Bismarck
Fargo
& Beyond
Not only do we provide obedience training, but we also work with some of the most difficult dogs.
We regularly train dogs that are reactive, aggressive, or struggling with anxiety.
- A Variety of Programs to Suit Your Training Goals and Budget
- From Group Classes to One on One Programs, We Are Here to Help You and Your Dog Build a Better Bond.
- Free Training for Recent Rescues
- Support for the Most Difficult Dogs
- A Team of Trainers that Understand the Struggle
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Unlock Your Dog’s Full Potential With Elevate Canine Academy!
Elevate Canine Academy specializes in comprehensive dog behavior modification. Our team is dedicated to helping dogs of all temperaments, including those with reactive, aggressive, or anxious tendencies. With over 10 years of experience and proven results, we’ve become the trusted choice for pet owners facing challenging canine behaviors in Fargo, Bismarck, and nearby areas.
It’s not just about obedience training. We provide sports training and other specialty programs with support for even the most difficult dogs. Our dog gym is a great place for your pups to stay active. Specific pricing varies for each program with costs ranging from $100 to $3,100. For recent rescues, we have a free class.
We’re a local team you can trust, and we’ve been working with dogs and their owners since 2019. From addressing specific behavioral issues to exploring dog sports, we’re here to support you. Contact us today to talk about your dog and get a free estimate!
Why Choose Elevate Canine Academy?
Because we don’t shy away from the tough cases! At Elevate Canine Academy, we embrace the challenge of working with reactive and aggressive dogs. Our experienced trainers have a proven track record of success, and we work with all types of dogs, no matter the breed or behavior.
Locally owned and committed to our community, we offer fast, reliable service with free estimates and quick turnaround times. When you’re looking for dog trainers in Bismarck, ND or Fargo, choosing us means opting for expertise, dedication, and real results. Don’t settle for less when it comes to your furry friend’s well-being.
What Programs & Services Do We Provide?
Dog Training Programs
Our dog training programs suit all ages, breeds, and temperaments. We offer basic obedience to advanced behavior modification. We use balanced training methods for lasting results. New rescue owners can access free training classes to help their pets adjust.
Dog Sport Programs
Discover your dog’s athletic abilities with our dog sports programs. These activities provide exercise and strengthen the bond between dog and human. The options include scent detection, agility, tracking, K9 grip fundamentals, and advanced obedience.
Online Training Programs
Are you interested in our training programs but live too far away or have a hectic schedule that makes attending classes difficult? No problem! Our online courses are designed to help you work through your training goals at your own pace. Use them as your primary source of information or as a supplement to our in-person training programs. We even have virtual 1 on 1s with one of our trainers available!
Dog Gym & Indoor Pool
*Bismarck Location Only
Unleash your dogs potential with our Canine Gym! Keep your dog happy, healthy, and active with Elevate Canine Academy. Our dog gym is state-of-the-art, with activities and obstacles designed to keep your dog engaged!
Swim, Run, Play & Thrive!
Grooming
*Bismarck Location Only
At Elevate Canine Kutz, we’re dedicated to making your furry friends look and feel fantastic! Our skilled groomers in Bismarck, ND, provide personalized grooming services that cater to each dog’s unique needs and personality. Our team of behavioral grooming specialists ensure even the most nervous or lively dogs receive excellent care!
Other Dog Services & Programs
Did you know we offer nail trims, have a Social Club Membership program, offer education outreach programs for dog bite prevention and sell dog training tools & accessories?
Check out our other dog services, merchandise & programs!
Worried About the Cost of Training?
Ask About Our Payment Plans!
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Training
Choosing professional dog trainers in Bismarck and Fargo is a significant investment. We know you have important questions regarding our training philosophy, methods, and the results you can expect. Below, you will find answers to the most common inquiries from owners ready to elevate their bond with their canine companions.
If my dog goes through training, don’t I need training as well?
Absolutely! We say that training is 70% training the human, 30% training the dog. The dog is the easy part. The dog will learn the commands and expectations fairly quick, but for it to stick, the human has to hold the dog accountable. I heard a saying “we get what we tolerate”. Even with training, the dogs are going to do what ever we tolerate them doing.
In our programs not only do we have one on one sessions with you, we send out emails on what we worked on, with links to videos demonstrating what you should be working on at home. Some programs we do home visits when the dog is done to also make sure that you are applying what the dog learned in training, to the home environment.
Are you a positive-only training facility or a balanced training facility?
We are a balanced training facility. What that means is we reward the dog for the behaviors we want, and we provide consequences for behaviors we don’t like. It is no different than what we do with our children. Most of the trainers at our facility, started training under a positive only system. This works great for teaching the dog new commands. But that method has its limits when we are dealing with behavioral issues such as reactivity, aggression, jumping on people, excessive barking, or pulling on leash, just to name a few. What many of us learned is the only way we could get the dog to pay attention to us was if we had a treat, and once the dog started losing it’s mind, there was no treat that was going to get the dog out of that impulsive mindset. Once we started communicating “no” to the dog, in a way the dog understood, all of a sudden, we could get past those behaviors that we just couldn’t seem to get under control before. This was eye opening to us to see something we never could rein in over 6 months of working with a dog using a reward only based system, and then within days of providing consequences the problem doesn’t exist anymore. If you are reading this, then you have a dog that you need help with. If you have been using a reward only based system, and you still struggle, the missing component is the consequence for bad behaviors.
