Scatter Creek Kennels & Training Services

Training begins with a consultation and evaluation to assess the dog’s behavior and develop a customized plan. Private lessons are one-on-one sessions held at the facility. The board-and-train program is a minimum three-week intensive program covering foundational obedience and behavior correction, followed by three private lessons for the owner to continue training. Curriculum includes heel, sit, down, stay, come, thirty-minute down, doors/entries/gates, and management of behavioral issues. All training is conducted in a calm, controlled facility environment.

Pricing Summary

Consultation/lesson: $150 per session. Private lesson packages: $750 for 5 sessions, $1,500 for 10 sessions. Board and train: $125 daily or $775 weekly, with a 3-week minimum costing $2,300 including three private lessons. Boarding: $45/day for dogs, $30/day for cats. Grooming starts at $125 for basic bath, brush, blow dry, and nail trim. Additional fees apply for medication ($2/day) and food ($5.50/feeding). Military discount of 5% available.

Policies

Boarding reservations must be made in advance, especially for holidays. Drop-off and pick-up are scheduled only during morning (9–10 a.m.) or afternoon (4–5 p.m.) windows. A full day’s boarding fee is charged regardless of drop-off time; no charge for pick-up before 10 a.m. the next day. Grooming requires pre-scheduling. Training sessions require appointment and are non-refundable. No cancellation or rescheduling policy is explicitly stated for training lessons.

Scatter Creek Kennels & Training Services is a family-owned and operated dog training and pet care business located near Centralia, WA, with over 40 years of experience led by Jim Elder. They offer private dog training sessions, board-and-train programs, and in-facility training at their dedicated facility. Their training programs are designed for family pets as well as high-level competition, working, and protection dogs, with a focus on behavior modification, obedience, and foundational skills like heel, sit, down, stay, and recall. They also provide pet boarding, grooming, and pet supplies, ensuring a full-service experience for dog owners. Their training methods are grounded in decades of hands-on experience with Schutzhund, police K-9, detection, and protection work, and they emphasize individualized programs tailored to each dog’s needs. Clients appreciate their results-driven approach, especially for dogs with aggression, reactivity, or stubborn behaviors that other trainers couldn’t resolve.

They offer both private lessons and intensive board-and-train programs, with the latter including a minimum three-week commitment and three private follow-up lessons. Their facility provides spacious, climate-controlled kennels with individual runs, Pet Cot bedding, and no dog-on-dog contact. They also offer cat boarding and professional grooming services using hand-drying methods and quality products. All services are available by appointment only.

Jim Elder has trained thousands of dogs and has been a leader in national Schutzhund and working dog organizations, including serving as President of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America and training helper for multiple national championships. Their reputation is built on proven results, with many clients crediting them for saving dogs from euthanasia due to behavioral issues.

Accomplishments

Jim Elder has over 40 years of experience training dogs and has held leadership roles in the United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USCA), including President and Working Judge. He is a founding member and Training Director of the Cascade Working Dog Association and Olympic Working Dog Club, where over 200 Schutzhund titles were awarded under his guidance. He has trained dogs to compete at national and international levels, including World Championships in Austria and Belgium. Jim has served as a protection helper for multiple national championships, including US Rottweiler Club Nationals and the first Korung/ABST event in the U.S. He has also provided K-9 training and seminars to West Coast police agencies.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients begin with a consultation and evaluation session ($150), during which the trainer observes the dog, identifies behavioral causes, and develops a customized training plan. Clients can then choose between private lessons, a board-and-train program, or a combination. Board-and-train clients must schedule a minimum three-week stay with follow-up lessons included.