The K9 Commander
The K9 Commander way utilizes unique balanced dog training methods that are designed to help create a well balanced pet and strengthen the bond between owner and dog. Operating out of Youngsville, NC, and the surrounding areas, we offer a full line of training services for the working dog to the family companion.
The K9 Commander Way
About The K9 Commander
K9 Commander owner/trainer/instructor, Tim Crane, retired from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Department in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with 25 years of experience. In addition, Tim is a retired Master Sergeant from the military with over 20 years of service in the US Army, US Air Force Reserve, and Pennsylvania Air National Guard.
Tim has over 17 years experience working with narcotics detection police K9s. As a certified K9 instructor from Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, and Strategic Law Enforcement K-9 Training Inc. AWDA (American Working Dog Association). Tim has trained explosive/narcotics and patrol police K9s, teams, and continues to actively certify police working dog teams throughout the United States.
As a member of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police K9 Unit Training Staff, he has had the privilege of certifying, training, and maintaining many street-certified police K9 teams. Teams consisted of all Pittsburgh Bureau of Police K9 handlers and several outside municipal police agencies, including but not limited to Wilkinsburg, Robinson Township, Butler City, Uniontown, Whitehall Borough, Pittsburgh Public School Police, as well as Allegheny, Beaver, and Mercer County Sheriff K9 teams in both explosive, and narcotics detection and patrol.
Training Options for Everyone
Our Training Services
Our training classes are not designed for dogs with past human bite interactions or aggression.
If you need specific help in one of these areas please contact us for training options.
In Home Private Training
Starter Package
4 - 1 hour Sessions- 4 – 1 hour training sessions to work on achieving the goals discussed in the introductory session/consultation.
- Training collar for you to keep, and use while training.
- Certificate of completion at the end of successful training sessions
- Leather leash
- 2 additional sessions to be used if needed after initial sessions, or at later dates for refresher trainings or to address any additional training needs that may arise.
- Introductory Consultation included in package price
- *Price for 2 dogs is $800, 3 dogs is $1,500. Each additional dog after 3rd is an additional $250
- Additional sessions can be purchased at $120 per session, $190 for 2 dogs, $250 for 3 dogs, and $60 for each additional dog after the 3rd.
Pro Package
6 - 1 hour Sessions- 6 – 1 hour training sessions to work on achieving the goals discussed in the introductory session/consultation.
- Training collar for you to keep, and use while training.
- Certificate of completion at the end of successful training sessions
- Leather leash
- 2 additional sessions to be used if needed after initial sessions, or at later dates for refresher trainings or to address any additional training needs that may arise.
- Introductory Consultation included in package price
- *Price for 2 dogs is $1,120, 3 dogs is $1,420. Each additional dog after 3rd is an additional $350
- Additional sessions can be purchased at $110 per session, $175 for 2 dogs, $230 for 3 dogs, and $55 for each additional dog after the 3rd.
Elite Package
8 - 1 hour Sessions- 6 – 1 hour training sessions to work on achieving the goals discussed in the introductory session/consultation.
- Training collar for you to keep, and use while training.
- Certificate of completion at the end of successful training sessions
- Leather leash
- 2 additional sessions to be used if needed after initial sessions, or at later dates for refresher trainings or to address any additional training needs that may arise.
- Introductory Consultation included in package price
- *Price for 2 dogs is $1,440, 3 dogs is $1,890. Each additional dog after 3rd is an additional $350
- Additional sessions can be purchased at $90 per session, $145 for 2 dogs, $190 for 3 dogs, and $45 for each additional dog after the 3rd.
Starter Package
4 - 1 hour Sessions- 4 – 1 hour training sessions to work on achieving the goals discussed in the introductory session/consultation.
- Training collar for you to keep, and use while training.
- Certificate of completion at the end of successful training sessions
- Leather leash
- 2 additional sessions to be used if needed after initial sessions, or at later dates for refresher trainings or to address any additional training needs that may arise.
- Introductory Consultation included in package price
- *Price for 2 dogs is $800, 3 dogs is $1,500. Each additional dog after 3rd is an additional $250
- Additional sessions can be purchased at $120 per session, $190 for 2 dogs, $250 for 3 dogs, and $60 for each additional dog after the 3rd.
Pro Package
6 - 1 hour Sessions- 6 – 1 hour training sessions to work on achieving the goals discussed in the introductory session/consultation.
- Training collar for you to keep, and use while training.
- Certificate of completion at the end of successful training sessions
- Leather leash
- 2 additional sessions to be used if needed after initial sessions, or at later dates for refresher trainings or to address any additional training needs that may arise.
- Introductory Consultation included in package price
- *Price for 2 dogs is $1,120, 3 dogs is $1,420. Each additional dog after 3rd is an additional $350
- Additional sessions can be purchased at $110 per session, $175 for 2 dogs, $230 for 3 dogs, and $55 for each additional dog after the 3rd.
Elite Package
8 - 1 hour Sessions- 6 – 1 hour training sessions to work on achieving the goals discussed in the introductory session/consultation.
- Training collar for you to keep, and use while training.
- Certificate of completion at the end of successful training sessions
- Leather leash
- 2 additional sessions to be used if needed after initial sessions, or at later dates for refresher trainings or to address any additional training needs that may arise.
- Introductory Consultation included in package price
- *Price for 2 dogs is $1,440, 3 dogs is $1,890. Each additional dog after 3rd is an additional $350
- Additional sessions can be purchased at $90 per session, $145 for 2 dogs, $190 for 3 dogs, and $45 for each additional dog after the 3rd.
Consultation
Introductory Consultation- This is a meet and greet for The K9 Commander to meet the owners as well as the dog in their environment.
- During this hour the owners can discuss with the trainer their needs and what they hope to get out of the training sessions. If both parties agree that Private In Home Sessions are a good fit, then at that time a package can be purchased and the training can be scheduled.
*Package prices are per dog, a 2nd dog will receive 40% off of the listed package price, 3rd dog and each dog thereafter will receive 50% off of the listed package price.
**Additional mileage charges may apply depending on location.
Advanced Working Dog training options are also available, although Working Dog training is very specific and personalized to the type of training, as well as to the dog and family. Please email directly to inquire about Working Dog training options here.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
K9 Commander believes training should be fun, fair, and firm.
Behavior modification starts with understanding and assessing what you have done in the past to address the problems and doing something different going forward. Improving the relationship between the dog, the owner and members of the family starts with the dog knowing his rank within the pack; dog must not portray a higher rank than any human in the pack. It is important to find the right balance between obtaining results on the right timeline and working at a pace and with tools that the owner and dog are comfortable with. K9 Commander’s mission is helping to empower owners with knowledge of training tools and techniques and giving them confidence to put them in action proactively even in the absence of the trainer.
Tim understands that all dogs are unique and may benefit from different training methods and is very open to the owner’s input and involvement. Tim understands a good trainer is an effective teacher/communicator for both humans and dogs and does not sacrifice a dog’s well being for results. He believes in always learning and incorporating new information, techniques and tools into their program in order to improve results. He does not make an owner feel guilty for a lack of knowledge or past failures but instead tries to motivate them to do better in the future.
Lastly, a good trainer is honest and recognizes when they are not equipped to deal with a certain behavior or dog, and does not take on a client if they are not confident in their abilities.
Some of our Feedback
What People are Saying
ProfessionaLly Trained and Certified
Tim’s Professional Credentials

