The Dog Wizard in Moore: Board-and-Train Programs for Problem Behaviors

The Dog Wizard operates a board-and-train facility in Moore specializing in behavioral modification rather than basic obedience, taking dogs into a residential training environment for 2 to 4 weeks while owners learn handling techniques to maintain results at home.

What The Dog Wizard actually is

The Dog Wizard focuses on dogs with specific behavioral problems—aggression toward other dogs or people, resource guarding, leash reactivity, jumping, or fear-based anxiety—rather than teaching sit and stay commands. Unlike group classes where owners attend weekly sessions, this facility boards the dog full-time, meaning the trainer works with the animal intensively while the owner does not observe. The trainer then teaches the owner how to reinforce the trained behaviors once the dog returns home. This model suits owners whose schedules do not allow consistent class attendance or whose dogs need concentrated, immersive work away from their home environment.

Training methods and certification

The Dog Wizard uses primarily positive-reinforcement and relationship-based training; the business does not use shock collars or aversive punishment. The trainer holds certification through the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), which requires continuing education and adherence to an ethics code. Certification does not guarantee results for every dog, but it signals that the trainer understands learning theory and is held accountable to standards beyond word-of-mouth reputation.

Programs and pricing

Board-and-train packages run from 2 weeks ($1,400 to $1,800) to 4 weeks ($2,400 to $3,200), depending on the severity of the behavioral issue and whether the dog requires medication management during the stay. The price includes twice-daily training sessions, room and board, and a 2-hour owner consultation at the end. Some dogs stay longer if progress is slower; pricing for extended stays should be confirmed directly. No separate fees apply for pickup or drop-off at the Moore location. A deposit of 50 percent is required to reserve a board-and-train slot; cancellations within 14 days forfeit the deposit.

Comparison to other Moore and Oklahoma City training options

Group obedience classes at facilities like PetSmart Training in Oklahoma City cost $129 to $249 for a 6-week course and suit owners with well-adjusted dogs who need basic commands and owners who can attend weekly. The Dog Wizard is for dogs whose behavior is already problematic enough that group settings are unsafe or ineffective. Private in-home training, offered by independent trainers throughout Oklahoma City, typically runs $50 to $100 per hour and allows the trainer to work in the dog's familiar environment; this works well for mild issues but requires the owner to be present for every session. Board-and-train is the right choice when the dog needs full-time attention away from the home for 2 or more weeks and the owner wants structured owner education built in.

Who this suits and who it does not

Board-and-train works for owners of dogs with moderate to serious behavioral issues, owners who travel or work full-time and cannot attend weekly classes, and owners who have tried group classes or private sessions without success. It does not suit owners on a tight budget, owners who want their dog to stay at home during training, or owners whose dogs have medical conditions requiring owner-provided medications or care during the stay. Dogs with severe anxiety or illness may not be appropriate candidates; the facility screens new intakes by phone and sometimes requires a vet's clearance.

What the first visit involves

Before enrolling, owners complete a phone intake interview describing the dog's history, triggers, previous training attempts, and any medical conditions. The facility may request vet records and sometimes schedules an in-person assessment at the Moore location to evaluate whether the dog can safely board with other dogs during socialization breaks. Owners sign a liability waiver and agree to follow the trainer's written instructions for the 2 to 4 weeks following pickup. The trainer provides written progress reports weekly, though owners cannot drop in to visit their dog during the boarding period.

Hours, location, and logistics

The Dog Wizard operates in Moore, Oklahoma (address and exact hours should be confirmed by calling ahead, as board-and-train facilities sometimes have limited public hours for drop-offs). Parking is available on-site. The facility is residential, not a large commercial kennel, so intake and release are typically by appointment only. Availability for new intakes fills up 4 to 8 weeks in advance during spring and summer months; owners planning a board-and-train should call several weeks ahead.

The Dog Wizard fills a real gap in Oklahoma City's training landscape for owners whose dogs have behavioral issues that group classes cannot address and who have the budget and time to commit to a 2 to 4 week program.