First Dog Foundations
$349Six weekly small-group classes covering home routines, polite greetings, loose-leash walking, recall and calm public behavior. Capped at six dogs.
Good Start Hound
Six weeks. Six dogs maximum. Real trainer feedback.
Calmer walks. Better habits. Happier days.
First Dog Foundations gives new puppy and rescue owners in Raleigh a simple reward-based system for pulling, barking, accidents, biting and recall. Get weekly small-group coaching, guided home practice and clear next steps for $349.
Build the habits that make life with your new dog easier
In six weeks, you will know what to practice, how to handle setbacks and how to guide your dog calmly at home and around Raleigh.
A calmer home routine
Reduce accidents, biting, barking and door chaos with simple routines your dog can understand and your household can repeat.
Walks with less pulling
Teach your dog to stay connected on leash so neighborhood walks feel more controlled, comfortable and enjoyable.
A recall you can build on
Practice getting your dog to turn and come when called, even when everyday sights, smells and sounds compete for attention.
Better manners in public
Help your dog settle, focus and make calmer choices around people and dogs at patios, parks and pet-friendly shops.
Confidence about what to do next
Replace conflicting online advice with one clear reward-based system you can use when a new behavior problem appears.
A stronger bond without guesswork
Learn to read your dog, reward the right moments and respond consistently so trust grows through everyday practice.
What changed after six weeks
By week three, Juniper stopped treating every walk like a sled race. I learned exactly when to reward her, and now we can pass another dog on the Greenway without getting dragged across the path.
Our rescue, Cal, barked at every guest who came through the door. The doorway routine we practiced gave us a clear plan. Last weekend, he stayed on his mat while four friends came in.
I was cleaning up accidents almost every morning and blaming myself for missing the signs. The class helped me set a schedule I could actually follow. Pepper has now gone five straight weeks without an accident indoors.
Built for the first six months, when small problems grow fast
Good Start Hound began after trainer Casey Morgan kept meeting Raleigh owners who had tried five different online fixes and still dreaded walks, visitors and bedtime. They did not need more advice. They needed one clear system, practiced with their own dog and adjusted by a trainer who could see what was happening. Casey is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed and has coached more than 400 puppy and rescue-dog teams since 2018. Training is reward-based, practical and focused on daily life: calmer greetings, loose-leash walks, reliable responses, fewer accidents and less biting or barking. Every First Dog Foundations class is capped at six dogs. That gives you time to ask questions, practice each skill and receive direct feedback before you try it at home. You leave each week with a short plan you can repeat, not a list of rules to remember.
Six weeks of hands-on help for a calmer life with your new dog
First Dog Foundations gives you a clear reward-based training system for $349. You will learn what to practice, how to reward progress and what to change when a skill is not clicking. Each class is capped at six dogs, so you and your dog receive individual coaching every week.
- Six weekly 60-minute small-group classes led by a professional dog trainer
- Step-by-step training for house manners, puppy biting, jumping, barking and settling
- Practical leash skills for calmer neighborhood walks and public outings
- Recall games that teach your dog to turn and come when called
- Guided practice for polite greetings around people and other dogs
- A weekly home practice plan designed for short, repeatable sessions
- Direct trainer feedback on your timing, rewards and handling in every class
- Six-dog class limit so your questions and challenges receive personal attention
Dog Training Programs
Start with the six-week foundations program or book focused help for one stubborn problem. All training uses practical, reward-based steps you can repeat at home.
Puppy Home Start Visit
$145A 75-minute home session for crate routines, toilet training, puppy biting, safe play and the first week schedule.
New Rescue Reset Visit
$145A 75-minute home session to set up decompression, household boundaries, visitor routines and low-stress neighborhood walks.
Loose-Leash Walking Clinic
$69A 90-minute outdoor workshop for pulling, stopping, direction changes and passing everyday distractions. Limited to five dogs.
Recall Practice Lab
$69A 90-minute fenced-field class that builds a reliable response to name, check-ins and coming when called around distractions.
