Wind River Canine Partners, Dog Training & Boarding

Wind River Canine Partners offers a variety of training programs including Standard Programs, Customization, Behavior Modification, and Puppy Programs.

Standard Programs include “Partnership Training – Foundations” (2 weeks Board & Train for $1,800 or 4 Private Lessons for $380-$420) covering basic obedience, communication, and common issues. “Advanced Partnership – Off Leash” (2 weeks Board & Train for $2,000 or 4 Private Lessons for $380-$420) focuses on off-leash reliability in various environments.

Customization programs ($900-$1,000/week) address specific needs like Confidence Building for Fearful Dogs, Addressing Reactivity, Accepting Body Handling, and Door Manners. Behavior Modification programs ($900-$1,000/week, 3+ weeks) are offered on a case-by-case basis for serious issues.

Puppy Programs for puppies 8 weeks to 5 months old include “Puppy Preparedness Kit” ($95 in-home consultation), “Puppy Survival Kit” ($190 for two in-home sessions), and “Puppy Jump Start” ($650 for a 1-week board & train).

They also offer Daycare & Train options (Half Day Train $45 + Daycare, Full Day Train $85 + Daycare), Group Hikes ($20-$30), Group Classes ($20/Class), and AKC Canine Good Citizen & Other Title Tests ($20/Test). Service Dog and Therapy Dog programs are also available.

Pricing Summary

Overnight boarding rates are $55/night for the first dog ($60/night on holidays) and $38/night for additional dogs in the same kennel ($40/night on holidays). Daycare rates are $34 for a full day (more than 5 hours), $25 for a half day (up to 5 hours), and $25 for an additional dog from the same family. Puppy Yard access for puppies under 6 months is $15.

Board & Train programs include “Partnership Training – Foundations” for 2 weeks at $1,800, and “Advanced Partnership – Off Leash” for 2 weeks at $2,000. Customization and Behavior Modification programs are $900-$1,000/week, with Behavior Modification requiring a minimum of 3 weeks.

Day Trains are $45 for a half day (1-2 sessions) plus daycare, and $85 for a full day (3-4 sessions) plus daycare. Group Hikes are $20 with a handler or $30 for drop-off (trainer handles).

Private Lessons are $70/hour for virtual sessions, $95/each for on-site, $105/each for in-home/off-site, and $145/each for semi-private lessons (2 dogs, 2 handlers). In-Home Pack Dynamics sessions are $145/each.

Training Evaluations cost $75 for on-site and $95 for in-home/off-site. Puppy programs include a “Puppy Preparedness Kit” for $95, a “Puppy Survival Kit” for $190, and a “Puppy Jump Start” 1-week board & train for $650. Group Classes and Pack Walks are $20/class, and AKC Canine Good Citizen & Other Title Tests are $20/test. Bordetella vaccines are available at the kennel for $25. Additional fees may apply for late pickups, outside scheduled arrival times, extra grooming time, specialized care/medication ($3), food/medication additives ($1/scoop), or house kibble ($2/cup).

Policies

Dogs picked up after 12:30 PM will be billed for a half day of daycare. Arrivals outside of scheduled times may incur an additional convenience fee. Daycare must be scheduled in advance, and clients are asked to limit daycare visits to a maximum of three times per week.

Dogs demonstrating destructive or aggressive behavior are not eligible for the “Sleepovers With Staff” upgrade. Behavior Modification programs are limited and require an in-person evaluation, with dogs needing to be safely handled by staff for board & train eligibility.

Vaccination requirements include DHPP and Bordetella for puppies at least 12 weeks old, and current DHPP, Rabies, and Bordetella for dogs over 16 weeks. Proof of vaccination from a veterinarian, FAVN Titer test certificate, or self-administered vaccination receipts are accepted.

Wind River Canine Partners is a unique dog training, boarding, and daycare facility located on a beautiful ranch in the Bitterroot Valley, 12 miles south of Missoula. They offer small, tailored daycare groups that promote healthy play habits for dogs, along with kennel-free boarding featuring spacious, natural yards for overnight guests. The business is staffed by a team of highly educated and skilled trainers.

Their core philosophy, “Partnership Training,” aims to create a “Go Anywhere, Do Anything” dog that can be a true partner in life and adventure, while also empowering handlers to support, lead, and advocate for their dogs in any situation. Their balanced training approach utilizes positive reinforcement (food, play, praise) to make learning enjoyable for dogs, and introduces consequences for undesirable behaviors only after the dog clearly understands the desired action.

They emphasize training in real-world situations and environments to teach practical skills. Recognizing that each dog is an individual, their trainers are proficient in a wide range of tools and techniques to best suit each dog’s specific needs.

Accomplishments

Their training philosophy, Partnership Training, is based on the groundbreaking work of the Wind River Bear Institute’s Wildlife K9 program, which uses trained Karelian Bear Dogs for nonlethal bear management. The facility employs a team of highly educated and skilled trainers.

How to Get Started!

To get started, new clients must first fill out New Client Forms and provide their dog’s vaccine records. Next, they need to schedule a New Client Orientation, which is a mandatory 3-5 hour trial day ($25) before the first overnight stay. During this orientation, staff observe the dog’s temperament and behavior to ensure they can be safely leashed, use doggy doors, and permit body checks. Passing this orientation is required to use their services.

After orientation, clients can book their reservations, with 2-3 weeks advance scheduling recommended, and more for holidays. They offer free phone consultations for all new clients to help choose the best training program. For custom programs, behavior modification, or service dog programs, an in-person evaluation may be required.