FAQ
GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT TRAINING CAMP?
Training Camp Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a list of “must-haves” to send along with your dog:
- Current rabies tag or proof of rabies vaccination certificate
- Their collar w/ ID tags
- Bag of Dog Food
- Flea/Tick, Heartworm, or other meds to be administered along with instructions.
- Favorite toy or bone
- Crate (*ask your trainer if needed)
- Long Term Behavior Modification
DTC USA teaches real life, practical manners and establishes long-lasting habits. Most dogs can “sit” or “down” especially if you have a treat in your hand. It’s more useful to have them behave well in the house and in public places. Our training strengthens the relationship and communication between you and your dog for a lifetime of harmony. - Individual Attention
We limit our training so that you and your dog get the attention you deserve. - Team Effort
Our trainers work together to provide your dog the benefit of combined years of expertise. - Public Manners
Once your dog masters the leash and basic obedience, we take their skills on the road. Field trips allow your dog to practice their training in different settings and with a variety of distractions. - Support
DTC USA provides hands-on training to transfer the basics of leadership to you and your family, setting everyone up for success. Campers are also encouraged to attend ongoing group classes where owners and their dogs can practice their new skills with the support of the DTC USA team.
We allow a few days for your dog to settle in and develop trust before their true personality starts to emerge. It takes time to undo unwanted behaviors and replace them with better habits.
A structured, consistent routine allows us to establish habits that are easy for you to maintain with little effort.
Half of your dog’s training is with us, but the other half is reinforcement and practiced at home with you. We provide all the humans in the household with the tools & techniques they need to maintain everything their dog has learned and support them even after their dog goes home through optional in-home sessions, group classes, and more!
DTC USA communicates with leadership in a way that dogs understand. We also figure out what motivation works best with your dog and individualize the training to achieve the best results. We DO NOT use electronic shock collars.
YES! They will remember you AND the things they used to get away with when they come home. That’s why it’s imperative you keep up with the training we teach you, especially the 1st week they are home, so your dog learns the same rules they followed while with us also apply at home with you as well.
NO! We do not want to change the personality of your dog. He/she will still be the same goofy, shy, stubborn, or feisty dog when they return. It’s up to us to get to know your dog’s unique personality and add to their behavior, not take anything away. We just teach them that calmness and obedience work much better to get our attention and the things they want. They learn to look to us for direction/permission and follow our lead anywhere!
Each trainer has made their own journey so exact certifications will vary. Becoming a DTC USA trainer is an apprenticeship program where their skill level is evaluated and certified by master trainers. This requires many hours of hands-on training with various types of dogs and behaviors, as well as formal class instruction. Other trainers may be considered “certified” after only completing an online course without ever handling a dog. That is not the case with the DTC USA Team. We are the premier trainer of trainers!
Training Camp requires a deposit at confirmation to reserve the dates, with the balance due before the training begins.
You can request an update from your trainer on your dog’s progress at any time during camp. We stay in close contact with you the entire time and happy to provide pictures and videos. You might also see them posted on our social media pages!
Customer testimonials
It's hard to leave your dog for an extended period of time but the AMAZING team at Dog Training Camp made us feel so comfortable. We felt good knowing our pup was in great hands. While we were away they communicated frequently with detailed notes and photos which further made us feel at ease. Our pup came back a better dog and we look forward to her returning and learning even more skills. A+ all around.
Had an amazing experience with Dog Training Camp USA! In just one hour, I saw a noticeable difference in my dog's behavior, especially with her leash pulling! The trainers are knowledgeable and caring. Highly recommend!
I recently sent both of my German Shepherds to Dog Training Camp USA in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the results. The trainers are incredibly knowledgeable and truly understand the breed’s unique needs and temperament. My dogs attended both the training camps and day camp, and the transformation has been remarkable.The staff provided excellent communication throughout the process, offering regular updates on my dogs’ progress. They tailored the training to address specific behaviors, and I’ve noticed significant improvements in obedience and socialization. The facility is clean, safe, and well-organized, which gave me peace of mind knowing my dogs were in good hands.I highly recommend Dog Training Camp USA to anyone looking for top-notch training and care for their dogs. I’m so grateful for the positive impact this experience has had on my dogs and our family life. Five stars all the way!
**5 Stars - Outstanding Dog Training Experience!**I can't say enough good things about Dog Training Camp USA in Shepherdsville, Kentucky! I’ve sent both of my German Shepherds here for their training camps and day camp sessions, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. The trainers are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and truly care about each dog's individual needs. My dogs have not only learned essential obedience skills but have also become more confident and well-behaved overall.The facility is top-notch, with plenty of space for the dogs to exercise and socialize. I love how the staff keeps me updated on my dogs' progress, and even send photos! It’s clear they’re passionate about what they do. Every time I pick up my dogs, they’re happy, well-cared-for, and eager to return.If you're looking for a place where your dog will receive the best training and care, look no further than Dog Training Camp USA. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking professional and effective dog training. Thank you to the entire team for the wonderful work they do!
I cannot express enough how happy I am with choosing Dog Training Camp USA. Dobby is like a whole new dog! Their facility is clean and when walking through - it was quiet. I could honestly tell the love Dobby had for them and they for him! I love that they only use positive reinforcement and how they gave twice a week updates while he was staying there. Every person I met there seemed like they loved their job and was happy to be there. I could seriously go on and on about this place. I work in vet medicine and have been highly recommending them.
Absolutely love it here!!! I sent my puppy here for a two week camp and we send her here for overnight stays as well! All of the trainers are so sweet and knowledgable and I feel so safe handing my baby over to them!! They treat her so well, teach her so many great things, and they are wonderful with communication! If you want a safe, reliable, and positive place to send your dog, I highly recommend here! I will always bring her here to ensure she is safe and cared for!
We drove from Lexington to have Cory give us private lessons with our rescue Luna (mostly lab) when she was three to four months old. She gave us good instruction on helping us become the focus of Luna's life (not the other way around), gave us tactical ways to stop some of the chewing (Luna is mostly Lab), showed us things that we could work on now, and told us what to expect in the future. Cory was magical with Luna. It's clear that dog training is mainly about the human - not the dog. We plan on going back for group lessons.
Choosing where to have your four-legged family member trained/boarded is crucial. I researched and read reviews, and then I called them to see what they thought my beautiful goofball needed.I will say that my pup came to us with an amazingly gentle and sweet soul (we can't take credit for that). He is bigger than my others, so when he plays, he squishes them. With love, of course, but they're still squished.I am disabled and needed help in handling a larger dog. They were helpful from the beginning. I told them everything about the situation, and they listened and were responsive.They answered every question or concern. They were informative and honest. They explained what they could help with and could try. They are NO GUARANTEES.I know and understand that training is actually for humans. It is to help us learn how to help our beloved four-legged kids.Once we humans acknowledge our responsibility as their caretakers/parent, we can better lead them.The owners/trainers are amazing and beautiful souls who love their job and their four-legged kid clients. Maybe not their parents as much 😉, but they're willing to try and teach us.I trusted them with my very much loved pup, and they took that trust and cherished that trust. I can not recommend this facility and staff enough!They have many options of training. With the variety they offer, it can definitely work with most schedules and home specific routines.I am very grateful for the care, love, and help they have given me. And for the continuation of support they offer for their parents after we take our pups home.
Our Maggie loves i mean LOVES!!!!! going to day camp she (Maggie) gets so excite when i get her leash out in the morning cause she knows she going. The staff at Dog Training Camp treats us like Maggie is the only dog there but they love every dog and it shows. So glad we found you guys thank you for making a difference in our livesThe training is outstanding and has made a huge differencePeople if you don't take you dog here your missing out on a great opportunity of having the best dog everDS
This camp has been and continues to be my SAVING GRACE with their camp and continued training classes!Thanks for your patience and understanding with my Dexter❣️❣️
Mostly me 🙂....but me and my Doberman have learned so much from his time with the folks from Dog Training Camp. Great place and I feel 100 percent confident when he is with them!
These ladies positive and passionate attitude’s permeate the facility. It helped my 7 year old rescue feel comfortable and eager to learn. And SHE DID! She is so much more confident and I can continue with her growth now that she understands what I want.(And I understand how to communicate with her)I’ve tried other boarding training places. They all said she was too fearful to be trained. She is hyper vigilant, anxious, and she shuts down if punished.Their method made corrections just part of communicating. When we came back for a group class, she went right up and kissed them.
Melanie and Cory were amazing with our 2 golden retriever puppies. We called them in sheer panic after our boys started experiencing food aggression and dominance issues and were getting into fights with each other. We had no experience with “littermate syndrome” and knew we needed professional help! During the 1st lesson they listened to our concerns and made sure that they addressed each one. They taught us the skills that we needed to be better puppy parents, so we can then teach our boys to be better puppies. We noticed differences in their behavior after the first day or so and keep seeing improvements everyday. Our biggest fear was that we weren’t going to be able to keep both dogs because of the issues that we were experiencing. But now, because of their expertise, we are confident that as long as we stay consistent and put in the time and effort to work on their training, that they will keep improving everyday and the fighting will become a thing of the past. We also loved the fact that their training is not centered around treats and shock collars,. I would highly recommend Melanie and Cory for your pet training needs!!
Gunnar loves Dog Training Camp USA! He spent 3 weeks with them in December and now goes to Day Camp a couple of days a week. And we enjoy the training we receive during Saturday morning group class. He loves the staff and so do we!!
I have 2 pitbull dogs that just completed the 4 week training program at Dog Training Camp USA, and let me tell you it is the best investment my fiancé and I ever made. The whole staff is amazing, not only were our babies trained but also treated so well. Upon pickup I was absolutely amazed with the progress the pups made. Their behavior improved immensely along with their manners. The results are truly amazing 10/10 recommend!
We just picked up our puppy after 3 weeks of camp. I can’t say enough wonderful things about our experience. Melanie, Cori and the entire staff are absolutely wonderful. They took so much time explaining and reviewing the training with my two young sons and I. You can tell the trainers worked extremely hard and poured tons of time into our Bonnie girl. Most importantly, you can tell they LOVED on our girl and really got to know her! Bonnie was sad to leave!! The instagram posts and report card updates were so helpful. The videos that explain the training will be a huge help as we learn to continue her training at home. I cannot recommend this investment enough! We will be back!
Our potty water dog, Colette, started training as a frisky 6 month old puppy and graduated as a more mature Princess. We are very happy with both her basic training and post training follow up!
We absolutely love Dog Training Camp USA. We sent our 5 year old black lab there to assist us with some behaviors typically triggered by over-excitement. After her 3 week stay our pup was behaving like we had never seen! No more pulling on the leash or darting out the front door when it is time for a walk! We continue bringing her back to board there when we are away because we appreciate how the staff gets to know each dog individually and genuinely love spending time with them! They really take the time to get to know your pups and understand your individual concerns. Highly recommend sending your pups here for training!
We scheduled training for our two German Shepherds with Dog Training Camp USA. We had been working with both dogs already but needed guidance and help on where to go next. They came into our home observed and accessed what needed to be done by spending time with us and the dogs. They were able to see our weaknesses and gave us the tools we needed to correct issues in training. The small tweaks have made a huge difference in our communications with our big babies! The experience was top notch and I can't wait to bring the dogs to a weekend training for our next step. I can not recommend them enough!
Cory and the ladies at Dog Training Camp are amazing! Our sweet baby gets continued training and all of the love while she’s there. We love getting pictures and videos while we are away. We know our girl is in great hands anytime she’s there!
Can you speak dog? Well, these ladies do! My young dacshund was having trouble understanding where we wanted her to go to the potty and they explained it all to her! (And then explained it to me. Lol) She came home a pro. The thing I loved most about the employees here is that they loved my dog and treated her like she was their own. They even knew a large kennel with lots of noise may be too much for a young pup and crated her in their office. They knew I was missing her and sent a photo or short text a couple times during her stay at camp. Shaynas confidence was evident when she returned home, too. In the future I will always use them for boarding and any training. If you need someone who speaks dog, look these folks up!
Cory, Tammy, and Melaney were great to work with. We adopted our boy, Hank, back in December and although he seemed to be the perfect dog, we started noticing he was reactive to other dogs on leashes. We opted for the private/ group package as we knew some one-on-one training would be essential to get a foundation before we graduated to group classes. Long story short, Hank will likely be reactive indefinitely, but now WE have the tools to manage his reactions. We felt so hopeless and had gotten to the point where just going for walks around the block were anxiety-inducing. After our first class, Cory laid a solid foundation for us to manage his reactions. A dog he’d normally have lost his mind over (barking, lunging, etc) he was suddenly more chill about. Over the weeks, we went from not being able to tolerate being in the vicinity of another leashed dog to now being able to attend group classes with minimal issues. On a personal note, I sincerely appreciate the time both Cory and Tammy invested in ME and setting my mind at ease. These women at Dog Training Camp USA clearly care about what they do and have a passion for helping folks to give their four-legged friends the best chance at a happy life!
Cory & Melaney & the folks at Dog Training Camp Louisville did an amazing job with our German Shepherd. Highly recommend!
We have had such a positive experience with Cory and Melaney and the team at Dog Training Camp USA! We got our puppy, Beau, this past August and decided to send him to puppy camp where was given some great initial boundaries to help us move in the right direction with his training. This was just as important for us as it was for him as they took the time to review and really train us as well. Once Beau was 7 months old we sent him back for a 3 week training camp. Before he went, we were really starting to struggle with some of his behaviors. We have four kid between the ages of 5 and 14, and some days were so discouraging as he had started to become a little bit of a bully with our crew. I knew he was testing our boundaries but I felt like I just wasn't able to fully train Beau in the positive way that he needed. When we took him back to Melaney and Cory I was feeling so guilty and like I had failed with Beau. The amazing team at Dog Training Camp USA knew us from puppy camp and received Beau with joy and listened to all of my concerns. They came up with a special plan for Beau based off of his normal life at home with us. They did things like cover their floor in toys and sit on the floor, pretending to play as our young kids do in order to train him how to handle the real life situations that are a daily normal for Beau in our home. They took him on field trips and reinforced all of the boundaries that they had initially set up with Beau back at puppy camp. On top of all of that, they were full of love for Beau and trained him with positive and healthy relationships which is such a powerful bottom line under all of the work that they do. Since bringing Beau home from camp we have been amazed!! He isn't perfect but he has truly become a healthy member of our family. I could go on and on about the positive changes in Beau's behavior and about the amazing team at Dog Training Camp USA! I am so thankful we found them!
The ladies at Dog Training Camp USA are AMAZING! We have two very large breed dogs (both 100+ lbs) and these ladies did wonders with them both. They were great communicating with us about their progress throughout their stay. Both of our dogs came back happier, more calm, and easier to manage. They both have a great training foundation board to spring off of as we continue training at home. During our home visit, all of our questions were answered and the entire experience was personal. They do an awesome job of never making you feel incompetent and really help teach you how to understand each dog’s wants/needs. I’m so thankful for these ladies and the difference they have made with our big love bugs. Their unwanted behaviors are at a minimal now (jumping, no personal space, pulling on leash, socialization skills). We highly recommend them to anyone wanting to build a better relationship with their dogs that is healthy, safe, and more positive for all involved.
After my husband and I adopted Bruno, we realized pretty quickly we got in a bit over our heads. Bruno did not like being in a crate and was very difficult to control, especially when he got excited. We called Dog Training Camp and discussed the best options for our particular situation. We opted to enroll Bruno into a training camp. He has been home for two weeks and his behavior is drastically improved! He is very comfortable in his crate, has improved leash manners and is all around calmer and more responsive to us. It is a joy to have him in the house versus a struggle before the training. The trainers were all so understanding and supportive, even when Bruno introduced himself by pooping on one of their jackets 🤦🏼♀️. We got great updates on his progress while he was there and the team made sure we had all the tools we needed as his parents to be successful once he got home. I highly recommend them whether it’s training camp or group lessons.
DTC is great if you are looking to have a well-behaved, family friend! Yogi got so much good training and attention during his 3 weeks at DTC. As Cory said, they “loosened the pickle jar” for us. Our boy kept his personality but gained skills to integrate and interact in the best way for our family. He’s not perfect but gets better every day due to the seeds they planted while he was there. I love that they equipped us with the knowledge to continue their hard work and the opportunities to come back for day sessions or for them to visit our home for training.
Cory and Melaney and their whole crew at Dog Training Camp USA are amazing! We just sent our 7 year old coonhound to them for 3 weeks and couldn't be happier with our dog and all she has learned. Their knowledge, communication, and professionalism is second to none. Not only are they excellent at what they do, but they are great people! We are looking forward to group class and continuing to work with them to help our Nola girl be the best dog she can be! Whoever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks was wrong ;)
Dog Training Camp USA is amazing. I felt like they went above and beyond for our Bernese mountain dog, Jett. Cory and her team have made several check ins since we brought him home and even came out to do an in home training session. I highly recommend them if you are interested in the whole package. It’s not just obedience, it’s training your dog how to mix in with your everyday life and their particular needs. Jett isn’t perfect but he gets better everyday with the skills he was taught during his 3 week training and boarding. We are so happy to have our boy back and watch him grow every day!
These ladies are excellent in their care and training of dogs! My new rescue is a handful to say the least. They have been patient, understanding and supportive throughout his training. Melany braved the trip to assist with in home training and Cory was so supportive. Definitely recommend them for anyone in need of training!!~Hilary and Petie
If it weren't for Cory, Melaney, and their incredible team at Dog Training Camp USA, I might not have survived the first year with my two lively Aussies!They took the time to understand not only the unique personalities of my dogs, but also considered my home environment and lifestyle. This personalized approach made all the difference in creating a training plan that was not only effective but also integrated well into our daily lives.I wholeheartedly recommend Dog Training Camp USA to anyone who is looking for trainers that use humane, effective techniques that work in real life situations. Thank you, Cory and Melaney!
We went to another trainer first and had horrible experiance. We have a 9 month old Saint Bernard who weighs 140 lbs. They corrected all the issues we had after our previous experance. He is so well behaved (when we are). He comes to our office with us on most days and is the official greeter of all who come in.
Don't you love a rescue dog story where they all lived happily ever after? Me too, but it's not always so easy! Our dog is filled with fear and anxiety and Dog Training Camp USA came to our rescue. We did the three week training camp and we have a happier, more at ease dog. They couldn't make all her fears disappear, but they helped her (and us) learn how to deal with it. Melaney, Cory, Caitlin, and Erica are wonderful and we are so glad they were recommended to us!
Cory and Melanie and the rest of the team are absolutely fantastic! We left our one year old corgi pups for two weeks and I was amazed at their progress in such a short time. And the boys had such a good time while there! They made sure to send updates and videos of how they were doing, which was so appreciated when being away from them. Cory and Melanie just came for a home visit to check on their progress today, and within 3 minutes of them arriving, our energetic pups were sitting patiently in another room waiting until we invited them to come into the living room. I never thought that would be possible with these two high energy dogs! I’m so glad we met these wonderful trainers and will absolutely be returning for group classes and continuing education stays!😊
I contacted Dog Training Camp USA because my 3 year old german shepherd, Bjorn, has a big problem with fear reactivity. He was attacked by two dogs about a year ago and has completely changed. What turned the corner for us to look for a trainer was him trying to attack a family member’s dog. At his consult he was a complete mess. Barking and lunging when they opened the door and not calming down the entire time we were there. He was just so anxious and I was an anxious mess even bringing him in. Cory and Melaney were so patient with him immediately and were able to come up with a plan for him to at least be manageable in social settings. They were always up front and realistic about expectations which I really appreciated. At his first private session, Melaney gave us lots of stuff to work on. Bjorn has always listened to what I tell him but I just didn’t know what to tell him until she showed me. We came back today after 2 weeks of training every day and doing exactly what she told us. He’s a completely different dog. He doesn’t bark when somebody rings our doorbell, he doesn’t charge when we have people over, and he’s learning how to appropriately behave outside the house. Today he was even able to walk closely to other dogs without barking or lunging which honestly I wasn’t sure would ever happen. He even laid down and relaxed. He’s much more confident and so am I. I never wanted to “fix” him, I just wanted to ease his anxiety and make him more comfortable and they gave me the tools to do that. I can’t thank them enough, it really feels like I got my boy back and I’m excited to see how he keeps progressing.
Cory and her team were fantastic! We really enjoyed their attention to detail explaining the lessons taught to us during camp. They also conducted an in house follow up that was very helpful! I would highly recommend sending your dog to the Dog Training Camp USA!
Everyone here is so passionate about what they do, and they’re so kind. It seems pricey, but the intensive work they do and the resources they provide you with make it more than worth it. You can always ask the trainers questions and they have been so accommodating with any confusion or issues.
Wonderful staff! I was highly satisfied with their professionalism and training approaches. Many thanks from Harry and Ollie
We sent Leah to Dog training camp right around the time she turned 6 months old, she was there for 3 weeks.Our biggest concern was potty training, this girl WOULD NOT go outside to go potty. The amount of time & dedication that Melaney spent with her to potty train her was amazing. She didn’t come home fully potty trained but it was more than enough to help us to continue potty train her. Just ask Cory & Melaney about her.. they will explain how difficult this girl is.Her other training went well too, she hardly ever pulls on her leash anymore & if she does, it’s easy to get her back where she needs to be.Dog training goes beyond dog camp but it’s definitely a wonderful place to start! They also offer continuing education classes so your dog can get refreshers and to also help the parents. Boarding and day camp is also a perk.I’d definitely go back if we ever get another puppy.
We had an amazing experience with all of the staff at Dog Training Camp USA. Our Rip was so loved and came home so much calmer and obedient. Their training has truly changed the environment in our home! So many thanks to the whole staff for taking care of our baby and doing an amazing job with him!!
Cory is amazing! I foster through Southern Indiana Animal Rescue and needed desperate help with my current foster pup, Donut. I was immediately relieved for her guidance and feel so confident in getting Donut ready for his forever home while working with Cory!
