About Onward Bound Incredible Dog Training and Grooming

What it offers

Onward Bound opens with an invitation rather than a service list – "Do you want an incredible companion? Hand us the leash and let us turn your dog into an incredible dog!" – then sets out the range: "If you need help with basic manners, puppy training, canine sports, fear, aggression, leash reactivity, service dog training or separation anxiety, our certified professional trainers are here to make your life easier." The formats are listed just as plainly: "With private lessons, group classes, board and train, owner trained service dog program, and our day training program we have the training solution for you!" Grooming runs on the same site, and the business is located at 2962 Wisconsin State Road 83 in Hartford.

How it distinguishes itself

The reasons the site gives are specific: "Custom training plans, Veterinarian endorsed, Group classes focused on games and making learning fun, Fun and fast training, see results after your first lesson," and a claim about its own position – "The only fully dedicated dog school in the area." It adds that "we offer training in your home and neighborhood" and that clients get an app where "we send your homework, updates, and helpful resources for your training journey."

Who runs it

The about page names the owner and gives a career rather than a slogan: "Ally Murdock, Owner. Ally has been training dogs for over 20 years, more than half her life." It records that "Ally started Onward Bound in 2013 offering private in home dog training," that she "soon accepted a position at a West Bend dog training facility teaching tricks and agility classes," and that "wanting to provide an alternative to the overwhelmingly compulsion based board and train options, Ally was one of the first positive reinforcement trainers in Wisconsin to offer board and train." The day school came later: "After growing a waitlist of more than six months Ally decided there had to be another way to help busy owners get the help they needed. Jumping in head first, Ally started the day school in Spring of 2021 and has seen stellar results since!"

Credentials the site claims

The about page is explicit about why credentials matter here: "Ally is a member of several professional organizations as dog training is a completely unregulated industry. She holds training certificates such as Animal Behavior College Dog Trainer and Family Dog Mediator. And a third party tested credential from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants of Accredited Dog Trainer." It adds that she "is always learning more about dogs and their behavior by attending seminars, taking training classes, and reading countless books," and that she competes in "agility, obedience, and rally" at weekends with her three dogs.

The wider team

The site names a second trainer, describing "Courtney Hansen – Head Trainer," who "has been working with dogs for most of her adult life" and "started taking classes with Ally in early 2017."

Where it works

The footer lists a long service area across Washington County and beyond, including Hartford, Slinger, Jackson, Pike Lake, Richfield, West Bend, Hartland, Germantown, Sussex and Menomonee Falls. A free phone consultation is the published starting point; ask about prices there.