JOIN THE AMERICAN STANDARD TRAINERS ACADEMY
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ASK9 TRAINER?
INSIDE THE ACADEMY
A REAL PATH TO BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER
Complete Training System
You receive full access to the entire DIYK9 training system, including exclusive Academy-only material. This gives you a repeatable framework you can overlay on any dog—regardless of breed, age, temperament, or issue.
You won’t be guessing. You’ll know what to do, why you’re doing it, how to adjust when a dog doesn’t respond the “textbook” way, and more.
This is how you stop training one dog and start training any dog.
Real-World Reps With Real Dogs
Academy students don’t just “watch videos.” You’ll be working dogs, solving problems, and building real confidence through hands-on application.
Many students qualify to receive actual paying board-and-train clients through the American Standard Dog Training network while still inside the Academy—allowing you to gain experience, confidence, and income before you graduate
Weekly Live Group Coaching
Each week, you’ll train live with Garret Wing and the Academy coaching team. These sessions go far beyond obedience mechanics and dive into topics such as: Advanced training problem-solving, reading dogs in real time, board-and-train execution, client handling and expectations, business structure, pricing, and scaling, and more. This is where students learn to think like professionals, not just follow steps.
Private 1-on-1 Mentorship With Garret Wing
As part of the Academy, you’ll receive private 1-on-1 mentorship calls directly with Garret Wing. These calls focus on: personal development and confidence, business decisions that actually move the needle, pricing, positioning, and growth strategy, and avoiding common traps that stall trainers for years. This is not generic coaching. It’s direct access to someone who has already built what you’re trying to build—and helps you compress years of trial and error into clear, strategic action.
Six-Coach Support Team (100+ Years of Experience)
You’re not learning from a single instructor. The Academy includes six full-time coaches, all current or former professional trainers and police K9 handlers, with over 100 years of combined real-world experience.
Each student receives direct oversight, feedback, and accountability—ensuring mistakes are corrected early and confidence is built correctly.
Real-Time Feedback & Accountability
Through live coaching, direct mentor access, and a private Slack community, you’ll never be left guessing if you’re “doing it right.” When problems show up: You get feedback, course correction, and you keep moving forward.
This is where impostor syndrome gets replaced with real confidence, because you’ve done the work and produced results.
Business, Branding & Client Acquisition
Great trainers fail every year because they don’t know how to run a business. The Academy opens the doors to the entire operation, showing you how to price your services correctly, attract and qualify clients, build trust before the first call, use social media to generate inbound demand, avoid being the “broke but busy” dog trainer, and more. You don’t just learn how to train dogs; you learn how to build something sustainable.
Certification That Actually Means Something
Graduation is earned, not given. Students must demonstrate real competence, not just pass a quiz. Graduates leave the Academy as battle-tested professionals, backed by one of the most respected dog training brands in the industry. Top performers may qualify for American Standard licensing opportunities, DIYK9 virtual coaching roles, or even be future Academy leadership and coaching positions.
A Long-Term Network, Not a One-Time Program
The Academy isn’t a “finish line.” Graduates become part of a tight-knit professional network built around standards, accountability, and long-term growth. You don’t leave alone, you leave supported.
The American Standard Trainers Academy builds professionals. If you’re looking for shortcuts, validation, or a piece of paper, this isn’t it. If you want skill, confidence, income, and a real path forward — this is where it starts.
INSIDE THE ACADEMY
Complete Training System
You get full access to the DIYK9 system plus Academy-only training. You’ll learn how to train the dog in front of you—fearful, reactive, dominant, high-drive, low-drive, young, old—using a repeatable framework, not guesswork.
Weekly Live Group Coaching
Weekly live calls with Garret + coaches to sharpen your training, fix problems fast, and keep you moving. We cover real-world dog training and business strategy (pricing, clients, positioning).
Private 1-on-1 Mentorship With Garret Wing
Private mentorship calls directly with Garret to set serious goals, make smart business moves, and remove the expensive mistakes that stall trainers for years.
6-Coach Support Team (100+ Years Combined Experience)
Six full-time coaches. Current and/or former police K9 handlers and pro trainers—assigned to students for real guidance, accountability, and consistent feedback.
Real-Time Feedback + Private Slack Community
Ask questions, get video feedback, and problem-solve in real time. No guessing. No “hope I’m doing it right.” This is where confidence gets built.
Real Dogs. Real Reps. Real Confidence.
You’re not just watching videos. You’re training, solving problems, and building your toolbox. Many students qualify to receive real paying board-and-train clients through our network while still in the Academy.
