Bonafide Dog Academy LLC

Bonafide Dog Academy offers diverse training programs for puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs, all based on positive reinforcement.

Their Day Academy combines daycare, training, and enrichment. Dogs undergo a temperament evaluation and are placed in small playgroups (max 5 dogs), with alternative activities for non-social dogs. A step-by-step training program is implemented daily, including private training, extra-curricular skills, recess, and enrichment activities. Puppies must be 12 weeks+ with 2 vaccination rounds; dogs with severe aggression or resource guarding are not suited.

Group Classes cater to various age groups and skill levels. Puppy classes (9 weeks to 12 months) cover Puppy Life Skills 1 (house training, bite inhibition, socialization), Puppy Focus and Self-Control, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, and supervised Puppy Play Time. Adolescent and Adult classes (5 months+) include Adolescent Manners, foundational “Starting Out” classes, and progressive Level 2, 3, and 4 classes focusing on basic to advanced manners and AKC Canine Good Citizen prep. Scentwork classes (Beginner, Novice, Advanced) introduce foundational scents and prepare dogs for competitive or recreational scent work. Specialty classes address Focus and Impulse Control, Confident Canines (reactivity/fear), Therapy Dog Training, AKC Community Canine, Nose Work and Scent Games, Recalls & Distractions, Confidence for the Wallflower (Shy) Dog, and Cafe/Brewery Manners.

Private Training offers one-on-one sessions, either in-home or at their facility, tailored to individual goals. Out-And-About Puppy Training (under 16 weeks) and Out-And-About Adult Dog Training provide 8 or 12 sessions plus a follow-up, focusing on real-world socialization, travel, and manners. Customized Private Training Sessions address specific issues like potty training, biting, chewing, leash pulling, counter surfing, barking, and general manners.

Separation Anxiety Training is a 12-week program addressing anxiety, destruction, and house soiling when dogs are left alone. It begins with an initial assessment (in-person or Zoom) and includes bi-weekly Zoom sessions with customized training plans.

Pricing Summary

Day Academy: Evaluation is $45/Full Day. Monthly rates are $400 for 2x a week (8 days), $540 for 3x a week (12 days), $720 for 4x a week (16 days), and $800 for 5x a week (20 days). Day-by-day payment is not offered; clients purchase monthly packages.

Group Classes (4-week courses): Adolescent Manners, Level 1 – Starting Out, Level 2 – Basic Manners, Level 3 – Intermediate Skills, Focus and Impulse Control, Puppy Focus and Self-Control, Recalls & Distractions – Relationship Building, Confidence for the Wallflower (Shy) Dog, and Nose Work and Scent Games are all $140.00.
Group Classes (5-week courses): Level 4 – Advanced Skills/AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep, Therapy Dog Training, New Beginnings: Training Class for Newly Adopted Rescue Dogs, and Cafe/Brewery Manners are all $150.00.
Group Classes (6-week courses): Scentwork Beginner Class, Scentwork Novice Class, and Scentwork Advanced are all $160.00. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is $150.00, and AKC Community Canine is $155.00.
Specialty Class: Confident Canines is $170.00 for private and semi-private sessions.
Puppy Life Skills 1 is $150.00, with an optional Add-On Training Session for $100.00.
Puppy Play Time is $15 per session.

Private Training: Customized Private Training Sessions are $150/Session. Out-And-About Puppy Training and Out-And-About Adult Dog Training packages are $750 for 8 sessions + 1 private training session, and $1050 for 12 sessions + 1 private training session.
Separation Anxiety Training: All three program options are 12 weeks long and cost $400, including an initial meeting and 6 bi-weekly 30-minute Zoom sessions.

