We understand that your goal by having your dog attend the board and train is to enjoy your dog more, and we’re excited to make that happen. From manners in the home to pleasant loose leash walks and an off leash recall, these are key focuses throughout the board and train.

While we have our core obedience commands that we teach, our board and train program is tailored to each client. Whether it’s juggling a family household, off leash hiking, or handling the distraction of other dogs, we customize your dog’s training to your lifestyle.

OverWatch K9 Academy provides their board and train services to Columbus, Dublin, Worthington, Westerville, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, Pickerington, Hilliard, New Albany, Newark, Lancaster, Pataskala and all surrounding cities.

Our OverWatch trainer was Lucy, and she is absolutely amazing. She has a very calming presence and an unbelievable amount of knowledge of dog behavior and training. At our initial meeting, she made us feel comfortable while getting to know our pups, Bo & Millie. She let us know what to expect during their training and after as well. Lucy was very communicative while Bo & Millie were with her, answering texts and sending videos. This made us feel so much better while having our pups away.

In returning our pups, Lucy was extremely informative and told us if we ever had any questions, she would be there to aid us. We will be sending pictures, videos, and regular updates to Lucy. Our pups were in great hands and loved Lucy. We highly recommend Lucy and OverWatch K9.

We are so happy with the K9 academy! They trained our 10 month old Doberman and he is a completely different dog for the better. We have seen major improvements with recall, house manners, and leash work. The daily videos “highlight tapes” were the highlights of our day every day he was away at training. He went on so many fun and productive field trips. It was very obvious how much the trainers loved and cared about our dog, and took pride in they work they were doing with him! I would recommend K9 academy and Kerry to anyone who wants a happy, more manageable dog returned to them after graduation!

OverWatch K9 was the easy choice to make after researching and talking with several other companies / trainers. Nothing wrong with the other folks nothing really "clicked" with them. Paige returned my call the same day I requested info on their website. Her enthusiasm and knowledge was what we needed to sign up for the 14 day board and train program for Lucki. We adopted Luck from a shelter and had her about 3 weeks. I trained her to sit and down but clearly needed help going much beyond that! Lucy at Overwatch went above and beyond. She not only taught her the obedience "commands" but gave us so much valuable insight into what makes Lucki tick, and how to use it help in her overall training. Lucy is patient and caring and kind and gets good results quickly! From the initial phone call, pick up, daily updates, and finally the handoff graduation Lucy and Overwatch provided 5 star service. I like the post drop follow up availability too! Money very well spent for a companion we will have for the next 12 to 15 years. I would use Overwatch/Lucy again in a heartbeat for any new dogs in the future. Thank you all so much!

Obedience Commands Taught During The Board and Train Include:

• Off Leash Recall - Come When Called
• Heel - Loose Leash Walking
• Sit & Down Stay
• Place Stay
• Leave It & Drop It
• Nay - No, Stop
• Manners - Greeting Strangers, Door Manners, Counter Surfing

Some Key Points About The Board and Train:

• 2 Weeks Boarding with a Pro Dog Trainer in their private home
  • we let Each dog progress at their own speed and may ask for a few extra days at no additional cost
• Field Trips Throughout the city for real world distractions
  • Parks, Stores, & Columbus Landmarks
• Contact with Trainer With Progress Updates
  • Including Videos To Watch Your Dogs Progression
• Includes e-collar
• Door-to-Door Service
• 2+ Hour Lesson At Your Dog's Return To Home
• Lifetime Guarantee
  • Continued Education via Private Lessons as Needed for Free

Train Now, Pay Later Available Through Affirm

A properly trained dog eagerly seeks out their human to perform their obedience behaviors for them. Have you seen a dog hold eye contact with their person and follow them around without being asked? This unrequested attention is called engagement, and it is the building blocks of our dog training methodology.

Training a dog in drive keeps them eager and excited to be obedient. We take each dog's genetics into account, using their natural drive in their obedience training. Channeling their drive creates behaviors that are reliable and repetitive.

