faq
Dog Training FAQ - Straight Answers, No Sales Pitch
Intro: These are the questions we get asked most on the phone. If yours is not here, call (719) 369-3963 or book a free evaluation and ask us directly.
About Summit Kennels
01 Are you insured and certified?
Yes. Summit Kennels is fully insured through Business Insurers of the Carolinas, and we are a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. Our trainers hold multiple professional trainer and master trainer certifications, providing experienced, knowledgeable and reliable dog training you can trust.
02 What makes a veteran-owned training facility different?
Being veteran-owned means more than military values, it means real-world experience. Our trainers have worked professionally with high-drive working breeds in military and operational environments, handling everything from obedience and behavior modification to complex, mission-focused tasks. That experience allows us to confidently train breeds and behaviors that many facilities are not equipped to handle.
03 Who will actually be training my dog?
One of our certified canine specialists, assigned to you at the evaluation, and they stay with your dog through the whole program and the follow-on lessons. We are a small, hands-on team, you will not be handed between five different people.
04 What areas do you serve?
We are based in Rocky Point and serve Wilmington, Surf City, Holly Ridge, Hampstead, Leland, Sneads Ferry, Topsail, Wrightsville Beach, Southport, Porters Neck, Supply, Burgaw, Castle Hayne, Jacksonville and New Bern, across Pender, New Hanover, Brunswick, Onslow, Columbus and Craven counties.
05 What are your hours?
Monday to Sunday, 7am to 7pm. We usually respond to enquiries right away, and almost always within two hours.
Training Methods and Results
01 What training methods do you use?
Every dog learns differently, so we don't use a one-size-fits-all approach. We evaluate each dog's temperament, drive and learning style to create a customized training plan using the methods that will produce the safest, most effective and most lasting results for that individual dog.
02 Do you offer a guarantee on your training results?
We guarantee our commitment to providing professional, high-quality training, but no trainer can ethically guarantee a dog's behavior. If additional guidance is needed, we will keep working with you and your dog until you are confident and we have achieved the training goals together.
03 What breeds do you work with?
All breeds and all sizes, from toy breeds to working lines. Our trainers specialise in high-drive working breeds, which means we are comfortable with dogs that other programs find difficult.
04 Will my dog be off leash by the end?
Off-leash reliability is a goal we work toward and achieve with many dogs, but it depends on the individual dog, their history and the environment. We will give you an honest read at the evaluation rather than promising it up front.
05 Is dog training actually worth the money?
Think about the timeline. You are living with this dog for the next ten to fifteen years, and every one of those years is either easier or harder based on the few weeks you invest now. Owners tell us the change is not that the dog obeys, it is that they stopped dreading walks, stopped putting the dog away when guests arrive, and started taking them places. Training is an investment that lasts a lifetime.
06 How long until I see results?
In a board & train, meaningful change is usually visible within the first week and consolidated over three. In private lessons it tracks your homework, owners who practise daily see change inside two lessons.
Board & Train
01 What is a board and train program exactly?
Our Board & Train programs vary in length depending on your dog's needs and training goals, with most programs lasting a minimum of three weeks. During their stay, your dog lives with professional trainers, receiving daily structured training, exercise, socialization and real-world exposure. Before going home, we provide hands-on owner instruction to ensure a successful transition.
02 Will my dog remember me after being away for several weeks?
Absolutely, your dog will remember you. It is natural for dogs to form a bond with their trainer through daily interaction, but that bond never replaces the relationship they have with their family. Dogs have strong long-term memories, and our goal is to return a well-trained dog while strengthening the bond between you and your companion.
03 Is board and train or private lessons better?
It depends on your time, your budget and your dog. Board & train produces faster, deeper results because your dog gets daily professional repetition, and it is the better choice for serious behavior issues or busy households. Private lessons cost less and put the skills in your hands from day one, which suits motivated owners with manageable goals. We will recommend honestly at the evaluation, including when the cheaper option is the right one.
04 Can I visit or get updates while my dog is in training?
You will get updates through the program so you can see the progress as it happens. Visits are handled case by case, for some dogs, particularly early in a behavior program, a mid-program visit sets the work back, and we will tell you if that applies to yours.
05 What happens after my dog comes home?
A minimum of two follow-on private lessons is included with every board & train, three with the Advanced Puppy Pack. You also go home with our training equipment bundle, valued at over $400, and ongoing access to your trainer. If you want that support to be permanent, Summit Pack Lifetime Training adds unlimited follow-on lessons for the life of your dog.
06 What do I need to send with my dog?
Current vaccination records, the food your dog is used to, and any medication they need. We supply the training equipment. Full details are confirmed when you book.
Behavior and Aggression
01 Do you train aggressive, reactive or bite-history cases?
Yes. We evaluate aggressive, reactive and bite-history cases on an individual basis. Every dog is different, so we assess temperament, triggers and safety concerns before developing a customized training plan designed to improve behavior while prioritising the safety of everyone involved.
02 My dog is reactive on leash. Can that be fixed?
Leash reactivity is one of the most common problems we resolve. The behavior is rehearsed, every incident makes the next one more likely, so the fix is breaking that cycle and replacing it with a clear alternative the dog can actually perform under pressure. It also requires you to change how you handle a trigger walking toward you, which is a large part of the follow-on lessons.
03 My dog has separation anxiety. Do you handle that?
Yes, as part of the Behavior Modification program. Anxiety cases need structure, confidence building and a gradual, systematic approach, not a three-week miracle. We will be honest with you at the evaluation about the timeline.
04 Another trainer turned my dog away. Will you look at them?
We will evaluate them. Our trainers' background with high-drive working breeds means we take on cases many facilities are not equipped to handle. That said, we evaluate honestly, and if the safest recommendation for your household is something other than training, we will say so.
Pricing and Booking
01 How much does dog training cost?
Board & train programs run $3,500 to $4,500, behavior modification $3,800 to $4,800, the Puppy Pack $4,500, the six-lesson private bundle $1,600, and Stay & Train $100 per day. Where your dog falls in each range is confirmed at the free evaluation, the dog decides the work.
02 Why is board and train so expensive?
You are paying for three weeks of a certified professional's time, seven days a week, plus boarding, plus the follow-on lessons, plus over $400 of equipment. Broken across the ten-plus years you will live with the result, it is one of the cheaper things you will spend money on for this dog.
03 Do you offer discounts?
Active-duty military and first responders receive 10% off board & train programs, and a multi-dog discount is available across all training options.
04 Do you offer financing or payment plans?
Yes. We offer financing through Afterpay, plus flexible payment options arranged directly with us to work with a range of budgets. Invoicing is handled through Square.
05 Is the consultation really free?
Yes. The evaluation costs nothing and carries no obligation. Its purpose is to work out what your dog actually needs, including telling you when a cheaper program will get you there.
06 How do I book?
Call or text (719) 369-3963, email sierra@summitkennelstraining.com, or use the contact form. We normally respond within two hours. Summer books out fastest for training, and holidays fill first for Stay & Train.
07 What is your refund policy?
We are always happy to tailor your training plan, however all sales are final.
Book Evaluation
Still Have a Question?
Ask it at your free evaluation. No pitch, no pressure, just a straight answer and game plan for your dog.