In-Home Dog Training
in Royal Oak, MI

35+ Years Experience | Lifetime Guarantee | Proprietary Doglish Method

Your dog learns better when training happens in your home, not a sterile facility. Alternative Canine Training brings professional dog training directly to your Royal Oak residence, addressing behavioral problems where they actually occur: at your doorbell, with your family members, around your real-world distractions.

✓ We Come to You: In-home training where problems actually occur
✓ Lifetime "Obedience for Life" Guarantee: Free follow-up sessions if issues return
✓ Michigan's Puppy Expert: Trained celebrity clients, NHL players, news anchors

Call or text (734) 462-2810 to schedule your free consultation.

Call: (734) 462-2810

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Why In-Home Dog Training Gets Better Results

Traditional training centers teach dogs to behave in one sterile environment. Back home, old behaviors return because your dog never learned to respond with your apartment hallway noise, your condo elevator encounters, or your actual neighborhood distractions.

Real-world problems need real-world solutions. Training in your Royal Oak home or condo addresses the behaviors that actually frustrate you: barking when neighbors walk past your door, pulling toward downtown sidewalk distractions, or jumping on guests in your entryway.

Urban living creates specific training challenges. Shared building hallways where neighbors pass your door constantly. Elevators where dogs encounter strangers in confined spaces. Busy sidewalks requiring perfect leash manners. These situations need practice in your actual environment, not a generic training facility miles away.

Training includes your entire household. Dogs need consistent communication from everyone in your Royal Oak apartment or condo. Family members participate in training sessions so everyone uses the same methods, eliminating confusion for your dog.

Your dog learns to stay calm when your downstairs neighbor comes home, not when a stranger enters a training facility. They ignore Main Street crowds and sidewalk dining distractions, not generic classroom scenarios. Results last because we train for your actual Royal Oak lifestyle.

Dog Training Services
in Royal Oak, MI

We offer seven different training formats so you can choose what works best for your schedule, budget, and dog's needs.

Silver Program (Most Popular)

In-home personalized training for household obedience. Private sessions in your Royal Oak home teach sit, stay, down, reliable recall, leash walking without pulling, door control to prevent escape artists, and boundary training for apartments and condos.

Perfect for families wanting well-mannered dogs who listen in everyday situations. Includes lifetime "Obedience for Life" guarantee, which means free follow-up sessions if behavioral issues return while you maintain our prescribed methods.

Gold Program (Advanced)

Everything in Silver Program, plus off-leash public access training. We take your dog to downtown Royal Oak restaurants, Main Street sidewalks, Mark Twain Dog Park, and public areas to build advanced control around serious distractions.

Perfect for serious aggression cases or when you need advanced control. Includes socialization with other dogs, people, children, and cats in real-world environments. Result: Take your dog anywhere comfortably, whether brewery patios, outdoor dining on Washington Avenue, or Royal Oak's annual Barktoberfest festival.

Puppy Consultation

1.5 to 2 hour in-home session for $129. Topics include housebreaking strategies specific to your home layout, stopping destructive chewing before it becomes habit, teaching bite inhibition to puppies with sharp teeth, and foundation commands like sit, stay, and recall.

Perfect for new puppy owners with dogs aged 9 weeks to 4.5 months. We assess breed characteristics, evaluate family dynamics, and design training plans from the dog's point of view. Early intervention prevents behavioral problems before they develop into serious issues.

Boot Camp (14-Day Intensive)

Residential training where dogs stay in our trainer's home for 14 days (minimum age: 6 months). This is NOT a kennel. Your dog lives in a home environment, learning manners around normal household activities.

Includes four follow-up human training sessions after graduation because the dog must respect YOU, not just the trainer. We teach you everything your dog learned so you can maintain results. Topics covered: all basic commands, socialization with people and dogs, household boundaries, potty training, and behavioral fixes for barking, destructive chewing, or aggression.

Group Classes

Small classes held at two Pet Supplies Plus locations. Class options include Puppy Pre-School ($129), Basics ($155), Intermediate ($149), Advanced ($149), and Canine Good Citizen certification preparation ($149).

Perfect for budget-conscious owners or dogs needing socialization practice with other dogs in controlled settings. Includes lifetime "Obedience for Life" guarantee just like private programs.

See "Group Class Locations" section below for directions from Royal Oak.

Behavioral Workshops

For dogs who already know basic commands but have one stubborn problem behavior. Format: 2-3 hour in-home assessment, followed by customized 3-6 week rehabilitation plan.