Throughout the board and train your dog will live with one of our professional dog trainers in their private home, and go throughout the city to practice around distractions. There is both targeted training time and free time. Being in a home environment allows the trainer to work with your dog on their obedience commands and overall manners throughout the day, such as grabbing items on the counter and jumping on guests.

• The dogs that come to our board and train program are trained in drive, making them eager and excited to be obedient. We don't diminish a dog's drive, instead we channel their drive into their obedience. This creates an exciting learning environment and explosive performance of their obedience behaviors, while maintaining their unique personality.
• The board and train includes continued education via private lessons, at no additional cost. We understand that your dog is an evolving animal. We are here for you whenever it is needed.
• Video updates throughout your dog's board and train lets you watch their progress, and see how much fun they're having!

The board and train is 2 weeks long, but each dog progresses at their own pace, and some may benefit from a few extra days to focus on specific behaviors. If your dog needs extra time to master their off leash recall or curb jumping, for example, we’ll let you know. The maximum duration is 3 weeks, and there is no additional charge.

Everyone’s favorite part! Your trainer will keep you informed via video, photo, and text updates. You’ll receive highlights throughout the board and train, being able to watch your dogs progression! 

We understand that your dog is an evolving animal. After completion of our board and train we never charge you for additional training. We provide refreshers as needed, coming to your home or the environment that you’re needing assistance. Your dog is a testament to our training expertise, and we want to keep him sharp!

To reserve your dog’s starting date of the board and train we require a $400 deposit, with the balance due the day their board and train begins. To make a reservation, give us a call or fill out our form.

We’ll ask you to email your dog's vaccination records and pack plenty of food. Sending food and having a standard collar on your dog are our only requirements, your trainer will have treats, toys, food and water bowls, and a crate for overnight sleeping.

For the board and train we offer a convenient door-to-door service, simplifying the process of arranging pick up and drop off. Having your dog return from his board and train and perform his obedience training in his home environment is invaluable! 

Or call us directly at 614-686-4364

SOME OF OUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Absolutely! Our goal is for you and your dog to be communicating seamlessly. We’ll demonstrate everything your dog learned, dive into our training methods, and guide you through the process.

Yes, we do! Whether a new behavior pops up or regression occurs just reach out, we’ll provide support wherever needed, even meeting you at specific locations for targeted guidance at no cost. Continued education ensures your dog remains a testament to our obedience training expertise! 

Certainly! Our obedience training easily transfers to the owner. We’ll teach you how to communicate effectively when your dog comes home. 

Utilizing your dog’s genetics, we channel their drive (energy) into the training, creating obedient dogs that are confident and enthusiastic to perform their obedience. Our obedience training methods are backed by our founder’s three decades of experience training and competing with dogs, working with exotic animals, supplying the military, police and FEMA with K9s, and seminars he conducts throughout the country.

We sent our two 1 year old pit mix dogs to the board and train program and could not be happier with our experience! Lucy went above and beyond to make sure they were loved and cared for while they were with her. We had a rough start with some separation anxiety but she was patient and helped them through it. She never gave up on them even when it would have been easy to. Every day we got videos and seeing the progress they were making, and how happy they were doing it, was amazing to watch. When she brought them back to us we took them on a walk together, which was something we were never able to do before. I feel confident we could take them out anywhere and they will be able to handle it now. They aren't jumping up on people anymore and just seem like very happy well adjusted dogs! Knowing we can check in anytime and get help if we ever need it makes us feel confident that we can handle anything that comes up. I am so happy we found Overwatch K9 Academy and would recommend them to anyone who needs help with their dogs!

