About Carolina Dog Training, LLC

Carolina Dog Training, LLC works from Cary and has been open since 2006; its own site states the founding mission as transforming "each of our dogs into one that is balanced and well-mannered" and promises "a dog you can be proud to take anywhere." The business is built around its founder, Elaine Hope Poulin, and trades under the marks Trained by Elaine and the Pack Sitters.

The approach in the business's own words

The site sets out what it calls the Pack Leader Concept: "We are firm believers, practitioners, and teachers of pack leadership. In order for any dog to reach its full potential as a well-behaved companion, it must feel secure in knowing that he is under the guidance of a trusted, loving and respected leader." It is explicit that the human is half the work – "While our focus is on training dogs, we also train the humans who care for them" – and the published curriculum for owners covers problem-solving in real-world settings, timing, communication, reading body language and the use of the handler's own energy.

Programs

The site publishes private session packages, group work and a residential camp its clients refer to as WOOF camp, plus a phone consultation as the first step. Client accounts on the site describe five-session private packages with puppies and longer work with dogs that had become unpredictable around people and other dogs.