Real-World Board & Train Dog Training in Charlotte, NC

From Out of Control and Running The House to a Well-Behaved Dog You Can Take Anywhere

Your Dog Comes Home Ready to Listen and Behave

If your dog feels unmanageable, you’re not alone. Do they ignore you, bark, pull, jump, or act like they’re the making the rules? Don’t stress. Dog Owner’s Academy offers board and train programs in Charlotte, NC (and nearby) for dogs who need structure, consistency, and real-world practice.

This isn’t a kennel program where your dog sits around most of the day and gets one short lesson. They spend their days with our trainers working through the problem behaviors, then come home with skills built for real life.

Two dogs practicing calm obedience during real-world board and train dog training in Charlotte, NC.
Guaranteed Results. Immersive obedience training that sticks.
5,000+ Charlotte dogs trained · Nearly 20 years of experience

A Training Approach That Works Everywhere

Two well-behaved dogs practicing the place command at a dog-friendly patio during board and train dog training in Charlotte, NC.

Most dogs don’t struggle because they’re stubborn. They struggle because they haven’t been taught what to do when life gets distracting.

That’s why our Train As You Live™ approach is built around real-world training. Your dog practices obedience in the same kinds of places where you need the behavior to hold up.

That includes places with people, dogs, sounds, movement, and distractions like:

  • Busy neighborhoods
  • Parks and sidewalks
  • Dog-friendly stores
  • Outdoor patios

A dog who listens in a quiet room is a good start. But a dog who can stay focused when another dog walks by, wait at the door, settle in public, and walk calmly beside you is the goal.

Real-world practice and outings

Most Board & Train programs train in controlled environments. We train in public places with strangers, other dogs, distractions, and everything that usually makes your dog’s behavior fall apart.

Training built into the day

During Board & Train, your dog’s training isn’t limited to one session. They spend all day embedded with our trainers, working through every behavior that’s been making life harder.

Care that fits your dog

At night, your dog stays at our facility or at a trainer’s home, depending on their needs and temperament. They’re comfortable, well cared for, and building habits that will stick months from now.

Built for Dogs (and Owners) Who Need More Structure

Maybe you have a young dog who needs better habits before the bad ones get stronger. Maybe you rescued a dog you love, but right now, daily life feels pretty unmanageable. Or you’ve tried training before and thought, “Why is this still not working?”

That doesn’t mean your dog is a lost cause or too far gone. It means your dog needs structure. You need clarity. And both of you need a plan you can actually follow. That’s where we come in.

Read Ryan and Bear’s Board & Train Story:
From pulling and barking to staying close and reliable.

What Dog Owner’s Academy Clients Say About Training

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Pamela Forgey profile picture
Pamela Forgey
6 days ago
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After one lesson with Dominic we can see such a difference!
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Ryan McGrann
8 days ago
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Getting training for the life of the dog is awesome, knowing you can get a little help from time to time whenever you need it. And the group classes are fantastic. I never thought our pup would be off-leash but she got there within a couple of months. Dom and Amaya have been awesome. You can't go wrong.
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Sue Shaw profile picture
Sue Shaw
13 days ago
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Good lesson tailored to my situation.
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Emily Hamilton profile picture
Emily Hamilton
18 days ago
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Dominic is the best! Dog Owners Academy is the way to go
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Sara D profile picture
Sara D
18 days ago
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I’ve been working with Dog Owner’s academy and Amaya for two months now and I can already see the benefits in my dog. The confidence he’s built has really excelled him in training. I’m so grateful for Amaya’s help in making my dog a better family dog.
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Isaiah Robinson profile picture
Isaiah Robinson
46 days ago
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Amya is amazing with our dog Luna. The results are remarkable and life changing for us and our dog.
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Joseph Starr
69 days ago
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Awesome training for my doodle. He loved his trainer. Amya is great and she really focused on what was needed to get him ready to hangout at the stores and parks.
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Kristin Auerbach profile picture
Kristin Auerbach
70 days ago
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Dominic has been absolutely wonderful to work with. He is currently training both of my dogs—a four-month-old puppy and my two-year-old dog—and the difference has been remarkable. What I appreciate most is that he doesn’t just train the dogs; he teaches us how to communicate with them in a way they understand. He is patient, knowledgeable, and explains the “why” behind everything he does, which has given us so much more confidence at home. He has been fantastic at adapting his approach to each dog’s personality and stage of development. Our puppy is learning great habits from the beginning, while our older dog has made tremendous progress as well. The training is practical, positive, and easy to continue between sessions. If you’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about your dogs and wants to set both you and your pets up for long-term success, I can’t recommend Dominic highly enough. We are so grateful for everything he has done and look forward to continuing to work with him.
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Latrisha Whitehead profile picture
Latrisha Whitehead
73 days ago
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Amya is great with Riggs. He’s improved so much since working with her. She firm but so patient. We’ve grown as well it’s been a bit of a learning experience for us to practice consistency and patience. Thank you Amya
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Diana Bass profile picture
Diana Bass
81 days ago
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Amya has been a great asset in my training for Fender. She came and made a customized plan and spent a lot of time working on exactly what we need. She is very knowledgeable and friendly. Thanks so much!

