We offer a 3-week basic training program, a 4-6 week advanced training program, a 3-week puppy foundations training program, and a legacy training program.

Board & Train is an immersive training program where your dog stays at our kennels with our professional trainers for 4-6 weeks while receiving structured daily training, socialization, and real-world exposure. It is ideal for:

• Busy families

• Dogs with ingrained habits

• Reactivity or anxiety

• Dogs needing consistent repetition

Expect your dog to learn core obedience training and polishing of sit, down, place, heel, come, loose leash walking, and handler engagement while addressing harder challenges like reactivity and anxiety.

Yes! Lakota Creek Kennels is highly experienced in behavior modification training for dogs who exhibit aggression, reactivity, fearfulness, and anxiety.

We help you decode what’s driving the behavior, implement a clear plan, and build real confidence on both ends of the leash. This program is designed for deeper, more strategic work.

Expect to learn core obedience training and polishing of sit, down, place, heel, come, loose leash walking, and handler engagement while addressing severe behavior challenges such as stranger danger, dog aggression, resource guarding, and vetting issues. We address the emotional side of behavior, reshape patterns, and help you understand what your dog is experiencing and how to support them.

Obedience training teaches your dog what to do—commands like sit, down, heel, come, and place. It creates a common language between you and your dog. Behavior modification focuses on changing the emotional responses driving unwanted behaviors like fear, anxiety, aggression, or reactivity. Instead of simply managing behavior, it addresses the underlying cause.

At Lakota Creek Kennels, we use a balanced, principle-based approach rooted in learning theory, marker training, and engagement-based methods, including Michael Ellis and Ivan Balabanov's Training Without Conflict® (TWC) methodology. We start with rewards, relationship, and clear communication while tailoring our approach to each individual dog. We don't believe one method or one tool works for every dog. Instead, we build a customized plan based on your dog's temperament, drives, emotional state, and learning style.

Yes. We use treats, but food is only one part of training. Some dogs are motivated by food, while others respond better to toys, play, praise, or movement. We identify what motivates your dog and use that as the foundation for training because every dog learns differently.

Programs are customized but generally include:

• Behavioral evaluation

• Goal assessment

• Core obedience training

• Sit

• Down

• Place

• Heel

• Recall

• Loose leash walking

• Handler engagement

• Real-world proofing in distracting environments

• Go-home training session

• Ongoing support

The goal is not simply to train your dog—it is to train you to maintain long-term success.

As soon as possible! The first few months are a critical developmental period where puppies learn:

• What's safe

• How to communicate

• Which behaviors are rewarded

Starting early helps establish good habits before unwanted behaviors develop.

Every dog is different. Training depends on:

• The behavior challenges

• The dog's temperament

• Owner consistency

Real behavior change requires repetition, consistency, and time. Owners who stay engaged and continue practicing typically see dramatic, lasting improvements.

Every dog is unique, so no ethical trainer can guarantee specific outcomes. Success depends on many factors, including your dog's temperament, health, history, and—most importantly—your commitment to continuing the training at home. Our programs are designed to give you and your dog the tools for long-term success, and we provide guidance, follow-up support, and owner education to help you maintain and build on your dog's progress.

Yes! We conduct an initial, free “meet and greet” at our kennel with you and your dog to assess your dog’s behavior, the way that you interact, and your training goals and needs. We’ll discuss the “why” behind the dog’s behavior and our training concepts, and make suggestions on the right training program to achieve your and your dog’s goals and needs.

You’ll want to bring your dog’s leash, harness if they typically wear one, and any training collars and tools you utilize or have questions about. Speaking of questions, we also suggest you bring a list of initial questions that you have about your dog’s behavior, training, etc. You are welcome to bring family members and anyone else who you would like to participate in your dog’s training.