About RTN Dog Training and Boarding

What they offer

RTN Dog Training and Boarding describes itself as a veteran-owned, family-operated dog training, daycare and boarding facility in Auburn, serving families across Auburn, Opelika and the surrounding Lee County area. Its FAQ says training runs from Puppy Foundation skills through basic and advanced obedience, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) preparation and public-access training goals, delivered as basic obedience, day training, custom training and Board & Train. The home page also mentions a Stay & Train option and says the team are authorized AKC Trick Dog and AKC Fit Dog instructors.

Board & Train

The FAQ describes Board & Train as an immersive program in which the dog lives and trains at the Auburn facility, combining obedience training, socialization and guided play. It says the standard program has a minimum four-week stay, with the length set at the evaluation, and that it ends with a go-home session plus two follow-up in-home visits.

Reactive and difficult dogs

The FAQ says RTN works with dogs that are reactive, easily overstimulated, highly energetic or struggling with certain behaviors, starting with an evaluation. For more challenging behaviors it may recommend private training, structured daycare, a custom plan or Board & Train, and it asks owners of reactive, aggressive or fearful dogs to call before booking daycare or boarding.

Approach and background

The site describes its style as balanced: primarily positive and relationship-focused, with limited corrections that are mostly verbal, and never abusive or forceful. It names Troy and Jenn Heilman as founders, says Jenn and Janiece are Animal Behavior College graduates and Trainer Mentors, and lists a CGC Evaluator credential. Its daycare is described as structured, with small supervised groups of no more than 10 dogs. The home page says RTN was voted Best Dog Training, Best Doggie Daycare and Best Pet Boarding in the Opelika-Auburn News Best of OA 2026.