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Core Values
Philosophy. Mission. Goal.
Ethical Training School for Puppies & Dogs
You Are Welcome Here
Accessible Modern Dog Training
For everyone, anytime, anywhere!
Core Values
Community Matters
Local. Diverse. Humane.
For everyone, anytime, anywhere!
At Canine High School Long Beach and k9HS Online, we make modern dog training and education accessible to families and dog parents everywhere, regardless of experience, background, or location..
Our goal is to make modern, humane dog training approachable and easy to understand. Through our Long Beach Puppy School and Dog School, we provide in-person classes, behavior support, and hands-on learning experiences for local families. Through k9HS Online, we expand access to remote consulting, online courses, and a growing Community Public Library of educational resources for dog parents and aspiring professionals anywhere.
Our programs are designed to support the whole family because raising a well-adjusted dog is a team effort. Whether you're looking for puppy socialization, foundational life skills, cooperative care, behavior support, or continuing education, our goal is to provide clear, practical instruction that helps dogs and their humans succeed together.
Canine High School is led by Carlos, head trainer and educator, who developed the school's curriculum, training system, and educational philosophy. As a professional certified through both the IAABC and CCPDT and a Certified Mentor Trainer for multiple dog training schools, Carlos is passionate about helping both families and future trainers develop the skills needed to build successful relationships with dogs.
As a proud minority-owned small business, we are committed to creating a learning environment where every person is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. We welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds, identities, nationalities, cultures, and ability levels, and we believe that effective education begins with listening. We recognize that every family brings unique experiences, goals, challenges, and circumstances, which is why we work collaboratively to create realistic training plans that meet people where they are while supporting the needs of their dogs.
We are equally committed to protecting privacy, fostering psychological safety, and creating spaces where people can learn without fear of judgment. Through accessible education, thoughtful accommodations, mentorship, community outreach, and support for shelters, rescues, and animal welfare organizations, we strive to make ethical dog training more inclusive and accessible while creating a positive impact that extends beyond the classroom and into the communities we serve.
Philosophy
Relationships Matter
Force-Free. Current. Educated.
Trust is more powerful than intimidation
At Canine High School, we believe behavior does not occur in a vacuum. Every behavior serves a purpose and is influenced by a combination of genetics, health, environment, learning history, emotional well-being, and everyday experiences. For that reason, we approach training and behavior consulting through a holistic lens that seeks to understand not only what a dog is doing, but why.
When working with behavior challenges, we look beyond the surface symptoms. Breed-specific traits, genetic predispositions, age, physical health, pain, nutrition, sleep, stress levels, environmental factors, lifestyle, and human interactions can all influence behavior. By evaluating these factors together, we are better equipped to identify root causes and develop solutions that support the long-term well-being of both dogs and their families.
Our approach combines positive reinforcement, cooperative care, modern learning theory, and current evidence-based practices. Rather than relying on quick fixes or behavior suppression, we focus on teaching practical skills, improving communication, creating supportive environments, and helping dogs develop confidence and resilience in everyday life.
We reject training methods based on fear, intimidation, pain, or coercion. While aversive techniques may temporarily suppress behavior, they often fail to address the underlying cause and can create unintended consequences, including increased stress, anxiety, avoidance, or the emergence of new behavioral concerns. Ethical behavior modification should improve a dog's quality of life—not simply change what is visible on the surface.
Above all, we believe dogs are active participants in the learning process. By respecting their emotional experiences, recognizing their individual needs, and supporting their ability to communicate, we create learning environments where dogs and their humans can thrive together.
Mission
Fulfillment vs Frustration
Consent. Agency. Choice.
Dignity, respect and support for the learner
Our mission is to help dogs and their humans thrive together through ethical education, practical skills, and compassionate support.
We believe every learner deserves respect, dignity, and the opportunity to participate in the learning process. For dogs, that means creating training environments where consent, agency, and choice are prioritized whenever possible. These concepts are not just ideals — they are practical tools that help dogs feel safer, communicate more clearly, and participate more willingly in their own learning.
Our work begins with understanding the whole dog. Through functional assessment, we look beyond surface behaviors to better understand what a dog may be communicating, what needs are not being met, and which environmental, emotional, physical, or relational factors may be influencing behavior. This allows us to create training and behavior plans that support welfare, reduce stress, and improve quality of life rather than simply suppressing unwanted behavior.
In a world filled with conflicting advice, social media trends, and outdated training information, our mission is also to make dog behavior and training easier to understand. We are committed to translating complex behavior concepts into practical, everyday skills that families can confidently use at home and in their communities.
Our work goes beyond changing behavior. While training often involves teaching boundaries and new skills, our larger goal is to create relief, clarity, and fulfillment for both dogs and humans. Through enrichment, communication, cooperative care, environmental support, and thoughtful problem-solving, we help families move from frustration to understanding, from conflict to connection, and from control to trust.