Topics addressed: aggression toward people or dogs, separation anxiety causing destructive behavior when left alone, resource guarding of food or toys, and leash reactivity. Includes lifetime phone support for questions. Requires strict adherence to prescribed methods because consistency determines success.

Online Training (Zoom)

5-6 week programs via live Zoom sessions with video library access between classes. Options include Basic Obedience (6 weeks) covering sit, stay, down, recall, and leash training, plus Puppy Training (5 weeks) for owners with young dogs.

Perfect for busy professionals working from home who want flexibility. Weekly live meetings allow customized feedback and questions. Video library enables self-paced practice on your schedule between sessions.

Not sure which program fits? Call (734) 462-2810 for a free consultation.

What Makes Our Training Different: The Doglish Method

Alternative Canine Training uses a proprietary approach called "Doglish," which means teaching dogs in their natural communication language instead of traditional command-based methods forcing repetition until compliance.

The Doglish method mimics how mother dogs teach puppies using body language and natural cues. Dogs respond to communication patterns they instinctively understand, which accelerates learning and improves retention. Training works with your dog's instincts instead of fighting against them.

We follow L.I.M.A. principles (Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive), which means no harsh corrections, no shock collars, no force-based methods causing fear or pain. We teach appropriate responses rather than suppressing behavior through intimidation. Dogs who respect you naturally, not out of fear, create better long-term relationships.

Your dog learns to communicate with you, not just obey commands. When dogs understand what you're asking through natural language they recognize, responses come faster and last longer. This approach addresses the "7-7-7 rule" concept: early socialization and communication foundations during critical puppy development periods create well-adjusted adult dogs.

Results come faster because we work with your dog's instincts, not against them. Training becomes collaboration instead of domination. Dogs retain commands longer because they understand the communication, not just the consequence of ignoring you.

Common Behavioral
Problems We Fix

No dog is too aggressive, too anxious, or too stubborn. We've solved thousands of behavioral problems across Metro Detroit over 25+ years.

Aggression

Dog-to-dog fighting or lunging, food guarding where dogs become possessive over meals, territorial behavior toward visitors or delivery people, fear-based aggression from past trauma or abuse, protective aggression around family members, and leash reactivity causing explosive reactions toward other dogs during walks.

Separation Anxiety

Destructive behavior when left alone including chewing furniture or destroying doors, excessive barking disturbing neighbors when owners leave, and house soiling accidents only occurring during absences.

Leash Issues

Pulling so hard walks become unpleasant, lunging at other dogs or people making walks stressful, refusing to walk from fear or stubbornness, and reactivity causing embarrassing outbursts on neighborhood walks.

House Training Problems

Accidents indoors despite regular bathroom breaks, marking territory inside the house with urine, and incomplete house training where dogs are sometimes reliable but not always.

Destructive Chewing

Furniture damage costing thousands in repairs, shoes and personal items destroyed, walls or doors damaged from anxiety, and dangerous chewing of electrical cords or toxic items.

Jumping on People

Guests greeted with muddy paws or knocked over, family members jumped on causing injury or annoyance, and strangers approached aggressively during walks.

Excessive Barking

Barking at doorbell or knocks making visitors uncomfortable, barking at passersby through windows, barking at other dogs heard but not seen, and barking when left alone creating neighbor complaints.

Fear and Shyness

Timid dogs hiding from people or situations, fear of specific environments like veterinary clinics or grooming facilities, and anxiety preventing normal activities.

Our Gold Program specializes in serious aggression cases requiring intensive intervention. Silver Program handles most household behavioral issues effectively.

Meet Bonny Wainz: Michigan's Puppy Expert

Bonny Wainz founded Alternative Canine Training in 2000 (sole owner since 2009) and brings 35+ years of professional dog training experience to every Royal Oak client. She has trained thousands of dogs across Metro Detroit, developing expertise that comes only from decades working with every breed, every age, every behavioral challenge.

Specialty Areas: Puppy training, behavior modification, general obedience, and long-distance control (achieving 300-400 feet off-leash reliability using hand signals and whistle commands).

Notable Clients: Bonny has trained dogs for high-profile Detroit area figures including Steve Yzerman (NHL Detroit Red Wings legend), Kirk Maltby (NHL player), Aaron Ward (NHL player), Paula Tutman (NBC Detroit news reporter), Val Clark (Channel 7 Action News reporter), Dick Purtan (radio personality), Monica Gayle (news anchor), and Chad Mitchell (Detroit radio).

Media Features: FOX2 Detroit, Channel 7 News, C&G News, and multiple radio interviews discussing training methods and success stories.

