Golden Heart Canine

Golden Heart Canine offers intensive board and train programs: a 2-week program covering nine on-leash commands and a 4-week program covering eleven on- and off-leash commands, required for aggression cases. Puppy kindergarten is a 4-week minimum program focusing on potty training, crate training, and basic manners for puppies 8–16 weeks old. The turnkey puppy program combines selection from reputable breeders with four months of training before the puppy goes to its new home. All programs include an initial 30-minute consultation, send-home lesson, and follow-up sessions. Owners receive video updates and hands-on training at pickup to ensure consistency. Free touch-up training is available for future boarding clients.

Pricing Summary

Boarding: $50/night (for graduates only). Two-week board and train: $1,900. Four-week board and train: $3,500. Puppy kindergarten: $750/week (4-week minimum). Turnkey puppy program: $11,500 (does not include puppy cost). All programs include training equipment, initial consultation, send-home lesson, and follow-up lessons. Free touch-up training offered for future boarders.

Golden Heart Canine is a family-owned dog training and boarding business operated by Becca Murphy and her husband, Michael, based in Montrose, Colorado. Becca is a Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Specialist with a Psychology degree and training from Starmark Academy, and she has over 15 years of hands-on experience training hundreds of dogs of all breeds, temperaments, and personalities. The business offers a range of services including board and train programs (2-week and 4-week intensive options), puppy kindergarten (4-week minimum), and a turnkey puppy program in partnership with local breeders. They also provide pet boarding for graduates of their training programs, with daily exercise, playtime, and touch-up training included. Their 10-acre farm setting provides a calm, secure, and stimulating environment for dogs, and they emphasize building strong owner-dog communication to prevent rehoming and improve quality of life. Becca competes in agility and obedience with her own rescued dogs and integrates balanced training methods that include tools like e-collars when appropriate, always with clear explanations to owners. Clients praise the personalized attention, frequent video updates, and long-term results that help dogs become confident, well-mannered companions.

Golden Heart Canine is known for its high-touch, family-style approach, with Becca herself hands-on in every training and boarding process. They serve clients from Montrose and surrounding areas including Ridgway, Mancos, and Colorado Springs, with many driving hours to access their services. Their programs are designed to create lasting behavioral change, with follow-up lessons and free touch-up training for future boarders. They specialize in behavior modification for reactivity, separation anxiety, leash pulling, and recall, and have successfully trained therapy dogs and high-energy sporting breeds.

The business also offers a unique combination of professional training and boarding under one roof, allowing owners to maximize their time and investment. Their commitment to transparency, client education, and emotional support for both dogs and owners sets them apart from larger, impersonal facilities.

Accomplishments

Becca Murphy is a Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Specialist from Starmark Academy (2008), holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado (2007), and has trained hundreds of dogs across breeds and behavioral issues. She competes in agility, obedience, and rally obedience with her own rescued dogs. She previously ran a dog rescue chapter and has been training since her teens through 4-H.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients contact Golden Heart Canine via their website form to describe their dog’s needs, including any aggression concerns. An initial 30-minute consultation is included in all training programs to assess the dog and tailor the program. Clients are encouraged to reach out directly to discuss options and schedule.