Frequently Asked Questions
What dog owners in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Little River and across the Grand Strand ask us about board and train, private lessons, puppies, the e-collar and how to get started.
Getting Started
How do I get started?
Call us at (843) 410-4700 or fill in the form at the bottom of this page for a free phone consultation. We will ask about your dog and your goals and recommend the program that fits. You can also compare everything first on our Plans & Pricing page.
Which towns do you serve?
Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, across Horry County and into Brunswick County, NC, including North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Conway, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Calabash, Ocean Isle Beach and Shallotte.
Where do the lessons happen?
Private lessons meet at places chosen for your dog, often somewhere with a few distractions, so the commands hold up anywhere. If you choose in-home lessons, the trainer comes to you and trains where your dog already spends its days. See our obedience lessons.
Can I visit you at a storefront?
No. We do not have a storefront to walk into. Lessons meet at places chosen for your dog or at your home, and in board and train your dog stays with one of our trainers in their home. Call us and we will set up a time.
Who will be training my dog?
Our owner and head trainer, Joyell Leonard, or one of the trainers on her team. Joyell holds a master's in education and taught school before training dogs full time, which is why our lessons are as much about coaching you as training your dog. Meet the team on our about page.
Who owns Off Leash K9 Training of Myrtle Beach?
Joyell Leonard is the owner. Off Leash K9 Training of Myrtle Beach is an independently owned and operated location of Off Leash K9 Training. Meet the team on our About page.
Are you the same business as other Off Leash K9 Training locations?
No. Every Off Leash K9 Training location is independently owned and operated, with its own phone number, hours, programs and prices. We serve Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand and Brunswick County, NC only, so another location's prices or details do not apply to us.
What are your hours?
Training is by appointment. Call (843) 410-4700 and we will set up a time.
Where can I find all of your official business information in one place?
Our Official Business Information page lists our phone, hours, owner, every program and price, and the towns we serve, all on one page.
Programs
What is the difference between lessons and board and train?
In lessons, you handle your own dog in one-on-one sessions with a trainer, and learn as your dog does. In board and train, your dog stays with one of our trainers and trains every day, then you learn everything at a hand-over session. Lessons suit owners who want to do the training themselves; board and train is the fastest route.
What does my dog learn in basic obedience?
Come, sit and extended sit, place and extended place, heel walking, down, break and off, over five private lessons, with the remote collar system and a training leash included. Dogs start at five months old. See our obedience lessons.
What comes after basic obedience?
The advanced package adds four lessons of commands such as come to heel, send to place, leave it, greetings and public outings, and single advanced lessons are available too. Your dog must finish basic obedience first. Everything is on our Plans & Pricing page.
Do you offer in-home lessons?
Yes. In-home lessons are the same five lessons as our basic obedience package, with the trainer coming to you. See our obedience lessons.
Can you help a dog that is reactive or aggressive toward other dogs?
Yes. Our reactivity and aggression program is eight private lessons: the first four build basic obedience, and the last four work you and your dog around other dogs. Your dog needs to be comfortable wearing a muzzle before the first lesson.
Do you offer therapy dog training?
Yes. Our Therapy Dog Development program is nine weekly one-on-one lessons: basic obedience, food refusal, supervised visits, and the AKC Canine Good Citizen test in the final week. It starts with a free 30-minute evaluation.
Do you do Canine Good Citizen testing?
Yes. We are certified AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluators, and the test is part of our Therapy Dog Development program. Call us to ask about it on its own.
Board and Train
Where does my dog stay during board and train?
With one of our trainers, in their home, not in a kennel. That is deliberate: house manners are easiest to build where a dog is actually living. See our board and train programs.
How long is board and train?
One week or two weeks for the sleep-over programs, a seven-day day program where you drop your dog off each morning and pick up each evening, or a five-night custom program. All are on our Plans & Pricing page.
Will I hear how my dog is doing?
Yes. You get daily updates with pictures or videos, so you can see what your dog is working on.
What happens when I pick my dog up?
A hand-over session: your trainer shows you everything your dog learned and how to keep it going at home. It is two hours for the one- and two-week programs, and one hour for the custom program.
Can any dog do board and train?
Dogs need to be at least six months old and crate trained. The one- and two-week programs are not for dogs with major behavior problems, high reactivity or aggression; those dogs do better in our reactivity and aggression program.
Will my dog be off leash at the end?
The two-week program works on commands on and off leash. Off-leash work is always at the trainer's discretion: if a dog is anxious, a flight risk, or shows aggression, being off leash is not in its best interest, and the trainer will tell you.
Puppies
How young can my puppy start?
Our Happy Puppy programs take puppies from 8 weeks to 23 weeks old. Obedience lessons start at five months, and board and train at six months.
My puppy is not fully vaccinated. Can we still train?
Yes, with written approval from your vet saying your puppy can take part in training, and a properly fitted martingale collar.
What does the puppy program cover?
Crate training, potty training, a schedule and routine, play, socialization, and first commands like come, sit and place, all on leash. It is a great introduction to our full training, not a replacement for it. See our Happy Puppy programs.
The E-Collar
What is an e-collar and how does it work?
An e-collar is a collar your dog wears and a remote you hold. It sends a light signal, like a tap on the shoulder, that gets your dog's attention so it listens to you. It is a communication tool, not a punishment.
Will the e-collar hurt my dog?
No. At our first meeting we put the collar on your arm so you can feel how mild the signal is. We would never use anything on a dog that we would not use on ourselves.
Will my dog always have to wear it?
No. Inside your home your dog will soon listen without it. We do recommend putting it on before your dog goes outside off leash, the same way you would buckle a seat belt, because you never know what will catch your dog's attention.
How old does my dog need to be for e-collar training?
At least five months. Younger puppies start with our Happy Puppy programs, which use treats and a clicker instead.
Pricing and Payment
How much does dog training cost?
It depends on the program. Every program and its current price is on our Plans & Pricing page, and a free phone consultation will tell you which one fits your dog.
Is the consultation free?
Yes. The phone consultation is free, with no obligation to book anything. Call (843) 410-4700.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. Payment plans are available. Call us today to learn more about payment options.
Do you offer a guarantee?
Yes! We are so confident in this system, that if you are not completely amazed and satisfied during the first lesson, the lesson is free! We also offer FREE refreshers for life in our 2 Week Board & Train Program!
Still have a question?
Call us and ask. The phone consultation is free, and you will talk to our team about your dog.
Or send us a message
Tell us about your dog and we will call you back.
Book a Free Consultation
No charge, and no obligation to book anything.
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