Copilot Academy, LLC

Copilot Academy offers Puppy Training for dogs 10 weeks to 5 months old, focusing on body language, socialization, and basic commands. Private Lessons, Service Dog, and Therapy Dog Training are customized 60 to 90-minute sessions addressing issues like leash pulling, jumping, bolting, counter surfing, and off-leash reliability.

Red Zone Dog Training is designed for aggression, anxiety, and leash reactivity, including dogs with documented bite histories. Board and Train programs are available for 14, 21, or 28 days, including a 14-day puppy jumpstart for dogs 10 weeks to 5 months and a 14-day program for dogs 5 months and older. These intensive programs cover top 10 obedience commands, all-inclusive socialization, and multiple daily trainings with a head trainer, including daily pictures and frequent videos.

Board and Train programs include a 2-3 hour go-home process and a free one-hour follow-up lesson. Weekly group classes are also offered.

Pricing Summary

Consultations have a fee: facility consults are $30 (Monday-Sunday), in-home consults are $45, and online consults are $30. After-hour (5:00pm and later) consults are $45 in the facility and $60 in home. All consultation fees must be paid in advance. Rescheduling less than 12 hours or no-shows for consultations incur another $30 fee.

Private lesson packages range from $400-$900 with payment plans available (ideally upfront, or every two lessons, or half upfront). Day trains range from $60-$80. Hybrid board and trains are $50/hr. Board and train payment is required in full on the day of drop-off, minus a $500 nonrefundable deposit.

Accepted payment methods include Cash, personal check, cashiers check, money order, Venmo (3.5% fee), Zelle (no fee), and credit card (3.5% fee). Military discounts are offered frequently throughout the year, with specific pricing communicated at the consultation.

Policies

Consultations require advance payment to reserve a spot. If a client is a no-call, no-show for either online or in-person consultations, or requests a reschedule less than 12 hours from the appointment time, another $30 fee is charged for rescheduling.

Board and Train payment is required in full on the day of drop-off, minus a $500 nonrefundable deposit. Private lesson payment is ideally requested upfront, but can be paid every two lessons or half upfront. Training is not a product that can be returned.

Copilot Academy, LLC is a dog training business based in Killeen, TX, offering a variety of services including private lessons, day trains, weekly group classes, and board and train programs. They specialize in puppy obedience, basic and advanced obedience, therapy training, service dog training, and behavior rehabilitation for dogs with fear, anxiety, or aggression.

The team emphasizes communication and uses a balanced training approach with a combination of food, toys, praise, and various training collars. They work with all breeds, ages (starting at 10 weeks), and temperaments, including intact dogs. Training sessions can be held at their 1,500 sq ft facility or at various mobile locations like clients’ homes, dog-approved stores, or high-distraction environments.

They also offer off-leash treadmill training and provide recommendations for place beds. The business stresses consistency, patience, follow-through, and persistence as key to achieving training goals.

Accomplishments

Natalie Shoemate, the owner, graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Communication and achieved the highest training certification “Dog Trainer and Behavior Specialist” through Starmark Academy™. She is an Associate member of The International Association of Canine Professionals and an AKC Certified Evaluator. She also apprenticed under Mike Kaviani, Dog Behavior Program Manager for Austin Pets Alive.

Ashley Ghegan is a Certified Canine Trainer & Behavioral Specialist and AKC Certified Evaluator. Owen Reagan, Hollie Hillyard, Madison Clark, and Cassidy Maxfield are Certified Canine Trainers. Jenna Garza and Hannah Overall are Certified Canine Trainers & Behavioral Specialists. Jenna Garza also attended Starmark Academy and previously owned her own dog training business. Madison Clark trained her own service dog and teaches Cello & Viola professionally.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients should fill out the consultation form on the website. The Copilot Academy Team will contact the client via email and text within 24 hours to schedule a consultation. Consultations can be scheduled within the next 14 days. If a form is submitted after 6:00pm, contact will be made the next business day. Clients are advised to check their spam folder for emails.