KeenDog

🐾 Want to build motivation in your dog’s play but they just don’t seem interested? Try the Monkey in the Middle game!

Playing with your dog strengthens your dog’s focus, responsiveness, and enthusiasm to engage with you—making learning fun for them and super rewarding for you! 🎾

But what if your dog just isn’t an enthusiastic player? Then try this play technique out!

How it works: Grab a ball (we will use either Hartz bacon ball or a Chuck It ball) and throw it between you, a friend or trainer. This keeps the ball active and moving, which can keep your dog more interested in playing than a dead ball on the ground.

Check out our full blog for more tips 👉 https://www.keendogtraining.com/blog/building-motivation-in-play-monkey-in-the-middle

Hiking with your dog is a blast, but safety comes first—especially with reliable recalls. Training your pup to come when called isn’t just convenient, it’s essential for their safety, as well as that of other hikers and wildlife. 🐾

📢 Need help? We’ve got tips, recall games, and e-collar training to ensure your dog’s recall is solid on every adventure!

🔗 Read our full blog - https://www.keendogtraining.com/blog/importance-of-reliable-recalls-on-your-hike - that includes a FREE recall training video with 5 fun exercises to solidify a speedy and enthusiastic recall on the trails (and from your yard).

Want your dog to be a recall rockstar? Check out our training programs to level up your trail etiquette! 🌄

We service the Greater Charlotte area, Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Huntersville, Cornelius, Harrisburg, Concord, Lake Wylie and beyond

Lifetime Support

⭐️ 5 Star Rated ⭐️

Custom Dog Training Programs that include:

🐾 Puppy Pre-K
🏠 In home training
🐶 Immersion training
💻 Virtual training
🐕 Online Courses: Raising Your Dog The KeenDog Way AND E Collar Train Your Dog in 3 Weeks

Trail Safety First: The Importance of Reliable Recalls on Your Hikes Hiking with your dog is one of the most rewarding outdoor activities, and having a reliable recall is a must! This command isn't just convenient; it's essential for your dog's safety and the well-being of other hikers and wildlife. Learn how to get solid recalls on the trail with your dog!

Hiking is one of the most rewarding activities you can do with your dog, and with the change of season now is the perfect time to hit the trails!

Time spent on trails provides much needed exercise and enrichment. To get the most out of hiking, we encourage you to keep these “trail manners” in mind:

1. Be respectful
2. Be prepared
3. Be an advocate
4. Be polite
5. Be vigilant

Keeping these trail manners in mind will ensure you have the best possible experience hiking with your dog.

Is there anything else you’d add to the list?

Read the full blog post here:

Essential Trail Manners for Hiking with Dogs Hiking is one of the most rewarding activities you can do with your dog. Keeping these essential "Trail Manners" in mind will ensure that you have the best possible experience hitting the trails with your dog!

KeenDog is a balanced dog training company with a focus on teaching owners the importance of play, and achieving both on and off leash reliability no matter the environment they take their dog in.

Must be able to board dogs in your home and have reliable transportation. Willing to train the right person.

Send your resume to [email protected]

Happy 4th of July! For this 4th of July week, we want to celebrate more dogs becoming independent off the leash by offering 50% off our online courses! Our online courses include:

Raising Your Dog the KeenDog Way: This course covers everything from the ground up, including in-home management, play development, marker training, confidence-building drills, handling and grooming techniques, proper leash communication, and e-collar conditioning. It provides in-depth guidance on raising your puppy to adulthood, helping you raise the dog of your dreams!

E-Collar Train Your Dog in 3 Weeks: This course will help you integrate your dog into your family, establish structure, create a thriving play relationship, and train your dog just as we would in our 3-week “Keen Camp” board-and-train program!

🇺🇸 Use code JULY4 at checkout! 🇺🇸

Services From puppy foundations to off leash obedience, we’ll help you train your ideal dog. We offer in-home, board & train, and group options for dogs of all ages.

We've got some new gear out! Say hello to some tie dye and comfort colors options!

KeenDog Training | Official Merchandise | Bonfire Check out KeenDog Training on Bonfire and shop official merchandise today! Featuring limited edition custom apparel, printed with care in the USA just for you.

New Year, New Goals 💥 -

New Year, New Goals 💥 Embarking on the journey of training your dog and feeling a bit overwhelmed? Just like setting goals in our own lives, defining clear objectives for your furry friend can lead to a more harmonious and well-behaved companion. So let's dig into the importance of goal setting in the context of dog tr...

https://www.keendogtraining.com/blog/lets-talk-kennel-cough

Let's Talk Kennel Cough! Welcome special guest, veterinarian Dr. Alyssa Lee! She's here to share some insight with us about the mysterious respiratory illness that’s been popping up around the country and help dispel fears!

In need of some last minute gift ideas?! We share some of our favorites that we know your dog obsessed loved one and/or your dog will be excited to open!

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas for Dogs & Dog Owners We've all been there... the holidays are rapidly approaching and you realize you forgot to buy a gift for your favorite dog or dog owner! Fear not, we've put together lists of our favorite items to help you out.

