Top Dog Training and Resort

4.7 Stars,257 Reviews
2112 Orange Grove Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Service area: Serves the Triangle area including Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough, and Mebane, North Carolina.

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
  • Potty Training
  • Recall

Training Formats Offered

  • Private Lessons
  • Group Classes
  • Private Facility
  • Board and Train
  • Day Training

Program Formats

  • One-Time Consultation
  • Sessions Package
  • Ongoing Weekly
  • Intensive Program

Types of Dogs

  • Small
  • Medium
  • Large
  • Giant
  • Herding
  • Sporting
  • Working
  • Hounds
  • Terriers
  • Doodles
  • Brachycephalic

Age of Dogs Trained

  • Puppy (<1 year)
  • Adolescent (1-2 years)
  • Adult (2-8 years)
  • Senior (8+ years)

Dog Training Methodology

Methods: 

  • Positive Reinforcement Only

Equipment: 

  • Clickers
  • Food Rewards
  • Harnesses
  • Obstacle Courses

Top Dog offers a range of training programs including group classes, private lessons, and a 3-week intensive boarding school program. Day School runs Monday–Friday with structured activities like obedience training, hunting games, and social play. Boarding includes daily training and supervised play, with daily report cards and photo updates. The board-and-train program is designed for dogs needing significant behavior modification, with trainers working daily and providing follow-up guidance for owners. Therapy dog group training is also available.

Pricing & Policies

Pricing Summary

Pricing varies by service: day school and boarding include daily rates with package options; private training and board-and-train programs are priced individually. Specific rates are available on their website for each service, with additional charges for late pick-ups and shuttle service. No public pricing details listed for training packages.

Policies

Boarding requires advance reservation via their online portal. Check-out after 9 a.m. incurs additional charges. No explicit cancellation or rescheduling policy for training is stated, but clients are directed to their contracts page for terms. The facility requires dogs to be up-to-date on vaccinations and pass a temperament evaluation before enrollment in day school or boarding.

Testimonials

My dog loves going to Top Dog! He needs to go out by himself and the trainers give him the one on one time. I love that I can see pictures on Facebook each time he is there to see how much fun he is having! Great customer service and the trainers are very caring! My dog gets so excited when he knows we are getting close to the resort. Thank you to everyone there who cares for my dog!
– Anonymous

We picked up our girls today from a 7 day boarding. It was our first time away from them for that long since adopting them last year. We were really missing them, but top dog posted pictures on their FB everyday multiple times a day of their play/day school groups. It was so nice to see them happy and playing and working on good manners. I really appreciate that they do this! We have sent them to day school a few times leading up to this boarding and will continue to do so, as well as boarding. If you want to keep your dog somewhere safe and structured, this is the place to do it! Thank you top dog and trainers for keeping our babies safe and happy! And especially reinforcing good manners on top of it all!
– Anonymous

We just got our pup back after her 4 week boarding school stay and she is the same energetic pup but with great manners!! I have a two year old daughter and four year old son and my puppy quickly began to outweigh them and was guilty of jumping on them, biting (playing but hurting), and furniture climbing (including tables and counters). Additionally she was awful on a leash. I was so stressed out by the time I dropped my pup off on her first day with Top Dog. Top Dog was incredible with communication. There were daily update videos and pictures as well as report cards. On my pups first day home, she has not attempted to climb on any counters or jump on me and my kids. Her leash training has improved so much that I took both kids and the pup to the park today with confidence! I now have the confidence to continue to maintain and further her training and learning. Thank you to Top Dog!!
– Rebecca Atkinson

About the Trainer

Top Dog Training and Resort is a family-owned facility in the Triangle area offering professional dog training, luxury boarding, doggy day school, and full-service grooming. Their training programs include both group and private sessions, with options for day school, board-and-train intensive programs, and one-on-one lessons tailored to each dog’s needs. They emphasize positive, individualized methods, adapting teaching styles to suit each dog’s learning pace. The facility features outdoor play areas, obstacle courses, and sanitized kennels with elevated cots and soothing music. Boarding includes daily training sessions and supervised play, with updates and photos provided via Facebook. They also offer a door-to-door shuttle service throughout the Triangle for convenient drop-off and pick-up. Their training focuses on behavior modification, recall, leash manners, potty training, and socialization, with programs designed to transition skills into home life.

They serve clients in Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough, Mebane, and surrounding areas, with a strong emphasis on communication, daily reporting, and client education to ensure long-term success. Their staff includes trained professionals who administer medications and manage special diets, and they provide structured, engaging activities for dogs of all ages and energy levels.

Top Dog also offers specialized services like therapy dog group training and a 3-week intensive boarding school program for dogs needing significant behavior improvement. Their facility is designed to be both a training center and a resort, combining care, structure, and enrichment in one location.

Accomplishments

Top Dog has received numerous positive testimonials highlighting dramatic behavior improvements in dogs after boarding or day school, with clients praising daily updates, professional staff, and facility quality. They are recognized locally for their high-touch, high-tech approach, including integrated digital reporting and social media updates. Employees of the month are publicly recognized, indicating a culture of performance and care.

How to Get Started!

Client engagement begins with selecting a service (training, boarding, grooming, or day school) and scheduling via their online portal or by phone. New clients are directed to review service requirements, complete a temperament evaluation for day school or boarding, and submit vaccination records. A consultation is not offered for free, but detailed FAQs and videos are available on their website to guide initial decisions.

Top Dog Training and Resort featured image for this Dog Trainer
  • Free Consultation

Availability

  • Weekdays
  • Weekends
  • Morning
  • Afternoon
  • Evening

Hours

Monday: 7am-7pm
Tuesday: 7am-7pm
Wednesday: 7am-7pm
Thursday: 7am-7pm
Friday: 7am-7pm
Saturday: 7am-7pm
Sunday: 1-7pm

Languages

  • English
  • Women-owned
  • wheelchair accessible entrance
  • wheelchair accessible parking

Other Services Offered

  • Dog day care center
  • Kennel
  • Pet boarding service
  • Pet groomer

Location

2112 Orange Grove Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

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