About Viking Prairie K9
Professional dog training built on structure, communication, and real-world obedience.
Fully insured
- Founder
- Robert LaPerriere Jr.
- Based in
- Okeechobee, Florida
“The dogs didn't save my life in some dramatic movie moment. They just needed me every day. And that was enough.”
Robert LaPerriere Jr.
Founder and lead trainer, Viking Prairie K9
From the Viking Prairie K9 Field Manual
Every program we run is grounded in three pillars: Control, Respect, and Communication, specializing in basic to advanced obedience and building confidence for both the dog and the handler.
This mission comes from personal experience. I've walked through some of my lowest points and had to rebuild myself from the ground up: structure, discipline, and confidence, one step at a time. Dog training gave me that path forward, and now I use it to help others find theirs.
Leading the way as our brand ambassador is Rocky Balboa, our 145-lb AKC/ICCF certified Cane Corso. Alongside him are Gracie, our 50-lb female American Staffordshire Terrier, and Gunner, our 80-lb male American Foxhound.
Looking ahead, we're working toward opening a large guardian breed rescue. These dogs are among the hardest to rehabilitate. We want to put our experience to work getting them trained and back into loving homes, or providing a sanctuary where they can live out their lives if they cannot be rehabilitated.
Meet Robert
Robert LaPerriere Jr. is the founder and lead trainer behind Viking Prairie K9, built on a simple philosophy: Building Confidence Through Obedience, anchored by three pillars: Control, Respect, and Communication.
His path to dog training wasn't traditional. It wound through National Guard service, roughly fifteen years in public safety, and hands-on experience across the pet industry with companies like PetSmart, veterinary offices, and pet resorts throughout Palm Beach County.
By day, Robert works as a New Hire Development Manager, training and developing people for a large financial company. He has found that the same principles that build a confident, capable employee build a confident, well-behaved dog: clear expectations, consistent structure, and real communication.
Robert has faced his own share of hard seasons and personal battles, and it was his dogs, Rocky Balboa, Gracie, and Gunner, who stood by him through the rebuild, giving him purpose and structure when he needed it most.
That journey is at the heart of Viking Prairie K9. Robert works hands-on with dogs of every breed, from basic obedience to high-level work, because he knows firsthand that real training is not just about the dog. It is about building confidence, discipline, and health on both ends of the leash.
He is building toward a long-term mission of opening a large guardian breed rescue.
Control, respect, and communication
Every program we run is grounded in these three pillars.
01Control
Structure first. Robert builds clear expectations a dog can rely on at home, in public places and around other dogs.
02Respect
Training is not about forcing compliance. It is about building clarity between handler and dog.
03Communication
Owners learn the same language the dog does, so the results hold once the dog is back home.
Real-world training
Training needs to work where life actually happens — not just in a controlled training room.
- 01Home environments
- 02Public places and retail settings
- 03Around distractions and other dogs
- 04Everyday life situations
Viking Prairie K9 mission statement
At Viking Prairie K9, our mission is to help people build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their dogs through professional training, exceptional care, and practical education. We believe confidence is built through obedience for both the dog and the handler, creating lasting partnerships founded on trust, communication, and mutual respect. Guided by the principles of Control, Respect, and Communication, we strive to prepare dogs and their owners for success in the real world while building a future dedicated to the rehabilitation and preservation of guardian breeds.
The Viking Prairie K9 standard
Each dog represents the Viking Prairie K9 standard, raised and trained with structure, purpose, and consistency to become calm, confident, controlled, and capable.
Learn more about our dogs →Ready to build a better relationship with your dog?
Start with professional training focused on obedience, communication, and confidence — built for real life.
