About Adventure K-9
Welcome to the AK9 Family!
We are a team of passionate and driven individuals with a variety of skillsets and specialties. You will probably meet all of us at some point during your training journey. All of our trainers and training assistants work together to make Adventure K-9 successful. Our mission is to help you reach your goals with your dog. Are you ready to join the AK9 Family?
Dog Training Services in Boise & Meridian

Jennifer Lackie
Founder / CEO
In 2019, Jennifer Lackie founded Adventure K-9 with a clear mission: to create a supportive, collaborative space where dogs, their owners, and trainers could thrive together. With a deep passion for both animals and people, Jennifer envisioned a fun, engaging environment where learning and growth happen naturally.
Growing up in Seattle, Jennifer faced early challenges that shaped her perspective and fueled her love for animals. At age 18 her career path began when she started working as a dog bather, quickly developing a deep bond with the dogs she cared for and welcoming her first two dogs into her life. This sparked a profound drive, leading her to pursue professional training. She earned her certification in K-9 Behavior and Training from National K-9 in Columbus, Ohio, and since then, she has accumulated over 25 years of experience in the dog training field.
Jennifer’s expertise spans a wide range, from working in collaborative settings with extreme cases of aggression to providing one-on-one boarding and training in her home. Her knowledge is further enriched by her experiences with sled dogs, and even raising a bear and a wolf, which expanded her understanding of animal behavior beyond the domestic dog.
Today, as a driving force behind Adventure K-9, Jennifer leads by example, supporting her talented team and ensuring exceptional care for both the animals and families they serve. Her dedication and diverse experience make her a trusted resource for anyone looking to deepen their connection with their dog while fostering a well-balanced and harmonious relationship.
Likes: Lazy mornings
Dislikes: Beets, even pickled beets, they’re just gross

Julie
Julie has been a valued member of the Adventure K-9 team since 2021. An Idaho native, she has always had a deep love for dogs, but it was her experience with a reactive dog of her own that ignited her true passion for training. She thrives on the continued learning and in-depth understanding required to be an exceptional trainer, and she is dedicated to helping clients succeed with their dogs.
Julie is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator and is a versatile trainer who works with our Master Dogs, and also teaches private lessons, and group classes. Her passion and expertise shine through in her work, making a positive impact on dogs and their owners alike.
When she’s not training, you might find Julie enjoying her hobbies, which include motorcycling and Geckos—a unique combination that reflects her adventurous and compassionate spirit.
Julie’s commitment to her craft and her clients makes her an integral part of the Adventure K-9 family.
Likes: Good music
Dislikes: People who don’t return their carts to the cart corral

Kenny
Kenny’s Bio
Kenny’s connection with dogs is more than a career; it’s a lifelong calling that began on the streets of East St. Louis when he was just seven years old. After finding a stray puppy and bringing her home, the two became inseparable. Their bond was the stuff of movies—she not only walked him to and from school every day but even stood her ground to protect him from neighborhood bullies. That early experience instilled in Kenny a deep respect for the loyalty and protective nature of dogs.
Kenny first joined our training team in 2021, and we are absolutely thrilled to have him back. He has a natural “dog-whisperer” energy that animals gravitate toward instantly; to put it simply, the dogs just love Kenny. He brings a wealth of experience and a genuine heart to every session, ensuring that every dog he works with feels as understood as that first stray puppy he rescued decades ago.
When he’s not at the facility, Kenny is a dedicated family man. He prioritizes quality time with his two children—his four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. You can often find him soaking up the energy at live concerts and festivals or recharging in nature with his own pack of three German Shepherds.
Likes: Thoughtful people
Dislikes: Wet Socks

Maggie
Maggie’s lifelong devotion to dogs began in the Midwest, where she was raised alongside family hunting dogs—an environment that instilled in her an early, enduring passion for canine behavior, training, and holistic care.
As a Certified Veterinary Technician and dedicated shelter volunteer, Maggie brings a high level of medical knowledge and hands-on operational experience to the Adventure K-9 team. Her professional background bridges clinical expertise and behavioural understanding, ensuring every dog receives intuitive, top-tier attention.
When she isn’t in with the AK9 pack, Maggie can be found at home with her husband and their three dogs, actively developing their dream micro-farm—a personal sanctuary rooted in the same work ethic and love for animals that defines her professional career.
Likes: Running with her dogs
Dislikes: Road Ragers

Jayne
Born and raised in the Seattle area, Jayne has spent a lifetime embracing the great outdoors. Her passion for exploration has taken her all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond—including living and adventuring in Alaska and Oregon before ultimately making her home here in Boise.
Jayne brings a rich, diverse background to Adventure K-9. Having worked across a wide variety of fields—including veterinary medicine and time spent as a professional river guide—her versatile skill set makes her an incredible asset to our team. Beyond her experience, Jayne has an obvious natural talent with dogs, instantly connecting with every dog she meets and making them feel right at home.
True to her river guide roots, she loves getting in the water whenever she can and spends her weekends taking off on outdoor adventures with her dog, Tucker. We couldn’t be more thankful to have Jayne’s talent, experience, and adventurous spirit on our team!
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Adventure K-9’s Philosophy
At Adventure K-9, we believe every dog is unique, with a distinct personality and genetic makeup that shapes their behavior. Our training approach is tailored to honor these individual traits, minimizing stress while fostering long-term positive outcomes. The result? Happy, calm dogs that are eager and receptive to learning.
We also recognize the vital connection between human energy and a dog’s behavior. When health issues are ruled out, dogs are naturally predictable creatures. To communicate effectively with them, we must embody consistency and predictability in our own actions. This alignment builds trust, clarity, and a deeper bond between you and your dog.
When dogs understand boundaries and expectations, they become their calmest selves.
Teaching key communication markers—like using their name to gain attention, a release cue to signal disengagement, and “good” or “no” to indicate appropriate or inappropriate behavior—lays the foundation for a clear understanding between you and your dog. Our training approach focuses on developing a dog’s self-control and ability to remain attentive to their handler, empowering them to choose their person over distractions. This results in reliable responses across a variety of environments.
Engagement is crucial for dogs, who thrive on balance and harmony within their “pack.” When training is presented in a way they naturally understand, dogs are eager and capable learners. As social creatures, regular interaction is key to their mental and emotional well-being. Additionally, daily physical and mental exercise is essential for maintaining balance, regardless of a dog’s energy level.
Let’s Talk Science!
At Adventure K-9, we embrace the full spectrum of Operant Conditioning along with Classical Conditioning, tailoring our approach to suit the unique needs of each dog and their handler.
Operant Conditioning focuses on learning through the consequences of behavior—whether positive or negative—to shape desired outcomes.
Classical Conditioning, on the other hand, is an unconscious form of learning where a specific stimulus is paired with an automatic response.
This combination of science-backed techniques helps us create effective, individualized training plans that build trust and understanding with your dog.
Our goal at Adventure K-9 is to help you understand your dog, teach you how to have fun with them, and assist you in training your canine companion to respond reliably, with a wagging tail and calm state of mind.

