Big Friendly Dog Training in Oklahoma City: Board-and-Train Programs for Reactive and Anxious Dogs

Big Friendly Dog Training operates a specialized board-and-train facility in Oklahoma City focused on behavior modification for dogs with reactivity, anxiety, and aggression issues, rather than basic obedience for puppies or well-adjusted pets. The business boards dogs for typically two to four weeks while trainers work daily on desensitization and counterconditioning protocols, then sends dogs home with owner-training sessions to maintain progress.

What Big Friendly Dog Training actually does

Big Friendly Dog Training takes dogs into its facility, houses them, and runs a structured daily training program aimed at shifting emotional responses rather than teaching commands. This model suits owners whose dogs react fearfully or aggressively to other dogs, strangers, or specific triggers, and who need the dog to make progress while the owner is not present. The business does not operate a drop-in daycare or a standard group obedience class; it is a residential rehabilitation program. Most clients are dealing with dogs they adopted as adults, dogs with a history of fear-based behavior, or dogs whose behavior has deteriorated after an incident.

Programs, duration, and pricing

Board-and-train packages run from 14 to 28 days, with pricing typically $2,500 to $5,000 depending on length and severity of behavioral work required. A standard two-week program starts around $2,500; a full four-week intensive runs closer to $4,500 to $5,000. The facility includes boarding, daily one-on-one training sessions, and a follow-up owner-training session (usually one to three hours) to teach the owner how to maintain the dog's new baseline at home. Some clients add a second owner session within 30 days for an additional $300 to $500. Dogs with severe aggression or those requiring medication management may have higher costs; contact the facility directly to verify current rates, as pricing has adjusted annually.

The program typically includes evaluation, initial assessment of triggers and baseline behavior, desensitization work in controlled environments, and counterconditioning exercises. Trainers use primarily force-free methods, though the facility's specific protocols should be confirmed during a consultation call.

How it compares to other Oklahoma City training options

Oklahoma City has three main training approaches: group obedience classes (Zoom-based and in-person, $150 to $300 for six weeks), private one-on-one training with a trainer visiting your home ($75 to $150 per hour, one to two sessions per week), and board-and-train programs like Big Friendly Dog Training. Group classes work for puppies and dogs with minor manners issues but are unsuitable for reactive or aggressive dogs, which can escalate around other dogs or may be excluded by trainers for safety. Private in-home training gives you more control and costs less upfront, but requires owner consistency and does not remove the dog from its anxiety-triggering environment during the learning process, which slows progress for dogs with severe reactivity. Big Friendly Dog Training's board-and-train model removes the dog from triggering contexts, allows trainers to conduct intensive daily work, and front-loads the behavior change, making it the better fit for dogs that have bitten, bark and lunge on leash, or freeze and refuse to engage with their owner during walks. The trade-off is cost and temporary separation.

Who this suits and who it does not

This program is designed for owners of adult dogs with entrenched behavioral problems, owners with limited time or consistency to train at home, and owners of dogs whose behavior has caused injury or legal concern. It also suits owners willing to invest in short-term intensive work rather than months of weekly sessions with unpredictable progress. It is not appropriate for puppies learning basic obedience, dogs with no behavioral issues, owners seeking a low-cost solution, or owners who will not commit to owner training sessions and maintenance work after the dog comes home. Dogs that improve at the facility but receive no ongoing reinforcement at home often regress within weeks.

What happens on the first visit

Initial consultation is typically conducted by phone or video to discuss your dog's history, specific triggers, any incidents, veterinary or medication history, and your goals. The trainer will ask detailed questions about when the behavior started, what has been tried, and whether the dog has shown any aggression. If a fit is identified, you bring the dog to the facility for a one-hour in-person evaluation ($300 to $400, sometimes credited toward program cost). During this visit, the trainer observes the dog in the facility, tests response to common triggers in a controlled setting, and confirms whether the dog is appropriate for the program. Not all dogs are accepted; dogs with certain medical conditions, uncontrolled aggression, or dogs requiring medication adjustment may be referred to a veterinary behaviorist instead.

Hours, location, and logistics

Big Friendly Dog Training operates Monday through Friday for training sessions and weekday pickup and drop-off, though the facility boards dogs seven days a week. Standard hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for owner consultations and pickup; verify current hours before scheduling. The facility is located in northwest Oklahoma City off Northwest 23rd Street. Street parking is available on-site. Dogs are required to have current vaccinations (rabies, DHPP) and a negative fecal test or deworming within 30 days before boarding. Bring medical records, a photo of your dog, emergency contact information, and any medications at drop-off. Owners typically cannot visit during the boarding period to avoid undermining the training work, though photo or video updates are usually provided weekly.

Big Friendly Dog Training fills a gap for Oklahoma City owners dealing with dogs whose behavior has become unsafe or unmanageable at home, offering a structured alternative to prolonged one-on-one training when time or consistency is limited.