Business, Branding & Client Acquisition
Being a great trainer isn’t enough if your phone never rings. We show you how to attract clients, price correctly, communicate value, and avoid being the “busy but broke” dog trainer.
Certification You Actually Earn
No participation trophies. You graduate by proving you can produce results. Graduates leave as battle-tested professionals backed by one of the most recognized brands in the industry.
Long-Term Growth Opportunities
Top performers may qualify for licensing and additional roles inside our ecosystem—so the Academy can become the start of something much bigger.
REAL SUCCESS STORIES... REAL REVIEWS
THE ACADEMY IS FOR YOU IF...
You’re serious about becoming a real professional dog trainer, not just someone who “likes dogs”
You want a clear path instead of years of guessing, copying other trainers, or learning the hard way
You actually want to get good — technically, mentally, and professionally
You’re willing to be coached, corrected, and challenged
You want to make real money training dogs, not just break even
You want confidence that comes from real reps and real results
THE ACADEMY IS NOT FOR YOU IF...
You want a certificate without putting in the work
You get defensive when someone tells you you’re wrong
You want shortcuts instead of skill
You think watching videos alone makes you a professional
You aren’t willing to raise your standards
You’re just “kicking the tires” or casually interested
You don’t like being held accountable
TWO PATHS. ONE STANDARD.
Academy Prep
Duration: 6 months
Price: $10,000
“Let me see if I like this and if I’m good at it.”
For beginners who think they want to become professional dog trainers, but want to test the waters.
Think JV before Varsity.
Learn how to train dogs and see if this path is actually for you
Step-by-step guidance through our training system
Dedicated 1-on-1 coach + private weekly meetings
Weekly group calls with your Prep cohort and Coaches
Train your own dog first, then additional dogs
Help landing your first paid training dogs
Guided and supportive accountability
Minimal business training
Train your own dog + 1–2 friends or neighbors’ dogs
Chance for paying clients, but only if you’re ready
The Academy
Duration: 6 months
Price: $25,000
“I’m building a career and I’m ready to be pushed.”
This is the full professional-level program where standards are high, businesses are built, and careers are launched. If you already know this is what you want, this is the fast lane.
Advanced dog training through our online courses and real-time feedback
Dedicated 1-on-1 coach + private weekly meetings
Weekly Academy Group calls run by Garret Wing
Private 1-on-1 mentorship calls with Garret Wing
Minimum of 4 paid professional dogs (required). High performers often train 6–12 dogs during the program
High-standard, performance-driven accountability and guidance
Full business systems and insights: pricing, operations, scaling, branding, growth
Taking on paying clients (most students earn back the Academy tuition while attending)
Graduate with a full American Standard Trainers Academy certification (earned, not given)
Build a real, profitable career as a professional dog trainer
Access to the American Standard Professional Network
Future career pathways through licensing, advanced mentorship, long-term growth, and more
Meet Our Academy Coaches
Chad W.
Chad brings over 15 years of professional K9 handling and training. His deep expertise and hands-on approach empower trainers to develop the precision and confidence needed to excel in the field.
Keith B.
With over 16 years of Law Enforcement K9 Handling and Training, Keith brings a special blend of balance and perspective into his coaching style. His commitment to excellence ensures that each Academy student doesn't just learn techniques, but develops the judgment and instincts that define exceptional handlers.
Cole G.
Cole's training foundations lie in training directly under Garret Wing. His dynamic teaching style turns uncertainty into capability, giving new trainers the confidence to tackle any challenge that comes their way.
Chris A.
Chris is a professional dog trainer focused on building clear communication, strong engagement, and real-world reliability. With an elite portfolio of training police dogs, pet dogs, scent detection, retrievers, and more, Chris brings a rare combination of technical mastery and teaching ability the accelerates learning and builds lasting competence in up-and-coming trainers.
Erik G.
Erik is a highly sought-after instructor and problem solver in the both the pet dog and Police K-9 communities worldwide. His coaching style brings ease to understanding complex techniques into actionable skills that give new trainers the tools to succeed from day one.
Tony F.
Having trained directly under Garret Wing for over 5 years, Tony built his skill set from a master and now works to instill that same foundation in his academy students. He's dedicated to unlocking each student trainer's natural abilities while equipping them with proven techniques that elevate their craft.
Justin R.
With over 33 years of dog training experience, Justin brings an elite style of training to his coaching. He is a highly decorated professional trainer and his real-world experience translates into training that bridges the gap between theory and the challenges handlers face in the field.
Garret W.
