Blue Dog Elite

Blue Dog Elite offers several training programs. The Initial Consultation is a required home visit for new clients to discuss goals. The Puppy Right Start Program provides structured guidance for puppies through their first year, including in-home sessions and Puppy Camp Days at Blue Dog Elite Headquarters. A La Carte Training Sessions address minor concerns or new skills, with owners actively participating. Day School offers foundation obedience and behavioral modification at Blue Dog Elite Headquarters, with flexible scheduling and follow-up sessions. Overnight Camp is an intensive boarding and training program at the trainer’s home, customized for one client at a time, requiring dogs to be crate trained. Field Trip Meet Ups are training sessions in public settings for intermediate to advanced dogs who have completed a prior program. Additionally, the Blazing Tails Adventure League provides outdoor excursions for dogs, either individually or in small groups, with pick-up and drop-off services. Swim lessons are also planned for the summer.

Pricing Summary

Pricing for most training services is provided during a free mini phone consultation. For Blazing Tails Adventure League, Group Adventures are $45 for the first dog and $15 for an additional dog from the same household, with a $30 add-on for combined training. Solo Adventures are $60 for the first dog and $15 for a second dog from the same household, with a $45 add-on for combined training. A loyalty program offers the 10th adventure free after purchasing nine. All purchases are non-refundable, but cancellations due to weather, illness, or injury are credited for future use. Payment is due at booking, with weekly installments available.

Policies

All purchases are non-refundable. However, adventures cancelled due to weather, dog illness, or injury will be credited for future use. Payment is due at the time of booking, and weekly installments are permitted. Dogs must have up-to-date vaccines, and owners are advised to keep sick dogs home, with a credit provided for the booking. For group adventures, puppies must be at least 6 months old, and small dogs under 25 lbs are not grouped with large dogs for safety reasons. Adventure League runs year-round, but extreme weather conditions (hot/humid, below freezing with wind chill, heavy rain, deep snow) may lead to rescheduling for safety and comfort.

Blue Dog Elite offers customized dog training services and outdoor adventures for dogs. The business is owned and operated by Lesley, who is described as a “balanced” dog trainer. She incorporates all four quadrants of positive and negative reinforcement into her training style and uses tools such as prong collars, slip leads, and E-Collars.

Lesley’s approach focuses on three core pillars: educating owners to understand the ‘why’ behind training, innovating custom-designed training plans that fit an owner’s lifestyle, and empowering both owners and dogs to build confidence and strong relationships.

In addition to training, Blue Dog Elite provides “Blazing Tails Adventure League,” which offers outdoor excursions for dogs individually or in small groups, including pick-up and drop-off services. They also plan to offer private swim lessons. Lesley’s past experience includes operating “The Dog Lady Professional Canine Services,” which offered boarding, daycare, home visits, walks, and enrichment programs.

Accomplishments

Lesley Stone, the owner and head trainer, is a graduate of the CT K9 Education Center’s formal training program. She is a Certified PET TECH FIRST AID AND CPR Provider and a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). Lesley is also an authorized distributor for E Collar Technologies/Educator Remote Dog Training Systems. Her past experience includes being the Sole Proprietor of The Dog Lady Professional Canine Services and a former lead trainer at The Doggie Castle, where she taught various classes and offered AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing. She was also a published writer for The Cromwell Chronicle Newspaper, contributing a monthly advice column on dog-related topics.

How to Get Started!

New clients begin with an Initial Consultation, which is a home visit to meet the dog and owner, discuss needs, and set goals. Before this, potential clients are encouraged to schedule a free, no-obligation mini phone consultation to determine if Blue Dog Elite is the right fit. Pricing and other details are provided during this phone call.