Just the FAQs

Yes. If you are not completely satisfied after your first lesson, that lesson is free. This guarantee applies specifically to the first training lesson and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of permanent behavior results, since progress also depends on the dog, the program, and the owner’s continued practice.

Yes, many dogs can benefit from professional training. Obedience training can improve communication, build impulse control, provide mental stimulation, and help owners manage behaviors such as jumping, pulling, chewing, and ignoring commands.

Training may also help your dog earn more freedom as their reliability improves. However, off-leash access depends on the dog’s progress, temperament, environment, and ability to respond consistently around distractions.

The best results come from choosing the right program, practicing regularly, and maintaining clear expectations at home. Training benefits both the dog and the family by creating better communication, safer handling, and more enjoyable daily routines.

An e-collar is a remote-controlled training collar that delivers an adjustable electronic stimulation through contact points resting against the dog’s skin. Some models may also include vibration or tone settings. The available range and features vary by device and can be affected by terrain, buildings, and other conditions.

When used in our training program, the e-collar is introduced gradually and paired with clearly taught commands. The goal is to provide a consistent signal that helps the handler communicate with the dog, not to frighten the dog or force it into submission.

Because electronic stimulation can cause discomfort or stress when introduced or used incorrectly, owners should not experiment with an e-collar without instruction. The collar should be fitted properly, used only at an appropriate level, and combined with clear guidance, praise, and rewards. Results vary by dog, and an e-collar should never be presented as a guarantee that a dog can safely be off leash in every environment.

No. Your dog may not need to wear the e-collar in every situation. As training progresses and commands become more reliable, many dogs can respond well in familiar, low-distraction environments without it.

Some owners continue using the collar during outdoor training or off-leash activities as an additional communication tool. However, an e-collar should never replace proper supervision, a leash where required, or careful judgment about the environment.

Whether your dog should wear the collar depends on their training progress, reliability around distractions, temperament, and surroundings. Your trainer can help you decide when it is appropriate to reduce or discontinue its use.

Contact your local OLK9 Certified Trainer for the location of their training.

Generally, we do not like to train dogs inside the house! Why? It is easy for dogs to listen when they are in their own home. It is a familiar environment. If your pet trains in an unfamiliar environment, with countless distractions, they will listen to your commands anywhere.

The great thing about this training is that you don’t have to set a specific amount of time aside per day in order to train your dog! We will teach you how to incorporate this training into your daily routine.

The length of training depends on the program you choose and your dog’s individual needs. The Basic Obedience program is typically completed in four lessons:

Lesson 1: Come and sit
Lesson 2: Extended sit and down
Lesson 3: Place and extended down
Lesson 4: Loose-leash walking

“Extended” commands teach your dog to remain in position until released, while “place” teaches your dog to stay on a designated object or area.

Advanced obedience training is also available after your dog completes the basic program. Progress may vary based on your dog’s temperament, previous training, behavior, and consistency with practice at home.

Small dogs can participate in training, but the approach and equipment should be appropriate for their size, age, health, and temperament.

For dogs using an e-collar, proper fit and professional guidance are especially important. Not every dog is a suitable candidate, and puppies, very small dogs, or dogs with medical or behavioral concerns may need a different training approach. Your trainer can evaluate your dog and recommend the safest, most appropriate option.

The cost of dog training depends on the program, your dog’s behavior, and the level of support needed. Available options include private obedience lessons, puppy programs, board-and-train, aggression and reactivity training, and therapy dog preparation. Review the current dog training plans and pricing or schedule a consultation to determine the right program for your dog.

When choosing dog training in Greenville, SC, look for a trainer with clearly explained programs, experience working with your dog’s specific needs, positive client reviews, and ongoing support after training. The best program should match your dog’s age, temperament, behavior, and your training goals while giving you the knowledge and confidence to continue reinforcing those skills at home.

You can also learn more about our Greenville dog training team and read testimonials from local clients to see how we’ve helped dogs and their owners succeed.

Yes. We offer puppy training in Greenville, SC for young dogs who are ready to begin learning good habits and foundational obedience. Puppy training focuses on building engagement, confidence, leash manners, basic commands, and appropriate behavior while helping prevent common issues such as jumping, nipping, and pulling. The best program depends on your puppy’s age, development, and training goals, and we’re happy to help you choose the right option during a free phone consultation.

Puppies can begin training as soon as they come home, typically around 8 weeks of age. Early training focuses on building confidence, socialization, good manners, and basic skills such as name recognition, coming when called, and polite behavior. As your puppy grows, training can progress to more advanced obedience based on their age, maturity, and individual needs. Starting early helps establish good habits and can prevent many common behavior problems from developing.

Yes. Professional puppy training can help you establish a consistent crate routine and teach your puppy to feel more comfortable spending appropriate periods in the crate. Greenville’s One-Week Puppy Board & Train includes crate-training foundations, along with potty training, bite inhibition, and basic commands. Results still depend on your puppy’s age, temperament, routine, and continued practice at home.

Yes. We offer dog obedience training for Greenville-area dogs through private lessons and board-and-train programs. Depending on the selected program, training may cover recall, sit, down, place, heel, loose-leash walking, impulse control, and better responsiveness around distractions.

