CLEVELAND — What started as a challenge turned into a calling for Boss K9 owner Anna Rencz, who has just moved her full-time dog training business into a beautiful, brand new space in Cleveland where she's hosting a grand opening on Friday.
"Long story story short, I had a dog who had many different behavioral issues," Anna told me, while pointing to the mural of Bubbles on the wall in one of the training spaces at Boss K9.
"In the process of seeking help for her, and learning about those issues, I discovered how transformative dog training can be. This ultimately inspired me to work closely with dogs."
Anna's care and attention to animals has been so evident to her clients that she celebrated owning and operating Boss K9 for four years on June 8.
"We are Balanced Trainers," Anna said, describing her approach to managing behavioral issues in dogs. "We specialize in E-Collar training, as well as teaching leash pressure through a prong collar. We also use food and affection to show dogs what we do want them to do. We work with a lot of dogs who struggle with behavioral issues, and we also train puppies and provide off-leash training."
One option Anna offers for dog training includes what's called "Board and Train," where dogs stay with her full-time for a number of weeks. Of her many success stories, Lincoln, who is featured in a mural on the wall at Boss K9, has a particularly fantastic tale.
"Lincoln is a young adult Husky who came to us with a severe bite record and some extreme neurological issues," she said. "He did a six-week Board and Train with us, and is now living a happy and healthy life in his home. His family actually just had a new baby and everyone is doing an excellent job! We are so proud of Lincoln and his family for their dedication to this training and the process.
"I want people to know that there is hope for dogs who are struggling. I am a Balanced Trainer because I have seen firsthand dogs go from being recommended for behavioral euthanasia to being able to live out full, healthy lifestyles with their families because of this training. I want people to know that there are other options out there besides positive-only training."
Anna is now excited to be able to expand her offerings to clients at Boss K9's new building that she's been lovingly renovating for the past year and a half.
"I started off doing the dog training out of my home as a full time career, but quickly discovered that I really wanted to work with a team and create a healthy work culture, as well as sustainable careers, for others," she said, further explaining how it's bittersweet to move Boss K9 from her first space in the Slavic Village to this new spot in Cleveland's St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.
"We are grateful for our beginnings, and at the same time absolutely thrilled that we’ve reached this milestone – being in a financial place where we're able to acquire our own building," Anna said. "We were experiencing a high demand for our services which ultimately led us to expanding. With the new building we are going to be able to train more dogs at once and create new job opportunities in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood."
The new building has a lot to offer, including a grooming space which Anna will also use as another opportunity to train dogs. "Many dogs struggle with being handled while being groomed and this is a unique opportunity to help them work through that in a training environment," she said.
"We will also be opening up a small pet store. It will be filled with many of the products that you cannot find in your typical pet stores such as dog treadmills and sporting dog equipment – plus of course healthy treats, training supplies, and Boss K9 merch."
Those interested in becoming Boss K9 clients are invited to submit an inquiry on BossK9CLE.com, connect with Boss K9 on social media at @bossk9cle or call the office at (216) 314-6385.
"Our office staff will be happy to set you up with a free phone consultation to see if we might be a good fit," Anna said.
Boss K9 operates by appointment only, due to the nature of their work. "We do service our clients 7 days a week since we are a boarding facility for those clients," Anna said.
Prices for training packages vary, but in general, Board and Train cost is $1100 per week, and private lessons range between $800 and $1600 per package. All of Boss K9's prices are listed on their website.
If you'd like to check out the space in person, there will be a Grand Opening Party and Open House tomorrow, Friday, June 16. There will be a ribbon-cutting at 6:30 PM and the party runs from 7 to 10 PM.
"It is a human-only party, and we'd love to see you there," Anna said. "We’ll have food and drink, music, and dancing, as well as the rare opportunity to see our 'back-of-the-house' area before we officially move Boss K9 and all the pups over on Monday."
Boss K9 is located at 6016 St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland.
