Start Your Dog’s Training Today!
Great training can be a game-changer for you and your dog. Our training starts with building healthy relationships and good communication.
Call us today to get started!
Dog Training That’s Structured, Not Scripted
There’s a difference between a dog that can sit in a quiet room and a dog that listens on a busy sidewalk. That gap is what DogJoy’s training closes for dogs coming from Austin. We don’t treat every dog the same, but every program follows the same structure — clear communication first, consistent reinforcement second, real-world reliability as the goal.
Our programs are built to:
- Every session reinforces the behaviors we want to stick, not just the ones we’re actively drilling
- Dogs learn to stay calm and locked in, even when the moment gets exciting
- New places and situations become opportunities to build confidence, not triggers for stress
- The training process itself deepens the trust between dog and owner
Because training is woven into daycare and boarding too, your dog isn’t just practicing during class — they’re reinforcing it all day, every visit. That layered repetition is a big part of why it sticks.
Getting to DogJoy from Austin
From E 7th St, get on I-35 N/US-290 E — about 5 minutes to merge. Stay on I-35 N, then continue via the 290 Toll and TX-130 N/TX-45 to the TX-130 Service Rd in Pflugerville, taking exit 428A off TX-130 N/TX-45 — roughly 18 minutes and 19.6 miles of mostly-highway driving. From there, take FM 685 N and Rowe Ln straight to our door at 20818 Martin Ln — about 7 more minutes. All told, it’s around 30 minutes door to door, and because training runs on a weekly class schedule rather than daily drop-offs, it’s a trip most Austin owners find easy to build into their week. Just budget for the 290 Toll along the way.
Our Dog Training Programs near Austin, TX
From puppy foundations to advanced behavior work, find the program that fits your dog — or let us help you choose.
Foundation Courses
Start here. These are the building blocks every dog needs.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class
Course Type: Group Class (Certification Class)
Best For: Puppies under the age of 16 weeks starting their training journey
Duration: 6 weeks
Class Length: 1 Hour
Cost: $299
What is S.T.A.R.?
Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility
What This Class Is For:
Your puppy’s first structured introduction to training — the earlier the better. This class builds the confidence and behavior habits that shape how a dog develops for years to come.
Graduates receive an official certificate from the American Kennel Club and are eligible to register in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program.
What You’ll Work On:
- Getting comfortable around new people, dogs, and environments
- Foundational obedience and two-way communication
- Early-stage impulse control and focus
- Confidence built through guided, structured exposure
- The basics of responsible pet ownership
Outcome:
A puppy who’s more confident, more responsive, and better equipped to handle real-world situations — with fewer behavior problems likely to surface later.
Don’t wait until your puppy finishes all of their shots. It will be too late! Read Dr. R.K. Anderson’s letter on why socialization needs to start before 16 weeks, and see the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s position on beginning classes as early as 7–8 weeks. Enroll now!
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class
Course Type: Group Class (Certification Class)
Best For: Puppies under the age of 16 weeks starting their training journey
Duration: 6 weeks
Class Length: 1 Hour
Cost: $299
What is S.T.A.R.?
Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility
What This Class Is For:
Puppies soak up habits fast, good or bad — this class gets ahead of that by shaping confidence, structure, and behavior from the very beginning.
Graduates receive an official certificate from the American Kennel Club and are eligible to register in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program.
What You’ll Work On:
- Meeting new people, dogs, and environments without fear or overwhelm
- Two-way communication and the basics of obedience
- Learning to pause and settle before reacting
- Confidence built through guided, hands-on exposure
- What responsible ownership looks like day to day
Outcome:
A puppy who settles into the world with confidence, listens more readily, and is set up to avoid a lot of the behavior problems that show up later.
Don’t wait until your puppy finishes all of their shots. It will be too late! Read Dr. R.K. Anderson’s letter on why socialization needs to start before 16 weeks, and see the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s position on beginning classes as early as 7–8 weeks. Enroll now!
