Stephanie Bennett’s Believe in Dog

Training is structured by dog age and behavior: Puppy Training (under 5 months) includes group classes and Puppy Day School; Adolescent & Adult Training (over 5 months) focuses on manners and focus; Reactive Dog Training includes the Reactive Rover group class. Private training is tailored to individual needs with in-person, virtual, or in-home options. Programs include behavior blueprints, homework assignments, and ongoing support via phone/email. Clients progress through stages with recommended 2–3 week gaps between sessions.

Pricing Summary

Private training starts at $160 for virtual sessions, $195–$330 for in-person initial lessons, with follow-ups ranging from $75–$260. Virtual lessons are $100–$160. In-home sessions include travel fees. Group classes are offered but pricing not specified. Follow-up lessons must be completed within two months of the initial lesson.

Policies

Each lesson includes 2 weeks of phone and email support. Follow-up lessons must be completed within 2 months of the initial lesson or previous follow-up. Mini lessons are available for fear or reactivity cases. In-home sessions require a travel fee and are limited to a 5-mile radius. Virtual lessons are available for convenience.

Believe in Dog is a Houston-based dog training center founded by nationally recognized trainer Stephanie Bennett, offering positive, science-backed training services designed to strengthen the bond between dogs and their guardians. They provide private training, group classes, and specialized programs for puppies, adolescent and adult dogs, and reactive dogs, all conducted in a Zen-like indoor and outdoor facility in the Heights. Their approach focuses on kindness, connection, confidence, and understanding, avoiding dominance-based methods in favor of relationship-based, reward-driven techniques. They also offer Puppy Day School, Enriched Doggie Day Care, and a retail boutique for pet supplies. Their team includes certified trainers who provide personalized support, virtual lessons, and in-home sessions (with travel fees), making training accessible to a wide range of dog owners.

The center is known for its expertise in behavior modification, including leash reactivity, fearfulness, resource guarding, and socialization. Clients praise the compassionate, attentive staff and the transformative results seen in anxious, fearful, or reactive dogs. Stephanie Bennett, known as the “Puppy Whisperer,” has been leading the program since 2008 and is frequently featured in local media like Houston Life.

Additional services include renting their front yard for dog play, behavior questionnaires, homework assignments, and scholarship opportunities for those in need.

Accomplishments

Believe in Dog was named “America’s Coolest” 2025 by PETS+ magazine. Founder Stephanie Bennett is a CPDT-KSA and nationally recognized as the “Puppy Whisperer,” featured on Houston Life. The center has trained thousands of dogs since 2008 and is known for pioneering Houston’s first comprehensive puppy program.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients begin by completing the Behavior Questionnaire to assess their dog’s needs. Based on the results, they are guided to the appropriate service—private training, group class, or reactive dog program. Initial consultations are not free, but the questionnaire helps determine the best starting point.