We sent our 8 month old Golden Retriever/ Irish Setter mix to Kirstin for the 2 week board and train program, and I cannot emphasize how amazing and worthwhile it is! He came back more confident, more eager to please, and more self satisfied. He learned how to be off leash, walk on a leash, stay, door manners, house manners, etc. He no longer barks at us when we tell him no lol! He went from dragging me across the yard to being off leash outside with me with no concerns. Kirstin communicated with us on the daily about his progress and was very easy to get a hold of. She took great care of Bear and you could tell she was just as invested in him as we are! Cannot recommend Kirstin or this program enough! Life changing!

Everything about dealing with OverWatch K9 was professional, efficient and EFFECTIVE. We sent a one-year-old puppy (aka wild man) and he came back a perfect young gentleman. He might have been a quick learner and we are doing our best to keep up with the lessons -- leash, heel, off, stay, sit and stay, place, and more. He no longer pulls at every piece of paper on a table or on the counter (although he did swipe a big piece of pate without our knowing it). He clearly took to the trainer, and through daily videos, it looked like she liked him, too. Very nice to have pick up and delivery also. We are true fans.

My wife and I just wanted to send you a quick message and let you know how happy we've been with Winston's progress. Winston is our 10-month old Springer Spaniel. Kerry started working with Winston (and us!) doing puppy training, and then he stayed with her for two weeks of advanced training. He is such a gentleman now! We are so happy we invested in your training programs and Kerry has been great to work with. Thank you so much!

We LOVE Lucy! My 15 month old goldendoodle went to her last month and came back a much calmer well behaved girl! She's just as loving. We now know however what she needs to be successful on and off leash, around others and just as home! We cannot thank Lucy enough and will take any future pups to her as well!

This was a fantastic experience for Archie (our 6 month old Lab) and our household! He started out with the in-home puppy classes and then went onto the board and train. We received videos and text updates every day! Our trainer was Kerry and she was amazing with Archie!

Lucy is an amazing, knowledgeable, caring and communicative trainer. We are so lucky to have found her for our Nala. Even though we traveled out of the country, Lucy made sure we were updated daily on Nala's progress and well being. Knowing we can contact Lucy in the future with any questions is a bonus of this service. In less than 2 weeks, Lucy was able to help Nala be the best girl we know she is. I 1000% recommend OverWatch K9 to anyone who is looking to help their dog with its training. I never thought I would be able to walk Nala without being pulled down the block, now we are both enjoying adventures knowing I have the tools to keep us both safe.

We sent out 5 month old St. Berdoodle, Teddy, to OverWatch K9 because we knew he was going to be a big dog that might be hard to physically handle. We wanted to make sure we could take him out in public without worrying about his size. Kerry did an incredible job teaching Teddy many different commands including leash manners, not to jump on people, sit, stay, leave it, etc. We are so happy with our well manner puppy that Kerry trained. People often can't believe he is a puppy because he is so well behaved and knows so many commands. I would highly recommend Kerry if you need help training your pup.

Or call us directly at 614-686-4364

When you join the OverWatch K9 Family you get a team of dedicated professionals, passionately engaged in their profession. Our dog trainers are certified and trained beyond obedience techniques, diving into the behavior and instincts of your dog.

OverWatch K9's Trainers are the top dog trainers in the industry. We utilize dog training techniques used by military, police, movie dogs, and exotic animal training.

We train dogs in drive, putting them into an elevated state of motivation. Our dog training methods harnesses their natural instincts, making the dogs eager to repeatedly demonstrate their obedience skills.

At OverWatch K9 Academy we believe that obedience training should be fun! To the dog, work is play, while we are creating reliable behaviors.

No more leash tangles or pulling! After having your dog trained, enjoy your walks with your dog! We teach both a formal heel next to you, and a free walk without a particular position and no pulling!

Imagine letting your dog stretch their legs, wind blowing through their fur, getting their pent up energy out! Let your dog be a dog thanks to their reliable recall to come when called! This life-saving command is a key focus for every dog ​​that attends our dog training programs.

Say goodbye to chaos! Our dog training techniques will help your pup become the CEO (Chief Enjoyment Officer) of a happy and harmonious household. Dog training can be a fun benefit for the whole family!