Courteous Canine, Inc.

Ranked #1 in Lutz and #107 in Florida

4.6 Stars,243 Reviews
3414 Melissa Country Way, Lutz, FL 33559

Service area: The main dog training campus is located in Lutz, FL, serving the Tampa Bay area. Private training appointments can be conducted at the client’s home.

Service Overview

Types of Dog Training

  • Family Dog
  • Service Dog
  • Therapy Dog
  • Competition / Agility
  • Behavior Modification

Specialty Focus Areas

  • Basic Obedience
  • Puppy Training
  • Leash Pulling
  • Reactivity / Aggression
  • Jumping on People
  • Barking Excessively
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Biting / Nipping
  • Potty Training
  • Resource Guarding
  • Fearfulness
  • Stealing Food
  • Recall

Training Formats Offered

  • Private Lessons
  • Group Classes
  • In-Home
  • Private Facility
  • Board and Train
  • Day Training
  • Video Calls

Program Formats

  • One-Time Consultation
  • Sessions Package

Types of Dogs

  • Small
  • Medium
  • Large
  • Herding
  • Sporting
  • Working
  • Hounds
  • Terriers

Age of Dogs Trained

  • Puppy (<1 year)
  • Adolescent (1-2 years)
  • Adult (2-8 years)
  • Senior (8+ years)

Dog Training Methodology

Methods: 

  • Positive Reinforcement Only

Equipment: 

  • Clickers
  • Food Rewards
  • Harnesses
  • Head Halters
  • Obstacle Courses

Courteous Canine offers a variety of dog training programs founded on science and fun. Group classes cover basic manners, puppy kindergarten (AKC Star Puppy Kindergarten Program), AKC Pet Therapy training, and specialized classes for reactivity (My Dog Has Issues program). They also offer various dog sports including Agility, Dock Jumping, Fun Scent Games, Dog Parkour, Dog Lure Coursing, Dog Manners & Trick Training, Swimming & Dock Jumping Sports, Rally O, Disc Dog, and Competition Obedience.

Private training is available for simple training issues like manners, obedience, house training, mouthing, counter surfing, and adding new skills. These private programs are offered in 6 or 8 session packages, providing a customized training plan, lifetime access to their Polite Pooch video course library, and access to an online community. They also offer Board and Train services where dogs work with a trainer during their boarding stay. Their core training philosophy, “Empowerment Training,” involves identifying dog motivators and stressors to gradually increase control, strengthen bonding, and replace problem behaviors with positive ones. Clicker training is a key approach within Empowerment Training, scientifically proven to speed up learning and build a strong emotional bond.

Pricing & Policies

Pricing Summary

They offer 6 or 8 session programs for private training, which include discounts on sessions and lifetime access to their Polite Pooch video course library. Training fees are described as reasonable, and the number of sessions needed to reach goals is usually few. Payment for pet care services is required prior to services being performed. Gift certificates are available for purchase.

Policies

For outdoor private and group classes, efforts are made to contact students at least two hours in advance if class is canceled due to weather, typically for lightning, while light rain usually does not result in cancellation. For private training appointments, a 48-hour cancellation notice is preferred; failure to notify or a no-show will result in the appointment rate being charged. For group classes, make-ups are not offered, but attendance can be frozen for sickness or emergencies, with an option for an extension fee for puppy and basic manners classes. For pet care services, a minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for cancellations, otherwise the visit will be charged.

Vaccination policy requires puppies to be up-to-date for their age with at least the first set of DHLPP shots (given between 6-8 weeks), a first de-worming, bordetella, lepto, and flu shots. For non-puppy classes, all dogs must have the full sequence of DHLPP, Rabies, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, and H3N2 canine influenza vaccines. Veterinary exemption letters are accepted for dogs not eligible for certain vaccines.