Yes. Puppy Preschool, the One-Week Puppy Board & Train, and puppy consultations can help owners establish practical potty-training routines. We can provide guidance on scheduling, supervision, crate use, recognizing your puppy’s signals, and reinforcing successful trips outside. Consistency at home is essential, and occasional accidents are normal while a puppy is learning.

The commands depend on the program selected. Basic Obedience includes come, sit and extended sit, down and extended down, place and extended place, out, loose-leash walking, and off. Advanced programs may include heel, watch, through, front, stand, touch, focused heeling, distance commands, and other higher-level skills.

Professional training may help owners improve obedience, handling, communication, and management around known triggers. Greenville offers private aggression and reactivity training as well as a Two-Week Board & Train option for qualifying dogs.

Aggression is complex, and no responsible trainer should promise that it will be permanently cured. Progress depends on factors such as the cause and severity of the behavior, the dog’s history, the training environment, and the owner’s ability to continue following the management plan.

Yes. Several obedience programs are designed to build more reliable responses around distractions and may help qualifying dogs progress toward off-leash skills. Training can include recall, distance obedience, heel work, and handler focus.

However, off-leash reliability varies by dog and does not guarantee safety in every setting. Owners must continue following local leash laws, supervising their dogs, and using a leash whenever the environment requires it.

Board and train is an immersive program in which your dog stays with a professional trainer for a set period and receives structured daily training. Greenville’s standard Board & Train is a two-week program for dogs six months or older. A separate one-week program is available for puppies from eight weeks up to five months old.

After the standard two-week program, owners receive a private transfer session explaining the commands, equipment, handling techniques, and continued practice needed at home.

It may help some dogs with aggression or reactivity, depending on the type, severity, and triggers involved. Greenville offers a Two-Week Board & Train program specifically for qualifying dogs with aggressive behavior. The program focuses on practical obedience, manners, handling around distractions, and improved owner control.

An evaluation may be needed to determine whether board and train is appropriate. Training does not guarantee that aggression will disappear, and owners must continue using the handling and management plan after the dog returns home.

We offer training for dogs that bark, lunge, growl, or become difficult to manage around other dogs. The aggression and reactivity program combines foundational obedience with structured work around dogs in controlled scenarios.

The goal is to improve focus, handling, responsiveness, and safer management. Results vary, and some reactive dogs may still require distance, supervision, or ongoing management around their triggers.

During Greenville’s Two-Week Board & Train, your dog stays with a professional trainer and works on practical obedience, manners, and responsiveness around distractions. Training includes commands such as come, sit, down, place, heel, and off, along with greeting, doorway, and mealtime manners.

Training may take place in multiple environments when appropriate. At the end of the program, the owner receives a two-hour one-on-one transfer session covering the dog’s commands, equipment, handling, and continued practice at home.

Yes. Greenville offers an eight-week Therapy Dog Preparation program designed to prepare dogs and handlers for therapy-dog testing and certification requirements. An evaluation is required during the first lesson to determine whether the dog is a suitable candidate.

Completing the course does not automatically guarantee certification. The dog and handler must still meet the standards of the applicable therapy-dog organization.

Puppy training can help owners manage biting and teach appropriate bite inhibition, redirection, impulse control, and calmer interaction. The One-Week Puppy Board & Train specifically includes bite inhibition, while Puppy Preschool covers positive behavioral shaping and early manners.

Puppy nipping is common during development, so improvement also requires consistent supervision, appropriate chew items, adequate rest, and continued reinforcement at home.

Yes. Puppy training can introduce basic leash handling, attention to the handler, and early walking manners. The One-Week Puppy Board & Train includes limited leash handling, while Puppy Preschool may introduce heel and other foundational commands.

Young puppies are still developing physically and mentally, so leash work should be age-appropriate and gradually increased as the puppy gains confidence and focus.

Yes. Greenville offers private lessons for Basic Obedience, Advanced Obedience, combined Basic and Advanced training, aggression and reactivity concerns, Puppy Preschool, and Therapy Dog Preparation. Private lessons allow the trainer to work directly with you and your dog while teaching you how to practice and maintain the skills between sessions.

Private lessons involve you directly in each training session. You learn the commands, handling techniques, and practice routine while working with your dog between appointments.

With board and train, your dog stays with a professional trainer for an immersive period of daily training. At the end of the program, you receive a transfer session showing you how to handle and maintain the trained behaviors.

Private lessons may be a good fit for owners who want hands-on involvement throughout the process. Board and train may suit owners who prefer a more immersive format or need concentrated work around obedience and distractions.

The right program depends on your dog’s age, current obedience, temperament, behavior concerns, training goals, and the amount of owner involvement you prefer. Puppies may benefit from Puppy Preschool, a puppy consultation, or the One-Week Puppy Board & Train. Adult dogs may be better suited to private obedience lessons, advanced training, board and train, aggression and reactivity training, or Therapy Dog Preparation.

A free phone consultation can help determine which Greenville training option is the most appropriate fit for your dog and your goals.