Upstate Dog Academy

Upstate Dog Academy offers Puppy Foundations for young dogs covering potty training, crate training, name recognition, and basic commands like sit, down, come, and leave it using positive reinforcement. Private lessons occur in the client’s home or local public environments like parks and coffee shops. The Board and Train program is an intensive, limited-availability option where dogs stay at the facility for 3+ weeks with daily training, socialization, and overnight care by staff. All programs emphasize communication-based training and include follow-up support for owners to maintain progress at home.

Pricing Summary

Pricing details are not publicly listed on the website. Clients are encouraged to contact the business directly by phone or email to schedule a consultation and receive customized pricing for private lessons, board and train programs, and day care services.

Policies

Appointments are required for all services. No specific cancellation or rescheduling policy is stated on the website, but clients are encouraged to contact the business directly for scheduling inquiries.

Upstate Dog Academy is a professional dog training business based in Greenville, SC, led by James Osco, known as the “Upstate Dog Guy.” The business offers private in-home and facility-based training sessions, a board and train program, and limited doggy day care and boarding services. They specialize in Pure Positive and Positive Reinforcement training methods, focusing on building communication and trust between dogs and their owners. Their signature program, “The Upstate Way,” teaches dogs foundational communication skills before introducing complex behaviors, tailored to goals ranging from basic family pet manners to therapy dog readiness. They also provide puppy foundations training, behavior modification for stubborn or reactive dogs, and ongoing support for owners. Their team includes experienced trainers like Carlos Paul and junior handler Corey Taylor, with staff who live on-site to care for board-and-train clients.

The business emphasizes creating a “Custom Made Companion” by aligning training with the owner’s lifestyle, and they train dogs in real-world environments such as parks, coffee shops, and breweries. They serve clients across the Greenville area and offer flexible scheduling with appointments available seven days a week.

Additional services include doggy day care, overnight boarding, and training merchandise. All training is conducted by certified and experienced staff with decades of combined hands-on experience with dogs of all breeds and ages.

Accomplishments

James Osco, the Head Trainer and “Upstate Dog Guy,” has decades of experience working with dogs, completed dog training apprenticeships and seminars, and holds numerous obedience training certifications. He has trained dogs across the country and built a reputation as a trusted trainer in the Greenville community. His team includes hand-selected staff with proven skills, including Carlos Paul, who leads the puppy foundations program, and Corey Taylor, a young apprentice with exceptional natural talent.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients are encouraged to contact Upstate Dog Academy by phone or email to schedule a free initial consultation. During the consultation, the trainer assesses the dog’s behavior, discusses the owner’s goals, and recommends the best training program—whether private lessons, board and train, or puppy foundations.