Testimonials

“The trainers are fantastic! They are so welcoming and patience. They are always willing to stay after class if you have any questions. They celebrate all your dogs small victories. We started bringing our dog to classes because he was very shy and needed to work on his confidence. Now he isn’t shy and can’t wait until it’s his turn to show what he can do in class!”
– Kelly Sorrells

“Courteous Canines is the best thing I have EVER done for my dog, Bubbles. She’s a rescue, and having been in a shelter for several months, she had quite a bit of anxiety about other daycares. But this isn’t a daycare. It’s doggy camp!! We started in Courteous Canines agility class to build her confidence. We’d just moved across the country, she and I, and were both a bit stressed and disoriented. The agility class was a kind of reorienting, and it was phenomenal. So was the swimming class. Once she was used to the beautiful outdoor campus, I left her for the day, for the first time. Of course I cried— but Bubbles did NOT. My girl smiles all the way to camp every day. I say, “are you ready to go see your best friends?” And she go nuts. She loves her pack. I love that she has a pack. The staff loves her, and we both love the staff. I know that she has lifelong friends here, a sense of belonging, and a genuine feeling of home. I’m giving my girl her best possible life at Courteous Canines; I’ve never known an organization so skillful, personal, and life-enriching.”
– Sarah Lain

“I had a fantastic experience with Courteous Canine.i needed to consult with an expert about an ongoing behavioral problem with my dog. They were responsive and professional, and helped me to better understand my dogs perspective. Highly recommended!”
– Brad S

About the Trainer

Courteous Canine, Inc. is a dog training business committed to providing the best dog training and pet care through positive reinforcement methods, aiming for “Results the Fun Way.” They specialize in addressing common behavioral issues such as aggression, fear-related problems, barking, and house training, working with dogs of all ages from puppies to mature adults.

Their core philosophy, “Empowerment Training,” focuses on strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners by using positive reinforcement, games, and fun. This approach, which includes clicker training, is scientifically proven to be effective in building trust, improving motivation, and reducing undesirable behaviors.

The business offers a comprehensive range of services including private training, various group classes, dog daycare, and board and train programs. Their main campus in Tampa features a competition-standard dog dock jumping pool, an agility field, and a double-gated outdoor training area. Additionally, they provide professional pet sitting services, ensuring all staff are certified in Pet First Aid and undergo background checks.

Courteous Canine strives to be an innovator in humane and effective dog training and pet care. They uphold values such as fun, support, loyalty, safety, respect, clear communication, openness to learning, transparency, and reliability in all their interactions.

Accomplishments

Angelica Steinker, the President and Founder, has over 20 years of full-time experience in dog training. She is a published author in dog training and agility, co-authored the Pet Trainers and Consultants Lexicon, and has been published in peer-reviewed journals like the Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior and the Journal of Veterinary Behavior. Angelica is a former member of the steering committee and a founding member of the Pet Professional Guild, and co-founder and former faculty of DogNostics Career College. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and is accredited as a Canine Behavior Consultant through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board, and certified through Applied Animal Behavior Professionals and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is a sought-after international public speaker, a former AKC agility judge, and a current North American Diving Dogs judge.

The training team consists of 16 professional dog trainers, many of whom hold various certifications including Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA), Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), AKC Canine Good Citizen and STAR Puppy Evaluator, Certified Service Dog Coach (SDC), Certified Pet Care Technician, Certified Dock Diving Judge, Certified Canine Conditioning Specialist, Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), and Certified Canine Scent Instructor. Several trainers have backgrounds in animal science, psychology, or exotic animal training, and are members of professional organizations like the Pet Professional Guild.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients are encouraged to contact Courteous Canine for a free email consultation. They recommend establishing a relationship with the business even before immediate need, as there is no cost to set up. After an initial inquiry via phone or website, the business will contact the client within 24 hours to schedule an appointment. For private training, clients can directly contact them to schedule. For group classes, clients should identify their training goals and browse the available classes, and if unsure, they can request a free email consult.

Courteous Canine, Inc. featured image for this Dog Trainer
  • 20 Years Experience

  • Free Consultation

Certifications

  • CBCC-KA
  • CPDT-KA
  • IAABC-CDBC
  • Credentialed

Associations

  • AKC
  • APDT
  • IAABC
  • PPG
  • Accredited

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Women-owned
  • wheelchair accessible entrance
  • wheelchair accessible parking
  • wheelchair accessible restroom
  • restroom unisex
  • LGBTQ-friendly
  • transgender safespace

Other Services Offered

  • Dog day care center
  • Pet boarding service
  • Pet sitter

Location

3414 Melissa Country Way, Lutz, FL 33559