Serving Waynesville, Asheville & Western North Carolina
Private obedience training for all breeds at our facility in Clyde, NC. Sit, stay, come, heel, leash manners, and real-world reliability. We train on a mountain farm with fields, forest trails, and a pond, not in a parking lot. Private lessons from $85/hour. Board and train from $400/week. Serving Waynesville, Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard, and all of Western NC.
Any size, any age
One dog, one trainer
Real-world proofing
Hands-on experience
32 Google reviews
Every dog that completes our obedience program leaves with a specific set of reliable commands. Here is exactly what we teach.
Solid positions on command with duration. Your dog holds the position until you release them, even with distractions present.
Walking at your side without pulling, lunging, or dragging you down the street. Structured walking that works on a sidewalk and on a trail.
Your dog returns to you when called, the first time you call. This is the most important command for safety and off-leash reliability.
Go to a designated spot (bed, mat, cot) and stay there until released. Useful for doorbell moments, mealtimes, and guests.
No bolting through doors. No jumping on people who walk in. Your dog waits calmly at thresholds until given permission.
Your dog learns to ignore food on the ground, other animals, and distractions on command. Impulse control is the foundation of every other skill.
We use balanced training. That means we teach new commands using positive reinforcement (food, praise, play), and we use fair, low-level corrections when the dog understands the command but chooses to ignore it. This is the same methodology used by working-dog trainers worldwide.
For off-leash reliability and recall, we use modern e-collar conditioning at communication-level stimulation. Not shock. Not punishment. Think of it like a tap on the shoulder from a distance. The e-collar is only introduced after the dog clearly understands the command through positive repetition. We show every owner exactly how it works and how to use it before the dog goes home.
We are upfront about this because dog owners deserve to know what tools and methods will be used with their dog before they sign up. If you have questions about our approach, bring them to the consultation. We would rather have an honest conversation than a surprise.
Introduce the command using food, praise, and repetition. The dog learns what the word means through positive association.
Practice in increasingly distracting environments: the training field, near the pond, around other dogs, on the forest trails. The dog learns the command works everywhere, not just in a quiet room.
Once the dog understands the command, we introduce fair accountability so the dog follows through even when distractions are high. This is where off-leash reliability comes from.
We teach you how to handle your dog with the same techniques. If you cannot maintain it, the training does not stick. The owner session is not optional.
Most training facilities work inside a small indoor space and call it done. That works until your dog sees a squirrel outside. We proof every command on our mountain farm property: open fields, forest trails, the pond, areas with other dogs nearby. Your dog learns to listen in the real world because they trained in the real world.
We specialize in sporting breeds and retriever work, but our obedience program is for every dog. Labs, Shepherds, Doodles, Pit mixes, Chihuahuas, rescue mutts. The fundamentals of sit, stay, come, and heel do not change based on breed. What changes is how we adjust the approach to match your dog’s drive, temperament, and learning style.
Dogs can start obedience training at any age. Puppies as young as 8 weeks are ready for foundation commands. Older dogs who have never had formal training pick it up just as well. Senior dogs with years of bad habits can still learn new ones. There is no age limit.
Have a puppy under 6 months? Our Puppy Training program covers socialization, crate training, housebreaking, and bite inhibition before moving into formal obedience.
The number one fear people have about professional training: “What happens when my dog comes home and forgets everything?” That is a fair concern, and it is why every program we run ends with an owner transfer session.
We walk you through every command, show you the handling techniques, let you practice under our guidance, and make sure you are confident before your dog leaves. For private lesson clients, this transfer happens throughout the process since you are in every session. For board and train clients, the final pickup session is dedicated entirely to this.
We also provide follow-up support after the program ends. If something comes up at home, a behavior regresses, or you need a refresher, you are not on your own.
Whether you choose private lessons or board and train, the process starts the same way.
We meet your dog, talk through your goals, assess their temperament and current skill level, and recommend a training plan. This is where we figure out which program fits and give you honest expectations for timeline and outcomes.
Based on the evaluation, we build a program around your dog’s specific needs. Some dogs need 2 weeks of focused board and train. Others do better with 6 weeks of private lessons. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and we do not pretend otherwise.
For private lessons, you come to the facility once a week and work alongside your dog with guidance from the trainer. For board and train, your dog stays at the facility and receives multiple structured sessions per day on our farm property.
Before your dog goes home, we teach you how to maintain everything. You practice the commands, learn the handling techniques, and leave with a clear understanding of how to keep the training strong. Follow-up support is included.
Three ways to get your dog trained. All three produce the same result: a well-behaved dog with reliable commands. The difference is timeline, owner involvement, and budget.
One-on-one sessions at our facility. You work alongside your dog with direct guidance from the trainer. Best for owners who want to build the handling skills themselves.
Your dog lives at our facility and receives daily structured training combined with full boarding on our farm property. The fastest path to reliable obedience.
Pre-paid bundles of private lessons at a reduced per-session rate. Commit to the full program upfront and save versus booking individual sessions.
Full board and train program details here. Need help choosing? Call (828) 508-4448 and we will recommend the right fit.
