Dark Water IPO, LLC

Training programs include group classes (4+ dog teams, twice weekly for 6 weeks), private one-on-one sessions ($45/hour), and intensive board-and-train programs lasting 4–18 months depending on goals. Basic obedience covers sit, down, come, heel, kennel, and load. Advanced obedience adds off-leash control and e-collar conditioning. Sport dog training focuses on IPO components: obedience, tracking, and protection, requiring a temperament evaluation first. All programs emphasize building the dog-owner bond and are tailored to the individual dog’s temperament and drive.

Pricing Summary

Group classes: $450 for 6 weeks, twice weekly. Private lessons: $45/hour. Basic obedience: $2,500 (4-6 weeks). Advanced obedience: $3,500 (6-8 weeks). Sport dog training (IPO/personal protection): $4,500–$9,500 (10-18 months). Boarding: $15/day or $250/month. Dog evaluation: $150. Maintenance training: $125/week. Half the training cost is required upfront before boarding begins.

Policies

Half the training cost is required upfront before a dog is accepted into training. Owners must provide food or pay $3/day extra. No toys, leashes, or bowls are allowed in the kennel. Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations. A waiver and release form must be signed. Owners must pick up their dog or notify the trainer if someone else will. For purchased puppies, a gentleman’s agreement grants the breeder first right of refusal if the owner can no longer care for the dog.

Dark Water IPO, LLC is a working dog club based in Pembroke, North Carolina, offering professional dog training, boarding, and dog brokering services. They specialize in IPO (Schutzhund), personal protection, search and rescue, obedience, and working dog sports, with a focus on bringing out a dog’s full potential through tailored training methods. The trainer, Herbert Lowry, has over 25 years of experience competing and titling dogs in AKC obedience and IPO, working primarily with high-drive breeds like German Shepherds, Malinois, and Dutch Shepherds. Training is customized based on each dog’s temperament, using a balanced approach that includes positive reinforcement (food and toy rewards, marker training) as well as corrections when necessary, such as remote collar use for high-distraction scenarios. They offer group classes, private lessons, and board-and-train programs, and emphasize building the bond between dog and owner through socialization and structured training. The facility also breeds and sells working-line puppies and offers boarding services with strict requirements for vaccinations and owner responsibility.

They operate from a private training facility in Robeson County and host weekly group sessions on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Clients are encouraged to participate alongside their dogs, though they also accept dogs for full board-and-train programs. The business promotes responsible ownership, requiring signed agreements and waivers, and offers post-training support via phone, email, and iMessage.

Dark Water IPO also functions as a working dog club, offering membership and hosting events and trials for competitors in IPO and related sports. Their services cater to both working dog enthusiasts and families seeking a well-behaved companion, with programs ranging from basic obedience to advanced protection training.

They do not offer grooming, walking, or daycare services beyond boarding and breeding.

Accomplishments

Herbert Lowry has competed and titled dogs in AKC obedience and tracking for 25 years and in Schutzhund/IPO for 14 years. He has trained and titled dogs in IPO3 and BH levels. He is a self-educated trainer who has studied with national competitors and breeders. The kennel name “Dark Water IPO” is derived from the Lumber River and reflects a lineage of working dogs bred and trained under the “Der Dunklen Wasser” banner.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients are encouraged to call to discuss their goals and schedule a dog evaluation ($150) to determine suitability for sport or companion training. Evaluations require the dog to be at least 10–12 months old for preliminary assessment, with full evaluation recommended at 18–24 months. After evaluation, training programs are customized and a contract is signed before training begins.