The Barking Zone

The Barking Zone offers several training programs designed to address various dog behaviors and owner needs. The 2-Week Monday-Friday Foundation Board and Train Program is an intensive 24/7 program where dogs stay Monday through Friday for two weeks, with go-home sessions each Friday. This program covers waiting for food, waiting at thresholds, crate training, place command, proper walking, sit, and down stay. It also addresses naughty behaviors like jumping, nipping, nuisance barking, counter surfing, chewing, and dumpster diving. Remote collar training is introduced if desired, and the program includes a training collar, a downloadable foundation DVD, and a digital Foundation Training Book.

The 7-Day Train and Play Foundation Party is a similar board and train program, running Monday through Friday for one week, with a go-home session on Friday. It covers the same foundational obedience and behavior modification as the two-week program, including proper play with other dogs and time with cats. This program also includes a training collar, a downloadable foundation DVD, and a digital Foundation Training Book.

The 7-Day Remote Collar Board and Train Party is a week-long, 24/7 in-home program for dogs over six months old, requiring prior completion of a Foundation Party or Private Sessions. This advanced program focuses on off-leash obedience, including off-leash heel and recall, in addition to all foundational commands and behavior fixes. It emphasizes creating habits for a family lifestyle, such as going to “place” during dinner. This program includes a pick-up session, a downloadable foundation DVD, and digital Foundation and Remote Collar Training books, but the e-collar itself is not provided.

Private Sessions are a DIY-focused program where owners learn to teach their dogs commands like waiting at thresholds and for food, crate training, place command, proper walking, sit, down, and recall. These sessions also help fix unwanted behaviors such as nipping, leash chewing, jumping, counter surfing, dumpster diving, and nuisance barking. A prong collar is included, along with a downloadable foundation DVD and a digital Foundation Training Book for continued learning.

The Barking Zone also provides Dog Daycare services, offering all-day play Monday through Friday and half-day options. The daycare is located at Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic, ensuring veterinary oversight. Dogs benefit from socialization, exercise, and mental stimulation in a large, covered outdoor yard with separate areas for small and large dogs, and even a pool for swimming.

Pricing Summary

The Barking Zone offers various programs with different pricing structures. The 2-Week Monday-Friday Foundation Board and Train Program costs $1750, requiring a $250 deposit. The 7-Day Train and Play Foundation Party is $1000, also with a $250 deposit. The 7-Day Remote Collar Board and Train Party is $1000, requiring a $250 deposit, but the e-collar itself is not provided. Private Sessions are $165 for one session and $100 for every additional session.

For daycare, a full day for one dog is $26, and a half day is $16.50. For two dogs, a full day is $42, and a half day is $31. Monthly passes are available at $375 for one dog and $575 for two dogs, with no refunds on monthly passes. In-home overnight boarding is $55 per night per dog, exclusively for past and current training clients.

Policies

For in-home overnight boarding, this service is exclusively available for past and current training clients. For dog daycare, all dogs must be spayed/neutered, people-friendly, dog-friendly, and up-to-date on all vaccines. These requirements apply only to daycare, not to dog training or board and train programs.

During the board and train programs, client visits are considered counterproductive to the training process. For the 7-Day Remote Collar Board and Train Party, dogs must have completed the Foundation Party or Private Sessions beforehand. A $250 deposit is required for all board and train programs, and clients are advised to confirm their schedule before making this payment. Monthly daycare passes are non-refundable.

The Barking Zone is a dog training company based in Birmingham, Alabama, serving Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Chelsea, and surrounding areas. They aim to help dog owners fix everyday issues with their pets and develop a deeper, more meaningful connection. The business has been operating for over 19 years.

The Barking Zone offers a unique approach to training, focusing on analyzing a dog’s state of mind to teach them to make better choices. Their methods build a relationship without relying on treats as bribes, emphasizing fundamental obedience and leadership exercises.

In addition to dog training, The Barking Zone provides dog daycare services, including full-day, half-day, and overnight options. They also offer consulting services for veterinary clinics interested in opening their own dog daycare facilities, providing a “business in a box” system.

The facility is located at Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic, offering the added safety of veterinary staff on-site. They have a large outdoor yard, divided for small and large dogs, with a roof covering most of it for shade and protection from rain. The owner, Rick, is passionate about his work and provides resources like training videos and books to help clients continue training at home.

Accomplishments

The Barking Zone was founded in September 2003 by Rick, who graduated with a degree in marketing in 2001. The business began as a dog daycare facility on the land of Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic. Rick later expanded his expertise to become a balanced dog trainer, graduating from Animal Behavior College.

He further refined his balanced training methods by studying with notable trainers such as Ladale Kennedy of Infinity Dog Training, Ty Brown of Ty the Dog Guy, Sean O’shea of The Good Dog Training and Rehabilitation, Jeff Gellman of Solid K9 Training, and Curtis Craig with The Calm K9. Rick maintains close training relationships with his mentors. The Barking Zone has also expanded its reach by franchising with other veterinary clinics in Jasper and Montgomery, Alabama. The business has been nominated for Best Dog Daycare in Birmingham.

How to Get Started!

To get started with The Barking Zone’s training packages or to inquire about their services, interested clients should fill out the Contact Us form on their website. A representative will respond after reviewing submissions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. For those interested in the shadow program to become a dog trainer, they are encouraged to call for more information. Before paying any required deposits for training programs, clients must ensure they have already spoken with The Barking Zone and are on the schedule.