Do you require the use of an e-collar in training?
Yes. Let me explain. For us, an e-collar is a communication device. It allows us to communicate a significant amount of information to the dog letting them know when they are doing things right, and when they aren’t. Sure, we will use it as a correction device as well, but that is a very small subset of the information we convey. But why would we use it on a friendly golden retriever, or a 5 pound shitzu? It doesn’t matter the size of a dog or it’s demeanor, if we want solid obedience when off leash, we have to have a way to communicate to the dog what we want. Our methodology is using the concept of pressure on and pressure off. Through a prong collar and e-collar we are teaching the dog that when the collar tightens up or they feel a light sensation through an e-collar, the pressure is on, and when they do what they are supposed to, the pressure is turned off. That has nothing to do with pain. There is no pain when we are utilizing this method. This method will get us to a near 100% recall on the dog when off leash. At the end of the day, if we haven’t taught our clients how to have control over their dog when the dog is off leash, we have failed our clients. Our clients should be able to go out in public with their dogs and not fear how their dog reacts. If they don’t have control of their dog, and the dog doesn’t recall but 50% of the time, then the service we are offering is pointless. We will not limit the knowledge we can pass on to our clients.
Do you use prong collars? Do these collars hurt the dog?
The prong collar is something we require for training. It does look barbaric, like it really would hurt the dog. However, looks can be deceiving. The reason the prong collar is our go to tool, has nothing to do with having a big dog, or a mean dog. We can communicate so much to a dog through the prong collar. Just because a dog is small, or a nice dog, doesn’t change the fact that we need to be able to communicate to the dog what we want or don’t want. We utilize the concept of pressure on and pressure off. Which means when the collar tightens up if they are pulling for example, the dog understands that they can release the pressure by getting back into a heel position. They understand that they can turn off the pressure by doing what we ask. The best part of the prong collar is that it doesn’t choke the dog. There is no direct pressure on the trachea, so it doesn’t affect the ability to breathe. Sure, we will use the prong collar for a correction, but we are communicating so much more.
Do you guarantee the training will work?
We guarantee our commitment to you and your dog’s success. We guarantee the highest level of professional guidance, proven methodologies, and unwavering support. Because a dog’s behavior is influenced by environment and owner consistency, we cannot guarantee a specific outcome. In our 2 and 3 week Day Training programs, we are confident that your dog will make improvement. We guarantee a 30% increase in improvement from the start of the program. *some exceptions apply.
My dog is five years old. Is he too old to start training?
A dog is never too old to go through training. However if someone wants to bring a 10 year old dog through training as an example, I typically will recommend against it. The average dog lives to around 13 years old. Training is an investment, the return on that investment is fairly limited with a dog that is nearing a normal life expectancy. Typically those dogs just want to be left alone, like the grumpy old man that doesn’t want anyone on his lawn. I recommend just leaving them alone at that point. However a 7 year old dog, for sure I would recommend going through training.
We only have one thing we are concerned about. Can we get help with that one item?
Our dog trainers do not address one-off issues. It is never a one-off issue as there is a fundamental problem that leads to issues with our dogs. In fact, we as humans are typically the problem to begin with. When we are training clients, we want to make sure the owners understand their responsibility in getting the dog to a better place. This is accomplished by establishing the rules and boundaries for the dog and teaching the owner how to consistently enforce the rules in a meaningful way.
We have already spent money on training, and weren’t happy with the results. Is it a waste of money to go through your training program?
It isn’t uncommon for us to have someone come through our program after going through another trainer. The most common reason they come to our dog trainers is that they were never able to get the bad behaviors under control. As an example, our training isn’t about getting the dog to lie down on command; it is to lie down and stay in that position until released even with distractions. Our expectations of where we want a dog to be at the end of training are very high. We have yet to work with someone who has been to another trainer prior and we weren’t able to make their situation better. According to Dogster, 73% of dog owners rely on specific training methods for their pets. Our team can help you get your dog to behave appropriately.
What should I expect coming through your program?
Our dog trainers can’t “fix” anything. Only you, as the owner, can “fix” your dog by holding it accountable, consistently. What I can tell you is that before each dog starts our programs, the owner fills out a questionnaire, which we score. The questionnaire rates the dog on obedience and behavior issues. The average beginning score for a dog is 40, according to our team. We then ask people to complete the same form when they are done. The average completion score is 78. That is nearly double the average starting score. That means the obedience has improved greatly, and the behaviors have diminished significantly. Does the dog come out perfect? No. For most people, that kind of improvement makes a world of difference in the relationship between the owners and their dogs. Call Elevate Canine Academy to learn more!
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