About The Good Spirited K9 Team!

Welcome to Good Spirited K9!
We’re Douglas & Brandi Walker! We specialize in immersive, in-home board and train programs where dogs learn real-world behaviors in a real home—not a kennel. Based in Streator, Illinois, we help dogs build lasting habits that truly matter in everyday family life.

Our journey began over 25 years ago with our first German Shepherd, Sinbad, whose behavior struggles sparked a lifelong commitment to training. Douglas, a Registered Nurse with a background in behavioral health, brings a unique blend of science and compassion to every session. Brandi is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and together we’ve taught obedience classes for years and serve on a volunteer K9 Search and Rescue team.

At Good Spirited K9, your dog becomes part of our family while learning to be a calm, confident companion. We believe true training happens in the quiet, everyday moments—when your dog chooses the right behavior without being asked.

Let us help you build a balanced, lasting bond with your best friend.

Our Training Approach

At Good Spirited K9, we use a balanced, real-world training approach built on clarity, structure, and trust.

We teach dogs how to succeed using positive reinforcement and engagement first, then build reliability through fair, appropriate accountability once a behavior is understood. This creates dogs that don’t just listen when treats are present — but respond calmly and consistently in everyday life.

Our training is designed for the environments dogs actually live in: homes, neighborhoods, parks, and busy public spaces. We focus on obedience, impulse control, leash manners, and behavior modification by addressing the root cause of unwanted behaviors — not just the symptoms.

Every dog is trained as an individual. Methods, tools, and intensity are chosen based on temperament, drive, and emotional state. Tools such as food, toys, leash communication, prong collars, or e-collars may be used when appropriate and are always introduced humanely and thoughtfully.

Just as important as training the dog is training the owner. We provide clear guidance

and education so results last long after training is complete.

The result is a calm, confident, reliable dog — and an owner who knows how to maintain it.

Learn More

Training that works

Training that works

About The Good Spirited K9 Team!

Our Training Approach

Contact Us!

Start Your Transformation Today! Stop struggling with unwanted behaviors. Let’s build a calm, confident companion in a real-home environment.

Good Spirited K9

Barks of Approval

GSK9 IS INSURED BY petcare!

AKC CGC EVALUATOR

We are an Authorized E-Collar Technologies Dealer

Training that works

Training that works

About The Good Spirited K9 Team!

Our Training Approach

Contact Us!

Start Your Transformation Today! Stop struggling with unwanted behaviors. Let’s build a calm, confident companion in a real-home environment.

Good Spirited K9

Barks of Approval

Connect With Us!

GSK9 IS INSURED BY petcare!

AKC CGC EVALUATOR

We are an Authorized E-Collar Technologies Dealer

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