Good Manners
Course Type: Group Class
Best For: Dogs that need better everyday behavior and consistency
Duration: 6 weeks
Class Length: 1 Hour
Cost: $329
What This Class Is For:
This is the class for dogs who know the basics but don’t reliably follow through. If “he knows sit, he just doesn’t do it” sounds familiar, this is where the structure clicks into place.
What You’ll Work On:
- The core four: sit, down, stay, and come
- Walking on a leash without the constant pulling
- Greeting people and other dogs politely instead of jumping in
- Holding focus and responding even when distractions show up
Outcome:
A dog who listens more reliably, behaves better at home, and is simply easier to manage day to day.
Reactive Rover
Course Type: Group Class
Best For: Dogs that bark, lunge, or overreact to people, dogs, or environments
Duration: 6 weeks
Class Length: Week 1 – 3.5 Hours. Week 2–6 – 1.5 Hours.
Cost: $429
What This Class Is For:
Built specifically for dogs who struggle with overstimulation and reactivity, this program develops calmer responses, sharper focus, and a dog who’s simply easier to manage in the moments that used to be hardest.
What You’ll Work On:
- Reducing reactive behaviors like barking, lunging, and overexcitement
- Building calm, controlled responses under pressure
- Sharpening focus on the handler in high-distraction settings
- Learning to safely navigate real-world triggers
Outcome:
A dog who’s noticeably less reactive, more manageable, and more confident moving through everyday life.
Off-Leash Social Studies
Course Type: Group Class
Class Length: 1 Hour
Price: $49
What This Class Is For:
For social dogs that need better control and focus around other dogs. Our instructor works directly alongside owners inside a supervised, off-leash play setting.
What You’ll Work On:
- Reliability and focus on the handler, even off leash
- Keeping excitement in check around other dogs
- Reading and guiding play behavior as it happens
- Recognizing when — and how — to step in
What Makes This Different:
This is NOT a dog park. It’s a structured environment where trainers actively shape behavior and keep interaction safe and controlled, working alongside owners the entire time.
Outcome:
A dog that socializes the right way — staying responsive and under control the whole time.
Advanced Courses
For dogs ready to build on their foundation and take on greater control and confidence.
Sublime Manners
Course Type: Group Class
Duration: 4 Weeks
Class Length: 1 Hour
Price: $49 per session
Prerequisite: Completion of Good Manners or equivalent group training
What This Class Is For:
This course takes your dog from “knows the basics” to “actually reliable in real life.”
What You’ll Work On:
You’ll build on foundational skills by adding real-world complexity — the part most training programs never fully address.
- Increasing duration, distance, and distractions
- Strengthening leash skills in more challenging environments
- Improving recall when it matters most
- Reinforcing “leave it” without relying on leash corrections
- Transitioning away from food rewards into real-life reinforcement (toys, play, etc.)
- Introducing advanced skills like “drop it” and directional cues
Outcome:
A dog that doesn’t just perform commands, but can do them reliably in real-world situations.
Sublime Manners
Course Type: Group Class
Duration: 4 Weeks
Class Length: 1 Hour
Price: $49 per session
Prerequisite: Completion of Good Manners or equivalent group training
What This Class Is For:
This is the course that takes a dog from “knows the basics” to genuinely dependable in real life.
What You’ll Work On:
Real-world complexity is the piece most programs skip — this is where we add it in:
- Building tolerance for duration, distance, and distraction
- Sharpening leash skills in tougher, more demanding environments
- Strengthening recall for the moments it matters most
- Reinforcing “leave it” without relying on leash corrections
- Shifting away from food rewards toward real-life reinforcement like toys and play
- Adding advanced skills such as “drop it” and directional cues
Outcome:
A dog that doesn’t just know the commands — they perform them reliably when it counts.
AKC Fit Dog Level 1
Course Type: Group Class (Certification Course)
Duration: 6 Weeks
Class Length: 1 Hour
Price: $329
What This Class Is For:
Designed for active dogs and the owners who keep up with them — this program builds strength, balance, and overall physical wellness while continuing to sharpen focus and engagement.
