Our Story · 5 Star Dog Academy

AlexChavarin.

Every dog is different. My job is to understand what each one needs—and help owners do the same.

Founder · Training Director · Las Vegas / Henderson
Alex Chavarin standing at the 5 Star Dog Academy facility
ALEX CHAVARIN / 5 STAR DOG ACADEMY
Our Story · The philosophy behind the academy

There isn't one
answer for every dog.

After more than 15 years working with dogs, I know there's no single approach that fits them all. Each dog has different needs, strengths, and challenges.

At 5 Star Dog Academy, the goal is to give every dog clear guidance and help every family feel confident carrying that training home.

The experience behind the approach

I've worked both
sides of the leash.

Every discipline has shaped how I observe, train, and teach.

01 /

Competition changes your eye.

I've competed with my own dogs in IGP, IronDog, weight pull, and ICAL. Those events sharpened my eye for timing, confidence, and teamwork.

02 /

Helper work changes your timing.

I have attended PSA, IGP (Schutzhund), French Ring, and other decoy seminars. Those experiences have sharpened how I read dogs, manage pressure, and know when to support or challenge them.

Listed by DVG America as a Club Level 3 helper.
03 /

Everyday dogs keep you grounded.

With family dogs, I focus on manners, leash skills, boundaries, and helping owners practice confidently at home. I’m an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator, Pet CPR certified, and a certified veterinary assistant.

Education, credentials & continued development

Experience backed
by education.

Working with dogs has taken me from family obedience and service-dog foundations to competition, helper work, and canine scent detection. I continue learning through hands-on training, seminars, and specialized certifications.

AKCCanine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
VeterinaryCertified Veterinary Assistant
Pet SafetyPet CPR Certified
ProtectionSchutzhund Helper Certification & Alderhorst Agitator Certificate

My broader experience also includes service-dog training, titled working dogs, and handling dogs in the show ring through Champion and Grand Champion titles.

My goal isn't just to train your dog. It's to show you what you can build together.
Alex Chavarin · Founder & Training Director
Alex Chavarin appearing at an America's Top Dog competition set
Alex at America's Top Dog · From the original photo collection
A memorable chapter

From training
to television.

In 2020, my dog Leonittis and I competed on A&E's America's Top Dog, in the episode Young Dog, Old Tricks.

A&E · America's Top Dog · 2020
5 Star Dog Academy YouTube thumbnail for the Channel 3 News story showing Alex Chavarin training a Doberman in a park
Your original video thumbnailNews 3 Las Vegas · August 2024
Beyond the training field

Helping dogs feel
steady in the real world.

In 2024, News 3 Las Vegas followed a training session with Sosa, a young Doberman, at Paseos Park. We focused on socialization and calm behavior around everyday distractions.

I shared how owners can recognize stress and better understand what their dogs are telling them.

Watch the feature on YouTube News 3 / KSNV · Reported by Mingson Lau · August 30, 2024.   Read original News 3 report ↗
The other side of the work

Trusting
the dog's nose.

I also worked in professional bed bug detection with Orkin Pest Control, handling K9 Hawk.

In 2022, Hawk and I placed third at the International Casino & Resort K9 Trials in Las Vegas.

A career highlight / 2022
3rd
Bed Bug Detection
Alex Chavarin & K9 Hawk
International Casino & Resort K9 Trials
Las Vegas, Nevada

Our story
continues
with you.

Training has always been about more than commands. At 5 Star Dog Academy, we give dogs clear guidance and help owners feel confident carrying that training home.

As the academy grows, my commitment remains the same: understand the dog, support the family, and build a partnership worth protecting.

Request Training Information Learn how our approach can help you and your dog.
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