Wild Child Dog Training specializes in behavior modification training for dogs struggling with reactivity, fear, separation anxiety, resource guarding, and aggression. Our 6-week training program provides personalized support to help dogs build confidence, improve communication, and develop better behaviors in everyday situations. We work with owners throughout Jacksonville, New Bern, Swansboro, Morehead City, and the surrounding areas to create practical training plans tailored to each dog’s unique needs. Whether you have a fearful dog, reactive dog, or are dealing with challenging behaviors, our approach focuses on understanding the cause behind the behavior and creating lasting improvements.
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
Behavior modification training for dogs struggling with fear, reactivity, separation anxiety, resource guarding, aggression, and other challenging behaviors. Our 6-week program uses personalized, science-based training to help dogs build better responses and improve everyday life.
Leash training
Obedience training
Puppy training
Recall training
Behavior support
Aggression trainingProgram details
Behavior modification training for dogs displaying aggression, including growling, snapping, lunging, or other intense reactions. Our personalized approach focuses on identifying triggers, improving communication, and helping owners safely manage challenging behaviors.
Fear and confidenceProgram details
Behavior modification training for fearful dogs struggling with anxiety, nervousness, or reactions to people, animals, sounds, and new environments. Our personalized training helps dogs build confidence and develop more comfortable responses to everyday situations.
Reactivity trainingProgram details
Behavior modification training for reactive dogs that bark, lunge, or overreact around people, dogs, or other triggers. Our personalized approach helps improve focus, manage reactions, and build calmer responses for more positive everyday experiences.
Resource guardingProgram details
Behavior modification training for dogs that guard food, toys, spaces, or other valued items. Our personalized approach helps identify triggers, improve communication, and create safer, more comfortable interactions between dogs and their owners.
Separation anxiety
How training happens
Board and train
Owner coachingCustomer-reported
Private trainingCustomer-reported
Dog age
Puppies
Training level
Advanced training
Additional services
Boarding
Other listed services
View 3 additional details
Dog trainingProgram details
Professional dog training focused on improving behavior, communication, and everyday experiences. Our behavior-focused approach helps address reactivity, fear, anxiety, resource guarding, and other unwanted behaviors through personalized training.
6 Week CourseProgram details
Our 6-week behavior modification training program helps dogs struggling with reactivity, fear, anxiety, resource guarding, aggression, and other challenging behaviors. Each program is tailored to your dog’s needs with practical guidance for lasting progress.
Anxious Dog TrainingProgram details
Behavior modification training for dogs struggling with separation anxiety, distress when left alone, or anxiety-related behaviors. Our personalized approach helps dogs build confidence, develop independence, and feel more comfortable when their owners are away.
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Questions & answers
From Google
What people have asked about this business.
Can we rent out your facility and use your pond?
We offer rentals through Sniffspot, a private dog park app that can be downloaded on your phone. Our Sniffspot rental includes access to our training equipment, pond, and covered arena.
Community answer · Wild Child Dog Training · 2023-09-21
We specialize in behavior modification, this includes aggression, fear, and anxiety. Since there are a lot of factors that play into a dog's behavior, we ask that you contact us to set up an evaluation so we can meet and discuss in detail about what's going on.
Community answer · Wild Child Dog Training · 2023-09-21
What are the differences between your training programs such as private lessons, group classes, board and trains, etc.?
The biggest difference between our different training programs is that amount of time we get spend with you and your dog. Board and trains gives us the most time to get to know your dog and you, so we can create a learning environment that not only helps your dog make lasting associations but also is easier for you to integrate your pup into your lifestyle. Private lessons and Group Classes limits our time together, allowing us to focus on teaching you, but not giving us enough time to be hands on with your dog. Each style of training has their positives and negatives, we suggest setting up an evaluation so we can discuss what would be the better fit for you and your pup.
Community answer · Wild Child Dog Training · 2023-09-21
Do you offer puppy training? If so, what style of training do you offer?
We do offer puppy training services for all puppies that are current on their vaccinations that is appropriate for their age. Our puppy services include our 3 private lessons package, Basic puppy board and train, AKC STAR Puppy class, and our Premium board and train. For more details about each training program or what would be the best fit for you, please contact us and we can set up an evaluation to go over your goals!
Community answer · Wild Child Dog Training · 2023-09-21
Why should we choose you over another training company?
We approach training from your dog's point of view and share that insight with their owners. Emphasizing on how your dog feels and how to create motivation to work with you, creating training that lasts without the reliance of food and training tools and a much happier dog and human. Education, trust, and guidance is what we base our principals on as it has served us well for over 5+ years.
