Pack Leader LLC

Pack Leader offers three intensive board and train programs: Basic (30 days, puppies 10 weeks+), Standard (30 days, adult dogs), and Advanced (6 weeks, dogs with behavioral issues or future service goals). All programs use marker training, hand-feeding, and structured repetition to teach sit, down, stay, heel, recall, leash manners, and crate training. E-collar training is introduced in the Standard and Advanced programs for dogs over 6 months. Dogs socialize daily in a 3-acre fenced area and go on field trips. Owners receive a hands-on training session upon pickup to continue progress at home.

Pricing Summary

Basic Board & Train: $2,000 (for puppies 10 weeks+); Board & Train: $2,500 (for dogs over 1 year); Advanced Board & Train: $3,500 (6-week program with advanced e-collar work). All programs are 30+ days with no shorter options. Includes food, housing, training, and owner follow-up instruction. No refunds, but support is available post-program.

Policies

Dogs must be up-to-date on all vaccinations with proof provided. No refunds for board and train programs. Minimum 30-day commitment required. Facility is cleaned and disinfected daily. While illness cannot be guaranteed against, staff monitor dogs closely and contact owners or vets if concerns arise. No drop-in visits; all interactions require scheduled evaluation or pickup.

Pack Leader LLC is a full-service dog training facility based in Hope Hull, Alabama, offering a 30-day board and train program led by Steve Driscoll, a retired firefighter and FEMA-certified canine specialist with over 30 years of experience. Steve has trained dogs for search and rescue, military, law enforcement, and service roles, including saving lives during disasters like the Haiti earthquake. The program uses marker training, classical and operant conditioning, and hand-feeding to build obedience foundations in puppies and adult dogs. Training includes basic and advanced obedience, e-collar work (for dogs over 6 months), socialization, and field trips. Owners receive hands-on instruction upon pickup to continue training at home, with ongoing support available. The facility is located on 33 private acres with heated/air-conditioned kennels, indoor and outdoor training areas, and a 3-acre fenced play zone. Madison Driscoll assists with training, scheduling, and AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluations. The business focuses exclusively on board and train services, with no day training, group classes, or in-home sessions offered.

All dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations, and owners are required to bring food and medication if needed. The facility is not open for drop-in visits but welcomes scheduled evaluations.

Pack Leader serves dog owners across Alabama and surrounding states including Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida, with clients traveling from Montgomery, Birmingham, Atlanta, Huntsville, and beyond.

Accomplishments

Steve Driscoll served 19 years as a K-9 Specialist with FEMA FL-TF1 Urban Search and Rescue, deployed globally including Haiti (2010) and Turkey (1999) earthquakes. He was a FEMA evaluator for 10 years and lead instructor for Florida’s canine specialist course. His K-9 Blaze located a 2-year-old girl buried alive for six days in Haiti — one of FEMA’s most memorable rescues. Steve also worked with fire departments, military, and law enforcement agencies. Madison Driscoll is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

How to Get Started!

Owners can schedule a free evaluation by clicking the “Schedule Your Free Evaluation Today” link on the website. After evaluation, dogs are enrolled in one of three board and train programs. Owners bring food, vaccination records, and any required medications on drop-off day.