Kiko's K9 Academy

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Honolulu, HI
Kiko's K9 Academy

Helping dogs and their humans build better communication, confidence, and connection

📍O’ahu, Hawai’i
🐾 certified dog trainer
✨AKC Evaluator

10/12/2026

volunteer w/ me at PanhandleAnimalWelfareSociety ! please donate if you can via their website/facebook!

if you’d like to donate supplies, my venmo is antoinette ❀ sardillo and i’ll be making a trip to purchase supplies to donate this week. hoping the community recovers quickly! 🤍

please tag any brands you may think will be willing to help out the shelter pups and kitties!

08/23/2026

my heart always hurts for these puppies. they truly deserve the world 🥺 if you’re able to, i always encourage people to volunteer at their local shelter. the overpopulation problem is happening everywhere, some places worse than others, and shelters are doing the best they can with what they have. even just a couple hours of your time can give a dog some attention, enrichment, and a break from their kennel. it may not feel like much, but it really can make a difference. 🩵

08/15/2026

adopt or shop ✨RESPONSIBLY!✨

i’ve personally done both, and here are my thoughts…

i truly believe there’s an ethical way to do both. this whole thing might be a hot take, but i think every dog deserves to have genetics on their side.

i’ve worked with so many dogs, both purebred and mixed breed, and one thing that people forget is that purebred does NOT automatically mean well bred.

if you’re getting a puppy from a breeder, please do your research. ask about breed appropriate health and genetic testing, the parents’ temperaments, and what they’re actually doing. are they working, competing, or being proven in some way? all of this can give you a better idea of what to expect. most importantly, get a dog you can actually handle, not one because it “looks cool” or is “trendy.” a good breeder will care about finding the right match and won’t place a dog with you if they don’t think it’s a good fit. some breeds aren’t recommended for first time dog owners, and that’s okay!

responsible breeders who carefully plan litters, prioritize health and temperament, screen homes, and take responsibility for their dogs for life are very different from backyard breeders producing puppies without considering health, temperament, or placement.

i’ve volunteered in shelters that were packed to capacity, and it’s heartbreaking. but i also don’t think it’s fair to shame people for choosing an ethical breeder. some people need a dog with predictable traits, temperament, drive, size, or working ability, and that’s okay.

something people may not realize is that many responsible breeders also support rescue. i’ve personally spoken with breeders who help get dogs of their breed out of shelters and into breed specific rescues.

at the end of the day, i support BOTH. shelters, rescues, and ethical breeders all have an important place in the dog world.

if you ever have questions about ethical breeding or rescue, please reach out! i’m always happy to help you know what to look for in a breeder or figure out if a rescue dog is the right fit for you. 🤍

08/11/2026

had to hop on this trend! 🙃

08/09/2026

more than anything, i miss working with your dogs! 🥹🤍 i’ve been keeping myself busy in florida with shelter work and dog sports, but i really miss the dog community on oahu that i was so incredibly blessed to be a part of.

i can’t wait to be back in just a few months!!

as a reminder, while i’m not taking clients on island right now since i’m not there, you can still absolutely submit virtual title evaluations like trick dog and virtual home manners! just shoot me a message if you’re interested.

also, i’ve been getting SO many questions about group classes lately, so i figured i’d include it in this post. i plan to offer group classes the moment i’m able to once i’m back on island, i promise! just keep an eye on my socials and i’ll be sure to post as soon as i have everything figured out.

i miss you guys and your pups so much and seriously can’t wait to be back! thank you SO much for your unwavering support 🩵🐾

07/23/2026

Breed matters when it comes to training 🐾

I’ve had the privilege of training a variety of different breeds and breed groups, from sighthounds, to herding dogs, retrievers, and mixes of them all. A dog’s breed, or breeds, plays a huge role in how I approach training.

Every dog is an individual, but genetics still matter. It is not fair for us to expect a dog that is naturally aloof with strangers, like many livestock guardian breeds, to greet new people the same way a Golden Retriever might.

Breed traits can influence how a dog learns, what motivates them, how they respond to the world, and what behaviors come naturally. When we adjust training methods based on the dog in front of us, we can see noticeable improvements while also building a stronger relationship and a better understanding of our dogs.

Train the dog in front of you, but don’t forget the genetics behind them!🐾

07/23/2026

FastCAT photos from July 4/5 weekend are out now! Link in my bio! 🤩

Jared and I (mostly Jared) had a super fun time taking pictures of you and your pups! 🤍

07/03/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our June 2026 Group Class Graduates! 🤩

This class was so much fun, and I truly loved getting to work with every single team. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of each of your training journeys. Congratulations to all of our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), CGCA/CGCU, and AKC Fit Dog Level 1 graduates! 🩵

Watching each of you grow in confidence, strengthen your bond with your dogs, and accomplish your training goals has been such a blessing. I couldn’t be prouder of all of your hard work and dedication!

This was my last group class on Oʻahu for a little while, so this session was especially bittersweet. But i’ll be back! While I’m sad to be leaving, I’m also excited for what’s ahead. I can’t wait to offer more group classes in the future, so be sure to keep an eye on my social media for updates!

⭐ AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Graduates
• Chani the Azawakh
• Nani the Silky Terrier
• Bane the Rottweiler
• Waffles the Golden Retriever

🏅 AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Graduates
• Hazel the Golden Retriever
• Hazel the Husky Mix
• Finn the Bully Mix
• Dior the Heeler/Staffy Mix
• Kairo the Bully Mix

🌟 AKC Community Canine (CGCA) & Urban CGC (CGCU) Graduates
• Sydney the Golden Retriever
• Duke the Doberman
• Sophie the Poi Dog
• Teddy the French Bulldog

💪 AKC Fit Dog Level 1 Graduates
• Gus Gus the Labrador Retriever
• Hana the Labrador Retriever
• Marcus the Malinois/German Shepherd Mix
• Reese the Golden Retriever
• Suika the French Bulldog

Congratulations again to all of our graduates! Thank you for trusting Kiko’s K9 Academy to be part of your training journey. I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and I can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next! 🐾🩵

06/07/2026

Pictures from today’s pack walk!!! 🤩 Probably one of my favorite pack walks to date!

06/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating KK9A’s first birthday! 🐾🎉

This past year has meant so much to me, and words can’t fully express how grateful I am for every single person who has supported us along the way. I feel incredibly blessed to work with such amazing owners and their dogs, and I’m thankful for the trust you place in me every day.

Running KK9A is truly my passion, and I’ve loved every moment of this journey. Watching your dogs learn, grow, and succeed has been the most rewarding experience, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.

While I’ll be off-island for a couple of months, I want you to know that I’ll be back with even more exciting things planned for the future! I can’t wait to continue growing with this community and sharing new adventures with all of you.

Thank you again for your constant support, encouragement, and belief in KK9A. None of this would be possible without you. 🩵

Address

Honolulu, HI
96818

Website

http://kikosk9academy.com/, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkwYxVljST-IIAc48m1ndvlX_NUctigchSeDd3IJb2k4SBqQ/v

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