We offer two main routes of training:

1. Private training, where you are the primary trainer and we help coach/guide/educate and support you throughout the process. It is your responsibility to be consistent with the training and reach out for trouble shooting or issues you are running into. Training will take longer and be less comprehensive than our Board and Train programs. Private training is good for those who have easier dogs, minor behavioral problems, or puppies.

2. Board and train "B+T" is our most comprehensive program. It is the fastest way to get your dog in a better mental state while making better decisions in and out of the home. This program is not just for behavioral dogs, fast track puppies for potty training, obedience training and socialization. This is also the ONLY program where we will get your dog off leash reliable with our e collar technologies program. This route is the only option for dogs with serious behavioral problems, a bite history, resource guarding, severe anxiety, and/or severe fear/lack of confidence. The duration of board and trains depend on the severity of the behavioral issues and owner goals. Most board and train programs are between 6 and 10 weeks long for behavioral cases. Puppies and dogs with no behavioral issues are able to sign up for shorter durations such as 2-4 weeks long. Duration will be discussed after the intake process at your consultation. B+T graduates have many benefits including a graduate book, discounted vacation boarding, and free group classes for life.
Our Board and Train program is the most comprehensive service we offer. During this program, your dog lives with our trainer in their home and is guided through a complete training curriculum from start to finish. We focus on both the mental and emotional state of your dog, helping them develop a healthier view of the world and teaching them how to make better decisions independently—without needing constant commands.

Your dog will stay with us for 2 to 10 weeks, depending on your goals:

2 weeks for puppy foundations

4 weeks minimum for off-leash training

6 weeks minimum for behavioral challenges, such as anxiety, fear, reactivity or aggression (average 8 weeks)

What to Expect: We do the heavy lifting, but your involvement is still essential for long-term success. Training is all about building a strong relationship between you and your dog. While we will teach your dog new habits and life skills, only you can earn their respect and trust by following the training recommendations we provide.

Our program is highly focused on owner education and support. Before your dog's stay begins, we ensure you're fully prepared for this commitment through a thorough intake and onboarding process. This sets you up for success and guarantees that our program is the right fit for your needs.

Benefits of Board and Train:

8 Free private training sessions (3 "Go Home" sessions, 1 standard private session, 4 virtual private sessions)

Free Group classes or "Pack Walks" for the lifetime of the canine graduate plus access to our board and train graduate only classes

Personal Videos of your dog learning with tips for continuing the progress at home

A Go Home Book around 50 pages to help you understand your dogs training and practice at home

The fastest, most efficient way to achieve your training goals

Ideal for fearful, aggressive, or anxious dogs, offering a safer path to rehabilitation

Additional Service Perks:

Major Discounts on structured boarding for vacation stays

Lifetime support from our trainer

Real-world exposure in a controlled, thoughtful environment

You’ll receive a customized "training roadmap" tailored to your dog’s needs and progress
You will be invited to participate in “go home” sessions or private training sessions at the discretion of the trainer

These will be timed for the success of the dog’s training

Outside of “Go home” trainings owners will not be able to visit with their dog in order to allow them to focus on their learning and rehabilitation

We establish a transition into board and train to reduce stress as much as possible. This is why our programs are not short. We ensure to minimize stress during the beginning of the board and train for optimal mental health and foundation for the intensive training to come

Visitation from family would only start this transition process over and add stress to your dog as well as limit success in board and train

During the board and train, you will receive updates via text, email and videos in order to stay up to date with the learning concepts and prepare for how to transition the training to your home at the end of board and train

Youl will receive a minimum of 3 go home sessions one will be performed at the time of pick up and one will be used in the first few weeks after you have reunited with your dog. It is your responsibility to schedule your board and train with your trainer.

Go home sessions are NOT limited to 1 hour appointments. They will typically be on average 2 hours in length.

Virtual support between go home sessions and post graduation are vital to your success. It is your responsibility to keep your trainer up to date and reach out with any questions, concerns or problems you may be having

Once you have gone through on boarding (intake form, phone consultation, in home consultation) and it is determined that we are a good fit for your goals, behavioral problems and training methods we may ask that you start building a foundation with your dog to set him/her up for success.
What kind of training does my dog receive during board and train?

