The Joyful K9 was founded by Christi Farley to help compassionate and devoted dog owners train and teach their dogs without using pain, force, or intimidation tactics.

Our Dallas, Texas, based dog training company seeks to:

• Educate new and advanced dog owners in dog behavior, body language, and training in the home and out in public.
• Empower dogs and dog owners to build a strong relationship and close bond through clear, two-way communication.
• Teach dog owners how to train their dog without constant food luring or the use of prong, shock, or choke chains.
• Teach dog owners how to set their dog up for success in obedience training and loose leash walking through routines, proper nutrition, proper mental and physical stimulation, and consistency.
• Teach dog owners exactly what they need in class to change their dog's challenging behaviors instead of only concentrating on a fixed agenda.

Services Offered:

• Private lessons
• Board & Train for both adults and puppies
• Day Train for both adults and puppies
• Group Lessons
• AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing
• AKC Trick Dog Testing

About Christi

With 36 years of dog training experience and 24 years of competing in dog sports alongside her English Setters, Christi has cultivated a deep passion for training that enhances the bond between humans and their canine companions. After successfully guiding her own dogs, Ranger and Tucker, through reactivity to be able to enjoy agility, Christi is all about empowering her dogs, and the dogs she teaches, with confidence. She firmly believes that giving a dog a voice and listening to what they are saying through body language, eye contact, and behavior is essential for nurturing a strong relationship. Confidence is built through trust, and trust is built through clear, two-way communication with your canine.

Training English Setters can be a rewarding challenge, particularly in the realm of dog sports! This experience has taught Christi to embrace innovative approaches when teaching behaviors and identifying effective reinforcement strategies for each individual dog. Conner, one of her dogs, taught her how to use what your dog wants to get what you want all while making him think it's what he wants! While some dogs may live for a great tug session, a fun game of fetch with a ball, a yummy treat, or even just a Cheerio, others like Ryker want to chase water thrown from a bucket, or like Tucker prefer to chase a cat toy on a stick, or in Conner's case, go sniff an enticing scent on the ground.

Navigating training obstacles with her own dogs as well as client dogs has inspired Christi to invest over 500 hours in continuing education. Her learning encompasses marker training, behavioral wellness, diverse positive reinforcement techniques, canine conditioning, and specialized classes in agility, rally, conformation, obedience, and scent work. She actively participates in online workshops, webinars, and classes, while also enjoying dog training podcasts to enhance her expertise. One of her favorite training methodologies is Control Unleashed, which she integrates into every class she teaches and every training session with her dogs.

When not teaching classes/private lessons or training/competing with her own dogs, Christi enjoys baking, reading, and cheering on the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys.