Dog Training Questions? Call Big River Kennels at (205) 777 8861
Dog Training in Birmingham, AL
Are you struggling with your dog's jumping, pulling, counter surfing or other unwanted behaviors?
We can help. Located within 45 minutes of the majority of the Birmingham metro area, Big River Kennels is a full-service dog kennel offering dog boarding, dog training, & doggy daycare. Rated “5 Stars” by our clients, our training programs are offered in two formats and employ positive reinforcement training methods. Positive reinforcement dog training is based on the idea that dogs learn good behavior by being rewarded for behaving well. Put simply, we train dogs to make good choices.
TRAINING CAMPS
If you've got three small kids and a young dog who is just plain out of hand, this is probably the option for you.
PUPPY CLASSES
Awww. You've got her home, now what? These 1-1 classes will get you started with housebreaking, leash training, and, socialization.
TRAINING CLASSES
If you have the interest and the time to work with your dog 2-3 times a day, but just don't know where to begin, these 1-1 classes could be the way to go.
While we firmly believe that training is a process, not a product – and that you are always training your dog, otherwise, he’s training you – we stand behind our training 100%. That’s why every Big River Kennels training program includes:
- 1-1 owner training sessions
- On-going support through email lessons
- Written materials for every training class
Our ultimate goal is to give you the knowledge and resources to make ourselves obsolete. If you are unsatisfied with our services for any reason, we will work with you to make it right. Period.
Get started now!
Call 205-777-8861
Contact Us
Call or text us at 205-777-8861 with your dog training questions. You can also visit our facebook page for fun dog photos and helpful training tips. Best of all, sign up for our Training Tips newsletter and we will enter you to win a free one hour training class.
Testimonials
Who's a good boy?
We took our puppy, Jack for a training class yesterday. The folks at Big River Kennels know what they are doing. There is a night and day difference in Jack.
Micah
Big River Kennels helped us understand the principles they used while working with our dog, making our training time more efficient and effective. I would recommend Big River Kennels to others without reservation.
Michael
Our Standard Poodle stayed for two weeks of Basic Training Camp. They were wonderful and sent pics and videos every day! I’m pretty sure he didn’t even want to come home. We are very impressed and highly recommend Big River Kennels!
Mallory
Training classes.
If you have the interest and the time to work with your dog 2-3 times a day, but just don't know where to begin, these 1-1 classes could be the way to go.
All of our Dog Training Classes are individual training sessions with you and your dog. These are “Train the Trainer” type classes where the focus will be on teaching you how to effectively train your dog. You will receive the undivided attention of the trainer and the class will move at a pace based on how you and your dog are progressing. We teach training techniques that are based on positive reinforcement. Put simply, we train dogs to make good decisions.
These classes can be scheduled at a time convenient for you. You will leave each class session with:
- A written summary of skills and principles taught that day
- Written homework for both you and your dog for the coming week
- An improved relationship with your dog
You are welcome to bring up to 3 family members that interact with the dog regularly. We especially recommend that you include children over the age of 12 who are actively involved with your dog.
Puppy Pre-School
Basic Training Class
Advanced Training Class
Puppy Pre-School
The Puppy Pre-School class at Big River Kennels includes 4 weekly sessions, each lasting about one hour. During this time, we will be teaching you how to train your puppy in the following behaviors:
- Name Recognition
- Look at Me
- Socialization
- Basic Leash Skills
You will also learn positive reinforcement techniques that will help you improve your puppy’s manners. While this class is not designed to deal with problem behaviors, the structure of the class may allow for some specialization. You will find that the improved relationship you have with your puppy, combined with the confidence she gains from her new skills will begin to eliminate minor problem behaviors.
Cost: $375
Basic Training Class
The Basic Training class at Big River Kennels includes 6 weekly sessions, each lasting about one hour. During this time, we will be teaching you how to train your dog the following behaviors:
- Name Recognition
- Focus on you via “Look at Me”
- Sit
- Down
- Stay
- Here
- Heel / Loose Leash Walking
You will also learn positive reinforcement techniques that will help you improve your dogs manners. While this class is not designed to deal with problem behaviors, the structure of the class may allow for some specialization. You will find that the improved relationship you have with your dog, combined with the confidence she gains from her new skills will begin to eliminate minor problem behaviors.
Cost: $ 550
Advanced Training Class
The Advanced Training class at Big River Kennels builds on the Basic Training class includes 8 weekly sessions, each lasting about one hour. During this time, we will be teaching you how to proof the behaviors your dog learned in basic training. This will help him obey in spite of distractions and other factors.
This is a big step and is very rewarding for dog and owner. Without the leash and the ability it gives to enforce many commands, the relationship between the dog and owner must be rock-solid. Once you’re there, it’s a whole new world of fun with your dog.
Cost: $725
Training camps.
If you've got three small kids and a young dog who is just plain out of hand, this is probably the option for you.
All of our Dog Training Camps include at least one Individual Dog & Owner Training Class as a part of graduation. At this time, we will teach you the skills your dog has learned and how you can effectively reinforce them as you return home. In line with our training principle of “set them up to win”, Basic Training and “A” School include an additional class to be used as a follow-up in 2 to 4 weeks.
Our camps also include our standard boarding features:- Full-sized indoor kennels, heated and air conditioned
- Outside time at least 6 times per day
- Play and socialization with other dogs as appropriate
- Bring any toys, bedding, etc to make your dog feel at home
Basic Training Camp
'A-School' Training Camp
Basic Training Camp
Basic Training Camp at Big River Kennels is a two week training camp. During this time, we will be working with your dog multiple times per day to teach the following behaviors:
- Name Recognition & Responsiveness
- ‘Look at Me’
- ‘Leave It’
- Impulse Control
- Position Changes: Sit/Down/Stand
- Proofing for Duration: Waiting in position(s)
- ‘Here’/Recall
- Loose Leash Walking & Door Manners
You dog will also have at least 6 different trips outside that include supervised play and socialization. And, stay in an indoor, climate-controlled kennel.
While this camp is not designed to deal with problem behaviors, the structure of the camp may allow for some specialization. Many owners find that the confidence their dog gains from her new skills will begin to eliminate minor problem behaviors.
Cost: $ 1800
'A-School' Training Camp
The A-School Training Camp is a 4-week training camp that takes each Basic Training Camp skill to the next level, addresses specific problem behaviors and adds in new off-leash skills.
Since a dog that only obeys a command in one place or under controlled conditions can’t really be called well-trained, we work on each skill in multiple locations; inside the kennel, in the yard, on walks, and, on Nature Hikes through our 5-acre wooded trail system. During this time, we will be working with your dog multiple times per day to “proof” all Basic Training Camp skills. Proofing is adding distance (from handler to dog), distraction (new situations, environments or stimuli) and duration (in performing a skill) to each basic obedience skill. As your dog progresses, we gradually add in distractions like toys, people, and other dogs to deepen the behavioral conditioning. For straight-A students, we can even include field trips to dog-friendly locations for additional proofing.
Common problem behaviors are: doorbell and new people over-excitement, separation anxiety issues, counter-surfing, stealing particular objects, and, door and car manners. Commands that can be added in A-School Training Camp that address problem behaviors:
- Place
- Conditioned Relaxation
- Load-up
- Whoa
A-School is a big step and is very rewarding for dog and owner. Without the leash and the ability it gives to enforce many commands, the relationship between the dog and owner must be rock-solid. Once you’re there, it’s a whole new world of fun with your dog.
Cost: $3600
Schedule an evaluation.
The best way to make sure that we are all on the right path is for you and your dog to meet us. This will give us a chance to learn more about the specific issues you are having. And, it will give you a chance to meet us and be sure that we are the ones you want to trust with your dog. The evaluation usually lasts about 30 minutes and costs $30. Which, can be applied to the total training cost.
Get started now!
Call 205-777-8861
