Whole Dog Institute

Whole Dog Institute offers six-week group classes held weekly for one hour, with new sessions starting every other month. Classes include Puppy Relationship Building (9 weeks–7 months), Advanced Puppy Relationship Building (4–9 months), Taming Your Teen (9 months–3 years), Relationship Building Fundamentals (adult dogs), and Advanced RBF. Specialty programs include Reactive Dog classes, K9 Nose Work®, Agility Fundamentals, Beginning Agility Sequences, and Trick Training. All classes require prerequisite completion or instructor permission. Private lessons are available in-home or at the facility. Board and Train is offered for intensive behavior modification. First class sessions often occur via Zoom without dogs to address owner concerns.

Pricing Summary

Group classes cost $185–$225 for six weekly one-hour sessions. Puppy playtime is a drop-in class with no fixed fee. Private lessons and Board and Train services are available upon request with customized pricing. Specialty classes vary in cost and duration. A $25 harness lead is required for dogs that pull uncontrollably in class.

Policies

Classes are held rain or shine unless there is pouring rain, snow, or ice; in such cases, classes may be moved to Zoom or rescheduled. Students must bring their own chairs, water, bowls, and treats. Dogs that cannot be controlled (e.g., pulling toward others) must use a WDI-provided harness lead ($25). Two handlers per dog are allowed; children may attend with permission. No dog-dog socialization in certain classes to maintain focus. Refunds or transfers are not mentioned.

Whole Dog Institute is a local dog training business serving the Durham-Chapel Hill-Hillsborough area, founded by Certified Professional Dog Trainers Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and Pat Miller Certified Trainers Liz Turpin and Beth Grooms. They focus on building meaningful, lifelong relationships between dogs and their owners through effective communication, trust, and positive reinforcement. They offer private lessons in-home or at their facility, as well as small group classes (5–6 dogs) in obedience (puppy, teen, and adult), reactive dog behavior modification, K9 Nose Work®, agility, and Therapy Dog preparation. Their classes emphasize owner education so clients can continue training after class ends. They also offer a Board and Train program and rent out training rings. Their facility is equipped for outdoor training with agility fields and a clean, safe environment for puppies, including drop-in puppy playtime for unvaccinated pups. They prioritize safety, clear communication, and individualized attention, with instructors who adapt to each dog’s needs and temperament.

They provide structured, six-week programs with weekly one-hour sessions, and offer a free 10-minute evaluation for some classes to ensure suitability. Their approach avoids punishment-based methods, focusing instead on understanding canine behavior and building confidence. They also offer trick training and specialized classes for adolescent dogs and reactive dogs, with a strong emphasis on mental stimulation and emotional well-being.

Whole Dog Institute supports long-term success by teaching owners how to interpret their dog’s signals and respond appropriately, creating a foundation for lifelong companionship and advanced training in sports like agility or Nose Work.

Accomplishments

Liz Turpin and Beth Grooms are Certified Professional Dog Trainers Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and Pat Miller Certified Trainers. They have developed structured, evidence-based training programs focused on communication and relationship-building, with a reputation for helping reactive, fearful, and adolescent dogs succeed in group settings.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can contact the institute to inquire about class availability or schedule a free 10-minute evaluation for Relationship Building Fundamentals or other classes if unsure of their dog’s suitability. For private lessons or Board and Train, they can reach out directly via email or phone to arrange an initial consultation. Puppy playtime is available on a drop-in basis with no prior registration required.