WELCOME!
Private training packages available. More info here.
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Professional. Positive. Results.
Best Friends Dog Academy -
where learning is fun!
Contact us with questions about
your dog’s needs.
SERVICES
Best Friends Dog Academy offers group classes, one-on-one private training, behavior consultations and educational events.
Group Classes
Group classes with a limited number of dogs per class ensure every dog/handler team receives individualized attention while still benefiting from working in the presence of other people and dogs. Learn more here.
Private Training
Coaching sessions are held at our facility or at your home. We teach you to train your dog. Working together, we discuss canine body language, how dogs learn, and positive reinforcement techniques while making it fun for everyone to set goals and reach them.
Day training sessions are held at your home. We work one-on-one with your dog a few times (without you) each week and once per week, meet with you and your dog to transfer the newly learned skills to you. Let us do the work for you. We teach the skill; you maintain it.
Tell us your priorities; we will work with you to achieve your goals. Learn more here.
Behavior Consultations
Behavior consultations are held at our facility or in your home. These sessions address more serious behavior concerns such as separation anxiety, aggression, reactivity, resource guarding and other challenges that demand more time than a single lesson offers.
Learn more here.
Events
Educational seminars and workshops are periodically held at Best Friends Dog Academy. Learn more here.
ABOUT
Philosophy:
Positive reinforcement and humane training techniques are used as we work with you and your dog(s). We start with meeting the dog where he is and making forward progress from there. Best Friends Dog Academy offers a family friendly environment and children are welcome to attend most of our classes.
Offering both group and private instruction, we work with you to help you learn how to teach your dog what you want from him. By improving your understanding of and how to more effectively communicate with your dog(s), we work together to help them become well behaved at home, as well as when out and about in our community.
Facility:
Our facility is a 2400 s.f. facility located minutes south of Iowa City.
Leadership:
In April 2018, Sara Bright, CPDT-KA, CCDT, BBA, opened Best Friends Dog Academy. With over 20 years experience working in the worlds of Golden Retriever rescue, animal sheltering and animal disaster response, Sara brings a love of working with, rehabilitating, and training all breeds of dogs to her group classes and private training sessions. Prior to opening Best Friends Dog Academy, Sara worked as a dog trainer at SPOT & Co., and as the Dog Training Coordinator at the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center and at Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue. Click here for more about Sara.
In September 2018, Liz Ford, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP joined Sara at Best Friends Dog Academy. Prior to this, she was the Director for the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center, where she oversaw all aspects of animal welfare, including the training and behavior management programs. Liz teaches and trains group classes and private training sessions with scientifically proven reward based methods. She specializes in behavior modification for dogs with social anxiety, fear, reactivity, and aggression. Click here for more about Liz.
CONTACT US
Best Friends Dog Academy, LLC
4852 Sand Road SE
Building C
Iowa City, Iowa
52240
CONTACT US
Weather update:
Due to icy roads, there will be no Open Training
on Saturday, January 18, 2020.