DogFather Dog Institute

The Board & Train program is an intensive 2-week minimum stay where dogs receive daily training in obedience, impulse control, leash manners, and behavior modification. Owners receive private follow-up lessons to reinforce skills at home. The 6-Lesson Package offers structured weekly sessions focused on foundational commands and behavior correction. All programs are adaptive, tailored to the dog’s individual needs, and include daily updates during boarding. Training is conducted at the facility with the founder’s dogs serving as role models.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is customized based on the dog’s age and specific training needs. The Board & Train program requires a minimum 2-week stay with quotes provided after a free phone consultation. The 6-Lesson Package is available for structured ongoing training. Product pricing starts at $2.99 for the “From Puppy to Family” digital guide.

DogFather Dog Institute, founded by Alex (also known as The Dog Father), is a dog training business offering personalized, science-backed training solutions for dog owners. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Alex specializes in adaptive training that tailors methods to each dog’s unique temperament and the owner’s lifestyle, using positive reinforcement and a deep understanding of canine psychology. The business provides both in-person and remote services, including a Board & Train program, a 6-Lesson Package, and educational content through social media and YouTube (DogFather.TV), where Alex has amassed over half a million followers and a viral video with 100 million views. Alex and his team, including his partner Julia, also use their own dogs, Ezekiel and Penelope, as living examples in training programs. Additional services include dog products for sale and community engagement through events and social media campaigns. The business emphasizes building strong human-canine bonds through patience, consistency, and emotional connection.

The Board & Train program is a flagship offering, requiring a minimum 2-week stay, and includes private follow-up lessons for owners. Training covers basic obedience, leash walking, recall, crate training, separation anxiety, reactivity, biting, and more. Alex is known for his compassionate, non-aversive approach—avoiding e-collars, prong collars, or fear-based tactics—and for educating owners alongside their dogs to ensure long-term success.

The business also promotes community involvement, such as a fundraising registry for the founders’ wedding to support their dogs, and hosts live TikTok sessions showcasing training techniques. Their mission is to bridge communication gaps between humans and dogs through education, empathy, and real-world results.

Accomplishments

Alex has over 12 years of hands-on dog training experience since founding DFDI in 2013. He has built a social media following of over 570,000 across platforms and has a viral video with over 100 million views. He is launching “The Psychology of Dogs” tour in 2025 and is recognized as a leading educator in canine behavior through engaging, science-backed content.

How to Get Started!

Begin with a free phone consultation to discuss your dog’s needs, followed by a mandatory meet-and-greet to assess the dog and design a customized training plan.