Extreme K-9

10/07/2026

Max finished his follow-up lessons with his owners today, and this big guy has come a LONG way.

Max is a 1.5-year-old Malinois who is everything you hope for in a Malinois: smart, driven, energetic, and ready to give 125% to whatever he’s doing. At 70+ pounds, though, that 125% was a LOT.

His owners came to us because walking him safely was nearly impossible, demand barking happened whenever Max wanted something, he jumped on people, and overall, he was just a little too good at making his own rules.

In typical Mal fashion, Max came in ready to learn and loved every moment of it!
During his board and train, he worked on his basic obedience, ecollar work, and overall manners.

Then it was his owners turn! His owners came in once a week for follow-up lessons to learn how to communicate with him and work as a team. And they did an amazing job.

Now Max can walk nicely, come when called, complete his obedience when asked (most of the time) and, one of Mom’s favorite victories, wait for his water bowl instead of shoving his head into it and dumping the whole thing everywhere.

Let’s be honest. Is Max perfect? Absolutely not. He’s only been learning all of this for a little over a month. He’s a dog who gets to make choices, have bad days, and occasionally forget his manners. The difference now is that his owners have the knowledge and tools to help him make better choices and be successful.

We can’t wait to see who he continues to mature into.

Great job, Max! And even bigger congratulations to Mom and Dad.

09/29/2026

Congratulations, Behesha!

We couldn’t be more proud of you on your induction into the International Association Canine Professionals Hall of Fame!

This honor is so well deserved. We truly wouldn’t be where we are today without your guidance, knowledge, and inspiration.

Today, we celebrate an amazing, brilliant, and truly inspiring woman! Congratulations, Behesha! We’re so proud of you!

Please join us in congratulating Behesha Doan on her induction into the IACP Member Hall of Fame!

A dedicated IACP member for 25 years, Behesha has made significant contributions to our organization and the dog training industry. She holds numerous IACP certifications, is a proud IACP Ambassador, and is an IACP Conference speaker!

Behesha is the Founder and Training & Trauma Resilience Program Director of This Able Veteran, where she combines her expertise in dog training and trauma resilience to help veterans on their journey to recovery. Her work extends beyond her organization, from presenting at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government to co-authoring PTSD Service Dog Best Practices for Assistance Dogs International and mentoring professional trainers worldwide.

Thank you, Behesha, for your years of dedication to the IACP, your contributions to the canine industry, and the incredible work you do for veterans. We are proud to welcome you into the IACP Member Hall of Fame!

09/25/2026

Our website got a makeover!

Our website is now easier to navigate, gives you a better look at what we offer, and makes it easier to find the information you're looking for.

Whether you’re looking for Training, Boarding, Mindful Monday, Group Classes, or just want to learn more about Extreme K-9, we’d love for you to check it out!

Professional Dog Training in Carbondale & Springfield, IL

09/17/2026

Come join us for our next set of Group Classes! Whether you are just starting out or already have skills that you'd like to practice in a fun group setting. We've got both a Beginner Class and an Advanced Hiking Class...don't worry, the hike itself isn't the advanced part, just the distractions 😜

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog day!

Today is a pretty easy one for us to celebrate!

Dogs have a way of making our lives better just by being themselves. They make us laugh, get us outside, challenge us to slow down, and remind us that sometimes the best part of the day is simply being together.

What are you and your best friend up to today? We’d love to see your pictures!

07/07/2026

Field Trip Day for Charlie & Louie! 🐾

Charlie (5) and Louie (2) have been hard at work in our Board & Train program, and they got to put their new skills to the test with a trip to Pure Pet!

These brothers have always been pretty good boys at heart. They just needed a little help polishing their manners. Both can be a bit rambunctious, and Louie...weighing in over 100 pounds, his enthusiasm and pushiness could be a little much.

After spending time working on impulse control, leash manners, and making better choices, they were ready to practice those skills in a real-world environment. They walked through the store, practiced staying calm around distractions, and worked on being polite while browsing the aisles.

Now, did they find a few (okay... a lot ) of things they'd love to take home? Absolutely. Their wish lists got pretty extensive—but honestly, whose doesn't after a trip to ?

We're so proud of the progress these boys are making. But here's the thing: their training isn't over. Board & Train is just the beginning.

Real training happens in the everyday choices we make and the consistency we provide. That's why Charlie and Louie's owners will be joining us for follow-up lessons before they head home as well as after. We'll work together to make sure everyone understands how to communicate clearly, reinforce the behaviors they've learned, and set these boys up for a successful transition back into their home.

Our goal isn't just to have dogs listen while they're here—it's to help families build lasting habits and a relationship that continues to grow long after they leave our program.

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July!

07/02/2026

July Mindful Monday!

If you're on the fence about sending your pup to join for Mindful Monday, here's your sign! We've got just a couple days still available in July. We've got a lot of fun idea's to beat the heat this summer, don't miss out!

06/30/2026

Caption This!

They say a picture's worth a thousand words. We want to know your version! What do you think he is saying?

06/20/2026

Extreme K-9 is hiring!

And we wanted you who have been following our adventures to have the first opportunity to apply!

We are looking for a part time Kennel Technician. This person should be a dependable, detail oriented individual with a strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and passion for dogs.

Some key responsibilities:
-Daily care of the dogs, including feeding/watering, walks, potty breaks, and kennel cleaning
-Communicating professionally with clients and staff
-Maintaining the cleanliness of the facility

Dogs vary widely in size and temperament. Training is provided for all staff to feel comfortable and confident in their handling skills, however, please understand we see many dogs for behavioral rehabilitation.

If you or someone you know is interested, please send your resume to [email protected] and we will send you a full job description.

And for those of you who continue to trust us with your furry friends, your beloved dogs will always be our priority. We will always strive to provide a safe, fun, and clean environment. We are taking our time over the next month to find the perfect fit for the team.

We are forever grateful for you guys and the gift it is to get to do what we love everyday.