Joyful Tails Dog Training, Katy TX

Joyful Tails offers three main types of training: Board & Train, Reverse Board & Train, and Private In-Home Training, along with a Puppy Headstart program and consultations.

The Puppy Headstart program is a 6-week customized training program focusing on managing the puppy’s environment, socialization, consistency, nutrition, and basic AKC obedience commands (sit, down, come, leave it, wait at the door, short stays, loose-leash walking). Written summaries, homework, training journals, and supplemental materials are provided.

The 10-Day “Reverse” Board & Train involves the trainer coming to the dog’s home for 1.5 hours daily (Monday-Friday) over a 10-day period, including a daily walk. It includes multiple phone consultations, daily training logs, daily journals, and helpful links. Specific behavior concerns are addressed, and basic AKC obedience commands are taught.

Private In-Home Training offers customized programs where owners learn to manage their dog’s environment and incorporate basic obedience into daily life. It covers nutrition and basic AKC obedience commands. Written summaries, homework, training journals, and supplemental materials are provided.

The Board & Train program involves the dog training in a home environment for a minimum of two weeks. It addresses specific behavior concerns and teaches basic AKC obedience commands. Owners receive regular email/text updates, and dogs receive care and attention similar to the trainer’s own dogs. Training sessions are multiple shorter lessons throughout the day. A review session and maintenance packet are provided upon completion.

Pricing Summary

Initial in-home consultation is $150. Phone consultations are $35 for 30 minutes.
The Puppy Headstart 6-week program costs $650.
The 10-Day “Reverse” Board & Train is $1300 for one dog, with an additional $400 for a second dog from the same household.
Private In-Home Training sessions are $130 for a single session, $500 for 4 sessions, $650 for 6 sessions, and $1400 for 12 sessions.
The 14-Day Board & Train starts at $1500 for house-trained adult dogs and $1500-$1800 for house-training with obedience training (puppy). Maintenance training is $85, and additional training weeks are prorated.
Boarding pricing per 24hr period is $60 for dogs over 30 pounds, $50 for dogs 30 pounds and under, and $60 for puppies up to 6 months. A 20% discount applies for the second dog boarding from the same household. A trial overnight “meet the pack” visit for boarding is required at a one-time charge of $30. Payment for reservations must be made in full at least 2 weeks prior to arrival.

Policies

For boarding, all dogs must be up-to-date on Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP combination vaccine, Canine Influenza vaccine, and have a fecal test within the past year. Proof of vaccinations is required. Puppies are not accepted until they have completed their third round of booster shots.

Only dogs that can live peacefully with a variety of people and dogs are accepted for boarding; unsafe behavior is not tolerated. A trial overnight “meet the pack” visit is required prior to the first boarding stay, costing $30. All dogs over six months of age must be spayed or neutered to stay. Payment for boarding reservations must be made in full at least 2 weeks prior to arrival, or the reservation is not guaranteed. Boarding and Training agreements are available for download.

Joyful Tails Dog Training and Boarding is owned and operated by Kerstin Lynn in Katy, TX. Kerstin has a lifelong passion for working with canines, assisting animal rescue organizations, fostering, training, and placing hundreds of dogs. She believes all dogs can be taught and focuses on gently reshaping unwanted behavior and establishing positive relationships.

Kerstin develops her training skills by learning new positive reinforcement and marker training techniques. Her family also helps with the socialization and desensitization of furry clients. The goal is to provide clients with a toolbox of techniques for long-term success, helping them fall in love with their canines again.

Joyful Tails offers an all-inclusive, in-home dog training experience for families and their pets. They provide a home environment for training, combining it with positive, consistent, and clear methods. They also offer private lessons in your home, custom-tailored to needs, and work with multiple-dog households.

In addition to training, Joyful Tails offers pet boarding where dogs stay in Kerstin’s home, treated like family. They are included in activities like romping with doggie friends, supervised playtime, pack walks, and napping. Most of the day is spent out of kennels, and dogs are never left alone at night. Regular updates are provided, and medication administration is included.

Accomplishments

Joyful Tails Dog Training & Boarding received the Best Businesses of Katy Award in the Pet Training category in 2021 and 2016. This is the 4th time since 2014 that they have received this award.

How to Get Started!

Clients can contact Joyful Tails for scheduling/availability or questions. For boarding, new clients need to print and complete a boarding agreement and bring/mail/email it with necessary paperwork prior to drop-off. A trial overnight “meet the pack” visit is required for boarding clients. For the Puppy Headstart program, it is recommended to request a consultation before the puppy arrives.