Golden Standard Canine Training

Golden Standard Canine Training offers three main program types: 1) Private Lessons (30–60 minutes) for puppies and adult dogs, held in-home or at their facility, with custom goals and email homework; 2) Board and Train programs (1 week, 2 weeks, or maintenance) where dogs stay with the trainer, learn obedience and behavior skills in distraction-rich environments, and return with follow-up support; and 3) Daily Tune-ups for short-term behavior fixes while owners are at work, including daily follow-up lessons. All programs begin with an evaluation to assess the dog’s needs and tailor the training plan.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is customized based on program selection. Private lessons are hourly with email homework included. Board and Train programs range from 1-week to 2-week intensive options, with the 2-week “Gold”en Standard including 6 months of unlimited follow-up care. Daily tune-ups include one follow-up lesson per day. Specific pricing is not listed publicly and requires direct consultation.

Policies

Follow-up care is included for up to 6 months after Board and Train programs. Clients may contact via phone, text, or email with questions. No explicit cancellation or rescheduling policy is stated, but clients are encouraged to book early as Carissa books out in advance.

Golden Standard Canine Training, led by Carissa, offers personalized dog training services in Southern Illinois designed to build a relationship of understanding and respect between dogs and their owners. They provide private lessons at their training facility in Carbondale or in-home sessions to address behavior issues at the source. Their programs include Puppy Training for dogs under 5 months and Dog Training for dogs over 5 months, both tailored to individual goals with email homework and daily practice guidance. They also offer Board and Train programs for fast results, including 1-week, 2-week, and maintenance options, with intensive training in distraction-rich environments. Their approach emphasizes positive reinforcement, behavior modification, and owner education, helping dogs gain self-control and obedience in real-world situations. They specialize in reactivity, leash pulling, potty training, biting, and separation anxiety, and work with all dog sizes and types.

Carissa has over a decade of experience training dogs, beginning with her own anxious Golden Retriever, Cowboy, and evolving her methods around reading canine behavior and fostering cooperation over force. She is known for her patience, clarity, and ability to train both dogs and their owners, ensuring long-term success. Clients praise her for transforming difficult behaviors and improving family life, especially for households with children or service dogs.

Additional services include daily tune-ups, remote collar training (used minimally for safety), and follow-up care for up to 6 months after board-and-train programs. They do not offer grooming, boarding, or daycare as standalone services, but their board-and-train includes structured daily care.

Their training philosophy centers on understanding why dogs behave as they do and empowering owners with the tools to maintain progress long after lessons end.

Accomplishments

Carissa began training her own anxious Golden Retriever, Cowboy, during high school and has since trained hundreds of dogs using a relationship-based approach. She developed her methods through hands-on experience, internships, and continuous learning, focusing on behavior understanding over force. Her work has successfully transformed reactive, anxious, and unmanageable dogs into calm, obedient companions, including service dogs and dogs in households with children.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients are encouraged to call or email to discuss their dog’s needs and goals. An initial evaluation session is offered to determine if the trainer and client are a good fit, during which Carissa assesses the dog’s behavior and creates a customized training plan.