Atlas Dog Training

Atlas offers three main board and train programs: On-Leash Obedience (2-3 weeks), Lifetime Obedience (4 weeks), and Behavior Modification (for serious issues). Dogs stay at the trainer’s facility for 4-5 weeks, receiving daily training, field trips to public areas, and weekly photo/video updates. All programs include lifetime phone/text support and free graduation sessions. E-collars are used in Lifetime and Behavior programs for reliability, but an e-collar-free option is available for On-Leash Obedience. Boarding is available exclusively to program graduates.

Pricing Summary

Programs are priced as follows: Lifetime Obedience at $4,500 total, split into a $500 refundable deposit, $2,000 at drop-off, and $2,000 at graduation. Boarding for graduates is $80/night. All programs include lifetime follow-up support at no extra cost.

Policies

Atlas offers a lifetime service guarantee with free follow-up support for the life of the dog. A $500 refundable deposit secures a spot in any program. All dogs must be crate and muzzle trained prior to drop-off if they pose a bite risk. Boarding is only available to program graduates, with exceptions for housemates.

Atlas Dog Training is a professional dog training business based in Western Massachusetts that specializes in board and train programs for dogs of all breeds, ages, and behavioral issues. Their lead trainer, Henry Barnes, uses a balanced training approach that combines positive reinforcement with corrections to build clear communication, trust, and mutual respect between dogs and their owners. The business offers intensive 4-5 week residential training programs that include daily exercise, mental stimulation, field trips to real-world environments, and weekly updates with photos and videos for owners. They also provide lifetime follow-up support at no additional cost and offer exclusive boarding for graduates to maintain training consistency. Their services address issues like aggression, separation anxiety, leash pulling, barking, resource guarding, and fearfulness, with programs tailored to basic obedience, behavior modification, and off-leash reliability.

They do not offer private lessons, group classes, or in-home training—only facility-based board and train programs. All dogs stay at their home-based facility in Whately, MA, with 24/7 supervision, crating overnight, and supervised play. They also provide a free initial consultation to assess each dog’s needs and create a customized plan.

Atlas Dog Training serves clients across Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire, and their training methods include the use of e-collars for reliability in high-distraction environments, though an e-collar-free option is available for some programs.

Accomplishments

Henry Barnes has trained hundreds of dogs across all breeds and behaviors, previously working at a board and train facility in Denver, CO, before founding Atlas Dog Training in Massachusetts. Clients report significant improvements in obedience, behavior, and confidence in their dogs after training.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can request a free consultation via phone, email, or the website contact form. During the consultation, the trainer assesses the dog’s behavior, discusses goals, and recommends the appropriate program. A $500 refundable deposit is required to secure enrollment.