Tim Crane
Owner, Operator, Certified Instructor
Tim Crane is a proactive member of the K-9 training community, and actively works to expand his knowledge, and experience.
Tim is currently an active Trainer/Certifier with the American Working Dog Association (AWDA) for Police K-9’s in the disciplines of: Patrol, Narcotics, as well as training and certifying PTSD Service Animals.
Pittsburgh Police Master Patrol Officer, K9 Handler & Instructor
Tim Crane proudly spent over 24 years in service with the Pittsburgh Police Department, serving as Master Patrol Officer, K9 Handler, and K9 & Handler Instructor
American Working Dog Certified Trainer
K-9 E-Collar Training - 2021
Tim Crane successfully completed the K-9 E-Collar training course, 2021.
Law Enforcement K-9 Operations - 2018
Tim Crane successfully completed 16 hours of Continuing Education in Law Enforcement K-9 Operations, 2018.
Patrol & Narcotics Training - 2017
Tim Crane successfully completed the 7 week Instructor Development Course for Strategic Law Enforcement Training Patrol & Narcotics Course, 2017.
Law Enforcement K-9 Operations - 2017
Tim Crane successfully completed 16 hours of Continuing Education in Law Enforcement K-9 Operations, 2018.
Dual Purpose Police K-9 Trainer's Course - 2014
Tim Crane successfully completed the Shallow Creek Kennels, Inc. Dual Purpose Police K-9 Trainer’s Course, 2014.
ProfessionaLly Trained and Certified
Robin’s Professional Credentials

Robin Henderson
Trainer
K9 Commander adjunct trainer Robin Henderson is the newest member of the K9 Commander team. She received her nationally accredited certification in Canine Training, Canine Behavior and Enrichment, and Canine Nutrition through Animal Behavior Institute in 2021. In addition to completing her certifications, Robin has been in an ongoing mentorship with Tim since 2019.
While Robin is still relatively new to being a professional dog trainer, she has three years experience working with dogs of all ages, temperaments, and energy levels in the daycare and boarding industry. She also has 5 years experience as a dog handler in confirmation shows and ground trial competitions through the Triangle Hunt Club, and is very active in community outreach and dog rescue.
K9 Training - 2021
K9 Behavior & Enrichment - 2021
Robin Henderson successfully completed the ABI 271 Canine Behavior & Enrichment course from Animal Behavior Institute, inc. in 2021
K9 Health & Nutrition - 2021
Robin Henderson successfully completed the ABI 312 Canine Health & Nutrition course from Animal Behavior Institute, inc. in 2021
K9 Training - 2021
K9 Behavior & Enrichment - 2021
Robin Henderson successfully completed the ABI 271 Canine Behavior & Enrichment course from Animal Behavior Institute, inc. in 2021
K9 Health & Nutrition - 2021
Robin Henderson successfully completed the ABI 312 Canine Health & Nutrition course from Animal Behavior Institute, inc. in 2021

Robin Henderson
Trainer
K9 Commander adjunct trainer Robin Henderson is the newest member of the K9 Commander team. She received her nationally accredited certification in Canine Training, Canine Behavior and Enrichment, and Canine Nutrition through Animal Behavior Institute in 2021. In addition to completing her certifications, Robin has been in an ongoing mentorship with Tim since 2019.
While Robin is still relatively new to being a professional dog trainer, she has three years experience working with dogs of all ages, temperaments, and energy levels in the daycare and boarding industry. She also has 5 years experience as a dog handler in confirmation shows and ground trial competitions through the Triangle Hunt Club, and is very active in community outreach and dog rescue.
Being Social Isn’t Just for the Dogs
Follow Us on Social Media
SECOND PLACE!
BEST DOG TRAINER

SECOND PLACE!
BEST DOG TRAINER
Thank you all so very much that took the time to vote. We are truly humbled and honored by your continued support. The communities that we pride ourselves on getting to be a part of have welcomed us as their own in a way that is indescribable. We are proud to share these awards with all of you!