Karma Dog Training Austin

Service area: the greater Austin area

Karma Dog Training Austin provides private in-home lessons, basic obedience classes, puppy training, and puppy socialization classes. Their puppy programs cover essentials like potty training, leash walking, chewing, nipping, jumping, and barking, incorporating “7 Requests for Success” and “7 Steps to Become your Dog’s Alpha Angel.” Basic obedience classes, for dogs 5 months and up, use hand signals and voice cues without harsh corrections. Private sessions address basic obedience and behavior modification for issues such as leash etiquette, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and various forms of aggression.

Their Board and Train program, available for one to three weeks, includes daily training in a trainer’s home, ample exercise, playtime, and socialization, with no caging unless specifically requested. This program is followed by private in-home sessions and unlimited group classes for up to six months. The “Reverse Board and Train” program involves a trainer staying in the client’s home for 5, 7, 10, or 14 days, leveraging the dog’s familiar environment for faster learning.

They also offer service dog training, focusing on specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, and therapy dog training, which requires passing the Canine Good Citizen test, completing a Therapy Animal Handler Course, vet screening, and skill/aptitude evaluation.

Pricing Summary

Karma Dog Training Austin offers affordable programs with reduced pricing for rescue dogs and those adopted from Austin shelters. Virtual “Sky Sessions” are offered at a 40% discount. Board and Train fees include training, boarding, in-home follow-up lessons, and discounted/unlimited group classes for up to six months.

Policies

Karma Dog Training Austin’s training philosophy is based on 100% positive reinforcement, and they explicitly state they will not employ any aversive dog training techniques unless specifically requested by the client and agreed upon beforehand. A “Refunds and Cancellations Policy” is available via a link on their website.

Karma Dog Training Austin, established in 2004, is a dog training company that emphasizes a gentle, effective, and enlightened approach to dog training, focusing on cooperation and trust rather than intimidation or force. They use 100% positive reinforcement methods.

They offer a wide range of services including private in-home lessons, group classes, puppy training and socialization, basic obedience, and specialized behavior modification for issues like separation anxiety, aggression (dog-on-dog and dog-to-human), leash reactivity, and resource guarding. They also provide Board & Train programs (traditional and “Reverse Board & Train” where a trainer stays in the client’s home), service dog training, therapy dog training, and Canine Good Citizen classes.

Beyond training, Karma Dog Training Austin offers Zen Daycare (cage-free in a trainer’s home with live webcams), dog walking, and pet sitting services, including overnight stays. They work with all breeds and ages, from puppies as young as 7-8 weeks through adult dogs. They provide online educational resources to clients and offer reduced pricing for rescue dogs.

The company is committed to enhancing the human-canine relationship through education and dog-friendly training, aiming to help clients become the best dog parents possible by meeting their dogs’ biological and emotional needs.

Accomplishments

Founded in 2004, Karma Dog Training Austin has earned respect and endorsements from Austin dog trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarians, including Dr. Ian Dunbar (founder of APDT) and Dr. R. K. Anderson. It is recognized as the largest 100% positive reinforcement dog training company in the U.S.

The company has been featured on ABC, NBC, and CBS news outlets, and “The Doctors” television program. It has been rated as the highest-rated dog training company on Yelp for the past five years. Karma Dog Training has nearly 100 teachers nationwide, offering an average of 50 classes per week, and boasts a significant online community with over 3,500 Facebook followers and a private network of over 350 animal behaviorists. Their programs are described as multiple award-winning, and their teachers work with high-profile clients including Hollywood movie stars, politicians, and athletes.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can schedule a free 10-minute consultation via FaceTime, Skype, Google Duo, Zoom, or phone. They can also fill out an online form to get started. For more serious behavioral issues, an initial in-home evaluation may be scheduled after gathering information on the dog’s history.