Training Philosophy: "My best attribute is that I love seeing dogs and their owners living happy, joyful, and peaceful lives together." Bonny uses body language and natural training methods mimicking how mother dogs teach puppies, creating respect-based relationships instead of fear-based compliance.

Certifications and Credentials:

- CDTA (Certified Dog Trainer Association)
- PDTI (Professional Dog Trainers International)
- L.I.M.A. certified (Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive methods)
- Dog CPR and First Aid certified
- AKC Judge status
- Obedience championship titles
- UKC Hunt Test proficiency
- Competition experience in obedience trials

Additional Team Members

Cindi Fleishans brings 20+ years of dog training experience with specialization in service dog training. She has trained diabetic alert dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and psychiatric service dogs. Cindi joined Alternative Canine Training in 2004 and teaches both group classes and private in-home sessions.

Karen Deren serves as office manager and scheduler, having worked with Alternative Canine Training for 18 years. Karen started as a client approximately 20 years ago and loved the results so much she volunteered to answer phones, eventually becoming permanent staff. She owns two rescue Greyhounds and two rescue Shar Peis.

Jen Dafoe specializes in boot camp training and brings experience from working with Leader Dogs for the Blind, bringing professional expertise in intensive residential training programs.

What to Expect:
How Our Training Works

Free Consultation

Phone or in-person discussion lasting 15-20 minutes where we learn about your dog's behavioral issues, your household dynamics, and your training goals. You ask questions about our programs, pricing, and which format fits your situation. No pressure, just information gathering so we can design the right plan.

Assessment and Plan

First session includes comprehensive behavior assessment in your Royal Oak home. We evaluate breed characteristics affecting behavior, family dynamics influencing how your dog responds, and environmental factors in your specific living situation. Custom training plan designed for your dog's specific needs, not generic cookie-cutter approaches.

Training Sessions

Frequency depends on program selected. Silver Program typically involves weekly private sessions. Boot Camp runs 14 consecutive days. Group classes meet once weekly. Family members learn alongside the dog because everyone needs consistent communication methods. Practice homework between sessions reinforces lessons.

Lifetime Support

"Obedience for Life" guarantee means free follow-up sessions if behavioral issues return while you maintain our prescribed methods. Phone support available for questions arising after program completion. Discounted access to advanced programs if you want to continue training beyond initial goals.

Timeline Expectations: Most dogs master basic obedience in 4-8 weeks with weekly sessions. Advanced training and serious behavioral issues may require 8-12 weeks for reliable results. Boot Camp achieves faster initial results (14 days) but requires owner follow-through with four human training sessions to maintain progress.

Group Class Locations
for Royal Oak Residents

Prefer group classes? We hold weekly classes at two Pet Supplies Plus locations. Royal Oak is closest to Royal Oak residents.

Pet Supplies Plus Royal Oak

Address: 27882 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Pet Supplies Plus Bloomfield Hills

Address: 4295 Telegraph Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Class Schedule:
Classes run weekly. Call (734) 462-2810 for current schedule and availability.

Dog Training in Royal Oak:
Local Context

Where Royal Oak Dog Owners Train

Downtown Royal Oak

Royal Oak dog owners enjoy downtown Royal Oak (Main Street and Washington Avenue), a mile-long walkable district with 21 dog-friendly restaurants featuring outdoor seating. This trendy, upscale urban environment provides premier public access training opportunities. Practice calm behavior at brewery patios, sidewalk dining, and craft shops. The award-winning shopping and dining district means more real-world distraction training locations than any other Metro Detroit city. Our Gold Program prepares dogs for downtown outings where well-behaved pets are expected, not just tolerated.

Mark Twain Dog Park

Mark Twain Dog Park at 4600 N Campbell Road offers Royal Oak's official 7-acre off-leash facility with membership access ($40 residents, $65 non-residents). This fenced park with controlled entry through membership ensures all dogs are vaccinated, creating a safe environment for advanced recall training. The membership requirement demonstrates Royal Oak's commitment to quality dog facilities. Our training prepares your dog for the off-leash reliability needed to earn this privilege.

English Gardens Nursery

For intermediate distraction training, English Gardens Nursery at 4901 Coolidge Highway welcomes leashed dogs inside. This large garden center provides unique smells from plants and displays, foot traffic from shoppers, and indoor retail environment practice. It's perfect for "leave it" command training around tempting items and building confidence before progressing to busier downtown settings.

