Canine Academy Columbus
Overview
Photos

About Canine Academy Columbus
Approach
Canine Academy Columbus describes its method as "professional positive e-collar training," pairing low-level remote-collar stimulation with treats and rewards to build communication. The site frames it as a positive-experience approach rather than correction-heavy, and notes trainers support owners over a 90-day window after the program ends.
Programs
The academy runs board & train, group learning classes, and one-on-one private lessons, with in-home options in the Columbus and Lancaster areas. Beyond basic obedience, they list help for aggressive and reactive dogs, separation anxiety, public access training, and boarding. The main campus is in Lancaster, Ohio.
The homepage claims over 30 years of experience and a team that has collectively trained more than 1,000 dogs, and features client testimonials naming trainers Shannon and Zeke. No formal certifications are listed on the site, so owners who want specific credentials should ask directly. Overall the profile reads as an active, established operation built around e-collar obedience plus longer-term board & train placements.
What they can help with
Reviews
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When I picked him up from training, it truly felt like night and day. His leash walking has improved so much and I finally feel in control when I take him out. His recall skills are better than ever, and he genuinely listens to me now. The progress Ashley made with him is amazing, and it is clear she is knowledgeable, patient, and truly understands dogs. She gave Silas the structure he needed and also helped me feel more confident as an owner.
I also have to mention how wonderful the care team was throughout the entire process. They provided daily picture updates, which made me feel so comfortable and happy seeing Silas doing well and being taken care of. On top of that, the campus is absolutely beautiful and so well kept. You can tell they take pride in everything they do.
I am beyond grateful for Ashley and Canine Academy. I would recommend them to anyone, especially if you have a strong, high energy dog who needs real training that actually works. Ashley is the best and Silas is better because of her.
Alex was incredibly patient and thoughtful with Leo, especially since he recently had knee surgery and doesn’t always want to sit on command. Instead of forcing it, Alex adjusted the training to what Leo could comfortably handle. It meant a lot to me to see someone pay attention to his limitations and still help him succeed.
The bond they built was so clear. Leo absolutely lit up around Alex, which made me feel so good about leaving him in someone else’s care. And the entire care team was amazing. I got updates every single day from Alex and the care team, so I always knew how Leo was doing and what he was working on.
We’re genuinely so happy with the progress Leo made and feel so much more confident moving forward. I would recommend Canine Academy, and especially Alex, to anyone looking for a trainer who truly goes above and beyond.
The facility/grounds itself are beautiful and picturesque. I can't express how thrilled I am to be able to board my spunky 1-year-old Australian Shepherd, Wren, on a gorgeous farm in the rolling Ohio hills instead of in a concrete kennel in the city. Pictures shared with me by the care staff during her most recent stay show her running around in grassy fields with her puppy friends, catching balls, and literally SMILING ear to ear on nature walks around the property. She always looks like she's having so much fun and it's wonderful to hear how much the stuff care and love on her during her stay.
The level of customer care I've experienced here is truly rare and precious – from the office team, to the trainers on staff, to the care team: everyone seems to love being part of this operation. Working with Michelle and Beth to enroll Wren in the board and train program was a pleasure – they were incredibly accommodating and went out of their way to ensure that I had a positive experience and left no questions unanswered.
Initially I was on the fence about enrolling Wren in any board-and-train camp, as I had read conflicting accounts of whether or not these kinds of programs are successful long term. However, a trusted (and equally as discerning) friend of mine had great success with this particular program and I was very eager to find reputable training to help build a solid foundation with Wren.
When I called to learn more, I had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle about the different program structures and general training methodology. She was very knowledgeable, thorough in explaining everything to me, and customized her recommendations after asking all the right questions about my pup's personality and behavior at home. I was very impressed during our first call when she encouraged me to consider all competing options before committing to the program to ensure I made the best decision for Wren and I. There was no sales pressure and Michelle made no effort to influence my decision beyond providing information and expressing confidence in the methodology.
What really helped tip the scale was the promise of structured support after graduation in the form of check-ins and follow-ups with Wren's trainer to review the health of her progress. Even better was the fact that graduation includes free lifetime access to weekly group training sessions on the farm led by the trainers – something I hadn't ever seen while researching comparable programs. This all made my decision very easy!
Kayla Crist, Wren's AMAZING trainer during the program, sent periodic updates during training week that included videos of her progress, which was already so impressive! During pick-up, she ensured I understood the transition from program to home well and equipped me with all the knowledge and tools to carry on Wren's progress after graduation, even making herself available to answer questions as we settled back into our home routines.
To say that Wren has made significant strides after the board and train program is an understatement. I went from feeling like my dog was a behavioral wild card to being confident that I'm on track for a well-behaved, well-connected companion for life that I'll be able to trust off-leash and around many unknown variables. The program has given us a proven system for communication and reinforcement that will allow me to expand her training beyond anything I could have achieved by myself at home and I'm very grateful to have found this facility.
Whether you're looking for a solid training foundation for your pup, a home away from home while you're traveling – this place is worth every penny!
(The amazing pictures attached here were sent as updates from the care team 🌞)
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Helpful guides
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