Island Dog Obedience

Island Dog Obedience offers customized, one-on-one training programs tailored to each dog’s specific needs, personality, and learning style. Their services include Board & Train, In-Home Lessons, and Virtual Dog Training.

The Board & Train program, available in 2-week and 4-week durations, involves dogs staying in a professional trainer’s home rather than a facility. Trainers take a maximum of 2-3 students, providing 6-8 hours of daily training focused on on-leash and off-leash obedience, confidence building, and correcting minor behavioral issues like leash reactivity, chewing, nipping, and mild anxiety. The 4-week program addresses more significant issues such as major anxiety, phobias, reactivity, and minor aggression. A monthly membership is available for graduates, offering continued practice, virtual consultations, and pack walks. Puppies must be at least 5 months old and have all shots to participate.

In-Home Lessons provide personalized behavior consultations in the client’s home or a chosen location, addressing specific physical or behavioral issues. These programs are customized for both minor and major behavior modifications. For major behavior modifications, muzzle conditioning is required prior to meeting a trainer, and owners must commit to a minimum 8-lesson package and sign a waiver acknowledging the commitment required for consistent maintenance. Dogs needing major behavior modification are not eligible for the Board & Train program.

Virtual Dog Training offers one-on-one video instruction for basic obedience, eCollar introduction, and minor behavior modification. These sessions are not suitable for dogs requiring major behavior modification, such as those with human aggression or severe anxiety. Island Dog Obedience is an official evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test and works with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs to evaluate therapy dogs.

Pricing Summary

Consultation fees are $50 for Board & Train and In-Home Lessons, which can be applied towards the program. Virtual consultations are priced at $65 for 30 minutes and $130 for 60 minutes.

Board & Train programs start at $2,675 for 2 weeks and $5,350 for 4 weeks, plus general excise tax and equipment. A post-graduation monthly membership is available for $29.99/month.

In-Home Lessons include a 30-minute consultation for $50. Individual lessons are $130 for Puppy Jumpstart (60 min), $155 for Single Lesson (Minor Behavior Modification, 60 min), and $225 for Single Lesson (Major Behavior Modification, 60 min). Lesson packages include 4 lessons for Minor Behavior Modification at $600, 8 lessons for Minor Behavior Modification at $1200, and 8 lessons for Major Behavior Modification at $1800. The total amount for lesson packages is due at the start of the first lesson, with trainers visiting once every two weeks.

Policies

For In-Home Lesson packages, the full payment is due at the start of the first lesson. Trainers conduct one lesson every two weeks.

Dogs requiring major behavioral modifications are ineligible for the Board & Train program. Owners of dogs needing major behavioral modifications must commit to a minimum 8-lesson package for in-home training and sign a waiver acknowledging the necessity of consistent owner maintenance to prevent behavioral regression.

Virtual training sessions are not offered for dogs with major behavior modification needs, such as human aggression or severe anxiety. For puppy training, dogs must be at least 5 months old and have all required vaccinations. The office business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Hawaii time, and they are closed on all holidays and weekends. Emails are typically responded to within 48 business hours.

Island Dog Obedience provides individualized one-on-one dog training services. They specialize in behavioral adjustments and aim to strengthen the bond between owners and their pets. Their unique approach involves taking a limited number of dogs (up to 3) at a time for their Board & Train program, ensuring focused attention and allowing dogs to socialize in small, supportive groups.

Trainers dedicate 8-10 hours daily to training during the Board & Train program, and clients receive daily updates with pictures and videos. The business focuses on transforming unwanted behaviors such as leash pulling, reactivity, and fearfulness, building confidence in dogs to be calm and predictable in public.

Beyond training, Island Dog Obedience offers post-graduation boarding for pups, allowing them to go on adventures and make new friends while owners travel. They also sell branded bandanas and recommend various dog products through their online shop.

Accomplishments

Island Dog Obedience has trained thousands of dogs and boasts over 40 years of combined dog training experience among its trainers. They have received hundreds of 5-star reviews.

Maria, a co-founder, is a certified dog trainer in both Virginia and Hawaii and previously volunteered extensively at the Hawaiian Humane Society. Kristi holds a degree in zoology, worked with marine mammals for 15 years, and has experience with dogs in the film industry. Raya has a PhD in sports science and was a professional basketball player.

The business is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), the American Kennel Club (AKC), and the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. They are also official evaluators for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test and evaluate Therapy dogs for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

How to Get Started!

To begin, clients are encouraged to schedule a consultation. During this initial phone consultation, the trainers discuss the desired behavioral adjustments and create a personalized training plan.

If more detailed information or an in-depth assessment is needed, an on-site consultation may be requested to allow for one-on-one time with the dog. For dogs requiring major behavioral modifications, muzzle conditioning is a prerequisite before meeting an Island Dog Obedience trainer, followed by a 30-minute in-person consultation.