About Country Club Kennels & Training

What they do

This is the Locust Grove location of Country Club Kennels & Training, a family-owned business the site dates to its founding in 2003, sitting on "24 peaceful acres" in a deliberately rural, low-stress setting. Boarding, daycare and training all run from the same property.

Unusually for this market, the whole training price list is published. Thirty-minute sessions are $40.00 and are designed to lay the groundwork for a new skill or add mental stimulation during a boarding stay, with a detailed overview from the dog's dedicated trainer at pickup. A one-hour private session is $75.00 and is explicitly aimed at training owner and dog together. The Puppy Course is a one-week program at $1,000 covering foundations, socialization, confidence building and the usual puppy problems — mouthing and jumping are named. The Board and Train Program is a two-week program at $2,500 building a solid foundation of basic obedience skills, with the trainers explaining the techniques used.

A scheduling constraint worth knowing

The board-and-train is seasonal. The site states that the program is available "from September through March, excluding holidays", because the trainers are also deeply engaged in the daily care of each dog the rest of the year. If you need residential training in summer, this is not the place. Thirty-minute sessions can be arranged on arrival or at booking; hour-long private sessions need advance scheduling.

Method and tools

The stated approach is "an adaptive and balanced training approach with a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement techniques", and the site is specific about equipment in a way that lets you decide before you call. A slip lead is the primary tool, with slip collars, long lines and plenty of toys and treats also in use. The prong collar is introduced only occasionally: the site says that while it "is a great tool when used correctly," they believe "it's only necessary for a small percentage of dogs", and that all tools and their proper usage are discussed with the owner.

The published curriculum covers sit, stay, down, place, long distance recall, thresholds, impulse control, confidence building and leash skills, with behavioral issues such as mouthing and jumping addressed alongside. At the owner's discretion, dogs are acclimated to new environments and distractions and given social interaction with other dogs.

Honesty about outcomes

The FAQ is candid that owner consistency after pickup decides whether the training holds, and adds that while a dog will have strong recall even in distracting environments, they "cannot guarantee they won't occasionally be tempted to chase a squirrel or two." Boarding dogs are turned out into large fenced exercise paddocks "at least 6 times daily at no additional charge".

Practical details

9394 Pine Glade Lane, Locust Grove. Drop-off and pickup run in two blocks daily, mornings and late afternoons, with Sunday afternoons only. The business supports the Chance Foundation, K-9 Lifesavers and the Orange County Animal Shelter.