Zelda’s Dog Academy LLC

Zelda’s Dog Academy offers diverse training programs tailored to various needs and ages, all rooted in positive reinforcement. Their Board & Train programs provide an immersive experience where certified trainers work directly with dogs, offering daily updates to owners and including private coaching lessons for seamless transition. These programs span 2 to 5 weeks, covering puppy socialization, foundational skills, and basic, standard, and advanced obedience, with options for customized plans.

Private Dog Training includes Private Coaching Lessons, where trainers instruct owners on how to train their dogs, and Day Training Lessons, where trainers work one-on-one with the dog. Both formats can be conducted at their facility or in the client’s home. Group classes cover a wide array of topics, such as puppy foundations, basic obedience, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Trick Dog, Mountain Manners, Reactive Rover, and various agility classes. Drop-in classes are also available for supervised play sessions and specific training troubleshooting.

Pricing Summary

Initial Assessments are $175 at the facility/virtual/phone or $195 in-home. Private Coaching Lessons are $135 at the facility/virtual/phone or $155 in-home for a 1-hour session. Day Training Lessons are offered in packages: 4 lessons + 1 private coaching for $635 (facility) or $735 (in-home); 8 lessons + 2 private coaching for $1270 (facility) or $1470 (in-home); and 12 lessons + 3 private coaching for $1905 (facility) or $2205 (in-home).

Board & Train Programs range from $2500 for 2 weeks (Puppy Socialization, Basic) to $5900 for 5 weeks (Advanced), with a 3-week Puppy Foundations or Standard program at $3700. Custom programs start at $1350+. Boarding is $50 per day for one dog or $85 per day for two dogs in one kennel. Daycare is $35 per day for one dog or $65 per day for two dogs in one kennel. Additional services for boarding/daycare include enrichment activities ($3), private training ($100/hour), medication administration ($1), kibble ($3/meal), and individual exercise ($8/day).

Group classes vary in price, typically $295 for 5-week courses (e.g., Puppy Foundations, Basic Obedience 1 & 2, Mountain Manners 1, AKC Trick Dog, Agility Foundations, Agility 1 – Novice) or $355 for 6-week courses (AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, AKC Canine Good Citizen). Reactive Rover is $235 for 4 weeks. Drop-in classes like Puppy Play & Learn, Small Breed Play & Learn are $15, while Puppy & Adolescent Play & Train and Train & Learn are $30.

Policies

Group class payments are non-refundable within seven days of the class start date, though exceptions may be made for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances if notified in advance. No accommodations are made for missed classes without prior notice. For boarding reservations made within seven days of a major holiday, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required. Unlimited email and phone support is available during the training program and for up to 14 days after the completion of a package or last lesson, with responses typically within 24 business hours.

Zelda’s Dog Academy LLC is a dog training business located in Bozeman, MT, offering a comprehensive range of services for dog owners. They provide private dog training, group classes, immersive board & train programs, and dog boarding & daycare services. Additionally, they offer canine massage and sell dog products.

The academy is dedicated to positive reinforcement training methods, which they assert are scientifically proven to be both humane and effective. Their philosophy centers on building a strong, trusting relationship between dogs and their handlers.

A key advantage is their small-scale dog boarding facility, where the owner lives on-site, ensuring personalized and attentive care for up to 10 dogs. They also emphasize tailored training plans, designed specifically for each dog’s needs and the owner’s goals, aiming for successful and lasting results.

Accomplishments

Sara Lundgren, the owner, earned a BA in Biology in 2015 and became an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer (ABCDT) with honors in 2017. She is also a Fear Free Animal Trainer Certified Professional Elite (FFCP Elite), an AKC CGC Evaluator, and a Mentor Trainer for CATCH Canine Trainer’s Academy and Animal Behavior College.

Lindsey Burns is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a certified Canine Myo-Manipulative Functional Therapist (CMFT). She is also an AKC CGC Evaluator.

Whitney Taylor is a CATCH Certified Dog Trainer (CCDT), having graduated in April 2024, and is also an AKC CGC Evaluator.

How to Get Started!

New dog boarding and daycare clients must schedule a trial day or night before extended stays or regular visits, as not all dogs will meet their criteria. For private coaching, day training, or board & train programs, an Initial Assessment is a mandatory first step. This assessment allows the certified dog trainer to understand the dog’s behavioral and medical history, observe their behavior, and discuss training goals to create a personalized training plan.