What You’ll Work On:
- Core fitness skills (tuck sit, kick back, spin, and more)
- Body awareness and coordination
- Strength and flexibility work
- Handler engagement and correct movement form
Important Notes:
- Best suited for healthy dogs with no injuries or physical limitations
- Veterinary consultation recommended for dogs with any restrictions
- Prior training experience is strongly recommended
Outcome:
A stronger, more coordinated dog with sharper focus and a deeper working partnership with their handler.
AKC Canine Good Citizen
Course Type: Group Class (Certification Course)
Duration: 6 Weeks
Class Length: 1 Hour
Price: $329
What This Class Is For:
By the final week of this course, you and your dog will be ready to sit for the official AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test. Watch the video.
What You’ll Work On:
The CGC test covers 10 evaluated skills:
- Accepting a friendly stranger
- Sitting politely for petting
- Appearance and grooming
- Out for a walk
- Walking through a crowd
- Sit and down on command, staying in place
- Coming when called
- Reaction to another dog
- Reaction to distractions
- Supervised separation (3 minutes)
Outcome:
A dog who’s genuinely well-mannered out in the world — and walks away with a certification recognized nationwide.
Training Games
Course Type: Group Class
Duration: 5 Weeks
Class Length: 1 Hour
Price: $329
What This Class Is For:
For dogs who need to sharpen their obedience skills while staying mentally engaged the whole time.
What You’ll Work On:
- Reinforcing core commands (sit, stay, come, leash walking)
- Layering in duration, distance, and distraction
- Building focus through structured play
- Problem-solving and active engagement
What Makes This Different:
Every class is deliberately dynamic and varied so dogs stay interested instead of tuning out. It’s about turning skills a dog already has — or is currently building — into a game.
Outcome:
A more engaged, focused dog who responds reliably even when the environment gets challenging.
Tricks
Course Type: Group Class
Duration: 5 Weeks
Class Length: 1 Hour
Price: $329
What This Class Is For:
For dogs and owners who want to build engagement and confidence while genuinely having fun doing it.
What You’ll Work On:
- Fun, functional tricks (shake, roll over, bow, retrieve, and more)
- Engagement and responsiveness to their handler
- Confidence built through mastering new skills
What Makes This Different:
With hundreds of tricks to choose from, this class can be repeated again and again with fresh challenges every time.
Outcome:
A more confident, engaged dog who genuinely enjoys learning alongside you.
Let’s Get Started!
Most of our group classes run in structured sessions. If a class is already underway, we’ll point you to the next available start date or a better-fitting alternative in the meantime.
Please note: We do not offer make-up classes.
What Should You Bring?
- Treats your dog loves
- A standard leash (no retractable leashes)
- Any questions or goals you’d like to cover
This helps us make the most of every session.
Common Problems Our Training Solves
- Getting the fundamentals down — sit, down, stay, come, and a reliable “leave it”
- No more being dragged down the sidewalk — leash walking that’s actually pleasant
- A dog who can meet people and other dogs without losing their mind
- Holding focus even when the environment is working against you
- Recall you can trust off leash, not just in the backyard
- Real boundaries at the door, around food, and when impulses kick in
- Nervous or shy dogs finding their confidence at their own pace
The Payoff for You Both
- No More Guessing: Your dog understands the rules, and you understand your dog
- A Calmer Household: The daily chaos — at home and out and about — starts to fade
- Confidence That Goes Both Ways: You trust your dog, and your dog trusts you
- Focus That Doesn’t Break: Busy environments stop being a dealbreaker
- Control When You Need It Most: The moments that used to worry you, handled
Change Starts Here
No dog shows up already knowing how to operate in our world — that’s a skill built over time, through consistency and guidance that doesn’t waver. Our dog training near Austin, TX is where dogs pick that up. Along the way, your dog will:
- Behavior that holds up under real-world pressure, not just in the classroom
- Confidence that’s earned, not just performed on cue
- Habits your dog keeps long after the last class wraps up
Starting fresh or troubleshooting a specific issue — either way, we’ll help get you there.
Add a Training Session to Your Dog’s Visit
Dogs visiting us for daycare or boarding near Austin can add training sessions to reinforce good behavior in a real-world setting. Reach out to learn more!
