Hook’s K9 Training

Boot Camp is a 3-week intensive in-board program where dogs are trained daily with consistency and exposure to real distractions. Training includes basic obedience, manners, and behavior correction tailored to each dog. Upon pickup, families receive a 1.5–2 hour training session to learn how to maintain the dog’s new behaviors. Alumni may return for refresher boarding at $25/day. Non-alumni may enroll in vacation boarding with manners lessons. Specialized SAR and cadaver dog training includes evaluation and certification support.

Pricing Summary

Boot Camp (3-week intensive training): $1200, paid upon pickup. Boarding for Boot Camp alumni: $25/day (includes drop-off and pick-up day). Vacation boarding for non-alumni: $25/day. SAR evaluation: $125; ongoing SAR training through certification: $3500. Payment accepted via cash or Venmo for first-time clients; checks accepted only from returning clients. No upfront payment required for Boot Camp.

Policies

Boot Camp requires current vaccinations and kennel cough vaccine; proof must be brought in hard copy. Dogs must be fed their own food in raccoon-proof containers. No refunds or cancellations after reservation; clients are warned not to cancel last-minute due to outdoor kennels. Facility is closed for drop-offs/pick-ups on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. First-time clients must pay with cash or Venmo; checks are not accepted from new clients. Bartering for services (e.g., construction, yard work) is occasionally accepted.

Nancy Hook is a Canine Behavior Specialist with over 40 years of experience training dogs since 1983. She offers intensive in-board training known as “Boot Camp,” a 3-week program where dogs receive consistent, individualized training to address obedience, manners, and behavioral issues. Dogs are housed in outdoor kennels with daily playtime, access to a large pool, and exposure to real-world distractions like livestock, birds, and other dogs. Boot Camp alumni can return for refresher boarding at $25/day, and non-alumni can enroll in vacation boarding with manners lessons. Nancy also provides specialized training for Search and Rescue (SAR) and cadaver dog teams, including evaluation and certification support. She works with all breeds and sizes, and emphasizes family involvement in post-Boot Camp training to ensure consistency. Her facility is located in a rural setting near Zebulon, NC, and she accepts dogs from across the Southeast.

Nancy has trained dogs for AKC obedience, conformation, terrier trials, and Canine Good Citizen tests. She is certified in K9 Unit Management and SAR K9 Training Instruction. Her training philosophy focuses on consistency, real-life distractions, and building strong handler-dog communication. She does not offer in-home training or group classes, and all training occurs at her facility, Camp Hook.

She accepts cash, Venmo, and checks from returning clients. First-time clients must pay with cash or Venmo upon pickup. She does not accept checks from new clients due to past fraud. Food and vaccination records must be provided by owners. The facility is open 7 days a week, with drop-off and pick-up hours from 10am–5pm (10am–4:30pm in winter), and closed on major holidays.

Accomplishments

Nancy Hook has titled 4 of her own dogs in AKC obedience trials and coached many students to competition levels in obedience and conformation. She has competed in terrier trials and assisted in hunting retriever tests. She is certified in K9 Unit Management and SAR K9 Training Instructor. She has trained working dogs for law enforcement and SAR teams, including teams featured in national publications. Her students’ dogs have successfully completed SAR certifications and real-world finds.

How to Get Started!

Interested clients must email sardog103@aol.com to inquire. A reservation is made after communication, and dogs are dropped off at Camp Hook. No in-person consultation is offered prior to drop-off. Vaccination records and food must be provided at drop-off. Families attend a 1.5–2 hour training session upon pickup to learn how to maintain training.