Question 1

How much does training cost?

Accepted Answer

Board & train pricing (full catalog): Foundational 1-Week BNT $2,500, Two-Week BNT $4,000, Three-Week Behavior Modification BNT $6,000, Four-Week Service Dog BNT $8,000. Additional weeks run $1,200/week (obedience) or $2,000/week (behavior mod). Private Lessons are $120 per session, Foundational 5-Hour Package starts at $850, Puppy 4-Lesson Package starts at $350. Day Training: $100 per day or 5-day $1,500 / 10-day $3,000 / 15-day $4,500. The initial 30-minute phone call is free. If we proceed, the in-person consult is $195 on-site or $350 off-site — credited toward your program if you book.

Question 2

Why such a wide range from $2,500 to $8,000?

Accepted Answer

The range reflects what the dog actually needs. A well-adjusted 1-year-old learning basic obedience is a different program than a reactive 4-year-old with a bite history. We don't inflate the number to "anchor" you on something cheaper. We tell you what your specific dog needs and price the program around that.

Question 3

Do you offer payment plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on every program. We'll walk through the payment options during your initial call. The goal is to get your dog the right training — financing exists so the right program isn't blocked by cash flow.

Question 4

What if I can't afford a board-and-train?

Accepted Answer

Tell us on the consult call. Private lessons let you do the work yourself with our coaching — you keep the cost down and you build the handler skills directly. Day Training brings your dog in during work hours and home at night. The board-and-train is the fastest path but not the only one.

Question 5

Do you use shock collars?

Accepted Answer

We use every effective tool — including ecollars and prong collars — humanely, as communication. We're a balanced operation. The specific tool we reach for depends on the dog and the situation, not on dogma. We'll explain every choice on the consult call before you commit to anything, and we'll tell you up front if what you want isn't realistic for your dog's case.

Question 6

What does "balanced training" actually mean?

Accepted Answer

It means we use both rewards and corrections — both clear yes and clear no. Most modern training is built on a pure-positive foundation, which works great for many dogs. For the cases where pure-positive hits a wall (severe reactivity, fear aggression, danger to the dog or others), refusing every other tool fails the dog. Balanced means we don't refuse a tool because of ideology when the dog needs it.

Question 7

Will board-and-train hurt my bond with my dog?

Accepted Answer

The bond doesn't come from being together every minute — it comes from clear communication and confidence in each other. When your dog finally listens, you can take them places, give them freedom, and stop dreading the leash. That builds a deeper bond than two more weeks of frustration ever would. The go-home lessons exist specifically so you keep that bond when the dog comes back.

Question 8

What if I don't want my dog wearing an ecollar?

Accepted Answer

Tell us on the consult call. We'll be honest with you about whether the program you want is realistic without that tool given what your dog is dealing with. For most family-pet obedience, the answer is yes. For severe reactivity and aggression cases, the honest answer is sometimes no.

Question 9

What if it doesn't work?

Accepted Answer

We don't stop until your dog reaches the goals we agreed on at the start of the program. That's the standard for every dog. The agreed-on goals are nailed down before we take your dog so we both know what success looks like — no moving goalposts mid-program.

Question 10

How many refresher sessions are included?

Accepted Answer

Refreshers are tiered by program. Foundational (1-week) board & train includes 3 in-person refresher sessions. The 2-Week and 3-Week (Transformational) board & trains each include 5. The 4-Week service-dog program includes 7–8. Private-lesson packages don't include separate refreshers — the package itself is your in-person time. On top of refreshers, every client gets lifetime trainer chat access for the life of the dog so you always have a place to ask questions.

Question 11

What does the dog actually come home knowing?

Accepted Answer

Come, sit, down, place, off, leave it, drop it, and heel — on and off leash, proofed against distance, distractions, and duration. Custom programs add whatever your dog specifically needs: reactivity protocol, anxiety management, service-dog task work. Plus calm house manners: settle, crate, polite door behavior, no jumping on guests.

Question 12

Will my dog forget everything when they come home?

Accepted Answer

Only if you let them. Our go-home lessons teach you the exact mechanics — the same cues, the same body language, the same expectations. Most regression isn't the dog forgetting, it's the handler getting inconsistent. Your program's included refreshers (3 / 5 / 5 / 7–8 by length) and the lifetime trainer chat line exist so you have a place to come back when life gets in the way.

Question 13

How young can my puppy start?

Accepted Answer

Puppies can join our Puppy Foundation as early as 8 weeks. Early socialization is the single highest-leverage thing you can do for a puppy — wait too long and you spend years undoing what you could have prevented. For board-and-train we generally start at 4-5 months once core vaccines are in.

Question 14

My dog is 9 years old — is it too late?

Accepted Answer

No. We routinely take 8-, 10-, even 12-year-old dogs into Custom Training for problems that have been festering for years. Old dogs absolutely learn new tricks. The only adjustment is pacing — we structure shorter sessions and lean into the dog's existing relationship with you to build motivation.

Question 15

What if my dog has aggression or has bitten before?

Accepted Answer

Custom Training is built for these cases. We take dogs other trainers turn down. Expect a longer program (4+ weeks), a thorough assessment on the consult call before we commit to anything, and a frank conversation about what success can realistically look like for your specific dog. We won't promise a transformation we can't deliver.

Question 16

Do you train all breeds?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every breed, every mix, every size. The methodology is the same; the pacing and the tools adjust for the individual dog. Working breeds and reactive cases tend to land in Transformational or Custom. Pet-oriented dogs of any breed are great fits for Foundational.

Question 17

What does a typical day look like for my dog?

Accepted Answer

Your dog lives and learns with our trainers — they're not kenneled. Mornings are structured obedience drills and engagement work. Afternoons add distractions: walks, parks, busy environments. Evenings are calmer house manners around the team. They eat, sleep, and rest with our trainers as part of daily life.

Question 18

Will I get updates while my dog is here?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a private group chat with daily photos and short training videos. You see what your dog is learning, what they're struggling with, and what we're cleaning up. No surprises at the end of the program.

Question 19

What do I need to bring at drop-off?

Accepted Answer

Your dog's food, any favorite treats they really respond to, and any medications. We provide everything else — leashes, collars, training equipment, beds, crates. We'll cover specifics on the consult call.

Question 20

How long after I book until my dog can start?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the program and the time of year. Custom programs sometimes have a 4-6 week wait because we cap how many complex cases run at once. Foundational and Day Training typically start within 2-3 weeks. The consult call locks in your start date.

Dog Training FAQsThe questions we get on every consult call — answered straight. If you don't see your question here, ask it on the call.

Pricing & programs

Methods & tools

Outcomes & what you get

Ages, breeds, and special cases

Logistics

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