Dog Training FAQ
My dog already knows some commands. Do we still need training?
Yes, knowing commands and reliably responding to them are very different things.
Most dogs can perform behaviors in low-distraction environments, but struggle in real-life situations. Our programs focus on building reliability by adding duration, distance, and distractions, so your dog listens when it actually matters.
My dog already knows some commands. Do we still need training?
Yes, knowing commands and reliably responding to them are very different things.
Most dogs can perform behaviors in low-distraction environments, but struggle in real-life situations. Our programs focus on building reliability by adding duration, distance, and distractions, so your dog listens when it actually matters.
Can you help with behavior issues like reactivity, pulling, or not listening?
Yes. Many of our programs — especially Reactive Rover and private training — are designed to address common behavior challenges like:
- Leash pulling
- Barking or lunging
- Overexcitement around people or dogs
- Lack of focus or responsiveness
We focus on building calm behavior, improving communication, and creating consistent responses in real-world situations.
Will my dog actually improve, or is this just basic training?
Our goal isn’t just to teach commands — it’s to create lasting behavior change.
That means:
- Structured, progressive training
- Real-world application (not just in class)
- Consistency across environments
Many of our clients continue training through multiple programs because they see ongoing improvement in their dog’s behavior, confidence, and responsiveness.
When can I join a training class?
Classes run in sessions. If one is already in progress, we’ll recommend the next available start date or best option for your dog.
What should I bring to training?
Bring treats, a standard leash, and your goals for your dog.
Is my dog too old for training?
No, dogs of all ages can benefit from structured training.
What vaccinations are required for my dog to attend DogJoy?
For training classes dogs must be up to date on:
- Rabies
- Distemper/Parvo
To attend other services, dogs must also have:
- Lepto
- A clean fecal within the last year
Please note: Bordetella is not required. There is a 7 day waiting period if the Bordetella vaccine was recently given. Please wait before bringing your pup to us.
What is the age requirement for Dog Training at DogJoy?
Dogs as young as 8 weeks old can join classes, as long as they have had at least two sets of shots.
Other Services We Offer
Dog Boarding near Austin, TX
Boarding at DogJoy goes beyond a place to sleep. Dogs get structured play, real enrichment, and calm private rest, so they come home relaxed, balanced, and well cared for.
Dog Daycare near Austin, TX
Forget the free-for-all of a typical dog park. Our daycare follows the R.E.P.S. program, built around reinforcing good behavior, delivering real enrichment, and keeping socialization safe and balanced all day long.
Splash Park near Austin, TX
Structured play that keeps dogs engaged mentally, not just physically tired. Enrichment matters just as much as exercise — this is where they get both.
Why Austin Dog Owners Choose DogJoy
Austin’s dog owners aren’t short on places to let a dog run. Zilker Park’s Great Lawn gives dogs room to roam off-leash right in the middle of the city, Auditorium Shores draws a steady crowd of dogs cooling off along Lady Bird Lake, and Red Bud Isle stays a go-to for owners chasing a quieter, water-access afternoon. North Austin has grown just as fast, with the tech corridor near the Domain bringing in new dog owners every year who are looking for more than just a place to burn off energy.
Here’s what none of those parks can do: teach a dog anything. That’s the piece DogJoy’s training fills in. Real obedience work. Leash manners that hold up on a crowded trail. Reactivity handled by people who know how to read a dog instead of just tiring one out. What your dog gets is a structured session, clear reinforcement, and progress that’s actually tracked from visit to visit — not a single class and a certificate, but a real behavior plan built around your dog. Once that foundation is in place, daycare works the way it’s supposed to: better group dynamics, less redirection from staff, and a dog who gets more out of every day of play. A lot of Austin families start here, in training, then add daycare once the groundwork is set. We’re a short trip up the road in Pflugerville — and for owners who want a dog that actually listens, not just one that’s tired, it’s a drive worth making.
Start Your Dog’s Training Today!
Great training can be game-changing for you and your dog. Our training starts with building healthy relationships and good communication.
Call us today to get started!