In-Person Training Plans

Our most popular program, Basic Manners & Obedience lays the foundation for all successful training. At Columbia K9 Elite, we specialize in teaching dogs how to listen, respond, and respect through balanced, relationship-based methods that strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

Training can begin as early as 8 weeks old and focuses on socialization, confidence building, neutrality, proofed obedience, and leash skills. We’ll teach your dog how to stay calm and focused in real-world situations while helping you learn how to communicate clearly and consistently.

This program is perfect for dogs of any age or experience level — whether you’re working with a new puppy or refining manners in an older dog. You’ll walk away with a confident, well-behaved companion who understands your expectations and enjoys working alongside you.

Our Off-Leash / E-Collar Training course is one of our most popular programs, giving you and your dog the freedom to explore together with trust and control. Imagine your dog heeling, recalling, and staying focused — all without a leash.

This program teaches both the dog and the handler how to properly and safely use an e-collar as a communication tool, not a punishment. You’ll learn how to build reliable responses through structure, timing, and positive reinforcement, helping your dog stay confident and consistent even at a distance. Perfect for owners who want freedom and reliability in real-world situations, this course strengthens your bond and gives your dog the skills to listen anywhere, anytime.

Our Personal Protection Dog Training program is designed for owners seeking a loyal companion with the discipline, confidence, and control needed for real protection work. Training can begin as early as 8 weeks old, starting with careful evaluation to ensure your dog has the right temperament and natural drives for this advanced path.

We look for key traits such as confidence, prey drive, defense drive, socialization, stability, and neutrality toward others. Developing a fully trained personal protection dog requires hours of dedication and years of ongoing practice — it’s a serious commitment that we guide you through every step of the way.

Throughout the process, we focus on socialization, bite development, obedience, leash training, and drive building to create a well-balanced, reliable protector who remains confident and in control in any environment.

We offer multiple training levels tailored to your dog’s development:

• Puppy Protection Dog Course – Foundation work focused on early drive, engagement, and confidence.

• Basic Protection Course – Introduces controlled protection, obedience, and bite work fundamentals.

• Civil Protection Dog Course – Advanced real-world protection, stability under pressure, and complete handler control.

If you or someone you know is in need of a service dog, or if you’re interested in training your dog for therapy work, Columbia K9 Elite can help. We guide owners and dogs through each step of the process with compassion, structure, and a focus on real-world reliability.

We train a variety of service dogs, including Guide Dogs, Psychiatric Service Dogs, Seizure Response, Diabetic Alert, Allergy Detection, and Mobility Assistance. Each dog learns confidence, socialization, neutrality to strangers, obedience, and leash skills tailored to their future role.

Our programs cover confidence, socialization, neutrality to strangers, basic obedience, and leash training to prepare each dog for the specialized tasks ahead.

We offer several course levels to match your dog’s progress and goals:

• Starter Service Pup – Foundational training in obedience, exposure, and confidence.

• SDiT Tasking & Proofing – Focused on specific task work, reliability, and public access skills.

• Basic Therapy Dog Training – Introduces calm, social behavior and comfort work for therapy settings.

• Advanced Therapy Dog Training – Reinforces advanced control, confidence, and consistency in various environments.

Each level is designed to strengthen the bond between dog and handler while ensuring your dog is confident, capable, and ready to serve with purpose.

Have a dog that’s a little shy, nervous, or unsure of the world around them? At Columbia K9 Elite, we offer a specialized Confidence Building program designed to help fearful or anxious dogs come out of their shell and gain trust in new experiences.

This program focuses on developing your dog’s confidence through positive exposure, patience, and consistent structure. We work at your dog’s pace, helping them feel safe and secure while introducing new sights, sounds, and environments in a calm, encouraging way.

By strengthening trust and teaching your dog to approach challenges with curiosity instead of fear, we build the foundation for a more confident, well-adjusted companion — both at home and in public.

Our Reactivity program is designed for dogs who struggle with fear, aggression, or reactive behaviors. Whether your dog barks, lunges, or shuts down around certain triggers, we’re here to help you understand the “why” behind those reactions and guide your dog toward calmer, more confident behavior.

Through balanced, relationship-based training, we’ll work together to identify your dog’s specific triggers and teach you how to manage and redirect their responses. Each session focuses on improving communication, building trust, and teaching your dog how to make better choices in real-world situations. The result is a more relaxed, reliable companion and an owner equipped with the tools and confidence to handle any challenge.

If you’re thinking about getting your dog involved in dog sports or earning a Canine Good Citizen certification, Columbia K9 Elite can help you get started the right way. Sport training builds focus, athleticism, and teamwork, while strengthening the bond between you and your dog.

Training can begin as early as 8 weeks old, starting with foundational obedience and engagement skills. Our Dog Sport classes are tailored to introduce structure, precision, and fun into every session.

Available sport options include:

• FastCAT – Channel your dog’s natural drive and speed in a safe, structured sprint event.

• Agility – Build confidence and coordination through obstacle courses and teamwork challenges.

• Obedience Trials – Refine control, precision, and handler communication for formal competition.

• Conformation – Develop ring manners, posture, and presentation for show success.

Each class is designed to help your dog gain confidence, sharpen focus, and enjoy learning new skills in a positive, motivating environment. Whether you’re chasing titles or just want to have fun, we’ll help your dog perform at their best.