Your Dog’s Personality Stays. The Bad Behavior Doesn’t.

Dog trainer in Charlotte, NC walking a small white curly-haired dog on leash beside colorful flower beds outdoors during a training session.

One thing we hear from a lot of owners before they start: “I just don’t want them to lose their personality.”

Our trainers cherish the things that make your dog unique. The adorable quirks, the enthusiasm, the way they light up a room. All that stays. What we change is the behavior that makes it hard to enjoy their personality. The pulling, the jumping, the ignoring you, the chaos.

By the end of a Board & Train program, the standard is the same: a dog that walks on/off leash reliably. Through a crowded park, past other dogs, on a busy patio. A dog you can take to a coffee shop, a brewery, or a friend’s house without holding your breath.

Off-leash reliable in real environments. They come when called. Wait at the door. Walk without pulling. Hold a place. Stay focused when distractions are everywhere.

You’ll get the dog you love back. It’s just a version of them that you can take anywhere. And don’t be surprised when strangers compliment their good behavior and ask who trained them.

Two Ways to Board and Train. One Goal: A Dog You Trust.

Jumpstart: In-Home Lessons + Board and Train

  • Best for dog owners who want intensive training, a structured handoff, and ongoing support after their dog comes home.
Your dog spends focused time with our trainers learning practical obedience in real-world environments. Before and after the boarding portion, we work with you at home so you learn how to communicate with your dog in a way they understand. Then, group lessons help your dog stay sharp while you stay connected to a community of owners who get it.

What’s Included:

  • 10 boarding days with our trainers in real-world environments
  • In-home lessons before and after boarding
  • Progress updates during the program
  • Return-day owner training session
  • One year of group lessons after graduation
  • A training manual

All-Inclusive Autopilot: Full Board and Train

  • Best for owners who want the most complete, fully trainer-directed program with no expiration date on the support.

Your dog spends longer fully immersed with our team. Every aspect of the training is handled by our trainers from start to finish. What makes this program different from JumpStart isn’t just the extra time. It’s the lifetime of support. If something changes, like a new house or a behavior that resurfaces two years from now, we’re still there. For your dog’s entire life.

What’s Included:

  • 15 boarding days with our trainers in real-world environments
  • Progress updates during the program
  • Return-day owner training session
  • Lifetime follow-up lessons
  • Lifetime group lessons after graduation
  • A training manual

Not Sure Which Program Is Right for You?

You don’t have to figure that out on your own. The free in-home consultation is specifically for this. We come to you, meet your dog, and walk you through which program fits your situation, your dog’s temperament, and what you want life to look like on the other side.

Pricing, program length, and what’s included. All of it gets covered in that conversation.

Three easy steps. No pushy sales pitches. No surprises.

01

Schedule a free consultation

Book a time that works for you or call us if you’d rather talk first. Either option works.

02

We come to your home

A trainer visits you at home, meets your dog, and listens to what you want life with your dog to look like.

03

You get a customized plan

Clear program recommendations, full pricing, and next steps tailored to your dog and your life.

Takes less than 60 seconds to book. 100% free. No card, no commitment.

  • No pressure, just an honest conversation about your dog.
  • All questions answered. Pricing and program fit covered in full.
  • We do more than train your dog. We teach you to understand them.

GET STARTED TODAY

Book a Free In-Home Consult

Scheduling is quick and easy. No pressure to decide on the spot. Just a helpful in-home consultation to help you decide if board and train is right for your dog.