Acadamy of Canine Excellence

Academy of Canine Excellence offers three main programs: 1) In-home hourly sessions ($150/hour) for customized behavior correction and basic command training; 2) Basic Obedience Board & Train (2 weeks, $2,700) covering housebreaking, leash manners, and foundational commands; and 3) Advanced Obedience Board & Train (4 weeks, $3,600) focusing on off-leash control, distractions, and advanced obedience in real-world environments. All board-and-train programs include 2 free in-home follow-up lessons and lifetime support. Custom programs are available for severe behavior issues or special needs dogs.

Pricing Summary

In-home training is $150 per hour. Basic Obedience Board & Train is $2,700 for 2 weeks. Advanced Obedience Board & Train is $3,600 for 4 weeks. Both board-and-train programs include 2 free in-home follow-up lessons. Pricing is flat-rate per program, with no mention of hourly rates for board-and-train.

Policies

Board-and-train programs include 2 free in-home follow-up lessons. Ongoing support is offered at no charge if families struggle after training. No cancellation or rescheduling policies are explicitly stated.

Academy of Canine Excellence is a professional dog training business based in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, founded by master trainer Joe Prendergast. They offer personalized in-home training sessions and intensive board-and-train programs designed to build strong bonds between dogs and their owners. Their philosophy centers on the belief that “there’s no such thing as a bad dog,” and they focus on compassionate, results-driven training tailored to each dog’s needs. They serve clients across Southern New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, Staten Island, and northern Delaware, with virtual training available upon request. All board-and-train programs include two free in-home follow-up lessons and lifetime support, with Joe personally delivering trained dogs back to their homes to ensure a smooth transition.

Their services include Basic Obedience Board & Train (2 weeks), Advanced Obedience Board & Train (4 weeks), and private hourly in-home sessions. They also offer group leash walking classes at rotating public park locations to improve socialization and leash manners. Joe’s training style is calm, confident, and highly effective, as demonstrated by viral social media content and numerous client success stories.

The business emphasizes long-term success by providing homework, ongoing guidance, and free support even after training ends. They train dogs of all ages and breeds, with a focus on real-life obedience in distracting environments like parks, busy streets, and public transport.

Accomplishments

Joe Prendergast, founder and master trainer, began training dogs in 2009 after apprenticing with a master trainer and working with elite competitive dogs. His training methods gained viral attention on social media, leading to widespread client referrals. He has helped countless dogs with severe behavioral issues, including aggression, reactivity, and anxiety, transforming them into well-behaved family companions.

How to Get Started!

Client engagement begins by booking an appointment through their website. A consultation is offered to assess the dog’s needs and determine the best training program. Clients can choose between in-home sessions, board-and-train, or group classes.