Wagner Park

Wagner Park at Rochester Road and Detroit Avenue features an 18-hole disc golf course and unfenced dog run area. The unfenced layout requires solid recall and stay commands for safety, making it an excellent real-world training challenge. Multi-use park means distraction training opportunities with frisbee golfers, hammock setups, and foot traffic. Park hours run 6am-11pm daily.

Quickstad Park Off-Leash Dog Area

Quickstad Park Off-Leash Dog Area at 900 Lexington Boulevard features a spacious field for running and playing with other dogs. Note that this area is not fully fenced and may have leash requirement changes, so call (248) 246-3000 to verify current policies before visiting.

Common Challenges for Royal Oak Dog Owners

White-Tailed Deer Population

White-tailed deer population creates unexpected urban wildlife encounters. Oakland County ranked second among Michigan's 83 counties for car-deer crashes in 2022 with 2,009 incidents. Close to 2,000 deer-vehicle encounters occur annually in Oakland County. White-tailed deer frequent Royal Oak neighborhoods due to abundant food sources and landscaping. Dogs encountering deer in residential areas, parks, or during walks need solid impulse control and recall training to prevent dangerous chase situations, especially near Woodward Avenue or other major roads.

Our training focuses on impulse control around wildlife distractions common in Royal Oak neighborhoods. With Oakland County recording 2,000+ deer-vehicle collisions yearly, a dog chasing deer toward Woodward Avenue poses serious danger. Reliable recall and "leave it" commands become essential safety skills, not optional extras.

Woodward Avenue Traffic

Woodward Avenue traffic creates constant vehicle distractions. Woodward runs through Royal Oak as the Detroit area's main north-south thoroughfare, with 68,359 vehicles daily on the stretch south of 14 Mile Road. This represents one of the highest traffic counts along the entire highway. Commercial districts near 13 Mile Road and Beaumont Hospital create additional traffic concentration. Dogs living near or crossing Woodward need exceptional leash discipline and street-crossing awareness. High traffic volume means higher stakes for recall failures or pulling behaviors.

Dense Suburban Housing

Dense suburban housing with mix of single-family homes, condos, and apartments creates close-proximity living challenges. Average apartment rent reaches $1,490/month, with 67% of rentals in the $1,001-$1,500 range. Downtown areas feature modern high-rise condos where dogs share walls with neighbors, elevators with strangers, and hallways with constant foot traffic. Barking complaints become serious issues in shared living spaces. Apartment and condo residents need dogs trained for hallway encounters, elevator behavior, and separation anxiety solutions that prevent noise complaints.

Our in-home training addresses your exact Royal Oak living situation, whether you're in a Towar Park single-family home, a Coventry Park neighborhood, or a downtown high-rise condo. We train for real scenarios: barking when neighbors walk past your door, calm behavior in elevators, and separation anxiety that respects shared walls.

Wagner Park

Urban Socialization Demands

Urban socialization demands define Royal Oak dog ownership. The walkable downtown attracts year-round crowds for restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and nightlife. With 21 dog-friendly restaurants, Royal Oak expects well-behaved dogs in public spaces. Poorly socialized dogs miss out on brewery patios, sidewalk dining, and annual events like Barktoberfest in September at Memorial Park. Reactive or anxious dogs cannot navigate busy Main Street sidewalks, outdoor patios, or crowded festivals.

Royal Oak's energetic downtown isn't just dog-friendly, it demands advanced socialization and public access skills. Our training prepares dogs for real Royal Oak experiences: brewery patios with foot traffic, sidewalk dining with food distractions, and downtown festivals with crowds and noise. Training unlocks the full Royal Oak lifestyle where dogs become social companions, not stay-at-home pets.

Royal Oak Dog Owners Love
Alternative Canine Training

Paula, a professional news reporter with demanding work schedules, needed a well-behaved dog who could handle her unpredictable hours and high-stress household. Bonny's in-home training approach addressed the specific challenges of Paula's lifestyle.

Jim's testimonial emphasizes the dual focus on dog and owner training. Alternative Canine Training's approach ensures families understand how to communicate effectively with their dogs, creating lasting relationships built on respect and clear expectations.

The Wilsons needed public access training so Reese could accompany them to high-profile events and travel. This testimonial demonstrates Alternative Canine Training's Gold Program success: dogs who behave reliably anywhere, from quiet homes to crowded public venues.

Chad's multi-dog household success demonstrates Alternative Canine Training's ability to manage complex family dynamics where multiple dogs need training. His experience shows how professional training creates harmony in homes with more than one pet.

Join hundreds of satisfied Royal Oak dog owners.
Call (734) 462-2810 to get started.

