Great Lakes Dog Training Company

We booked the 2 week board-and-train session for our 8-month-old Irish Setter, who is high energy and just needed some manners. Our experience with GLDT - West Bloomfield was absolutely the worth the investment in every way! Before our dog was trained, she would nip at us while playing, jump on counters, jump on us, and we had no way of helping her shuttle all her energy into good behavior. We couldn't work from home without her crated or have a meal without her all over us every minute. We'd try to work during the day from home and she needed constant attention. After her two weeks with Ethan and others at GLDT, she is a different dog! Yes, she's still a high energy puppy, but she listens, is corrected and re-directed successfully, and for the first time ever, she's able to spend most of the day with us in and around the house as we are doing what we need to do. She is more relaxed than ever, and so are we because we can see she is secure, happy and calm at home. We also were VERY impressed at how much we learned during the whole experience through daily checkins, videos, lessons before she even came home, etc. We are so grateful to everyone at GLDT - especially Ethan, her primary trainer - and highly recommend their services to anyone considering it for their dog.

I’ve owned good dogs my entire life, but I’ve never had a trained dog — so when Great Lakes Dog Training Co. offered a Christmas special on their 2-week board and train, I decided it was time to give my 8-month-old puppy, Bohdi, a real foundation. He was sweet, but willful… very typical “untrained puppy” energy. From the moment we started, the experience was exceptional. Liz and Jacob Pape, the owners and operators, run an amazing company — but the true star of Bohdi’s story is the trainer they assigned to him: Ash. I have to pause and give her the highest praise possible. Ash was absolutely incredible. Every single day, I received detailed report cards, photos, and videos. It was so clear how much she genuinely cared for my puppy and how strong their bond became. This wasn’t just a job to her — she poured real love, patience, and emotion into training Bohdi, which is exactly what every pet parent hopes for when their pup is away from home for two weeks. Fast forward to pickup day: I couldn’t believe the transformation. My “little scaredy cat,” slightly unruly pup walked out confident, focused, and responsive. Bohdi now knows how to sit, stay, heel, place, and behave on command ( with a bit of help form his collar- which, by the way- is included in the price and you're trained how and when to use it) —and he does it with joy. He has the foundation he needs to become a truly well-mannered dog, and I have the tools to support him at home. I am beyond pleased with his progress and deeply grateful for the entire experience. If you’re considering a board and train to bring out the best in your dog — to give them consistency, structure, confidence, and to make life easier for both of you — call Great Lakes Dog Training Co. You will not regret it.