2-Hour Training Session with Head Behaviorist Colleen Steckloff.
Work one-on-one with Head Behaviorist Colleen Steckloff, whose unique approach is rooted in Dog Psychology. This method focuses on your dog’s state of mind, tapping into their instinctual side—not just surface-level obedience behaviors.
During the session, Colleen will evaluate your dog’s behavior as well as the relationship between your family and your dog. Through hands-on training with you and your dog, she will then show you what’s possible—and coach you on how to follow through with new rules, boundaries, and limitations at home.
The goal is to create a calm, happy balanced dog.
You’ll see results within your first session and leave with the confidence and skills to continue the work on your own.
Price: $450
Day Training & Board and Train
Our trainers will work one-on-one with your dog throughout the day here at the LAK9s facility. This program is great for dogs of any age—whether your dog needs help learning the basics or just a refresher on manners and structure.
You can schedule single-day sessions, or we can incorporate training into your dog’s overnight boarding stay for a more immersive experience.
To learn more, please fill out our [Contact Page] and a team member will be in touch!
Our Training Department
Developed by Head Behaviorist Colleen Steckloff
The LAK9s Training Department was developed by Head Behaviorist Colleen Steckloff, whose life’s work is rooted not only in her deep love for dogs, but also in her belief that no dog should ever be given up because of a behavioral issue.
This conviction was shaped early on. As a child, Colleen experienced the heartbreak of losing her beloved dog Wendy. That experience left an indelible mark and ignited a lifelong passion to help dog owners understand and resolve the behavioral issues in their homes.
While studying film and zoology in college with dreams of becoming a documentary filmmaker, Colleen began working in the TV and film industry alongside many of Hollywood’s top animal trainers. In 2001, she graduated from Animal Behavior College and launched her own company, serving dog owners throughout Los Angeles. She quickly became known as “the girl who could walk your aggressive dog.”
Her reputation spread, and she became the go-to trainer for local rescue organizations who needed help with unadoptable dogs. Over the years, Colleen has successfully rehabilitated many of LA’s toughest rescue cases, helping them find their forever homes.
Colleen believes education is the key to communication—between dogs and their human counterparts. She has studied tools and techniques under renowned behaviorists such as Martin Deeley and Linn Boyke, becoming one of the first to complete Linn’s extensive seven-month shadow program focused on extreme dog aggression. She continues to refine her craft through her affiliation with the International Association of Canine Professionals.
Though she trained dogs for film and commercials, Colleen’s passion has always remained focused on behavior.
In 2010, Colleen’s expertise was recognized when she was invited to work under Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer. Cesar saw her natural gift with both people and dogs and invited her to help frustrated owners featured on the show The Dog Whisperer. By 2013, Colleen had joined Cesar’s international team, working with dogs and their owners in 28 countries to teach Dog Psychology and behavior principles.
That same year, she designed and led the very first weekend training courses at the Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita, CA. Colleen later became the Head Trainer for Training Cesar’s Way Fundamentals I and II workshops in California and Florida, mentoring students from around the world.
Colleen has also worked with hundreds of rescue organizations across the U.S., helping to rehabilitate and rehome dogs in their care. Her Certification and Shadow Programs are sought out by professional trainers globally.
Her client list includes a “who’s who” of Hollywood, and she has been featured on:
• The Dog Whisperer
• Cesar 911
• Kathy Griffin’s My Life on the D-List
• Lassie’s Pet Vet
• Good Day LA
• MTV’s Pimp My Ride
• Cesar to the Rescue Asia
• Cesar Millan Viva Las Vegas
When asked about her remarkably high success rate, Colleen simply says:
“I see all of my clients the same way their dogs do—as a pack leader in the making. When I teach the human to lead, the dog will follow.”
“Colleen is a great dog trainer, Colleen is also a great teacher. Her techniques and her energy are perfect”
— Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer
“I cannot say enough about Colleen and her team. Colleen has rehabilitated some of our toughest cases, dogs that were otherwise unadoptable. She then taught the families how to maintain having a well behaved and happy dog. She has a natural talent for understanding and fixing the behavioral problems we find in some of our rescue dogs. She has been helping us for years and has a true passion for wanting rescue groups to succeed in placing these dogs in the right homes. Truly the best!”
“At ROVER every single dog must go through an evaluation to make sure they are great with dogs and people. Not all dogs pass their evaluation. It is so great to know we have Colleen and LAK9s to help with some of those problem dogs. Most that go through Colleen’s training come back to ROVER and wind up passing their evaluation. A huge thank you to Colleen. We love you, keep up the amazing work!”
