The Dogs Spot

Programs include: Puppy Primer (3 weeks for puppies under 4 months), Basic Bootcamp (3 weeks for dogs over 4 months with on-leash commands and light distractions), Community Program (5 weeks adding public training in stores like Home Depot), Leash Free (6 weeks for off-leash reliability), Leash Free plus Community (6 weeks combining both), and a Service Dog Program. All include graduation lessons, access to online support videos, and follow-up coaching. Training uses treats and training collars in a balanced approach.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is not publicly listed; programs range from 3 to 6 weeks with board and train options. A free one-day training trial is available. Graduates receive preferred boarding discounts and ongoing coaching.

The Dogs Spot is a full-service dog training and boarding facility in Ellabell, GA, serving Savannah, Pooler, and Rincon. Owned and operated by Kim Hicks since 2000, they specialize in balanced training for puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs with issues like leash pulling, jumping, recall problems, and puppy training. Their board and train programs range from 3 to 6 weeks, with options including Puppy Primer, Basic Bootcamp, Community Program, Leash Free, and Leash Free plus Community. They also offer a Service Dog Program and provide home-style boarding, daycare, and climate-controlled facilities with large play yards. Clients receive weekly photos and videos of their dog during training, plus follow-up coaching to ensure success at home. The facility is known for its personalized, hands-on approach and high success rates with diverse breeds and behavior challenges.

Kim Hicks is a nationally recognized trainer with over 60 titles, including 5 Obedience Trial Champions (OTCH), and has competed at the AKC National Obedience Championships and Westminster. She mentors future trainers through the Animal Behavior College and has trained dogs to achieve rare breed-specific honors, such as the DPCA “Ryan” award. The Dogs Spot is a one-stop shop for training, boarding, and ongoing support.

They offer a free one-day training trial to help owners experience their program before committing.

Accomplishments

Kim Hicks has earned over 60 titles, including 5 OTCH titles on 4 different breeds, 1,286 lifetime OTCH points, 6 perfect scores of 200 in Open and Utility, and placed 8th at the 2016 AKC National Obedience Championships. She has won the DPCA Top 20 Obedience Competition multiple times and trained two Dobermans to earn the rare DPCA “Ryan” award for achieving Top 20 in both conformation and obedience in the same year. She has been invited to the AKC Obedience Invitational five times and the UKC All Star event twice.

How to Get Started!

Owners can sign up for a free one-day training trial to experience the board and train program. After signing up, they select a preferred date (not Sundays) and provide their dog’s name and training goals. Follow-up programs are then tailored based on the trial and consultation.