During our Board and Train program, your dog will receive a well-rounded individualized training experience that addresses not only basic obedience but also deeper behavioral issues and emotional well-being. We focus on building a healthy mindset and a positive way of interacting with the world, whether it’s with people, other dogs, or busy, noisy environments.

Training Approach: Our unique approach combines dog psychology with effective communication between dog and owner. We aim to foster a strong, trusting relationship by teaching your dog how to make better decisions on their own, while also enhancing your communication with them.

Obedience Training:

Basic commands such as sit, down, place, and recall (coming when called) will be taught.

Training will be reinforced under duration, distraction, and distance to ensure reliability in real-world settings.

The level of training depends on your dog's goals, stay duration, and any behavioral challenges they may have.

Behavioral & Social Skills:

We address house manners, leash skills, and proper behavior in public spaces.

Dogs learn to adjust to new environments and public access scenarios.

For dogs with behavioral issues such as aggression, anxiety, resource guarding, or fear, we use counterconditioning, confidence building, coaching and calmness exercises to reshape their reactions.

Drive Training: Your dog will also work on enhancing their natural pack drive and developing the ability to switch in and out of this drive, balancing their excitement and focus with calmness and control.

Communication Methods: We utilize a variety of techniques to help your dog understand what is expected:

Food lures to guide them into positions

Leash pressure and spatial pressure to guide as well as teach boundaries and improve responsiveness

Encouraging natural focus and fostering a balanced pack drive to strengthen their bond with you and other dogs

Our training program is designed to provide your dog with the skills they need to navigate the world confidently, and we work closely with owners to ensure these skills transfer smoothly to the home environment.
At Mountain Spirit K9, we are passionate about building a deep relationship with dogs based on mutual trust and respect. Every dog is unique, and we take an individualized, analytical approach to training, ensuring that no two programs are exactly the same.

We do not limit ourselves to a single method or philosophy. Instead, we use a balanced, flexible approach that incorporates a variety of tools and techniques to communicate effectively with each dog. Our training includes, but is not limited to, the use of:

Herm Sprenger collars, which are designed for tracheal safety and effective communication

Medical-grade electronic collars by E-Collar Technologies for precise training and off-leash control.

Rewards such as toys and food reinforce positive behaviors

Our focus is always on the dog’s overall well-being, ensuring that training is mentally and physically safe, as well as effective. Training techniques are tailored specifically to the needs of each individual dog as well as the given environment and emotional/psychological state of the dog. All processes are thoughtfully calculated taking this individualistic approach.
At Mountain Spirit K9, we understand the importance of sharing your past training experiences with us. This helps us identify any missing links and limitations in previous programs, allowing us to address those gaps effectively.

What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We consider all the “puzzle pieces” of your dog’s behavior to create a “complete picture” outcome. Many of our clients have tried other programs without success, and our goal is to fill in those missing gaps. A key part of our program is the education and support we offer to dog owners. Our detailed intake process is crucial to developing a tailored approach that meets your dog's specific needs.

Our intake process also prepares owners for the roles and responsibilities they will take on to ensure long-term success. We set realistic expectations from the beginning and never make guarantees, as offering guarantees for living beings is often a red flag in training services. Instead we will offer you realistic expectations based on your dog and goals.

While we do use food as a tool for training and relationship-building in some cases, it’s not the core of our program. Instead, our focus is on dog psychology, mental health, and building a strong human-canine relationship through effective communication that makes sense to your individual dog.

We urge dog owners to be very careful about training programs that are based on the use of food as. a primary method as it typically does not take into deeper concepts and psychology into account. We take the actual chemical effect that different sequences have on the brain via hormonal releases. Our training is thoughtfully curated.

Unlike some other methods, we do not avoid unwanted behaviors or difficult situations. We believe in training for functional living. In life, we can’t always avoid things we dislike, and neither should your dog. Our approach teaches dogs and owners how to face challenges in a healthy and appropriate manner. The goal is to enhance the quality of life for both dog and owners.
Yes, our lead trainer, Alexandria, is a full-time, professional dog trainer with extensive education and experience. Her focus is on the mental health of dogs and building strong, balanced relationships between dogs and their handlers. This includes empowering owners through education and ongoing support.

Mountain Spirit K9 is a registered LLC and fully insured, ensuring professional and reliable service.

Frequently Asked Questions

dog and mountain biker sitting on bridge over river