Country Hill Canine Dog Training

Country Hill Canine offers three board and train programs: a 2-week on-leash obedience program for foundational skills, a 3-week basic on/off-leash program that introduces e-collar use and off-leash recall on property, and a 4-week advanced program that includes reliable off-leash recall in public settings and addresses severe behavior issues. Each program includes daily structure, impulse control, loose leash walking, sit/stay/down commands, proper greetings, and crate/door manners. All programs end with a private owner session to teach maintenance techniques and include training equipment. Private lessons are 1-on-1 at their indoor studio and focus on custom behavior modification and obedience skills. Boarding is offered with 24/7 care in climate-controlled suites and outdoor play areas.

Pricing Summary

Private lessons start at $120 for the first 1–1.5 hour session, then $75 per hour. Board and train programs range from $1,800 for a 2-week on-leash obedience program, $2,900 for a 3-week basic on/off-leash program, and $3,900 for a 4-week advanced on/off-leash program. Overnight boarding is $55 per day with a 10% discount for multiple dogs. All board and train programs include post-program owner training sessions and free email support.

Country Hill Canine is a professional dog training company based in eastern Connecticut, founded and operated by Christopher and Starla Busch, who have over ten years of experience training dogs in the New England region. They offer customized board and train programs, private one-on-one training lessons, and overnight dog boarding services at their home-based facility. Their property includes climate-controlled indoor suites, three fenced outdoor play areas totaling 15,000 sq ft, and a 900 sq ft indoor training studio with rubber flooring and mirrored walls. They specialize in creating clarity between dogs and owners to build lifelong healthy relationships, using a balanced approach that combines positive reinforcement with e-collar communication, verbal cues, and hand signals. They accept all breeds and ages, including intact males and females, and provide pickup and drop-off services for boarding clients. Their training programs are designed to address both basic obedience and severe behavior issues like leash reactivity, resource guarding, and excessive barking.

Their board and train programs include 2-week, 3-week, and 4-week intensive options, each ending with a private session for owners to learn how to maintain the training at home. They also offer free email support after program completion and provide training equipment such as e-collars, leashes, and place beds. Their boarding services are 24/7 with personalized care, making them ideal for short-term or long-term stays. Clients praise their compassionate, professional approach and the dramatic improvements seen in their dogs’ behavior.

They also sell training equipment through their online shop and offer day training and private lessons at their indoor studio, with sessions tailored to specific needs like puppy development, house manners, and multi-dog household management.

Accomplishments

Christopher and Starla Busch have over ten years of experience training dogs in the New England region, working with puppies to adults, including difficult cases such as severe reactivity and resource guarding. Their facility is praised for its professional yet homey environment, and they have successfully trained dogs from rare breeds and across multiple states, including Maine.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must fill out an enrollment form on the website with details about their dog and desired program. After submission, Country Hill Canine will contact them to schedule a consultation or program start date. Board and train programs require dogs to be crate comfortable, and boarding accepts all breeds including intact dogs.