Training With Play LLC

Day training is an immersive, all-day program where your dog will participate in training, canine fitness exercises, socialization, canine enrichment, field trips, and more. It focuses on physical and mental exercise, with tons of one-on-one time with a trainer due to small group sizes. Dogs are exposed to new things daily, including training circuits for tricks, leash walking, and basic obedience, as well as confidence-building and fitness exercises. Small group play is offered if appropriate, otherwise extra one-on-one play with a trainer is provided. Field trips to parks, hiking trails, and stores are occasionally included to proof training in new environments. The program is for dogs of all breeds and ages (8 weeks to senior), including intact dogs and dog-selective individuals. It is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with drop-off 7:30 AM-9 AM and pick-up 4 PM-6 PM. Participants gain access to an exclusive group class twice a month.

Their Board and Train Program is a 4-week minimum intensive program for dogs no younger than 8 months, designed to build a solid obedience foundation. This includes clear communication systems, sit, down, place, heel, stay, reliable recall, off-leash obedience, loose leash walking, and arousal control, custom-tailored to the dog’s needs. Owners are required to attend one complimentary session each week during the board and train, plus one post-program follow-up session. Dogs with aggression, excess fear, or anxiety are not accepted into this program.

Pet Training focuses on general obedience and basic manners for puppies and adult dogs, offered as customized 1-hour private sessions. Behavioral Consulting involves a 1.5-hour evaluation to understand learned behavior, genetic predispositions, and individual history, aiming to help manage problem behaviors. Group Puppy Class is a six-week package for puppies aged 10 to 20 weeks. Specialized Lessons are 1-hour customized sessions for sport, therapy, ESA, or tracking.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is per session unless otherwise stated, and payment is not accepted through the website; clients must contact trainers directly for scheduling. Pet Training Lessons are $125 for a 1-hour session, with discounted multi-session packages available. Specialized Lessons for sport, therapy, ESA, or tracking are $150 for a 1-hour session, also with discounted packages. Group Puppy Class is a six-week package for $360.

The Pet Board and Train program is a 4-week intensive plan for $4,500, with a 9-month age minimum. Behavioral Consultations are $250 for a 1.5-hour session. A 6-week Behavioral Board & Train for problem behaviors costs $6,500. The Day Training Program is $68 per day, requiring a minimum of twice-a-month attendance. For day training, half the cost is a non-refundable booking fee due at reservation, with the remaining amount due upon pick-up. All pricing information is subject to change without notice.

Policies

Day training reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Half of the cost is due as a non-refundable booking fee when reservations are made, and the remaining amount is due upon pick up. All information is subject to change without notice.

For Board and Train, dogs with aggression, excess fear, anxiety, and other disqualifying characteristics will not be accepted. For General Boarding, dogs must be actively training with them, have no behavioral issues or health conditions requiring special attention, be well crate/kennel trained, and settle nicely. A paid daytime trial boarding may be required. If medical concerns arise during boarding, immediate veterinary attention is mandatory, arranged by the owner.

Training With Play LLC is a dog training business based in Belgrade, Montana, offering a respectful and ethical approach to training. Their philosophy focuses on enhancing the relationship between dog and owner, encouraging dogs to express themselves, and guiding them with a balanced training approach based on science. They emphasize building a strong bond through purposeful play and interaction, aiming to create a team mentality between dogs and their owners.

They offer customized training for all breeds, ages, and ability levels, with a main emphasis on pet training for obedience and basic manners. They also provide behavioral consulting, sport training, and specialized services like service dog and therapy dog training. Training With Play believes in owners being mutually invested in their dog’s improvement, providing tools for clients to continue training at home and fostering a two-way communication system with their dogs.

Their facility is a large, heated 3,700 sq/ft space in Belgrade, MT, near the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. They offer various programs including private 1-on-1 sessions, board and train services, group classes for puppies and adult dogs, and a unique day training program. They also assist clients in sourcing purpose-specific puppies for sport applications and have access to an internationally acclaimed bird dog trainer.

Accomplishments

Sarah is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Behavior and Health. She got into professional dog training due to her Malinois with severe human and dog aggression. She owns 3 Belgian Malinois and 2 Pit Bulls and competes in IGP/Schutzhund (obedience, tracking, protection), also doing scent work.

Kenzie holds a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology, which provided a deeper understanding of animal genetics, ethology, biology, and history, including canines. She grew up around bird dog training and hunting. She competes with her Chesapeake Bay Retriever in IGP Obedience, AKC Trick Dog, AKC Obedience, Shed, and Upland Game Hunt. She continuously pursues continued education through in-person seminars and online courses from world-class trainers.

Patrick, the owner and founder, grew up on a farm with a racehorse operation; his mother is a top breeder of Norwich Terriers showing at Westminster and other AKC conformation shows. He has trained dogs since he was a teenager, including show dogs, working line dogs, protection specific dogs, service dogs, and pet dogs. He served in a Combat Unit with the United States Marine Corps, where he was deployed around working dogs. He has studied Animal Cognition, Learning Theory, Classical and Operant Conditioning, Ethology, Genetics, and Epigenetics under some of the best, ensuring science-aligned training. He competes in IGP (Schutzhund), widely considered one of the most difficult and precise dog sports. He also has local access to an Internationally Acclaimed and Titled Bird Dog Trainer with over 35 years of experience and over 50 finished dogs.

How to Get Started!

To enroll in the Day Training program or learn more, contact Kenzie via call or text at 651-302-4796 or email kenzie.trainingwithplay@gmail.com. Current clients can reserve dates immediately. New clients require a consultation prior to enrollment to ensure the dog’s comfort in the program. After consultation, dates can be reserved. Reservations for day training must be made at least 24 hours in advance, with spots filling quickly.

For other training inquiries, contact trainers directly. For Board and Train, call 406-404-0979 to discuss and schedule a consultation. For Behavioral Evaluations, call 406-404-0979 to discuss the specific behaviors. Every dog trained requires a profile with vaccination records, which can be created via a provided link.