Find a dog boot camp trainer near Charlotte, NC

Top 7 dog boot camp trainers near Charlotte, NC

Pros with the highest ratings.Pros who have been hired most often.Pros who respond to customers the fastest.Pros who have the most reviews.These are the top 10 pros for your job.

Pros with the highest ratings.Pros who have been hired most often.Pros who respond to customers the fastest.Pros who have the most reviews.These are the top 10 pros for your job.

Avatar for Always Faithful Dog Training of Charlotte
Avatar for Always Faithful Dog Training of Charlotte
5.
Always Faithful Dog Training of Charlotte
5.
Always Faithful Dog Training of Charlotte

Exceptional 5.0

(5)

Exceptional 5.0

(5)

  • 4 hires on Thumbtack
  • Serves Charlotte, NC
Heather T. says, "We rescued our dog, Romeo. He was almost a year old and was described as "a little shy at first" and "working on leash training but doing well." Turns out he was scared of everything. He had never been exposed to people or traffic or noise. And when he walked on a leash, I had to carry him back. I called a few dog trainers. One told me he couldn't help my dog. Period. Another told me that she'd have to take my dog away for a month (even though we'd just adopted him) and shock him. When I asked them both if they would be willing to meet him first they said no. One finally acquiesced and said if you want me to come to your house and pay me $200 to tell you what I just told you, I will. I was feeling pretty hopeless to say the least. And then my friend saw the AFDT business card. I called the number and Cailyn immediately made me feel better! She said of course we can help your dog and would be willing to meet him. Things changed during the first session. Romeo not only walked on a leash, he walked back! And our trainer taught us about our dog. She said he was the "back of the pack" and needed us to lead. And then in our next sessions, she showed us how! By the end of his training, he not only had the confidence to meet other people and dogs...he did it at a crowded brewery! Two of them! We are very grateful to AFDT and our trainer! During our first session, I told her that one of our training goals was for Romeo to be happier. I think it worked."See more
Avatar for Kevin's K-9 Academy, LLC
Avatar for Kevin's K-9 Academy, LLC
6.
Kevin's K-9 Academy, LLC
6.
Kevin's K-9 Academy, LLC

Exceptional 5.0

(75)

Exceptional 5.0

(75)

Great value
  • 78 hires on Thumbtack
  • Serves Charlotte, NC
Patricia B. says, "A Grateful Heart and a Happier Dog – Thank You, Kevin! I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Kevin and his K9 Academy for the incredible support, guidance, and transformation he’s helped bring to both me and my beloved dog, Tango. From the very beginning, Kevin showed patience, professionalism, and punctuality — qualities that made each session feel focused, safe, and encouraging. When we started, walking Tango was incredibly challenging. He would pull on the leash, react to other dogs, and make our outings feel more like a tug-of-war than a peaceful walk. But with Kevin’s expert help, everything began to shift. Kevin didn’t just train Tango — he empowered me. One of the most valuable lessons he taught me was that I need to be the leader. Through his calm and confident teaching style, I began to find that leadership and confidence within myself. Kevin saw what Tango needed, but more importantly, he saw what I needed — and he guided us both with such insight and care. Thanks to Kevin, I now walk Tango with joy and ease. I’m no longer dreading our time outside — I’m looking forward to it. I believe there are many happy days ahead for Tango and me, and I truly owe that to the knowledge and confidence I gained through Kevin’s guidance. Thank you, Kevin, for helping us build not only better behavior but a better bond. 😉 With gratitude, PB n Tango 🐾"See more

FAQs

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

How old should a puppy be for training?

Dog training shouldn’t wait until you’re having behavior problems. If you get a new puppy, start from the beginning with professional training to give both you and your puppy the tools you need for a healthy relationship. Dog training is as much about teaching the owner how to interact with their new dog as it is about the dog learning to behave. Puppy training can start as early as eight weeks old. Trainers who offer puppy training programs may works specifically with dogs between the ages of 8 and 18 weeks old. Trainers can teach owners about potty training and how to deal with accidents, working with separation anxiety, and training your pooch out of destructive behaviors like chewing, biting and demand barking. Puppies will start to learn to walk on-leash and other basic skills.

In addition to behavior training, socializing your puppy is an important part of dog training. Socializing your dog means they become comfortable and confident in a variety of settings and have a great foundation for becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. After your puppy has had the proper vaccinations, you can start to introduce it to a variety of different dogs and people in safe settings.

What is a dog boot camp?

A dog boot camp is basically a board and train program that focuses on training your dog or puppy. The trainers will work with your dog to curb unwanted behavior, teach them basic skills and show them how to walk on a leash.

Dog boot camps and training programs might differ when it comes to their services, so it’s always a good idea to do your research and ask them to explain exactly what they offer — and how much they charge.

How long does it take to train a puppy?

Dog training depends on the dog and how much homework the dog owner is willing to put in. Puppy training is similar to dog training in that the onus of the work depends on the owner learning new ways to interact with their dog. For a quick crash course, you can opt for a single, two hour smart-start puppy training consultation to teach you the ins and outs of being a new dog parent. You can learn how to manage potty training and what to do if the puppy experiences separation anxiety. As long as you’re willing to work on dog training a little bit each day, your puppy will quickly learn these new behaviors. If you’re not confident about training your puppy yourself, you can enroll in a 6- to 8-week puppy training course, with weekly lessons touching on everything from bite control to obedience. Puppies usually need to be at least three months old for group training classes. If you want more intensive one-on-one work, you can opt for private lessons. Some behavior problems can be resolved in one session if the dog owner learns and can implement new skills. In the case of more serious issues, 3 to 10 private sessions can typically correct challenges.

Which dog training method is best?

The best type of dog training for both you and your dog depends on the outcomes you hope to achieve. If you want your dog to learn agility training, go to someone who specializes in those techniques. Regardless of whether you want your dog to learn basic behavior or competitive-level tricks, the majority of dog training is actually about training the owner how to communicate with their dog. Most professional dog trainers agree that a model of training based on positive reinforcement breeds a happy, healthy, well-adjusted dog. The alternative to positive reinforcement training is using force or aggression techniques like physical punishment or shock-collar training to get the dog to do (or not do) a behavior. While the dog may learn how to behave as you direct, it is also learning to communicate with force and aggression, and will in turn use those behaviors on other dogs (or people) that are smaller or weaker than it is. Before signing up with a dog trainer, meet with the trainer and ask for references. Watch the trainer interact with your dog, and make sure they treat your dog with patience and firm kindness. Ask them questions about their training methods:

  • What type of training methods do you use?
  • What is your background and training, and how did you become a dog trainer?
  • How long do you expect that we will work together before we achieve the results I’m after?

There are 26 five star dog boot camp trainers in Charlotte, NC on Thumbtack.

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