Nervous about hosting guests for the holidays? Worried fido might knock over Grandma and Grandpa? Wish you had started training months ago, but never got around to it?

It's not too late! We have a few board-and-train spots available that would get you on the right track before Christmas. Or if you'd rather do one-on-one lessons, there's time to make a great deal of progress before ringing in the new year!

Sign up for a training package via our website keendogtraining.com by Thanksgiving (11/23) to save 15% off using the code HOLIDAYSALE.*

*Excludes our online courses, virtual lessons, Puppy Prodigy Program, and Shadow Program. Board-and-train timing subject to availability.

School is officially in session, so why not enroll your dog in higher education as well?!

From now until the end of September our online course is 50% off, using code BACKTOSCHOOL. This is a $250 savings!

Our course covers everything from puppyhood to advanced off leash reliability. Start your KeenDog training journey today by signing up on our website:

https://www.keendogtraining.com/offers/3LwfDBNM/checkout

Back to School and Back to Training! -

Back to School & Back to Training! Does your dog pull you down the street? Wish you could enjoy a walk without having your shoulder yanked out of its socket? Struggling to walk multiple dogs?

Can you believe 2023 is halfway through?! 😳 -

Can you believe 2023 is halfway through?! 😳 "The man who loves to walk will always walk further than the one who loves the destination."  We love this quote because too often we have to remind ourselves that change is a process, especially when working with an animal. Sometimes we can get solely focused on the end result, which most of th...

Bring On Summer ☀️ -

Bring On Summer ☀️ One of the greatest perks of training your dog is having a well-mannered adventure partner. Here are a few videos and blog posts with tips for traveling with your dog this summer!

Too many times we walk into new clients' homes and one of the things they tell us is how much energy their dog has and how much they run them but still seem to have endless energy and no chill. Little do they know, they are building an athlete, constantly building up their stamina.

Yes, making sure your dogs' physical exercise needs is important but something else that is equally important is teaching them the "art of doing nothing". Teaching an off switch.

A lot of dogs don't naturally know how to do nothing, some breeds more than others.This is something that needs to be worked on.

Knowing how to do nothing is good for their mental health. A dog in constant drive is tiring and they never fully know how to relax. Once that jazzed up dog finally learns that they can relax and don't always have to be going at 110%, they will be thankful for learning that off switch and overall, much happier.

Both your dog and you will have much clearer expectations in the home and when out in public after learning the art of doing nothing. - .jenna

When you're seeking out guidance in any area, especially dog training, it can be challenging finding the right person (or group of people) to work with. On one hand you may pick someone who is great with dogs, but difficult to work with or naturally get along with. On the other hand, you can find someone easy to get along with but you’re not accomplishing the results you were hoping for.


Dog training currently is a deregulated profession, meaning anyone can start a company and start training with little to no experience with no one to hold them accountable. Which gives anyone an equal opportunity, but unfortunately can let a lot of wolves in to take advantage of people and not produce results.


We have been seeing this more and more in the Charlotte area where people have been coming to us after investing time and money with other companies that left them with little improvement or with new issues. Some come to us hopeless and others are rightfully frustrated. The real tragedy is the dog is just confused in the process. As a company that has helped thousands of dogs and their owners over the years from all over the country, we put together six tips to help you pick a dog trainer or company in the future and hopefully avoid detours along the way.


1. Check references, reviews and drop in on a class (without your dog).
2. Don't ignore red flags.
3. Ask how much time they will spend coaching you.
4. Do you like talking to this person?
5. Be weary of a super long board and train.
6. If you feel something, say something.

Bonus* Go get your dog!!! If you do board with someone and your dog looks malnourished, or you have not seen or received an update in a day or so please go get your dog, It could save their life. - .phillip

Full blog post up on our website. Link in bio!

This is a public service announcement: Please don't distract service dogs.

It has become more and more common to see working dogs out in public, and usually people don't know what to do. Here are some do's and don'ts when it comes to service dogs.

DO NOT:
- Make kissy noises
- Talk to the dog
- Bark at the dog
- Try and pet the dog

All of these things can be a huge distraction to a service dog when they are just trying to do their job.

Some dogs are medical alert dogs meaning they need to be very focused on their handler to let them know of medical episodes that are about to happen. For example syncope or seizure alerts, if you were to distract the service dog and they miss an alert it could be life threatening to the handler. Also, from personal experience it makes the human very uncomfortable as well.

DO:
- Ignore the dog
- Talk to the human, not the service dog

If you can follow these guidelines you will make service dog handlers everywhere happy! - .griffin

*These rules would also greatly benefit companion dogs too. All too often other people doing the above mentioned things result in crazier dogs with more behavioral issues. It won’t be detrimental to one’s well being as it will with a service dog, but it will set them back with any training they have done.

Join us next Friday for a pack walk on the lightrail - open to everyone!

Meet in front of at 5pm, we are sure the lightrail will be full of festivIties on St.Patrick’s Day so why not get a solid walk in with your dog!
phillip will be leading the walk, so if you are in need of a trainer’s assistance to help work your dog through anything you may be struggling with he will be happy to help!

Please RSVP on our FB event (link in bio).

Can’t wait to meet some new faces.