We have been professionally training dogs and horses as well as other animals for over 30 years. We have trained many American Kennel Club (AKC) and American Field champions including one AKC National Field Trial Champion. We have trained obedience and agility dogs, handicap assistance dogs, field dogs, protection and tracking dogs, bomb and narcotics dogs as well as dogs for movies and TV commercials. When it comes to dog training, “We wrote the book”.

At the Kennel we have the space and facilities needed to properly train dogs. We have a regulation agility course, tracking course, AKC obedience ring and plenty of room and distractions. Dogs are trained around other dogs, cats, people, goats, chickens, peacocks and horses. Only when your dog will behave in the presence of all these distractions do you have a trained dog.

It takes a lot of time and patience to properly train a dog. Over the last 30 plus years we have developed different programs to fit different owners' needs. In early training, dogs must be trained multiple times each day working within their attention span, with rest periods between training sessions. You can't work with dogs past their attention span and you can't push dogs faster than they have the ability to learn. Dogs, just like people, have different levels of ability and learn at different speeds. Just like there are no two people alike; there are no two dogs alike.

All of our training programs involve training the owner as well as the dog. This doesn't mean that owners have to do all the hard day to day training work, but owners must learn how to control their dog. Over the years we have learned that many behavior problems are actually owner problems, not dog problems. Much of the time that owners spend at the Kennel during the training process is spent in a classroom, blackboard environment with degreed behavioral psychologists understanding how dogs' brains function. Owners must learn how to do things correctly at home and follow through. Otherwise, all the dog training in the world will not work.

Pick the program that will work best for you and your dog.

1. PUPPY KINDERGARTEN CLASS: This group class program is designed for owners with puppies from 7 weeks to 4 months of age. The correct time to start training dogs is at 7 weeks of age. This course is on going and covers everything owners should be doing with their puppies during this critical period. Topics include proper bonding techniques, leash training, housebreaking, crate training, chewing, nutrition, veterinary care, flea and tick control and grooming. Puppies are socialized with people and other puppies. In this course we focus the puppies' attention and introduce the concept of control and the master/dog relationship.

Puppies that go through the puppy program usually do not develop dysfunctional behavior problems as they mature and they more readily accept further advanced training as they get older. Just as with early training in children, early training in dogs teaches them how to learn later on. Owners attend weekly 1-2 hour group classes with their puppies until dogs are mature enough for more advanced training.

Cost: Minimum $95 tax deductible donation to the Arlington Humane Society

2. BEGINNING OBEDIENCE (In-Kennel): This program is for dogs over 5 months of age that need to learn some basic manners and whose owners need a little help getting their dogs under control. Dogs stay with us for 2-3 weeks and are trained by professional dog trainers multiple times each day working within their attention span. The goal in this program is to get dogs started and under control and teach owners proper training techniques. We are not going to have a fully trained dog in this short time. Owners come to the Kennel and work with the trainers and their own dog 2 times each week during the in-kennel training phase. This way owners see the progress and learn how to continue the training when dogs come home.

After taking dogs home, owners continue to come to weekly classes at the Kennel for the next 3-6 months and continue to work with their dogs several times each day at home; or until they reach the level of control they desire. There are no “ magic wands” when it comes to dog training.

3. ADVANCED OFF-LEASH TRAINING (In-KenneL): This program is for owners with dogs over one year old who have completed the basic training program and now want a fully off-leash trained dog. Dogs stay at the Kennel and are trained multiple times each day for 4-6 weeks, depending on how quickly they progress. Owners come out to the Kennel 1-2 times each week during this period and work with the trainers and their own dogs. This way owners are trained and they also have the opportunity to observe the progress their dogs are making as the training progresses. When owners are comfortable and feel confident that they are in control, that's when it's time to take dogs home and continue to follow through at home.

Before entering the advanced program dogs must demonstrate their ability to handle this level of training. We will not accept any dog into the advanced program unless we feel he/she has mastered the basic training and has the maturity and intelligence necessary to handle advanced training.

Dogs successfully completing this program can be awarded the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Award and owners receive an official letter from the Kennel certifying training proficiency and non-aggression for home owners insurance purposes. Many insurance companies now require this for certain breeds of dogs.

Cost: $795 plus boarding

4. OWNER DOES ALL THE TRAINING:

Beginning Obedience (At Home): This 8 week intensive program is designed for those owners who have the time and patience necessary to train their own dogs and also like hard work. Owners attend a 30-minute mid-week lesson and attend a 1-2 hour group class on Saturday's at the Kennel each week for 8 weeks. Owners must also spend 1-2 hours every day training their dog at home in order for this program to be successful.

Owners with reasonably intelligent dogs who follow the plan and put in the time required working at home should reach an intermediate level of control with this program. Owners who aspire to reach an advanced off-leash training level can go into the advanced training program.

Cost: $395

Advanced Off-Leash (At Home): Owners who wish to participate in this program must demonstrate the physical stamina and conditioning required, and if necessary obtain a physician's release prior to starting. This program is physically demanding and requires a lot of work. We don't need any heart attacks. Before entering the advanced program dogs must demonstrate their ability to handle this level of training. We will not accept any dog into the advanced program unless we feel he/she has mastered the basic training and has the maturity and intelligence necessary to handle advanced training.

Cost: $495

Junior Handler (At Home): This program is designed for children ages 10-17, and their parents to interact with their dog in a positive learning environment. Classes are taught by professional trainers under the direction of the Training Director. A parent must be in attendance anytime children are at the Kennel. Only one child can work with the dog at a time. Parents must also supervise training sessions at home. All parents wishing to enter a child in this program must receive the approval of the Kennel Training Director. No disruptive or dangerous conduct will be allowed at anytime, and no aggressive dogs will be permitted in this program. Dogs exhibiting serious problems may require some more extensive In-Kennel training prior to being admitted into this program.

Cost: Same as beginning and advanced

We do not do, nor do we recommend any dog aggression training for anyone other than law enforcement agencies. Any other specialized training will be quoted based on the amount of staff time and effort involved "If you've got the money, we've got the time".

We strongly recommend that dogs over 6 months of age be spayed/neutered prior to starting training. This makes for well-behaved dogs and in most cases makes dogs more receptive to training. Their brain is not focused on other things.

All dogs in all training programs must be current on vaccinations and be on monthly heartworm prevention (puppies under 4 months of age do not need to be on heartworm pills). We can't train sick dogs and we don't want any sick dogs around the Kennel, boarding or training.

Note: The Kennel makes absolutely no guarantees regarding the outcome or results of any training program. Training depends on the intelligence of the dog and the commitment of the owner. We will do our part. Owners have to do their part.

When you go out of town on business or pleasure, board your pet at the Kennel where he/she can have fun and be around other healthy pets. Veterinary hospitals are for sick animals. The Kennel is for healthy dogs and cats. We have the staff, facilities and space that healthy pets need.