AK9A Alan’s K9 Academy wins 2026 Breakthrough Business Cartersville Award

AK9A Alan’s K9 Academy has received the 2026 Breakthrough Business Cartersville Award from the Consumer Ratings Institute, recognizing the North Georgia dog training company’s personalized training, owner education and client support. The award comes as the veteran-owned business expands with a new administrative headquarters in Adairsville while keeping in-home training at the center of its model.

Why it matters: - The award gives AK9A Alan’s K9 Academy third-party recognition for a service model built around individualized training and owner education. - The company’s growth underscores demand for in-home dog training across Cartersville and nearby North Metro Atlanta counties. - The new headquarters signals expansion, but AK9A will keep training in clients’ homes and other real-world settings.

What happened: - The Consumer Ratings Institute named AK9A Alan’s K9 Academy the 2026 Breakthrough Business Cartersville Award winner. - The recognition highlights the Cartersville-based company’s personalized dog training, owner education and client support. - The company said the award reflects trust from families it serves.

The details: - AK9A Alan’s K9 Academy was founded by Master Trainer Alan Carr. - Carr brings more than 35 years of professional dog training experience. - The company provides customized in-home private dog training in Cartersville, Bartow County, Cherokee County, Cobb County, Paulding County, Floyd County, Polk County, Pickens County, North Fulton and surrounding North Metro Atlanta communities. - Training programs include puppy training, on-leash obedience, off-leash obedience and behavior modification for aggression, anxiety and reactivity. - AK9A Alan’s K9 Academy also offers therapy dog training and service dog training. - The company’s training philosophy starts with the idea that a well-trained dog begins with a well-trained human. - The programs focus on giving owners the communication skills and practical guidance needed to maintain progress in daily life. - AK9A uses a balanced training approach that combines positive reinforcement, clear communication, structure and training tools selected for each dog. - Training takes place in homes and real-world environments so owners and dogs can practice skills where they matter most. - The company is opening a new corporate and administrative headquarters at 6000 Joe Frank Harris Parkway, Suite C, in Adairsville, Georgia. - The headquarters is expected to open near the end of October 2026. - The office will support company leadership, trainer meetings, administrative operations, client service, business systems and future expansion. - The headquarters will not operate as a dog-training or pet-services facility. - AK9A’s training programs will continue in client homes and appropriate real-world environments. - AK9A Alan’s K9 Academy is veteran-owned. - The company was founded on Christian values. - AK9A’s stated commitments include excellence, integrity, compassionate service, owner education and continued client support.

Between the lines: - The award and the planned headquarters point to a business trying to scale without changing its core delivery model. - The emphasis on owner education suggests AK9A is selling a longer-term behavior change process, not just short training sessions. - The company’s use of in-home and real-world training positions it around convenience and practical transfer of skills. - The Consumer Ratings Institute bases recognitions on aggregated public review data, which ties the award to customer feedback. - AK9A is also a 2026 Best of Georgia nominee in the Pet Training Services category. - Best of Georgia voting remains open through Oct. 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. - The company previously received Best of Georgia honors in 2024 and 2025.

What's next: - AK9A Alan’s K9 Academy expects to open the Adairsville headquarters near the end of October 2026. - The company will continue serving clients through in-home training and other appropriate real-world environments. - Best of Georgia voting will continue through Oct. 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. - More information is available at AK9A.com or by calling (470) 648-6512.

The bottom line: - AK9A Alan’s K9 Academy is pairing outside recognition with expansion, while keeping personalized, home-based training at the center of the business.