Weller Kennels/Dog Obedience
Service area: Serves New Bern, NC and surrounding areas; clients travel from Maryland and other states for training.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Competition / Agility
- Working Dog
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Recall
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Separation Anxiety
- Barking Excessively
- Biting / Nipping
Training Formats Offered
- Private Facility
- Board and Train
- Day Training
Program Formats
- Intensive Program
- Sessions Package
Types of Dogs
- Sporting
- Working
- Medium
- Large
- Giant
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive with Some Corrections
- ✓ Balanced Training
Equipment:
- ✓ Flat Collars
- ✓ Martingale Collars
- ✓ Pinch Collars
- ✓ E-Collars
- ✓ Obstacle Courses
Weller Kennels offers intensive 4-week training programs in obedience and retriever skills, including on/off-leash work, e-collar training, young dog programs (starting at 16 weeks), and owner-involvement sessions. Programs are tailored for hunting, competition, or family companionship, with specialized tracks for gun dogs, hunt test preparation, and AKC field trials. Training occurs at their facility with daily structured sessions and weekly owner check-ins.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Training programs cost $850 per 4 weeks for both obedience and retriever training. Pricing is consistent across programs, with no mention of discounts or tiered packages.
Policies
Proof of up-to-date vaccinations (DHLPP, Rabies, Bordatella within 6 months) is required for all dogs. No cancellation or rescheduling policies are explicitly stated.
Testimonials
“Just a note to let you know how much I appreciate all that you have done for Harlee and for me! She is doing great and proof of just what a terrific team and program that you have established. She has not lost her personality in all of her training, but definitely defined it! A little cocky at times, but that is due to the self confidence she developed! Much thanks and continued success to you all!”
-Jan Sheppe
“I would like to thank you for your time and skills that you put into my dog Kimber. She arrived at Weller Kennels at 6 months of age… Upon arrival and meeting with your trainer, we knew that she would be in good hands… After the 5 months at your kennel, she has basically a started duck dog. The rest is up to me to fine tune her to my needs. I greatly appreciate your services and will highly recommend your kennel to anyone that wants a well trained dog, which I feel is the only dog worth having.”
-Scott Harless
“John & Anthony, When my family made the decision that we wanted a black lab… I contacted you via email and a few days later got a nice phone call… And Oh My! What a fantastic dog we waited for!… I’ve gotten to see the facility up close and observe the activities. What an asset you have in Anthony and your staff! Always polite, courteous and professional.”
-Chris Barnes
About the Trainer
Weller Kennels is a veteran-owned dog training business established in 1974, specializing in obedience and retriever training for all breeds, including mixed breeds. They offer both basic and advanced training programs tailored to hunting dogs, competition dogs, and family companions. Their facility in New Bern, North Carolina, features year-round training areas, water retrieval ponds, and a 24-hour on-call vet. They provide one-on-one owner training to strengthen the bond between dog and owner, and their team includes experienced trainers like John Weller and Anthony Abernathy, who have trained hundreds of championship-caliber dogs in NAHRA, AKC, and ESPN competitions. They also breed AKC-registered Labrador Retrievers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and their training programs include force training, gun dog training, and young dog programs starting at 16 weeks. All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations before enrollment.
Their training approach combines structured obedience with practical field skills, and they emphasize consistent communication with owners to ensure long-term success. Clients report significant improvements in their dogs’ behavior, recall, and hunting performance, with many praising the trainers’ patience, professionalism, and deep understanding of canine personalities.
Weller Kennels also offers a shop for dog-related products and maintains an active Facebook and YouTube presence for updates and media.
They do not offer grooming, boarding, daycare, walking, or pet-sitting services beyond their training and breeding programs.
Accomplishments
John Weller is the first trainer to earn the NAHRA Grand Master Hunting Retriever title with his dog “Moses.” He has titled hundreds of dogs in NAHRA, AKC, and ESPN Super Retriever Series competitions. His dog “Judge” was one of only twelve in the U.S. to compete in ESPN’s Great Outdoor Games. Anthony Abernathy has over 20 years of experience as a trainer at Weller Kennels.
How to Get Started!
Prospective clients are encouraged to call or email to set up a meeting. Training programs begin with an evaluation and require vaccination documentation. Puppies can be enrolled as young as 16 weeks.

Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Hours
Monday: 8am-4pm
Tuesday: 8am-4pm
Wednesday: 8am-4pm
Thursday: 8am-4pm
Friday: 8-11:30am
Saturday: 8-11:30am
Sunday: Closed
Associations
- AKC
- NAHRA
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Dog breeder
Location
250 Zeb Rd, New Bern, NC 28560Listing Tools for Trainers
For Weller Kennels/Dog Obedience Only
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