Fidelis K9 Training was founded by Patrick Smith, a former U.S. Marine who honorably separated from the Marine Corps in 2003. The website states that Patrick later studied with trainers around the country and that Fidelis K9 has operated full-time for the past six years. Its stated emphasis is practical family-dog training grounded in discipline, trust, respect, consistency, and owner participation rather than training exclusively for sport or working-dog handlers.
The core offering is School of Foundations, a daytime drop-off program in which dogs train at the facility and return home every evening. Five-, 10-, and 15-day tiers progressively cover leash manners, focus, greetings, down-stays, recall, place work, crowds, barriers, and higher-distraction reliability. Each tier also includes Private Lessons and a period of Group Classes. Dogs receive personalized daily training videos so owners can practice the same material at home. Private Lessons are also available separately, including a higher-priced starting session for aggressive dogs.
Group Classes provide continued owner-and-dog practice in leash work, recall, place, down-stays, agility, life skills, impulse control, tricks, environmental distractions, and advanced obedience. Fidelis uses a military-style ranking system that progresses toward AKC Canine Good Citizen and Urban Canine Good Citizen goals. The website also advertises a 20-day Boot Camp with 12 Private Lessons, one year of unlimited Group Classes, CGC preparation, testing, and certificates. E-collar training is listed among periodically scheduled advanced topics, but the website does not identify its overall methodology as balanced, force-free, or another named approach.
