Dog training in Austin, TX
From start to refined.
Board & train, puppy programs and private lessons with Laura Williams. We stop the barking, pulling and jumping, then build the kind of obedience that lets your dog go everywhere with you.
See what Austin dog owners say on Google
Every Board & Train grad knows
- Place
- Down
- Recall
- Heel
Off leash, with distractions
Sound familiar?
- BarkingStop excessive barking
- ReactivityCalm reactions on walks
- Over-excitementCalm overly excited behavior
- JumpingNo more jumping on guests
- Resource guardingCurb guarding of food and toys
- Counter surfingKeep paws off the counter
- Leash pullingLoose-leash walks
Dog training is actually simple: stop the behaviors you don't want and train the ones you do. Dogs crave leadership and clear boundaries. We give them both.
Training programs
Four ways to a dog you're proud of
Clear pricing, tailored training. Hover or tap a program to see what's included.
Most popularFully e-collar trained on place, down, recall and heel, proofed for distance, duration and distraction. Includes two hands-on handler lessons, videos and progress updates.
View program21 days
Refined Board & Train
Your dog stays with Laura for three weeks of obedience, proofing and real-world exposure.
$2,500
Crate training, potty training, basic obedience and confidence building, with exposure to new places, sounds and people so your puppy grows up calm and adaptable.
View program14 days
2-Week Puppy Board & Train
A strong start for puppies 15 weeks and up, before bad habits set in.
$1,800
We talk through what has changed at home, run the fundamentals again in a structured setting, tackle any new problem behaviors and send you home with tips to keep it going.
View program7 nights
Refined Refresher
A one-week stay for board-and-train grads who have slipped back into old habits.
$700
Kenneling, place, heel, down and recall, plus leash pressure and leadership. The first two or three lessons are at Refined K9, then we move to your home, where most problems happen.
View programPack of 4 · 1.5 hrs each
Private Lessons
One-on-one coaching for owners who want to train alongside their dog.
$400
Real-world results
Trained for real life, not just the backyard
Every dog gets real-world exposure. We proof each command against the three D's, so your dog listens in a busy store just like they do in your living room.
01
02
03How Board & Train works
You're part of the training, every step
- 1
Send Laura a message
Tell Laura about your dog, your home and your goals through the contact form. She'll recommend the right program, no pressure.
- 2
Drop-off and training
Your dog moves in for focused training and daily real-world outings. You get photos, videos and updates.
- 3
Mid-session lesson
You come in for a hands-on lesson halfway through, so you learn the same language your dog is learning.
- 4
Go-home lesson
A second intensive lesson at pickup, plus learning materials so the results stick at home.
Laura Williams, owner & head trainer
Meet your trainer
Even the most unruly dog can live a fun, off-leash life
Hi, I'm Laura. Through my own training journey I learned that structure, obedience and a dog's state of mind are what make a well-behaved dog, and that a calm, consistent leader builds trust. I started Refined K9 Training to help owners feel less overwhelmed and closer to their dogs.
- Reward-based, then reliable. Lots of positive motivation up front, built on the four quadrants of operant conditioning.
- Proofed under distraction. Dogs learn to listen in public and in busy households.
- Hands-on owner coaching. Your dog has to listen to you, because I'm not moving in with you.
Meet the graduating class
Big, small, young, stubborn. Every breed, every age, every one a good dog.
See more on @refinedk9_atx
Client reviews
Same sweet dog. Better manners.
Our 1 year old German Shepherd was very energetic and didn't know boundaries! She came home a princess and we couldn't be more happy! She continues to progress every day!
Laura is such a wonderful trainer. She loves the dogs she trains like her own! I was a little nervous Theo would be different once he was trained, and that couldn't have been further from the truth! He's the same sweet and goofy dog, but now he listens and knows what's expected of him.
I honestly could not be more thankful for Laura and her training! Lennon (my Shih Tzu) had previously received training and it didn't work. Laura and her methods are amazing! Could not be happier!
Service area
Training dogs across Austin and the surrounding areas
Board & train dogs stay with us. Private lessons start at Refined K9 and then move to your home, where your dog is most comfortable and most problems happen.
FAQs
Questions owners ask before they book
Still wondering? Send Laura a message or browse all our dog training FAQs.
Do you use e-collars?
Yes. Laura combines positive reinforcement with low-level e-collar stimulation for clear communication and rock-solid obedience. Rewards come first and are phased out as your dog learns. Board & Train clients buy an e-collar from E-Collar Technologies before drop-off, and you're taught exactly how to use it.
Will my dog still be my dog?
Absolutely. Training doesn't change your dog's personality; it gives them clear expectations. As one client put it, Theo is "the same sweet and goofy dog, but now he listens."
How old does my puppy need to be?
The 2-Week Puppy Board & Train accepts puppies 15 weeks and up. For younger puppies, ask about private lessons.
Where do private lessons happen?
The first two or three lessons are at Refined K9. After that, lessons can move to your home, where your dog is most comfortable and where most behavior problems show up. Most owners book one lesson every two to three weeks.
What if my dog slips back into old habits?
That's what the Refined Refresher is for. Your dog stays for a week to run the basics again, and we'll look at what changed at home so you're set up for success.
What areas do you serve?
Austin, Texas and the surrounding areas. Send a message through the contact form and we'll confirm your location.
Ready for a dog you can take anywhere?
Tell Laura about your dog through the contact form. She'll recommend the right program and give you a free quote.