Island Dog Training

Service area: Huntsville, AL

Island Dog Training offers a structured progression of group classes. New clients typically start with Puppy Class (for pups 10-22 weeks) or Family Manners (for dogs over 6 months). After Family Manners, dogs can progress to Foundations, which builds on basic skills and prepares for specialty classes.

Specialty classes include Gymtastic Tricks (Intro, Intermediate, Advanced), Stage Tricks, Playground (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced), Agility Basics (1, 2, 3), Agility Skills, Agility, Fit Dog (Series), AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep, Rally-O (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced), Where Is It? (Nosework), and Home Skills. They also offer specialized Sensitive Dog Classes (1-on-1, then small group transition) and Reactive Dogs 101 & 102 (individual instruction within a group setting, with a lecture component). Unique classes like Tactile Class for Deaf and Blind Dogs and Enrichment for Senior Dogs are offered upon request.

All group classes have a 4:1 student/instructor ratio or better, limited to a maximum of six dogs, and meet for 7 weeks. A completion certificate requires attending at least five of seven classes.

Pricing Summary

Group classes are $175 for a 7-week session, typically one hour long. Evaluations for group classes are $60. Private 30-minute lessons are $60. One-hour private agility lessons (for graduates of Agility Basics or higher) are $120 due to complex setup.

Service dog training costs are estimated at $3,200 – $4,000 for 12-18 months of training, paid as you train with no upfront charges. Initial interview and consultation for service dogs is $60, and assessments (in-home, park & retail store) are $90 each. Evaluating and selecting a potential service dog is $90 per hour.

Discounts of $10.00 are offered for dogs adopted from specific local shelters (Greater Huntsville Humane Society, Southern Skies Labrador Rescue & Adoptions, Inc., Huntsville Animal Services, New Leash on Life) if registered and paid within 6 months of adoption. Project tRade offers discounts (5-15%) for trading in force-based training equipment.

Policies

Refunds are only issued if a dog is not accepted into a class. For group classes, at least five of seven classes must be attended to receive a completion certificate.

The mask policy as of January 1, 2025, requests clients wear a mask if they have had recent exposure to illness, even without symptoms, and to not come to class if experiencing upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms. This policy is subject to change.

For service dog training, clients must agree to follow guidelines, attend scheduled training, complete homework, provide monthly training logs, and return for annual re-evaluation for the first 3 years (no charge). Island Dog may dismiss clients from the program at any time. Clients agree to continue caring for the dog whether or not it becomes a service dog, and not to take it to a shelter.

Island Dog Training is a dog training business that emphasizes gentle, motivational, and fear-free training methods, primarily using positive reinforcement and clicker training. Their philosophy is to help owners form an amazing relationship with their dogs, ensuring learning is fun and never forced.

They offer a variety of group classes for puppies and adult dogs, covering basic manners, advanced skills, and fun activities. They also provide specialized training for reactive and sensitive dogs, as well as comprehensive programs for service and therapy dogs. The facility features a 4,000 sq. foot climate-controlled training room and a 1/2 acre fully fenced and lighted outdoor training field.

Accomplishments

The founder, Margie Wiesman, has over 25 years of experience as an instructor. She is a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers International (APDT). Margie is also an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizenship and S.T.A.R Puppy Instructor/Evaluator, and an Evaluator for Therapy Pets, Unlimited, as well as the Team Evaluator for Heart to Heart Pet Partners, Inc. She completed Service Dogs Inc.’s Assistance Dog Training for Professionals and Paws and Stripes Key Elements to Training Service Dogs.

Other instructors also hold certifications and memberships, including CPDT-KA (Amata Hinkle), K9 Nose-work Instructor certification (Kay Fluhler), and AKC Canine Good Citizenship, S.T.A.R Puppy, and Fit Dog Instructor/Evaluator (Kay Fluhler, Alexis Hayes, Jennifer Key). Many instructors are members of APDT and PPG. Amata Hinkle holds a Masters of Science and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Mimi Bynum has 40 years of experience teaching dogs and guardians.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients should complete the online registration form, indicating their preferred class name, date, and time. Island Dog will then email to confirm class availability and request payment (check payable to Island Dog, LLC) and proof of current vaccinations (DHLPPC, Rabies, Bordetella, or titers for DHLPPC). Receipt of payment secures a spot. A .pdf of the class book is emailed upon payment, with hard copies available for an additional $10.

For service dog training, the first step is an initial interview at the center, followed by an assessment of the dog.