In business since 2005 in leased facilities, Tri-County K9 Academy celebrated a year in its permanent 6-acre facility along Old Hempstead Road in Magnolia in December.

“It’s perfect for us—it has a lot of potential,” co-owner Darryl Richey said. “There are still a lot of projects in the works. The first year was kind of just getting in and settled and collecting business. With the [Hwy. 249] tollway coming through and these neighborhoods coming in behind us, we increased boarding dramatically.”

The business offers basic-, intermediate- and advanced-level training for two-, four- and seven-week periods for a variety of dogs, including local police and sport dogs, Richey said. The facility also offers 20 indoor and outdoor kennels to board dogs.

“Whether they are a little more people aggressive, dog aggressive or just jumping on counters or people, there’s really no problem we won’t address,” Richey said.

After serving in the military, Richey began training dogs in 1996. His wife, Tammy, who also operates nonprofit organization Southeast Texas Labrador Retriever Rescue at the facility, began training 15 years ago when she wanted to help her rescue dogs find homes.

“Our No. 1 thing when we get a dog in for training is the safety of the dog,” he said.

Tri-County K9 Academy 32950 Old Hempstead Road, Magnolia 281-733-8946 www.tricountyk9.com Hours: Sun.-Sat. 10 a.m.-noon, 4-6 p.m. (hours are flexible by appointment)