Total Dog
Ranked #7 in Austin and #14 in Texas
Service area: The greater Austin, Texas metro area, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Leander, Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, and Dripping Springs.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Therapy Dog
- Service Dog
- Working Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Potty Training
- Puppy Training
- Recall
- Leash Pulling
- Biting / Nipping
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Resource Guarding
- Separation Anxiety
- Barking Excessively
- Basic Obedience
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- In-Home
- Board and Train
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Balanced Training
Equipment:
- ✓ E-Collars
Total Dog offers a wide range of training programs, including Private Lessons, Puppy Training (Potty, Crate), Board and Train, Aggressive Dog Training, and Service Dog Training (Emotional Support, Psychiatric, Seizure Response, Autism). They also provide Therapy Dog Training, Protection & Bite Work, Hunting Dog Training, Dog Scent Training, and Snake Avoidance Dog Training. All programs are custom-made to fit the unique needs and goals of each dog and owner, with a focus on guaranteed results and lifetime support. They do not offer group classes.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Total Dog offers custom-made training programs with varying costs based on individual needs, dog’s learning style, structure, layout, and duration. They provide a free consultation to develop a personalized program. They offer a package with unlimited lessons until initial training goals are met, with the option to extend training for new goals at no extra cost. The AKC Canine Good Citizen test costs $25.
Testimonials
“Brice worked with us at our home to help us with our Terrier Mix dog, Chewy. Our goal was for him to have socially acceptable behavior and to come when called. Brice worked with us to know how to train him so as time passes and we have additional behaviors we want to train him with we can without always needing a trainer. Brice worked wonderfully with Chewy and with us. Chewy has become a great social dog and a wonderful traveler. We receive compliments all the time on how well behaved he is. We frequently recommend Brice to friends and family with dogs who can use some help.”
– Marsha Kulpa
“We were anti e-collar training until we met Brice. We “interviewed” Brice when we first adopted our dog, finding out a while later he was reactive to just about everything and everyone. After making the mistake of hiring another training, we called Brice back to bring him on board. Since starting with Brice November 2023, our dog has had a complete 180 change in personality (for the better) and is so much more pleasant to be around. We were able to learn how we were incorrectly correcting our dog, how the e-collar works and ways to navigate training with new hiccups down the line. We are very grateful we found Brice when we did and our only regret is not starting with him sooner! Highly recommend him for the 6 1:1 lesson package. 🙂 Update: 12/4/24 Brice helped us train Bandit to be my (Taylore’s) service dog! We needed some guidance on how to make sure he did his tasks well and He gave us all the advice on how to travel (since you can’t do testing flights). bandit did SPECTACULAR round trip! (~4 hour flights).”
– Justin and Taylore Badanguio
“Brice is simply the best. His goal is to be every customer’s last trainer and he is definitely ours. My pup momo is very smart but also very independent (read: stubborn) and in just two weeks she was an obedient little working dog. Regardless of the challenges you have have with your dog, I’m confident Brice can help you solve them.”
– Adrienne Catlos
About the Trainer
Total Dog is a professional dog training business based in Austin, TX, boasting over 30 years of experience and more than 3000 satisfied clients. They offer guaranteed results and provide lifetime support and guidance, aiming to be a trusted partner for dog owners throughout their pet’s life.
They specialize in crafting custom-made training programs tailored to each dog’s unique learning style and individual needs, considering factors such as lifestyle, goals, age, temperament, breed, and previous training. Their services include private in-home dog training, puppy training, and board and train programs for dogs of all breeds and ages.
Their comprehensive program offerings cover obedience training, private lessons, board and train, aggressive dog training, dog separation anxiety training, puppy training (including potty and crate training), and various service dog training programs (emotional support, psychiatric, seizure response, autism). They also provide therapy dog training, protection & bite work, hunting dog training, dog scent training, and snake avoidance training. Additionally, they are certified evaluators for the AKC Canine Good Citizen program.
Total Dog differentiates itself through its commitment to consistent, life-long support, ensuring guidance even after a program concludes. They also offer guaranteed results, providing unlimited lessons at no additional cost until the initial training goals are achieved. They welcome all breeds and ages, emphasizing the importance of early training while also catering to mature dogs.
Accomplishments
SGT Brice Cavanaugh, the head trainer and founder of Total Dog!, is a certified dog trainer. He serves on the Board of Directors for the National Tactical Police Dog Association and Operation Overwatch, and The Pink Berets. He is also a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and an Evaluator for the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen multi-tiered program. The business boasts over 30 years of experience and more than 3000 happy clients.
How to Get Started!
Clients can get started by scheduling a free consultation. During this consultation, Total Dog will meet with the owner and dog to evaluate factors such as lifestyle, goals, age, temperament, breed, and previous training to develop a custom-made training program.
Contact Information
Associations
- AKC
- IACP
- Accredited
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible parking