Primitive Dog LLC
Ranked #4 in Schenectady and #86 in New York
Service area: Primitive Dog LLC is located in Charlton, NY, and serves the local area around Schenectady, NY, offering in-home lessons. Clients also travel from out of state, such as Tennessee, to participate in their programs.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Separation Anxiety
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Resource Guarding
- Fearfulness
- Stealing Food
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- In-Home
- Private Facility
- Board and Train
- Day Training
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- Intensive Program
- Sessions Package
- One-Time Consultation
Types of Dogs
- Large
- Herding
- Working
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Balanced Training
Equipment:
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Flat Collars
- ✓ Pinch Collars
Primitive Dog LLC offers comprehensive training, rehabilitation, and boarding programs. Their core training philosophy is based on Natural Dog Training, utilizing five Core exercises (Push, Collect, Bark, Bite and Carry, Rub-a-dub) to help dogs develop coping mechanisms and build a strong, natural bond with their owners.
Training options include Day Training, In-home lessons, Private lessons at their facility, and Board and Train programs. Puppy training focuses on proper management, predictability, and understanding natural puppy behaviors like mouthing, jumping, chewing, and stealing, emphasizing positive reinforcement in the first six months.
Board and Train programs range from 2 to 6 weeks. The 2-week program addresses minimal issues like leash pulling, nuisance barking, and hyperactivity, covering basic commands such as Sit/Stay, Place, Come/Recall, and Crate Training. Longer programs (3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks) are designed for more serious behavioral issues, including dog-to-dog aggression, human aggression, food/resource guarding, separation anxiety, severe fear issues, and on-leash reactivity. These intensive programs include 5.5 hours of one-on-one training/coaching sessions (drop-off meeting, pre-go-home owner preparation, two go-home sessions, and a post-training follow-up), along with email/phone support. Participants also receive the book “Your Dog is Your Mirror,” a 15-ft long line, and a slip collar. During Board and Train, dogs sleep inside the trainers’ home, receive 90-120 minutes of training daily, and do not interact with other client dogs.
Day Camp provides structured play and training, focusing on obedience (sit, down, stay, recall, heel without words), proper socialization with matched friends (especially for puppies), Core Walks, and structured play sessions. Dogs are sent home fed and tired. Private Walks are also available, offering stress-free, long-lead walks on their 21-acre property. Additionally, Zoom Group Classes are offered, which include access to a Facebook study group for video feedback.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
For boarding, a 20% non-refundable deposit is required to secure a spot. If a boarding reservation is canceled within 48 hours of the start date, no refund will be given, and full payment for the stay will be required. Quality kibble is available for $6 per meal if owners forget or run short on their dog’s food.
For program payments, clients can utilize PayPal’s credit program for 6 months with no interest, and payment plans may be available for special situations.
Policies
For boarding, a 20% deposit is required to hold a spot, which is non-refundable. If a reservation is canceled within 48 hours of the start date, no refund will be given, and full payment for the stay will be required.
During the board and train program, owner visits are not permitted as they are considered counter-productive and can hinder the dog’s progress.
Regarding health, required vaccinations for boarding include Rabies and Distemper. Owners are advised not to vaccinate for Bordetella less than 10 days prior to boarding due to contagiousness. Dogs exhibiting symptoms of illness, such as coughing, sneezing, lethargy, strange growths, intestinal distress, or excessive urination, must be kept home. If a dog experiences intestinal distress for more than two full days, arrangements must be made for pickup.
While a 100% guarantee on training results is not offered due to variables like owner commitment and consistency, Primitive Dog LLC works closely with dedicated owners and consistently achieves significant breakthroughs.
