Welcome to Deafinitely Trained K9 Services

Practical training. Clear communication. Better lives for dogs and their people.

Deaf Dog Training That Builds Understanding, Confidence & Connection

Deafinitely Trained K9 Services LLC (DTK9) is a veteran-owned dog-training and education company specializing in deaf dogs, visual communication, rescue and adopted dogs, and special-needs training.

Founded by Steven Keith, ABCDT, DTK9 helps dogs and their people learn how to communicate clearly using humane, practical training rooted in Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) principles.

Whether you’re living with a deaf dog for the first time, bringing home a rescue, raising a puppy, or simply looking for better communication with your dog, we’re here to help you build skills that work in real life.

Your dog may not hear you. They can still understand you.

Training that Makes A Difference

Puppy Foundations

Give your puppy a strong start with foundational skills, communication, confidence building, engagement, enrichment, and everyday manners.

Obedience & Life Skills

Build reliable behaviors that make daily life easier—from basic obedience to household manners and real-world distractions.

Loose-Leash Walking

Help your dog learn to walk with you without constant pulling, frustration, or conflict.

Multi-Dog Households

Create better communication and calmer routines when you're managing multiple dogs under one roof.

Our Philosophy

Humane. Practical. Individualized. DTK9 follows Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) principles. That means we focus on humane training strategies and consider the individual dog, environment, learning history, motivation, and behavior before deciding how to approach a training challenge. Training isn't about winning a battle with your dog. It's about teaching your dog what works, creating clarity, and setting them up for success.

Communication

Clear information helps dogs understand what we're asking.

Reinforcement

Behaviors that produce meaningful outcomes are more likely to be repeated.

Progression

Training should develop gradually rather than asking for more than the dog is ready to handle.

Consistency

Dogs learn more effectively when the people around them communicate clearly and consistently.

Ready to Communicate Differently?

Whether you have a deaf dog, a new puppy, a rescue, or simply want a better relationship with your dog, DTK9 can help you build a training approach that makes sense for both of you.

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