About Safari Dogs Ranch

Boot camp training on a ranch near Aubrey

Safari Dogs Ranch is a boarding and training ranch near Aubrey, on owner Alicia Dawn's 15-acre property northeast of Denton. Alicia earned CD and CDX obedience titles with her first Golden Retriever as a child, taught obedience classes by age 15, and has won National and World Championships with Border Collies and Chinese Cresteds. She also helped develop a method for training Diabetic Alert Dogs and today focuses on pet obedience.

Boot Camp

The Safari Dogs Boot Camp is a board and train in Alicia's home, ideally three weeks long, at $175 a day. Puppies can start at 4 months. Training begins with positive motivation using food and praise; once commands are understood, dogs move to off-leash expectations, with loss of rewards for poor choices or hands-on guidance with hands, leash or collar. Dogs learn crate calm, potty manners, heel, come around distractions, leave it, stays, bed stays, no jumping, self control and waiting at doors.

Lessons and boarding

In-home private lessons are $250 for new clients and $150 for follow-ups. Boarding is $80 a day. Call or text Alicia at (972) 914-1635.