Garret Wing spent nearly two decades with the City of Miami Police Department, deploying dual-purpose dogs in high-stakes narcotics, tracking, and apprehension work across one of the nation's most challenging urban environments. His coaching style is rooted in realistic, results-driven training that prepares handlers and their dogs for the unpredictable demands of real-world fieldwork.
ASPIRING TRAINERS 2025
Mentored by Garret and our Platinum-certified trainers and backed by a globally recognized brand and program, these rising stars are mastering advanced techniques to transform dogs and their owners’ lives.
AARON C.
Fayetteville, Arkansas
MELINDA E.
Phoenix, Arizona
VALENTINO G.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
JESY L.
Salt Lake City, Utah
VICTOR O.
Birmingham, Alabama
MARY BETH S.
Louisville, Kentucky
ANNA T.
Austin, Texas
IANA U.
Phuket City, Thailand
JASON V.
Orlando, Florida
Our student trainers are earning their American Standard K9 Silver Certification through the rigorous American Standard Professional K9 Trainer’s Academy. Mentored by Garret and our Platinum-certified trainers and backed by a globally recognized brand and program, these rising stars are mastering advanced techniques to transform dogs and their owners’ lives. Trust the best in the making! Ready to see real change in your dog’s behavior? Our Student Trainers are the future of professional dog training and deliver expert, personalized training designed to strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
ACADEMY GRADUATES 2025
BRYSON C.
South Carolina & Surrounding Areas
DANIEL C.
Rhode Island & Southern New England Area
SHANNA C.
Rhode Island & Southern New England Area
MELANIE L.
Florida Panhandle (Tallahassee/Destin/Pensacola), Alabama, & Georgia
RODRIGO L.
Minnesota & Midwest Region
HILARI L.
New Jersey &
New York
ALEX M.
Omaha, Nebraska & Midwest Region
SARAH N.
Springfield, Massachusetts & Connecticut
STEVEN O.
United Kingdom, Northern Ireland
JONATHAN "JON" P.
Charlotte, North Carolina & South Carolina
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACADEMY PREP AND THE ACADEMY?
Academy Prep is designed for individuals who are new to dog training and are either: (1) looking to become the best dog owner they can be through training, or (2) interested in eventually owning a dog training business. Academy Prep lays the foundations of dog training at a more in-depth level than any general public courses or memberships offered by ASK9 or DIYK9.
The Academy is for individuals who either already own or aspire to own and operate a dog training business. It is an elite-level training program that prepares you to succeed in this industry. Beyond advanced dog training techniques, the Academy includes comprehensive business training and insights to help you build and run a thriving dog training enterprise.
ARE THE ACADEMY AND ACADEMY PREP PROGRAMS IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL?
The Academy programs are entirely virtual, featuring one group meeting and one individual coaching session each week. Students will also have opportunities to train in-person at select seminars and with Garret/other coaches during Academy cohort events.
DO YOU OFFER FINANCING OPTIONS?
Yes. We offer a variety of financing options that will be discussed during your meeting with our Head of Enrollment.
CAN STUDENTS BE REMOVED FROM THE ACADEMY OR ACADEMY PREP?
Yes. We maintain the highest standards for all participants. Students may be discharged for reasons including: failing to pass required examinations, lack of active participation, insufficient progress according to our training rubric, or incomplete payment of tuition.
WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THE ACADEMY?
Students will dive deep into canine behavior science, exploring what drives dogs and how to train them at an elite, world-class level. You'll also master the business fundamentals of running a successful dog training operation. As we like to say: "We can teach anyone how to train a dog, but we can't teach accountability, coach-ability, or motivation. If you bring those qualities, we'll mold you into a world-class trainer."
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I'M AMERICAN STANDARD TRAINERS ACADEMY CERTIFIED?
For the Academy, upon certification, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skill level of a world-class dog trainer. Graduates also have the potential to become coaches within our Academy programs or continue growing their business alongside American Standard K9. To earn certification, you'll complete and pass a comprehensive final written and oral exam. Throughout the Academy, you'll also take progress assessments to ensure you're on track for success.
DO I HAVE TO COMPLETE ACADEMY PREP TO BE ADMITTED INTO THE ACADEMY?
No. We evaluate a variety of factors when considering candidates for Academy admission. While Academy Prep will give you a significant advantage and better prepare you for success in the Academy, it is not a requirement for enrollment.
IS ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ACADEMY GUARANTEED IF I GRADUATE FROM ACADEMY PREP?
No, graduating from Academy Prep does not guarantee admission into the Academy. However, Academy Prep graduates receive priority consideration and are given first interviews for available positions.
JOIN THE AMERICAN STANDARD TRAINERS ACADEMY
