San Antonio and surrounding areas

Balanced training. Real world results.

Name: Firm Foundation K9 Academy
Telephone: 210-201-2760
Price range: $$$

One dog at a time. Over two decades of experience. Obedience that holds in the real world.

Schedule a Consultation See Programs

The Outcome

What your dog leaves with.

Reliable off-leash recall
Calm in public — stores, patios, sidewalks
No pulling, jumping, or door-rushing
Settles on place while life happens around them
Steady around the triggers that used to set them off

The Difference

Your dog lives in our home, not a kennel run.

Board-and-train dogs stay inside the house on a private two-acre property. Household manners get learned in a household — so what your dog learns here still works when they get home.

Rusty Nokes kneeling under a pecan tree with his two dogs — River, a German Shepherd, and Lady, a young Belgian Malinois — both sitting calmly beside him

The Trainer

Two decades before the first dog client.

Rusty Nokes started with horses — colt starting and tune-ups, where a thousand-pound animal leaves no room for error. Different species, identical laws.

Over two decades training horses and dogs
Owner-trained a German Shepherd to elite service-dog task standard
Gun dogs, reactivity, and aggression rehabilitation
Balanced methods — a clear yes and a clear no

More about Rusty →

The Work

See the work.

Real dogs. Real sessions.

Gia, a brindle dog, holding a sit-stay in a grassy field with her handler — Gia

Reggie holding attentive eye contact with his handler during a session — Reggie

Sheeba sitting calmly beside her handler during a private lesson — Sheeba

Results

What owners say.

“Our Shepherd mix, Smoke, knew some basic obedience but was very inconsistent, and his recall was nonexistent once he got distracted. We now have a well-mannered boy that we can let off leash and know he will come when called every time.”

Monica G.Recall and off-leash reliability

“Thank you, Rusty, for completely transforming my dog and making me a better handler and dog parent. Our walks are enjoyable now, and we get complimented all the time when we go out in public.”

James S.Leash manners

Not sure which program?

Four quick questions. We’ll point you at the program that fits.

Step 1 of 4

How old is your dog?

Programs

Three programs. Pick the fit.

4-Week Complete Control

4 weeks · Board & train

Founding Client Rate

$3,600

Total off-leash freedom and real-world reliability.

A dog you can take anywhere — calm around strangers, other dogs, traffic and noise
Targets reactivity, anxiety and ingrained habits
Optional e-collar training, with a premium $250 e-collar included and yours to keep
Weekly progress videos and a mid-point check-in
A 2-hour owner turn-over lesson before your dog goes home

Reserves with a $1,000 deposit

6-Week VIP Masters

6 weeks · Board & train

Founding Client Rate

$4,950

Total off-leash mastery, or a full rebuild for serious behavior issues.

Flawless off-leash reliability at distance
Service-dog-level manners in public, without pulling, barking or skittishness
Optional e-collar training, with a premium $250 e-collar included and yours to keep
Rebuilds confidence in dogs with resource guarding, fear-aggression or heavy reactivity
A 2-hour owner turn-over lesson before your dog goes home

Reserves with a $1,500 deposit

4-Week Puppy Elite Off-Leash Prep

4 weeks · Board & train

Founding Client Rate

$3,100

A jumpstart on a high-level companion before bad habits ever form, with the housekeeping handled.

Real-world public proofing around San Antonio
Reliable recall
Crate training and potty training
Bite inhibition — ending the mouthing and nipping
A 2-hour owner turn-over lesson before your dog goes home

Reserves with a $1,000 deposit

Founding rates are held for our first clients, in exchange for honest testimonials and permission to film the work. Standard rates apply once those spots fill.

View all programs and pricing →

Getting Started