Scheduling & Availability: Call 706-614-0217 or email oldsalemkennel@gmail.com
Old Salem Kennel, Inc. | Watkinsville, Athens & North Georgia
Old Salem Kennel offers professional, in-board obedience training for dogs from Watkinsville, Athens, Bishop, Bogart, Madison, Lake Oconee, and surrounding North Georgia areas. Clients regularly travel from Atlanta, Augusta, and across the region seeking structured, one-on-one obedience training built on consistency, clarity, and long-term reliability.
This is not a volume-based program and not a quick-fix approach. Dogs are trained in a calm, disciplined environment with limited enrollment, personal oversight, and a long-term perspective shaped by decades of real-world experience.
With over 30 years of professional training experience and a lifetime spent working with dogs, obedience training at Old Salem Kennel is approached as a craft — not a trend.
Who This Obedience Program Is For
This obedience training program serves dog owners throughout Oconee County, Clarke County, Morgan County, and the greater North Georgia region, including those willing to travel from metro areas such as Atlanta and Augusta for higher-level, in-kennel training.
This program is designed for:
- Dogs needing clear, reliable obedience foundations
- Younger dogs beginning formal training
- Owners seeking structured, in-kennel training rather than weekly lessons
This program is not designed for dogs with serious behavioral issues, including human aggression, severe reactivity, or unsafe handling concerns. Obedience issues and behavioral issues are not the same. This program focuses on structure, clarity, and consistency — not behavioral rehabilitation.
If you’re unsure whether your dog is a good fit for this obedience program, please call 706-614-0217 or email oldsalemkennel@gmail.com to discuss before scheduling.
Training Environment & Daily Structure
Dogs enrolled in obedience training at Old Salem Kennel — serving clients from Watkinsville, Athens, Lake Oconee, Madison, Bishop, Bogart, and beyond — receive:
- One long, formal training session each day
- Up to three (sometimes four) shorter training sessions daily
- Exercise three times per day, included at no additional charge
Training expectations increase once a dog has settled into the kennel environment, typically after the first 7–10 days.
After this adjustment period, owners are included in training sessions as schedules permit, helping ensure clarity, consistency, and long-term success once the dog returns home.
Old Salem Kennel does not offer group training classes. All obedience work is conducted one-on-one, with each dog receiving individual attention. When other dogs are introduced into training sessions, it is done intentionally and under trainer control to add structured distractions — not as group training.
Core Obedience Focus
Obedience training is principle-based rather than checklist-driven. The emphasis is on:
- Calm position control and duration
- Clear responsiveness to the handler
- Reliable obedience under increasing distraction
Foundational obedience cues include attentive recall (here / come), controlled heeling, sit, down, and place. Place work is used in conjunction with sit and down to reinforce steadiness, clarity, and expectation.
Distractions are introduced gradually and appropriately so obedience holds beyond a quiet training environment — whether at home, in public spaces, or around other dogs.
Optional E-Collar Conditioning
If desired by the owner, e-collar conditioning and training may be included in any obedience program. This option must be discussed and agreed upon prior to enrollment.
E-collar use is never automatic and is applied thoughtfully and appropriately to the individual dog.
Obedience Training Programs
Serving Watkinsville, Athens, Lake Oconee, Madison & North Georgia
4-Week In-Board Obedience Training — $1,600
(Cash or check)
If paying via debit card, credit card, or electronic transfer, a 3.5% service fee applies.
This program focuses on:
- Foundational obedience
- Structure and consistency
- Clear expectations in a controlled environment
Best suited for younger dogs or dogs beginning formal obedience training.
6-Week In-Board Obedience Training — $2,250
(Payment in advance, cash or check)
A 3.5% service fee applies to debit card, credit card, or electronic transfer payments.
Includes everything in the 4-week program, plus:
Structured treadmill work
Treadmill sessions are used for conditioning and controlled movement, helping improve focus and physical discipline. They also serve as a practical alternative option for exercise during extreme weather — such as excessive heat, cold, snow, or heavy storms — when outdoor work may be limited. Treadmill work is supplemental and not a replacement for outdoor training.
As training progresses, dogs are introduced to working in the presence of other dogs at similar training levels, reinforcing obedience and focus while appropriate distractions are present. All work remains one-on-one and trainer-led.
8-Week In-Board Obedience Training — $2,800
(Cash or check; may be split into two payments)
A 3.5% service fee applies to debit card, credit card, or electronic transfer payments.
Includes everything in the 4- and 6-week programs, plus:
Off-site obedience training
Dogs are gradually introduced to real-world environments such as public parks and dog-friendly businesses, including feed stores, reinforcing obedience under everyday distractions.
Advanced distraction work with other dogs
Dogs in the 8-week program are required to work in the presence of other dogs during controlled, one-on-one training sessions. This may include working alongside dogs currently in training or the trainer’s personal dogs, including those at similar or more advanced levels. The goal is reliable obedience without reliance on isolation or artificial setups.
Hourly Obedience Consultations
Available to clients throughout North Georgia
Hourly obedience consultations are offered on a limited basis.
- $125 per hour
- Conducted on-site at Old Salem Kennel
- By appointment only
Hourly sessions are intended for evaluation, guidance, or follow-up support and are not a substitute for in-board obedience training programs.
Health & Vaccination Requirements
All dogs must be:
- Fully vaccinated
- On a veterinarian-recommended vaccination schedule
Owners should consult their veterinarian regarding appropriate vaccinations prior to enrollment.
Limited Enrollment & Scheduling
Old Salem Kennel maintains a small number of dogs in training at any one time to ensure personal oversight, consistency, and quality care.
Clients regularly travel from Watkinsville, Athens, Bishop, Bogart, Madison, Lake Oconee, Atlanta, and Augusta for obedience training.
Scheduling and enrollment are by phone, 706-614-0217 or email: oldsalemkennel@gmail.com
Please contact Old Salem Kennel to discuss availability and determine whether this program is the right fit for your dog.
Old Salem Kennel, Inc.
Todd Harvey
2122 Old Salem Rd.
Watkinsville, Ga. 30677
706-614-0217