Dog Training Programs in North Alabama
Every program we offer, what each one costs, and who it is actually for — board & train, private lessons and puppy training, from our facility in Somerville and across the 16 towns we serve.
Not sure where to start?
Most people arrive here with one of three problems, and the program follows from which one it is.
“My dog does not listen.” That is obedience. If you want the fastest, deepest result and off-leash reliability, choose a board & train. If you would rather learn to handle your dog yourself, choose lessons.
“My dog is reactive, anxious or aggressive.” That is behavior work, not obedience — though it always starts with obedience. See the behavior programs below.
“I have a new puppy.” Start on the puppy track. Balanced obedience begins at 6 months, but the foundation work starts long before that.
Board & train programs
Your dog lives and trains with a professional trainer. This is where off-leash reliability comes from — it is not something private lessons produce — and every program ends with a hand-off lesson so the results transfer to you rather than staying with the trainer.
2 Week Board & Train Program
Our flagship program. Your dog lives and trains with a professional for two weeks, then comes home with the seven basic commands and off-leash reliability, proofed around real distractions. Includes the e-collar and a hand-off lesson so the results transfer to you.
2 Week Anxiety Board & Train
Built for dogs whose problem is not obedience but panic — separation distress, pacing, destruction when left alone. Structured desensitization alongside full obedience work.
2 Week Basic Board & Train
The full command set in a lower-distraction setting. A strong choice if your dog mainly needs reliable obedience at home and on walks rather than heavy public proofing.
2 Week Puppy Board and Train
For puppies 12 to 24 weeks old. Positive-based only — no e-collar — focused on potty training, crate manners, socialization and the habits that decide what kind of adult dog you get.
1 Week "Freedom" Board and Train
A shorter immersive option when you need meaningful progress quickly and can keep up the structure at home afterwards.
Private lessons
One-on-one sessions with a trainer — never group classes. Your dog stays home, you learn to handle your own dog, and the pace follows what you put in between sessions.
Aggressive / Behavior Modification Lesson Program
Eight private lessons for reactivity, aggression toward dogs or people, and fear-based behavior. The first four cover basic obedience — control is the foundation — and the last four are the customized behavior work. Aggression cases get a phone consultation before enrollment.
Basic & Advanced Program
Eight one-hour private lessons over eight weeks. Basic obedience first, then advanced commands, distance work and heel. Includes the e-collar.
Basic Obedience Program
Four one-hour private lessons covering the core commands: come, sit, down, place, heel and more. One-on-one with a trainer, not a group class. Includes the e-collar.
Basic Marker Mastery™
Marker-based foundation training built on clear communication and reward timing. This is the positive-foundation route, and the right starting point for a young dog not yet old enough for balanced obedience.
Puppy training
Balanced obedience and adult board & train start at 6 months old. Before that, puppies belong on the positive-based track below — and the earlier you start, the less there is to undo later.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Package
Six private 30-minute positive-reinforcement sessions over six weeks, for puppies 8 weeks to 5 months. Socialization, handling and the foundation habits, ending in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certificate.
Puppy Training Consultation
A one-hour sit-down about your specific puppy — what to work on now, what can wait, and which program fits. Credited toward any package you go on to buy.
Training Consultation
One hour with a trainer to assess an adult dog and map out a plan. Credited toward any package you go on to buy.
Also on the puppy track: the 2 Week Puppy Board and Train (12–24 weeks, positive-based only) and Basic Marker Mastery. There is also a self-paced online puppy course listed on our pricing page if you want to start today. For the full picture, see puppy training.
Training for a specific behavior
If you already know what you are trying to fix, start here.
Barking, chewing, potty training, recall, door manners, jumping, pulling on the lead — these are not separate programs. They are what obedience fixes. Start with obedience training, or with the Behavior Modification lesson program if the behavior is rooted in fear or reactivity rather than manners.
Working through the core programs instead? Obedience training · Board and train · Puppy training · Aggressive dog training
Breed-specific training
Every breed brings its own defaults — drive, sensitivity, what it was bred to do. See breed-specific dog training, or go straight to yours.
How it works
1. Talk to us. Call (256) 998-8316 for a free phone consultation, or book a paid consultation if you want a trainer to assess your dog in person. Either way we tell you which program fits — including when that is the cheaper one.
2. Pick the program. Board & train for speed and off-leash reliability, lessons if you want to do the handling yourself.
3. Do the work. Board & train dogs stay with us; lesson dogs train with you at home and out in real-world places around your town.
4. Take it home. Every board & train ends with a hand-off lesson, because the point is a dog that listens to you.
Where we train
Our facility is at 6439 Hwy 36 E, Somerville, AL 35670. We train across the 16 towns below — no travel fees anywhere in the service area.
Common questions
Our balanced obedience programs and adult board & train start at 6 months old. Younger than that, the puppy track is where you begin: the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Package from 8 weeks, the positive-based 2 Week Puppy Board and Train at 12 to 24 weeks, or Basic Marker Mastery. Starting early is not wasted time — it decides what kind of adult dog you get.
Programs run from a $100 consultation, which is credited toward whatever you buy, up to $2,900 for a two-week board & train. Most families land between $600 and $2,900 depending on the dog's age, the behavior and how fast you need results. Every published price is on our pricing page. Payment plans are available. Call us today to learn more about payment options: (256) 998-8316.
With lessons, your dog stays home and you train alongside a professional in private one-on-one sessions — the results track how consistent you are between them. With a board & train, your dog lives and trains with a trainer for two to four weeks, which is where off-leash reliability comes from, and comes home with a hand-off lesson so the results transfer to you. Board & train is faster and deeper; lessons keep you in the driving seat throughout.
Both, depending on the program. Lesson-based training happens at your home and at real-world places around your town — parks, sidewalks, shops, wherever your dog actually needs to behave. Board & train runs from our facility at 6439 Hwy 36 E, Somerville, AL 35670. There are no travel fees anywhere in our service area.
Yes, and it is one of the things we do most. Start with aggressive dog training or reactive dog training to see how the work is structured. Every aggression case gets a phone consultation before enrollment so we can talk through your dog's specific history first — call (256) 998-8316. Aggression tends to escalate without professional help, so it is worth the call sooner rather than later.
Book a training consultation — an hour with a trainer to assess your dog and map out a plan, and the $100 is credited toward any package you go on to buy. If you would rather just talk it through, call (256) 998-8316 and we will point you to the right program, including if that turns out to be the cheaper one.
Talk to a trainer
Tell us about your dog and we will tell you honestly which program fits.
Payment plans are available. Call us today to learn more about payment options.