Helping Hounds Dog Training

Helping Hounds offers structured programs tailored to dog age and behavior needs. Puppy programs include Starter (4 private lessons + 1 month group classes) and Academy (day training with playgroups). Board and train options range from 15 to 40 days, with weekly home visits and follow-up private lessons. Behavioral programs include The Connected Canine (6 private lessons + 2 weeks group classes) for reactivity and fear-based issues. Academy is a day-training program for puppies and dogs, held 3 days/week. Group classes are offered Monday and Wednesday evenings, with eligibility based on dog behavior. All programs include leash equipment and access to online resources.

Pricing Summary

Private lessons start at $450 (Puppy Starter) and go up to $850 (The Connected Canine). Board and train programs range from $2,375 (15-Day) to $5,995 (40-Day), with pricing including follow-up lessons, equipment, and group class access. Group class memberships are $100/month (Wednesday only) or $150/month (Monday and Wednesday), with discounted 6-month rates. Puppy programs include equipment and class access. All board and train packages include lifetime guarantees.

Policies

All board and train programs include a lifetime guarantee on training outcomes. Programs require an initial assessment before enrollment. Group classes require completion of private lessons or a program that includes them. No specific cancellation or rescheduling policy is stated, but clients are encouraged to contact the office for questions.

Helping Hounds Dog Training is a professional dog training business founded by Bre Ponder in 2019, focused on strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners through positive, individualized training methods. They offer a range of services including private lessons, group classes, board and train programs, and day training (Academy), all designed to address behaviors from basic obedience to severe reactivity, aggression, and resource guarding. Their unique advantage lies in combining intensive professional training with ongoing owner involvement—every board and train program includes follow-up private lessons, online resources, and group class access to ensure long-term success. They also provide puppy-specific programs, behavioral rehabilitation, and in-home lessons for complex issues. Their team includes experienced trainers with backgrounds in rescue, shelter work, and veterinary care, ensuring compassionate, knowledgeable support for dogs of all temperaments and needs.

They operate from a dedicated facility in Trenton, IL, and serve clients in the surrounding area. Their programs are structured to build confidence, improve communication, and create lasting behavioral change, with a lifetime guarantee on board and train outcomes. Helping Hounds emphasizes relationship-based training, adapting methods to each dog’s learning style and history.

Additional services include puppy boarding and training, day training (Academy), and group class memberships that function like gym memberships, offering ongoing access to structured training sessions. They also provide leash equipment and training tools as part of their packages.

Accomplishments

Bre Ponder, owner and trainer, has been professionally training dogs since 2013, starting with the Belleville Area Humane Society. She founded Helping Hounds in 2019 to improve adoptability of shelter dogs. The team includes trainers with extensive rescue, fostering, and hospice animal care experience. The business is known for identifying undiagnosed health issues (e.g., vision problems) affecting behavior and adapting training accordingly.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact Helping Hounds to schedule an assessment before enrolling in any program. The assessment determines the appropriate training path—whether private lessons, group classes, or board and train. After assessment, clients can book sessions or enroll in packages.