The Devoted Dog

Training begins with an intake visit or behavior consultation to assess needs and create a written plan. Private sessions are in-home and flexible. Group classes include Puppy Etiquette, Adult Etiquette, Social Hour, and Walk in the Park. Intensive Training Camps offer 5-hour daily field trips with owner lessons or check-ins, lasting one or two weeks. Virtual consultations and educational workshops are available. Ongoing support includes homework, video resources, and communication between sessions.

Pricing Summary

Intake Visit: $60, Behavior Consultation: $90, Private Lessons: $75, Dog Walking: $45, Pet Socialization: $50, Training Field Trip: $300, One-Week Training Camp: $2000, Two-Week Training Camp: $3500. Payment plans available via Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, and PayPal. Group classes offered through partner Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue.

Policies

Field trips can be booked outside calendar availability with prior arrangement. Training camps include optional weekend support at no extra charge. Payment plans are available for camps. No explicit cancellation policy stated.

The Devoted Dog is a force-free, positive reinforcement-based dog training business in Columbia, MO, founded in 2021 and led by Kai Murphey, a certified animal behaviorist with a Master’s degree and KPA-CTP certification. They offer personalized in-home private training, group classes through a partnership with Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue, behavior consultations, and intensive training camps (1-2 weeks). Services include puppy training, leash reactivity, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and service dog preparation, with specialized support for deaf and anxious dogs. They also train cats and other small animals, offer dog walking, pet sitting, and socialization sessions. Their approach emphasizes understanding canine behavior, building the human-animal bond, and providing written training plans and ongoing support between sessions.

They provide virtual consultations, educational workshops, and a “train the trainer” program for aspiring professionals. Their training camps include daily field trips, owner lessons, video updates, and customized plans. All methods are strictly force-free, avoiding prong, choke, or shock collars. They partner with a local dog rescue to support rehabilitation and adoption readiness.

Accomplishments

Kai Murphey holds a Master’s in Animal Behavior and is a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP). The team includes a PhD Anthropology junior trainer and animal first aid certified staff. The business partners with Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue to rehabilitate rescue dogs and prepare them for adoption.

How to Get Started!

Begin with an Intake Visit ($60) for general training goals or a Behavior Consultation ($90) for aggression, reactivity, fear, or compulsive behaviors. Clients receive a written plan, starter tips, and options for follow-up private lessons or group classes. Virtual consultations are also available.