Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
8425 Green Level Church Road, Cary, NC 27519
About Us
Fluid K9 Dog Training in Cary, North Carolina
At Fluid K9 Dog Training, we specialize in helping dogs and their owners build lasting bonds through clear, effective communication. Led by certified trainer John Lugo, our programs address everything from basic manners to advanced obedience and complex behavioral issues like reactivity, anxiety, and aggression.
What sets us apart is our personalized, in-home training approach, bringing professional guidance right to your doorstep for maximum convenience and results. Highly recommended by local dog owners, Fluid K9 is trusted for making dog training accessible, approachable, and genuinely transformational. Whether you're just starting with a new puppy or working through long-standing behavior challenges, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Meet John E. Lugo
FOUNDER & HEAD TRAINER
John has had a long-time passion for animals. He grew up riding horses and helping his mom rescue dogs. He developed an interest in animal behavior early on, which evolved into a love of training dogs.
In 2008, his passion became a career when he joined the D.A.S.H.A. Program in Puerto Rico, as one of their service dog trainers. While working with the D.A.S.H.A. program, John trained the first hearing dog and the first dog to accompany its handler to public schools on the island of Puerto Rico.
In 2010, John was contracted by Highland Canine Training Center in North Carolina to train 3 groups of military working dogs for the Nigerian Army. During this time he trained dogs in detection, explosives, narcotics, as well as cadaver dogs.
While working with Highland, John earned an impressive suite of certifications:
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On and off-leash obedience certification
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Canine modification certification
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Police K9 instructor and police K9 patrol certifications
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Explosive detection training certification
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Human remains detection certification
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Scent discrimination (tracking and trailing) certification
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SAR (search and rescue)
While at Highland, John met Kosta Koilias, a dog trainer from Greece, who took him under his wing and helped John become the trainer that he is today. This is also when John developed an interest in protection dog training and was introduced to ring sports (specifically Mondioring). In 2014 he traveled to Greece and trained as a decoy under Dimitris Korolis. Under his guidance, John was able to learn all of the fine details of mondioring and decoy work.
He continued his education in Belgium in 2014, where he trained under Phillip Von Abeele. With Phillip's guidance, John was able to earn his Belgium Brevet (Mondioring Certification) in 2015.
He returned to the states and quickly earned his mondioring certification with the USMRA and has been decoying across the country since.
Meet Amy
Dog Trainer
Originally from the West Coast, Amy relocated to North Carolina a few years ago. In 2020, she rescued her pittie mix, Vega,who unknowingly became her introduction to the world of dog training. Though sweet, Vega had boundless energy and a “bull in a china shop” personality. She was the definition of an “act first, ask questions later” kind of dog. Determined to help Vega develop more constructive habits, for both Vega’s well-being and a more peaceful home, Amy dove headfirst into training. In the process of working through behaviors and building a stronger bond with Vega, she discovered her passion for dog training and never looked back.
Today, Amy shares her home with three dogs: Gumbo (the wise old man), Mazzy (the resident circus performer), and Vega (her trusted training assistant).
We’re thrilled to have Amy on our team! Her dedication to understanding behavior and her love of training make her an incredible asset to any dog and owner lucky enough to work with her.
The Philosophy Behind Fluid K9 Dog Training
RESPECT. TRUST. CLARITY
John founded Fluid K9 Dog Training to offer dog owners a structured, adaptive training experience that emphasizes clarity, consistency, and mutual respect.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help you build a lasting, respectful, and trusting relationship with your dog through a versatile and balanced training approach. We believe that effective communication is the foundation of every successful dog-owner partnership, and our methods are designed to create clear expectations while addressing each dog’s unique temperament, needs, and behavior patterns.
Our Focus in Dog Training Programs
Tailoring training to each dog’s individual needs
Equipping owners with tools to maintain long-term results
Achieving real-world obedience and confidence
