Bittersweet Pet Resorts
Bittersweet Pet Resorts

 Dog Training

Call today to book your dog’s Training session!

Limited availability. Pets must be up to date and registered before arriving.

 Professional Dog Training in Niles, MI, Kalamazoo, MI
& Northwest Indiana

Do you dream of a dog who walks calmly on the leash? Comes when you call? Greets your guests without jumping? At Bittersweet Pet Resorts, these dreams can become a reality with our dog training program! 

Our certified dog training staff know the ins-and-outs of canine behavior. We use this important knowledge to design a customized training program for your specific situation, goals and challenges. Our dynamic approach helps your dog understand their role in the family and leads to better harmony and respect.

Proven & Positive Training Programs

Puppy giving a high five, Dog Training serving Niles and Kalamazoo, Michigan, at Bittersweet Pet Resort

Every dog is different, and so is every dog training program at Bittersweet Pet Resorts. Our knowledgeable trainers assess your dog’s learning style to map out a personalized plan based on proven techniques. If you are looking for dog training near you, Bittersweet Pet Resort is the place to go.

Stay ‘N Train Training Program

Stay ‘N Train is an inclusive training camp combining a stay at our resort with a customized training program. Your pup will experience multiple training sessions, and we’ll provide instructional information so that you may continue to reinforce at home.

Play ‘N Train Dog Training Evaluation

While your dog is here for daycare, our staff will reinforce basic manners with repetition and lots of positive reinforcement. The more often your pet participates in our Play ‘N Train Program, the further advanced they will become!

One-on-One with Our Trainers

Dedicated, undivided attention from our certified dog training staff to address your specific goals and challenges. Our knowledgeable trainers assess your dog’s unique learning style to design a personalized behavior plan with customized tools and real-time feedback.

Puppy Kindergarten

A 20-day program for puppies 12 months or younger to start an introduction to…

    • Supervised socialization with puppies, adult dogs, and people!
    • Frequent, short, and positive reinforcement puppy training throughout the day.
    • Plenty of age-appropriate nap times and potty breaks.
    • Crate training and enrichment in between playtimes.
    • Healthy exercise on our treadmill.
    • Scheduled meal breaks to provide a steady routine.
    • Introduction to basic grooming with one luxury bath and two nail trims. 
    • 1st day of puppy school photo on Facebook as well as weekly updates from our trainers.
    • Graduation photo taken on last day
Puppy giving a high five, Dog Training serving Niles and Kalamazoo, Michigan, at Bittersweet Pet Resort

What are the Benefits of Dog Training at Bittersweet Pet Resorts?

In addition to honing your dog’s skills & manners, professional training at Bittersweet Pet Resorts offers valuable experiences to enrich your life with your dog.

  • Trained dogs understand their place in the household and are proven to be overall more happy, confident, and eager to please.
  • Training with your dog offers a unique and important bonding experience that strengthens your understanding of and love for one another.
  • Professional-quality dog training reduces stress in the family caused by mischievous canine behavior or misunderstandings. In fact, part of our training program is getting the whole family involved in the process with at-home reinforcement exercises.
  • Well-trained dogs are generally safer. They’re less likely to run away, ignore you when you call, or pull the leash away from you. No more driving the neighborhood calling for Fido!
  • The skills you learn in training at Bittersweet Pet Resorts are yours forever. When you get your next furry family member, you’ll have a solid foundation in canine perspective and training to get you started.
Dogs playing outside, Dog Training serving Niles and Kalamazoo, Michigan, at Bittersweet Pet Resort

Meet Our Trainers!

Sam with dog

Sam – NWI Location

Sam completed 700 hours of the Master Trainer course at from Conifer Canine’s Dog Trainer college with a concentration in the areas of Basic/Advanced Obedience, Police K9, Protection Dogs, Service Dogs, Detective Dogs Trailing, HRD & SAR. 

“I’ve always wanted to work with dogs, and that passion drives the way I train. I focus on what each dog needs, adjusting my approach to match their personality and learning style. Training my own GSD gave me a strong foundation and showed me how rewarding it is to build trust and watch a dog grow.I love the bonding, the progress, and seeing the finished product – and I enjoy meeting new dogs to see how I can help them improve. Training is fun for me, but it’s also meaningful because I get to support both dogs and the families who care about them.”

Alannah with dog

Alannah – Niles Location

Alannah is certified as an AKC Evaluator, has certifications in Tom Davis, CCPDT_KA, and Will Atherton certifications.

“From the moment I began working with dogs, I knew I had found my passion. While life has often felt unpredictable, understanding dogs and helping owners build stronger relationships with them has always come naturally. My journey truly began when I adopted Declan, my reactive German Shepherd/Husky mix. Working through his challenges taught me the importance of clear communication, trust, and leadership between dogs and their owners. It also helped shape the Positive-Focused Balanced Training approach I use today. I believe that growth often happens outside our comfort zones—for both people and dogs. My goal is to help owners better understand their dogs, build confidence together, and create a partnership that allows them to safely and successfully navigate the world side by side.”

Grayson with dog

Grayson – Kalamazoo Location

“I have been around dogs my entire life. I took an interest in dog training in my teenage years, working with a variety of breeds leading up to my employment with Bittersweet, with a focus on teaching basic obedience. Then, as of 2023, I’ve been here at the Kalamazoo Area Facility to continue teaching these manners. Outside of the facility, I have a Great Dane, who has been my training pup for a long while now, as she is turning 6 this year, and she has helped me practice my teachings since she was a puppy! It’s been very rewarding, and a big passion of mine to continue working with so many new dogs and owners, to help them to the best of my ability.”

Call today to book your dog’s Training session!

Limited availability. Pets must be up to date and registered before arriving.

Dog Training FAQs

German Shepard in training session at Bittersweet Pet Resort
What vaccinations does my dog need to start training?

For the safety of all our guests and staff, we require proof of vaccination for rabies, distemper/parvo, and Bordetella. For puppies, we require they have the appropriate vaccinations for their age per your veterinarian’s recommendation.

Starting July 1st, all dogs will be required to have the leptospirosis (lepto) vaccine in addition to distemper/parvo, rabies, and bordetella. Many veterinarians include lepto within the distemper/parvo combination (often listed as DHLPP), though it may also be administered separately (DHPP).

Do you offer puppy training?
Yes! We offer special curriculums designed to build a great foundation in puppies. We’ll introduce them to the basics of obedience, home manners, developing a healthy routine, and exercising their social skills.
My dog doesn’t like other dogs. Can s/he still join Play 'N Train or Stay 'N Train?
Of course! We offer personal play programs for dogs who prefer human friends. Your pup will enjoy one-on-one playtimes with a specially trained caregiver to ensure they get all the exercise, activity, and attention they desire between training lessons.
Can you work on a specific issue with my dog?

Our training programs are designed to excel at managing the most common obedience issues. We’ve successfully helped dogs learn to come when called, stop jumping on people, walk calmly on the leash, respond to commands promptly, among many others. If you have a specific concern in mind, we’re likely to be able to help you—give us a call to set up your free training evaluation.

How many days of training does my dog need?

We recommend enrolling in at least 10 days of Stay ‘N Train or Play ‘N Train. These programs are so beneficial because they put your dog in a special setting designed for training where they can play, get out their energy, and be ready to focus on their trainer. The more days your dog has with their trainer, the better the results will be.

Dog Training Contract

Please download our House Rules for all dogs attending training.

View our Pet Care Promise.