Policies

For Day Academy enrollment, all dogs must be up to date on Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella vaccinations, as well as flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Puppies must be 12 weeks or older and have had at least 2 rounds of vaccinations. Dogs with severe behavior problems such as human-directed aggression, separation anxiety, high-level resource guarding (from humans), or severe dog-directed aggression are not suitable for this program; private training is recommended for these cases. Prior to attending Day Academy, dogs should be able to settle comfortably in a crate, playpen, or dog-proofed room at home. Each prospective student must attend a required evaluation day. The facility is closed from 9 AM to 4 PM, with late drop-off and early pick-up available for a $10 additional fee. Day Academy does not offer day-by-day payment; clients must purchase monthly packages.

For the Cafe/Brewery Manners class, dogs should have previously attended a basic skills training class and not be reactive towards other dogs and people. For Therapy Dog Training, dogs must be people/dog-friendly, up-to-date on vaccinations, and have completed at least an intermediate-level class.

Bonafide Dog Academy LLC has proudly served Omaha and the surrounding community as a premier dog training facility since 2006. They are committed to meeting clients’ needs and exceeding expectations, founded on the principle that dogs are cherished companions. Their dedicated trainers help owners explore the extraordinary connection with their dogs and tap into their potential through positive reinforcement training methods.

The academy offers a variety of services including Day Academy, Private Training, General Training, Separation Anxiety training, Group classes, Puppy classes, Adolescent and Adult classes, Dog Sports, American Kennel Club preparation, Mini-Classes, Facility Rentals, and Exercise & Enrichment. Their Day Academy uniquely combines daycare, training, and enrichment, prioritizing safety through rigorous temperament evaluations and small playgroups.

Bonafide Dog Academy’s training philosophy aims to empower owners to move from “pet” to “partner,” believing every dog has the potential to change people’s lives. They advocate for positive reinforcement as a scientifically proven, highly effective, and ethical approach that builds trust, encourages willing cooperation, enhances long-term learning, strengthens emotional well-being, adapts to all dogs, and aligns with ethical animal welfare standards. They also provide an indoor space for dogs to get mental and physical exercise, regardless of weather conditions.

Accomplishments

Bonafide Dog Academy has been operating since 2006. Susan and the late Andy Bailey purchased the business in February 2019.
Their staff includes:
Dominique, who has a decade of experience, including 9 years in dog daycares, veterinary clinics, and training companies. She holds an Associate’s degree in science and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Dominique is also experienced in various dog sports like Agility, Disc, and Herding.
Cheryl, a canine educator with over a decade of teaching experience. She holds certifications as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), Certified Service Dog Coach, Certified Canine Behavior Counselor, Aggressive Behavior Certified, Fearful Behavior Certified, and CGC Evaluator. Cheryl is also the founder of the Nebraska Dachshund Rescue.
Katelin earned her certification as a dog trainer through Animal Behavior College in October 2021 and has valuable experience assisting in the behavior department at a dog shelter, teaching puppy classes and basic obedience.
Amanda holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Wyoming and has prior animal training experience at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, working with diverse creatures including Orangutans, Gorillas, California Sea Lions, and Harbor Seals. She has been a full-time trainer at Bonafide Dog Academy for nearly two years.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Day Academy, clients first apply online to provide information about themselves and their dog. Following the application, the dog attends an evaluation day. If accepted, clients can then sign up for a Day Academy package. Drop-off for Day Academy is between 7 AM and 9 AM, and pick-up is between 4 PM and 6 PM.

For Group Classes, clients can register online or contact the academy with any questions. They then join the weekly classes to watch their dog learn and thrive.

For Private Training, clients can apply for private training or enroll in one of the Out-and-About Programs. This initial step involves discussing the client’s dog and training goals. The training then proceeds using positive reinforcement techniques.

For Separation Anxiety Training, clients are encouraged to contact the academy for help. The program begins with an initial meeting, which can be a 2-hour class at the facility, a 1-hour Zoom session, or a 1-hour in-home session, during which the dog’s anxiety is assessed and an initial training plan is provided. This is followed by bi-weekly 30-minute Zoom sessions with customized training plans.