Testimonials
“Life changing!!!! I drove for two days from Tennessee to spend a month in NY with Tammy and her team after reading Kevin Behan’s book “Your Dog is Your Mirror” and immediately resonating with his words. Tammy is one of Kevin’s direct apprentices and is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about dogs and dog behavior – specifically problem behaviors and any type of aggression. My pup is very dog aggressive and we have tried EVERYTHING under the sun. Nothing worked, in fact, he kept getting more aggressive, especially after E-Collar training. After doing a month long board and train with my dog AND myself are completely different in the best way possible. Daily life is so much easier. We have all the tools we need to be successful inside and outside of the house. Anytime I run into something that is hard to work through behavior wise, Tammy is there and supporting me – even from 14 hours away! Natural Dog Training is what’s missing in our entire dog culture. I have never seen my dog so relaxed; he is gaining confidence by the day and I know we can work through his dog aggression fully with Tammy and her team by our sides. I have made a life-long contact for help with my current dog and any dogs to come. If you are struggling with a problem dog (or even if you have a new pup, especially a shelter pup, and just want to get off to a good star) this is the way to go. They are passionate about preserving and continuing Kevin Behan’s genius life work surrounding dogs and dog behavior. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to drive two days and spend a month in upstate NY for a life changing way of truly learning to be one with my dog and get to the root of our problems.”
– Emily Brewer
“The best of the best taking care of Yeti while we are away. Tammy Johnson with Primitive Dog LLC is such a great resource to have for all of our training and boarding needs – especially when Yeti needed it most. We are all so grateful for everything you do!”
– Jenna
“I was recommended to Tammy through a good friend. All I can say is I wish we started working with her sooner! I have 3 male dogs 65 lbs and up. We have had issues since bringing in our youngest boy. He has some resource guarding, some aggression and lack of confidence. He was severely abused before coming to us. Rehoming my dogs was never an option for me. So I FINALLY called Tammy for help. In just TWO at home training sessions (within a time frame of 3 weeks) I have seen such a difference in ALL of my dogs. They are more calm, confident and happier than they have ever been. And we’re only at the beginning of our journey.
What I love most about Tammy and her business is that THEY CARE. They care about the well being of you and your dogs. I’ve never once felt bad about myself as a dog owner working with her. Which for me I appreciate so much. My dogs are my kids and I’ve always tried to do “what’s best” for them, whether what I was doing was helpful or not. So having someone so positive to come in and work with us is such a pleasure.”
– Danielle
About the Trainer
Primitive Dog LLC is a canine training center dedicated to enhancing the emotional well-being of dogs and their owners through the practice of Natural Dog Training, a method founded by Kevin Behan. They utilize five Core exercises as tools to equip dogs with coping mechanisms for real-world situations, aiming for a magnetic attraction between dog and owner that transcends traditional commands or dominance.
The business offers a range of services including training, rehabilitation, and boarding, specializing in dogs with special needs and those with challenging behavioral issues that other trainers may have struggled with. Their approach emphasizes personalized attention due to a limited volume of dogs, ensuring a calm and focused environment.
Tammy, the primary trainer, personally trains all staff and oversees each dog’s program and progress. Beyond training, Primitive Dog LLC also provides boarding services, day camp, and private walks on their 21-acre property, which features wooded trails for dogs to enjoy. They aim to help owners understand their dogs’ perspectives, fostering an unbreakable bond.
Accomplishments
Tammy, the primary trainer, has over 7 years of experience working with dog owners and their behavioral challenges. She is a direct apprentice of Kevin Behan, the founder of Natural Dog Training, a method she strongly believes in and has used to rehabilitate shelter dogs.
The business has been providing boarding services since 2013 and acquired its current 21-acre facility in Charlton, NY, in early 2018, which allows for expanded services.
How to Get Started!
To begin, clients can contact Primitive Dog LLC to build a custom training plan. Phone consultations can be scheduled by clicking “book an appointment, reserve, training, phone consult” or by calling their main phone number.
For boarding reservations, clients can use the boarding contact form or have the staff set it up personally. Confirmation of boarding reservations requires updated proof of vaccination and a deposit.

Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- is owned by veterans
- Women-owned
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Pet boarding service
- Dog day care center
- Dog walker
- Kennel