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I Heart K9 is a dog training business in Riverside, California offering Group Classes, Private Lessons, and In-Home Training, with published programs from $40.
Riverside • CA • Training facility • 4.9 ★ (37 Google reviews)
Last verified: Aug 14, 2026
90 / 100
Highly transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
I Heart K9 runs an outdoor training field in Riverside where the focus leans heavily toward working dogs and protection training. The program is led by Jim Erickson, who according to their site has taught the advanced obedience and protection class for over 30 years, spent a decade as a K9 handler with the Riverside Sheriff Department, and worked with Adlerhorst K9 for more than 27 years. That law enforcement and working-dog background shapes much of what they offer.
Their Saturday classes follow a structured progression: a beginner level, intermediate instruction under Randy Gulick, and Jim Erickson's advanced class, which includes a second hour dedicated to protection work and drive building. They also run a Wednesday evening session for puppies and newer dogs. For owners dealing with reactive or aggressive dogs, the site indicates they offer private consultations, which can take place at the field, in-home, or another agreed location.
The facility itself is straightforward—an outdoor field with on-site parking at Iowa Avenue and West Citrus Street. They note on their site that a 2023 relocation cost them their original obstacle course, and they've been using a makeshift version while fundraising to rebuild. Inquiries about puppy classes, all-breed training, Canine Good Citizen prep, or service dog lessons are handled through Aleah Erickson.
Group classes range from beginner puppy obedience on Wednesday evenings to advanced Saturday sessions that combine obedience with civilian protection training. I Heart K9 also offers private lessons at their training field or in-home for owners in the Riverside area, with a travel fee for locations more than 20 minutes out. Protection work requires prior participation in their obedience program.
Group classes run $20 per session for obedience-only options, or $40 when protection training is included. Private lessons cost $75 at the training field and $100 for in-home sessions. All prices are clearly published on their site with no packages or hidden fees.
One-on-one obedience sessions held at the K9 training field, tailored to address specific issues like leash pulling, reactivity, desensitizing, socializing, or advanced obedience work.
Sessions are billed hourly and take place at the training field rather than the client's home.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash reactivity, Socialization
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Lessons - Obedience | $75 per session | — |
In-home private obedience sessions offered locally in Riverside, covering the same customized training goals as field sessions, from basic manners to advanced work.
Billed hourly with an added travel fee if the home is more than 20 minutes from the training field.
Best for: Local in Riverside only; travel fee applies if more than 20 min away from field.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash reactivity, Socialization
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Obedience Lessons at Home | $100 per session | — |
A Saturday morning group class held at the K9 training field that covers both obedience work and protection training for civilian dog owners. It runs alongside the beginner obedience track for those ready to move into more advanced work.
Best for: Must participate in Obedience to do Protection
Duration: 2 days
A Saturday morning obedience-focused group class held at the K9 training field, mirroring the Wednesday evening beginner session. It's designed as an entry point before dogs progress to protection work.
Owners bring their dog to the field with required gear and pay a class fee before starting.
Best for: Suited to beginner dogs or puppies just starting obedience training.
Duration: 1 sessions
A weekly evening obedience class at the K9 training field for puppies and beginner dogs, mirroring the Saturday morning beginner session and focused solely on obedience, without protection work.
No registration call is needed—owners bring their dog and required equipment, fill out a waiver, and join the class, paying $20 cash at the field.
Best for: Intended for beginner dogs or puppies; owners can attend Saturday, Wednesday, or both sessions.
Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization
Duration: 1 sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Group - Obedience & Protection | $40 per session | 2 days |
| Group Class - Obedience | $20 per session | 1 sessions |
| Group Class - Puppy Obedience | $20 per session | 1 sessions |
The program explicitly describes its approach as balanced training, and they state they accept dogs with aggression issues. Specific tools and techniques aren't detailed on the site.
Method: Balanced
Combines rewards with corrections, which may include tools such as prong collars or e-collars.
Certifications: Not specified on their website
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Thirty years in business operating from a dedicated training facility. Insurance, certifications, and guarantee terms aren't listed on the site.
Facility: Training facility
Owner visits: not specified on their website.
Video updates: not specified on their website.
Overnight staffing: not specified on their website.
Insurance: not specified on their website.
Guarantee: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: not specified on their website.
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Phone only
Price: I Heart K9 does not publish board & train pricing. Across Riverside, 20 programs publish prices from about $98 to $3,726.
Reviews: I Heart K9 shows 4.9★ from 37 Google reviews among 7 published Riverside programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 90 out of 100 (price 100%, program clarity 61%). 3 of 7 Riverside listings show certifications; this business does not list certifications.
Training happens at a dedicated field on Iowa Avenue. Parking and accessibility details aren't published.
689 Iowa Ave, Riverside, CA
Friday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Saturday: 7:30-10AM
Thursday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Reach out directly or send a quote request through I Heart K9.
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