Private Follow-Up Lesson
$110A 60-minute coaching session for one behavior that needs extra practice after a class or home visit.
Six weeks to calmer days with your new dog
Build reliable home, walking and public manners with a clear weekly plan, personal coaching and a small group capped at six dogs.
First Dog Foundations
$349six-week program
For first-time Raleigh dog owners with a puppy or newly adopted adult dog brought home within the past six months.
- Six weekly trainer-led small-group classes
- Maximum of six dogs per class
- Step-by-step help with pulling, barking, accidents, biting and recall
- Reward-based training you can repeat in real daily situations
- Guided home practice between classes
- Direct trainer feedback on your progress
Home-Life Reset
$15990-minute private visit
A focused in-home session for Raleigh owners who need immediate help with one daily struggle before joining a class.
- Trainer comes to your Raleigh home
- Choose one priority: house training, door barking, puppy biting or settling
- Room-by-room setup review for gates, crates, beds and rewards
- Live coaching with your dog in the place the problem happens
- Written seven-day practice plan
- One video check-in within a week
Raleigh Patio Manners
$8975-minute field session
A real-world practice outing for dogs who can manage home but lose focus around sidewalks, strangers and busy patios.
- Meet at North Hills for coached practice in an active public setting
- Teach a calm arrival routine before excitement takes over
- Practice passing dogs, strollers and people without lunging or barking
- Build a reliable settle under your chair while you eat or talk
- Learn when to create distance instead of forcing an interaction
- Leave with a three-stop Raleigh practice route for the next two weeks
Questions Before You Enroll
Is First Dog Foundations right for my puppy or newly adopted adult dog?
Yes, if you brought your first dog home within the past six months and need help with home life, walks or public manners. The program covers pulling, barking, jumping, biting and mouthing, accidents, settling, attention and recall. Your dog does not need prior training.
What is included in the $349 price?
You receive six weekly small-group classes, a step-by-step home practice plan and direct feedback from your trainer. Classes are capped at six dogs, so you get coaching based on what you and your dog are doing in the room. The full program costs about $58 per week.
How much time will training take between classes?
Plan on 10 to 15 minutes a day. Practice is split into short sessions that fit around meals, walks and normal routines. You will leave each class knowing exactly what to practice, how often to do it and what progress should look like.
What if my dog is too distracted, loud or excitable for a group class?
That is common, especially with puppies and recently adopted dogs. The six-dog limit gives each team space and individual support. Exercises begin at a manageable distance and difficulty. If your dog shows severe fear, aggression or distress that makes a group setting unsafe, we will recommend a more suitable training option before you enroll.
Will reward-based training work if treats are the only thing my dog listens to?
Yes. Food helps your dog understand which behavior pays off, especially while learning around distractions. You will also learn how to use access to walks, sniffing, play and attention as rewards, then reduce food rewards as the habit becomes reliable.
Can this program fix accidents, biting, pulling or poor recall in six weeks?
You should expect clearer communication, better daily routines and measurable progress during the program. Results depend on your dog's age, history and how consistently you practice. Six weeks is enough to build a repeatable system, but no responsible trainer can promise that every behavior will disappear on a fixed date.
What if I miss a class?
Contact Good Start Hound as soon as you know you cannot attend. Your trainer will send the lesson focus and home practice steps so you can keep moving with the group. Because enrollment is limited to six dogs, missed classes are not refundable.
Is $349 worth it when I can find free dog-training videos online?
Free videos can show an exercise, but they cannot tell you why it is failing with your dog. First Dog Foundations gives you a six-week plan, live coaching and feedback before small mistakes become established habits. You will know what to do at home, on walks and around distractions instead of piecing together conflicting advice.
Build better habits before the hard ones settle in.
Join six weeks of practical, reward-based training for calmer home life, easier walks and more reliable manners. With only six dogs per class, you and your dog get direct coaching every week.
Get in touch
Have a question about Good Start Hound? Send a message and we will get back to you.