We believe you should see the numbers before you call. Here is how Crabtree compares to the broader Asheville and Western NC training market.
| Service | Typical WNC Range | Crabtree |
|---|---|---|
| Private Lesson (1 hour) | $75 to $175 | $85 |
| 4-Session Package | $600 to $850 | $300 |
| 8-Session Package | $1,000 to $1,400 | $560 |
| 2-Week Board & Train | $1,500 to $2,900 | $800 |
| 3-Week Board & Train | $2,200 to $3,500 | $1,200 |
| Boarding Included? | Varies | Yes, always |
| Owner Transfer Session | Some charge extra | Always included |
| Farm Property Training | Rare | Fields, trails, pond |
Market ranges reflect publicly available rates and estimates from trainers in the Asheville, Hendersonville, and Western NC area as of early 2026. Exact competitor pricing may vary.
Real reviews from real dog owners in Western North Carolina.
“Our puppy Maggie had a wonderful experience at Crabtree Kennels. The kennels were very clean, spacious and climate controlled. The owners made us feel welcomed and assured us that our puppy would be well cared for. Crabtree’s owners were very flexible to meet us when we were available to drop and pick our puppy up. Would highly recommend!”
Read on Google →“I Found Chuck online, and he took my big boy last minute with no problem. He sent photos, daily updates, daily activities with him, he’s just been amazing! Highly recommended! He’s our new go to!”
Read on Google →“This place has a beautiful new building! Everything is super clean. The owners, Chuck and Kay are fantastic and extremely caring and helpful. I highly recommend! Reasonable price.”
Read on Google →Most dogs show noticeable improvement within 2 to 4 weeks of consistent work. Private lesson packages typically run 4 to 8 weeks with one session per week plus homework. Board and train programs run 2 to 3 weeks with multiple daily sessions. Every dog learns at a different pace, and factors like age, breed, and previous experience all play a role. We give you an honest timeline during the consultation.
Dogs can start basic obedience at any age. Puppies as young as 8 weeks can begin foundation work like sit, name recognition, and leash introduction. Older dogs benefit from training just as much. There is no such thing as “too old to learn.” We also offer a dedicated puppy training program for dogs under 6 months that covers socialization and housebreaking before moving into formal commands.
Private obedience lessons are $85 per hour. A 4-session package is $300 ($75/session) and an 8-session package is $560 ($70/session). Board and train programs are $400 per week with boarding included. Most dogs complete basic obedience board and train in 2 to 3 weeks ($800 to $1,200 total). Call (828) 508-4448 or fill out our contact form to get started.
Yes. We use modern e-collar conditioning at low, communication-level stimulation for off-leash reliability and recall. The e-collar is introduced after the dog understands the command through positive reinforcement. It is not used as punishment. Every dog is individually conditioned, and we show owners exactly how to use it before taking their dog home. If you have concerns or questions about this, bring them to the consultation. We are always happy to walk through the process.
All of them. While we specialize in retrievers and sporting breeds, our obedience program is designed for every dog. The fundamentals of sit, stay, come, heel, and leash manners apply regardless of breed. We adjust our approach based on your dog’s drive, temperament, and learning style.
Obedience training teaches specific commands and manners: sit, stay, come, heel, leash walking, place command, door manners. Behavior modification addresses deeper issues like aggression, severe anxiety, destructive behavior, or reactivity toward other dogs or people. Some dogs need both. During a consultation, we evaluate your dog and recommend the right approach for their situation.
Every training program includes an owner transfer session. We walk you through every command your dog learned, show you the handling techniques, and make sure you can maintain the training at home. For private lesson clients, this transfer happens naturally since you are involved in every session. For board and train clients, the pickup day includes a dedicated session where you practice with your dog under our guidance.
We also provide follow-up support after the program ends. If a behavior regresses or you need a refresher on a command, reach out and we will help.
It depends on your goals, your schedule, and your dog. Private lessons work well if you want to be hands-on in the process and can commit to weekly sessions plus homework at home. Board and train works well if you want faster results, if your schedule is tight, or if your dog needs the structure of an immersive environment. Some people do a board and train program followed by a few private tune-up sessions. We help you decide during the consultation.
Our obedience program covers everyday manners and commands that any dog owner needs: sit, stay, come, heel, leash walking, door manners, and real-world reliability. Our retriever training program is a separate, specialized program for gun dogs and sporting breeds. That covers field work, water retrieves, steadiness to wing and shot, blind retrieves, and AKC/UKC hunt test preparation. Different goals, different training. If you are not sure which fits your dog, call us and we will sort it out.
Socialization, crate training, housebreaking, and foundation commands. Start them right from 8 weeks.
Puppy program details →
Field work, water retrieves, steadiness, and AKC/UKC hunt test prep for retrievers and sporting breeds.
Retriever training details →
Full details on our board and train program. Daily structured training combined with boarding on our farm property. $400/week.
Board and train details →Tell us about your dog, your goals, and your schedule. We will recommend the right program and get you on the calendar.
(828) 508-4448