Call: (734) 462-2810 Signup Now

Dog Training Pricing
in Royal Oak, MI

Every dog is unique. In-home programs (Silver and Gold) are customized to your dog's specific behavioral needs, your household situation, and your training goals. This customization ensures you pay for exactly what your dog needs, not generic packages that might include unnecessary components.

Lifetime guarantee means you pay once, supported forever. If behavioral issues return while you maintain our prescribed methods, we provide free follow-up sessions at no additional cost. No other trainer in Metro Detroit offers this level of long-term commitment to your success.

Call (734) 462-2810 for a free consultation and personalized quote.

Puppy Consultation (1.5-2 hours)

$129

Puppy Pre-School Class

$129

Group Classes (per class)

$149-155

Puppy Foundation Package (2 classes)

$239

Silver Program (In-Home)

Custom quote

Gold Program (Advanced)

Custom quote

Boot Camp (14-day residential)

Custom quote

Online Training (5-6 weeks)

Contact for details

Frequently Asked Questions About
Dog Training in Royal Oak

How much does dog training cost in Royal Oak, MI?

Puppy consultations start at $129 for 1.5-2 hours of in-home training. Group classes range from $129-155 per class. In-home programs (Silver and Gold) are customized to your dog's needs, so pricing varies based on behavioral complexity, training goals, and number of sessions required. Call (734) 462-2810 for a free consultation and personalized quote. All programs include our lifetime "Obedience for Life" guarantee.

What is the Doglish method?

Doglish is our proprietary training approach that teaches dogs in their natural communication language. Instead of forcing commands through repetition, we mimic how mother dogs teach puppies using body language and natural cues. It's based on L.I.M.A. principles (Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive), which means no harsh corrections, shock collars, or force-based methods. Dogs learn faster and retain training longer because we work with their instincts. This approach addresses early socialization and communication foundations similar to the "7-7-7 rule" for puppy development.

How long does dog training take?

Most dogs master basic obedience in 4-8 weeks with weekly sessions. Advanced training or serious behavioral issues (aggression, severe separation anxiety) may take 8-12 weeks for reliable results. Boot camp achieves initial training in 14 days plus four follow-up sessions for owner education. Online programs run 5-6 weeks. Every dog learns at their own pace, and our lifetime guarantee means we support you as long as needed, not just through a fixed program duration.

Do you offer in-home dog training in Royal Oak?

Yes. In-home training is our primary service model. We come to your Royal Oak home for all Silver and Gold Program sessions. Training where problems occur (your apartment, your condo, your actual neighborhood) creates better results than facility-based training where dogs behave well in sterile classrooms but revert to bad habits at home. We also offer group classes at Pet Supplies Plus (Royal Oak and Bloomfield Hills locations) and a 14-day residential boot camp where dogs stay in the trainer's home, not kennels.

Can you train aggressive dogs

Yes. Our Gold Program specializes in serious aggression cases including dog-to-dog aggression, food guarding, territorial behavior toward visitors, fear-based aggression from past trauma, and leash reactivity. Bonny Wainz has 35+ years experience with aggressive dogs and uses the L.I.M.A. approach (no harsh corrections that escalate aggression). We train in your home and gradually introduce real-world environments to build confidence and control. Aggression requires customized approaches, not generic obedience classes.

Do you serve all of Royal Oak and nearby neighborhoods?

Yes. We provide in-home training throughout Royal Oak and all Oakland County communities. Downtown Royal Oak, Towar Park, Coventry Park, Woodwardside, Starr Acres, Forest Heights, Vinsetta Park, and all 19 Royal Oak neighborhoods are within our service area. For group classes, we hold sessions at Pet Supplies Plus in Royal Oak and Bloomfield Hills. Call (734) 462-2810 to confirm service at your specific address.

Schedule Your Free Dog Training Consultation in Royal Oak

Ready to transform your dog's behavior? Alternative Canine Training has helped thousands of Royal Oak families solve behavioral problems and build lasting obedience. Our lifetime guarantee means you're supported forever, not just through the program.

Call or text (734) 462-2810 today, or fill out the form below to schedule your free consultation.

PHONE/TEXT:
(734) 462-2810

EMAIL:
[email protected]

OFFICE:
1113 Butternut Ave,
Royal Oak, MI 48073

HOURS:
Mon-Sat 9 AM - 6 PM

Join hundreds of satisfied clients across Metro Detroit who trust Alternative Canine Training for professional, effective, humane dog training that creates lasting results.

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In-Home Dog Training
in Royal Oak, MI

Why In-Home Dog Training Gets Better Results