Private Lessons with expert Harrisburg dog trainers
Master Dog Training Alongside Your Canine Companion with Hard Nose K9 Services
Structured Obedience Programs That Actually Deliver
A well-trained dog brings more than just obedience — it brings peace of mind, more freedom, and a better quality of life for both of you. Whether you want to enjoy stress-free walks, trust your dog in public, or simply have a calmer household, consistent obedience gives you the foundation to enjoy your dog instead of constantly managing them. Investing in training now saves you time, frustration, and costly mistakes later — and creates a dog you can confidently include in more parts of your life.
We start every new client with a free 15-minute phone consultation, where we answer questions and schedule your in-person behavioral assessment. During that assessment, we’ll determine which obedience program fits best based on your goals — whether that’s basic leash manners, full off-leash control, or something in between. From there, you’ll be enrolled in a structured 3-, 5-, or 8-lesson program, with the option to add individual follow-up lessons if needed to finish or refresh the work.
You can choose between Private Lessons, where you're actively involved and coached through every step of the training, or Day Training, where we do the heavy lifting for you and transfer the results back to you. Private lessons are more affordable and help you build your own handling skills, while day training offers faster results with less effort on your end — ideal for busy schedules or first-time dog owners.
Every program is built around reaching real, practical goals — not just completing a set number of lessons. Whether you want your dog to walk politely on leash, come when called, or hold a place command around distractions, we’ll create a plan that fits your lifestyle and delivers results that last.
Ready to get started? Schedule your FREE 15-minute phone consultation today to find out which obedience program is the right fit for you and your dog.
Behavior Modification Program
If your dog’s behavior is creating daily stress or making simple activities feel like a challenge, you’re not alone. Many dogs struggle with reactivity, overstimulation, or anxiety simply because they haven’t been given the right structure or guidance. Barking or lunging at other dogs, growling at guests, freezing up in new environments, or constantly being “on edge” are all common issues owners face. This program helps you create clarity and consistency while teaching your dog how to stay calm and responsive in situations that previously felt overwhelming.
My Behavior Modification Program focuses on rebuilding your dog’s ability to stay calm and responsive under pressure through structure, obedience, and a system that reduces unwanted behavior while reinforcing more stable, confident responses. You’ll learn how to stop problem behaviors before they escalate, build lasting obedience in real-world settings, and finally get your dog to a place where walks feel peaceful and your home life is less chaotic. This isn’t about quick fixes or rigid formulas—it’s about giving you a reliable plan and guiding you through real change. You don’t need to keep guessing. Let me show you the way forward.
To get started, you’ll book an initial behavioral evaluation where we assess your dog’s temperament, triggers, and how resistant their behavior is to change. From there, we’ll decide on either a 5- or 8-lesson private training package. Our time together will focus on interrupting unwanted behavior, building a reliable obedience foundation, and gradually increasing exposure to triggering situations—so that your dog learns not just what not to do, but how to respond with calm and clarity no matter the environment.
Foundations Program (3 Lessons)
Goals:
Introduce structure and calm behavior
Build handler focus and communication
Lay groundwork for leash control and household manners
Skills Taught:
Name recognition & engagement
Intro to leash pressure / directional leash cues
Loose-leash walking (heel position not formal)
Sit & stay (short duration)
Intro to place or settle
Marker communication (yes / no / break)
Crate & threshold manners (if applicable)
Perfect for:
Puppies or newly adopted dogs with no prior training
Owners looking to establish structure, leash manners, and engagement
Dogs who are well-behaved but need clear communication and routine
Core Obedience Program (5 Lessons)
Goals:
Create consistent on-leash obedience
Improve public behavior and household structure
Begin proofing around mild distractions
Skills Taught:
Leash walking with calm auto-sits / heel structure
Sit & down (duration + release)
Place command with duration & distractions
Handler engagement and redirection from distractions
Intro to stay (within place or down)
Environmental neutrality (mild dog/people exposure)
Basic correction for known commands
Perfect for: Owners looking to establish reliable on-leash control in any environment, create peace within their home and dogs who struggle with impulse control, distractibility and hyperactivity.
Mastery Program (8 Lessons)
Full on- and off-leash control in the home, neighborhood, and public spaces.
This advanced program is designed for owners who want total control, off-leash freedom, and a dog that listens no matter where you go. We condition all core obedience to an e-collar (if used), proof those commands in real-world settings, and focus on handler engagement in high-distraction environments.
What your dog will learn:
Everything from the Core Program
Off-leash heeling, sit, down, and place
Reliable off-leash recall
Off-leash neutrality and behavior control in public
Long-distance duration commands with distractions
Perfect for: owners seeking off-leash reliability, outdoor freedom, or a dog that performs under pressure in any environment
