Best Friends Dog Training, Behavior & Evaluations

Training is structured in tiers: Puppy 1 & 2 (kindergarten), Adult Beginner (grade school), Intermediate (doggy high school), Advanced (doggy college), and Canine Good Citizen (PhD). Behavioral modification programs address anxiety, fear, reactivity, and aggression. Specialty programs include Rally-O, Scentwork, Off-leash, Therapy Dog, and Service Dog training. All programs use positive reinforcement and include homework for pet parents to reinforce skills at home. Socialization training is integrated throughout.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is reasonable and tailored to service type; service dog training involves dedicated, long-term investment. Specific rates not listed, but clients note value and affordability compared to other trainers. Packages available for multiple sessions.

Best Friends Dog Training, Behavior & Evaluations is a certified dog training business led by Carrie Abrams, a professional trainer and behavioral consultant with multiple certifications including CPDT-KA, CDBC-KA, and IAABC. She offers positive, force-free training for dogs of all ages—from puppies to seniors—covering basic obedience, advanced skills, service and therapy dog preparation, and behavioral modification for anxiety, fear, reactivity, and aggression. Her programs include puppy kindergarten, adult obedience tiers (beginner to advanced), Rally-O, Scentwork, off-leash training, and Canine Good Citizen certification. She also provides specialized support for rescue dogs, helping them overcome trauma and build trust. Carrie emphasizes lifelong partnership, socialization, and calm, confident behavior through progressive, reward-based methods. She offers both private lessons and limited group classes, with virtual (Zoom) sessions available for home-based training convenience.

Carrie is an evaluator for the Foundation of Service Dog Support and an AKC-certified instructor, helping clients train dogs for assistance roles and therapy work. Her clients praise her patience, deep knowledge of dog psychology, and ability to transform even the most challenging behaviors. She tailors training to each dog’s needs and educates pet parents on consistent, positive communication techniques to ensure lasting results.

She is recognized as a Top Pro in Colorado Springs for four consecutive years and has received the Certificate of Excellence from Bark.com for multiple years, reflecting her consistent excellence and client satisfaction.

Accomplishments

Carrie Abrams is a certified CPDT-KA and CDBC-KA trainer, AKC-certified instructor, and evaluator for the Foundation of Service Dog Support. She has been named Top Pro in Colorado Springs for four consecutive years and received the Certificate of Excellence from Bark.com in 2017, 2018, and 2019. She is also a certified Pet Partners Therapy Dog evaluator and member of APDT, IAABC, and PPG.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients are encouraged to call or email to schedule an initial consultation, which is free. During this meeting, Carrie assesses the dog’s needs and recommends a customized training plan—either private lessons, group classes, or a combination, including virtual options.