the best decision I have made and our lives are SO much better as a result. I get so many compliments on Monty's behavior from everyone. I have since moved from the area and now drive 10 hrs to board him at Ken's when I travel. That's how much I trust him and his family with my dog.
Lisa Walton
May 26, 2020
I'm on my second dog that I have taken to Ken. The first one, Lucy became one of the best dogs I have ever lived with. She died at 10 years and I was hesitant to get another dog as I don't have the time to train it. Yes, training is for the owner too. I called Ken to see what dogs he had available.definitely didn't want a puppy! He had several; in particular he had a female that had been returned by the previous owner.
She has obedience and some protection as well as agility; she loves to go in the car, is use to cats and other dogs. I couldn't resist. Ken is a great trainer. But you have to understand that as the handler - you have to be trained too.
She has obedience and some protection as well as agility; she loves to go in the car, is use to cats and other dogs. I couldn't resist. Ken is a great trainer. But you have to understand that as the handler - you have to be trained too.
Kori Murphy
Jun 02, 2018
I have been training with Ken and Lynn for about a year. I adopted a German Shepherd mix who was emotionally very damaged. She was scaring me with her fear aggression toward people. I brought Luna out for Ken to assess, and he told me she wasn't ready to join group classes yet. He gave me my homework (yep, you the person have to do the work!). After about 3-4 weeks of working with her she was ready to start classes.
Fast forward a year and I am so proud of my girl! She is excellent at obedience and is continuing to gain confidence and come out of her shell. If you're serious about making your dog the best it can be the Schillings will show you how!
Fast forward a year and I am so proud of my girl! She is excellent at obedience and is continuing to gain confidence and come out of her shell. If you're serious about making your dog the best it can be the Schillings will show you how!
Penny Roberts
Oct 26, 2017
Ken doesn't make you feel like you have been bad, just because you need help. The difference in my dog in just a couple of lessons is truly amazing. She just needed an outlet, she needed to know what I wanted, and I needed to know how to tell her what I need. We are going to keep going! He is easy going, and his calm demeanor really helps my dog.
Tonya Moomey
Mar 31, 2017
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Ken Schilling for all your puppy/dog training needs. Here is my story. I had got 2 female sibling puppies, It was great for the first 4 1/2 years they cuddled and loved each other, Never in my wildest dreams did I think they would fight (my ignorance) Then after the first fight at 4 1/2 years old I thought that would be it but it wasn't they continued to have fights so I started calling every dog trainer in the area.
By the time I had called several but kept getting the same answer "You can NOT keep both of dogs, you must re-home 1 of them" I was becoming heart broken. I was not going to get rid of either of them, I love them, I thought I will just cross fence my property. Then after 21 calls and a lot of tears I found Ken and Lynn Schilling and WOW they asked how dedicated I was and I expressed that I will do anything for my dogs.
We set up a private session with Ken and he explained how/what we needed to do and so my training began, I called and asked questions A LOT. Every time I called Lynn was always amazingly helpful and kind, She talked me through any and everything we encountered. Long story short we were able to keep both sibling dogs in our home for another almost 9 years when my beloved Maggie passed away (she was 13 years old).
They gave me something no other trainer was willing to. THANK YOU SO MUCH KEN AND LYNN, You are both the most AMAZING people. The Schillings are so great that I now got another (Just 1 this time LOL) Labrador puppy I take to Ken's Pro Dog Training and we are having a blast, The Schillings will be a part of our lives forever, We will never stop training as it is fun, good for my dogs and great for me to. I can't possibly thank them enough.
By the time I had called several but kept getting the same answer "You can NOT keep both of dogs, you must re-home 1 of them" I was becoming heart broken. I was not going to get rid of either of them, I love them, I thought I will just cross fence my property. Then after 21 calls and a lot of tears I found Ken and Lynn Schilling and WOW they asked how dedicated I was and I expressed that I will do anything for my dogs.
We set up a private session with Ken and he explained how/what we needed to do and so my training began, I called and asked questions A LOT. Every time I called Lynn was always amazingly helpful and kind, She talked me through any and everything we encountered. Long story short we were able to keep both sibling dogs in our home for another almost 9 years when my beloved Maggie passed away (she was 13 years old).
They gave me something no other trainer was willing to. THANK YOU SO MUCH KEN AND LYNN, You are both the most AMAZING people. The Schillings are so great that I now got another (Just 1 this time LOL) Labrador puppy I take to Ken's Pro Dog Training and we are having a blast, The Schillings will be a part of our lives forever, We will never stop training as it is fun, good for my dogs and great for me to. I can't possibly thank them enough.
Kandy Huff
Dec 06, 2016
Mary Dalglish
Jan 11, 2013
Ken Shilling's has one of the BEST training facility's for all types of dogs and people. Ken and his wife Lynn take the time to make the BEST fit for dog and potential owner. Nothing is left undone in order to have a successful outcome for all! I bought my Service dog from Ken Shilling. The training I received was beyond excellent and thorough. My dog has been my lifeline for over 4 years now and I do not know what I would do without him. I highly recommend Ken Shilling's Pro Dog Training and you will not be disappointed!