We are in good standing with International Association of Canine Professionals, American Kennel Club, and Better Business Bureau. As well we have completed a number of educational schools and courses.
Since we believe heavily in owner education, all training programs comes with a written training booklet by us, membership to our monthly group walks, and access to our online video library.
Supporting you and your dog on your training journey is what we pride ourselves on no matter where you are starting.
Community answer · Wild Child Dog Training · 2023-09-21
5/5I took my 8 month old American Foxhound to Wild Child. Been to 2 other places with still the same issues. I meet Kara I was relieved. She loved my baby girl Lucky. She has calmed down and listens to commands I was taught by Kara. We are able to go on walks and I am enjoying it. …Read full reviewClose full review
I took my 8 month old American Foxhound to Wild Child. Been to 2 other places with still the same issues. I meet Kara I was relieved. She loved my baby girl Lucky. She has calmed down and listens to commands I was taught by Kara. We are able to go on walks and I am enjoying it. She use to pull me I could not control her. No longer bites me and she does not rough house with my 2 grand daughters. After 2 other places I was like will they be any different or will I lose my money again with no results. Kara is amazing if you want a outstanding trainer book apt. With her. Wild Child has changed my life with my puppy. Did not know what results I would get due to my puppy was left on the side of the road for dead. She is a different dog people say. Kara and Wild Child I thank you. You are amazing.
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Charran Gaskill
5/5Our family has a 3 1/2 year old mini golden doodle. He was the sweetest puppy. About a year ago he started showing some really aggressive behavior. In the beginning it was just when trying to do any kind of grooming. It escalated to the point if you did or didn't do what he wante…Read full reviewClose full review
Our family has a 3 1/2 year old mini golden doodle. He was the sweetest puppy. About a year ago he started showing some really aggressive behavior. In the beginning it was just when trying to do any kind of grooming. It escalated to the point if you did or didn't do what he wanted, he would growl, show his teeth, and sometimes actually try to bite. We tried several trainers, but quickly learned there's a big difference in obedience training and behavior modification. Sydney at Wild Child Training was my last hope. I had told my family if she couldn't help him, we would have to put him down. That thought broke all of our hearts. I took Marlin to her, hated to leave him but knew it had to be done. She had me come for training at the 2 week mark. I could not believe the progress she had made. She did things with him we hadn't been able to do in the last year or so. She put a muzzle on him, brushed him, and had him following her commands. Each week there was more progress. The weekend before I picked him up she bathed him, blow dried him, and even did his nails. Before taking Marlin to Sydney we had to have him put to sleep and shaved. What a dramatic change. We brought him home and continued the training Sydney taught us. I am delighted to say we have our sweet Marlin. We can never thank Sydney enough, I encourage anyone with pet issues, big or small, get in touch with Wild Child Training.
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David Herron
5/5I cannot recommend Wild Child Dog Training enough! Sydney’s deep knowledge of dog behavior was evident from the start, and her ability to teach me, as the owner, was incredible. In just three private sessions, they transformed my understanding of how to help my five month old fea…Read full reviewClose full review
I cannot recommend Wild Child Dog Training enough! Sydney’s deep knowledge of dog behavior was evident from the start, and her ability to teach me, as the owner, was incredible. In just three private sessions, they transformed my understanding of how to help my five month old fearful Great Dane build tons of confidence. Through a mix of play, obstacle course training, socialization exercises, and various desensitization techniques, my puppy is now thriving. I left each session with practical tools and techniques to continue at home that have made me a much better dog parent. Thanks to their expertise, my once skittish Great Dane is growing into a happy, confident dog.
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Jen Brown
5/5Absolutely amazing. I can't say enough wonderful things about Wild Child.
I was at my wits end and at the brink of not being able to keep my dog due to behaviors. He's still his same spunky self I love but has overcome so much and is manageable. 5 stars seem to be a bit too few t…Read full reviewClose full review
Absolutely amazing. I can't say enough wonderful things about Wild Child.
I was at my wits end and at the brink of not being able to keep my dog due to behaviors. He's still his same spunky self I love but has overcome so much and is manageable. 5 stars seem to be a bit too few to give to the people who have turned a dog that you couldn't sustain and were worried you would have to rehome into a well behaved part of the family. ❤️
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John Tigner
5/5
Left our two pups with Wild Child for two weeks of training and boarding while we went on vacation. Kara provided us with regular updates while we were gone which showed all the activities they were doing and how happy they seemed to be. Very pleased with the results of training. Highly recommend!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.