Great Dog Training

Great Dog Training offers four residential programs: K-9 Pre-School (1 week) for puppies focusing on housebreaking, socialization, and basic obedience; K-9 Prep School (1 week) for dogs of any age with minimal issues, enhancing focus and on-leash obedience; K-9 Finishing School (2 weeks) for advanced off-leash control and trust-building; and K-9 Service College (2–12 months) for customized service dog skills requiring prior completion of Finishing School. All programs include a free Puppy Personality Evaluation to tailor training to the dog’s individual temperament. Training is conducted on-site at the facility with daily short lessons and rest periods to maximize learning.

Pricing Summary

Programs range from $1,995 for 1-week residential programs (K-9 Pre-School and K-9 Prep School) to $2,995 for the 2-week K-9 Finishing School. K-9 Service College is custom-priced between $5,000 and $35,000 depending on skill requirements. All residential programs include boarding. Private lessons are available by the hour but pricing is not specified. Additional costs for boarding may apply.

Policies

Training programs include a lifetime guarantee and free tune-up training when dogs are boarded at the training facility. No other cancellation or rescheduling policies are explicitly stated.

Great Dog Training is a locally owned and operated dog training business in Sarasota, FL, founded in 2016 and led by trainer Nicholas, who holds a Master’s Certification from the National K9 Learning Center in Ohio. The business offers residential board-and-train programs including K-9 Pre-School, K-9 Prep School, K-9 Finishing School, and K-9 Service College, designed to build obedience, trust, and communication between dogs and owners. Nicholas uses balanced training methods with a focus on consistency, gentle repetition, and customized programs based on a free Puppy Personality Evaluation. Boarding is included in residential programs, and free tune-up training is offered when dogs are boarded at the training facility. Private lessons are also available for specific behavioral issues. The business serves dog owners seeking long-term behavioral transformation and offers lifetime guarantees on training outcomes.

Nicholas trains dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments, including those with aggression, reactivity, leash pulling, and resource guarding. He emphasizes building a shared language between dog and owner, and his clients report significant improvements in obedience, recall, and calm behavior. The facility is located off Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, and training is conducted on-site at the kennel property.

Additional services include dog boarding and kennel care, with clients able to drop off and pick up their dogs for residential programs. The business does not offer grooming, walking, or day care as standalone services.

Accomplishments

Nicholas graduated with a Master’s Certification from the National K9 Learning Center in Ohio, an internationally recognized facility with graduates from all 50 states and over 45 countries. He has successfully trained thousands of dogs of all sizes, breeds, and behavioral issues over more than a decade. His training includes a lifetime guarantee and free tune-up training for dogs boarded at his facility.

How to Get Started!

Client engagement begins with a free consultation and a free Puppy Personality Evaluation, which assesses the dog’s individual temperament using breeder-standard tests. Based on the evaluation, Nicholas customizes a training program suited to the dog’s needs and the owner’s lifestyle. Clients then select a program and schedule drop-off for residential training or arrange private lessons.