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Obedience Training is Only Part of The Solution
You've watched the videos, tried the treats, tools and tips, but your dog still isn't where you want them to be.
That’s because most training jumps straight to obedience without addressing the most important thing: your dog’s mindset.
If your dog isn’t calm, confident, and emotionally regulated, no amount of “sit” or “stay” will stick. Real results come when we start with the mind; helping your dog feel safe, focused, and ready to learn.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Happy Dogs. Happier Humans.
Lasting Results for Common Issues
We have the experience and plan to help.
Behavioral Challenges
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Separation Anxiety
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Fear of New People
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Resource Guarding
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Barking/Growling at Guests
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Anxiousness/Lack of Confidnece
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Barking/Lunging on Walks
Obedience & Manners
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Pulling on Walks
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Not Coming When Called
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Jumping on People
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"Selective" Listening
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Biting or Nipping During Play
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Distracted Outside
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Naughtiness in the House
Not Sure Where to Start?
Obedience training without addressing your dog's mindset can lead to...
Inconsistent Results
Commands may not work unless you have treats or raise your voice.
Issues Getting Worse
Forcing obedience commands onto a dog that doesn't have a calm mindset can escalate bad behaviors.
Frustration
You start to believe your dog is the problem, or worse, that you are.
Effective Dog Training Blends Obedience and Behavior
Most other trainers rely on obedience commands (even when then advertise behavioral training). Our Mind & Manners Method™ goes deeper and customizes a plan to meet your dog's unique needs.
Mind (Behavior Modification/Preconditioning): Helping your dog feel calm, relaxed and confident.
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We uncover what’s driving the behavior and help your dog feel secure enough to learn
Manners (Obedience): Teaching Skills That Stick
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With the mind regulated, we layer in real-life skills like leash walking and not jumping on guests.
What Makes Us Different?
Deeper Behavioral Experience
We don't just advertise behavior modification. It's a core part of what we do.
Our expertise is trusted by leading rescue and sanctuary organizations across North America to help rehabilitate dogs with some of the most severe behavioral challenges.
We bring that same depth of expertise to every dog we train, from complex behavioral challenges to everyday obedience.
An Entire Team To Support You
We're proud to be the largest dog training team in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area.
Our trainers regularly collaborate, share expertise, and receive ongoing guidance from experienced management.
With dedicated staff handling consultations, scheduling, and administration, our trainers can focus on what they do best: working with you and your dog.
We Take Professionalism Seriously.
Being good with dogs is one thing. Running a professional dog training company is another.
You're trusting us with your dog, your time, and your money. You shouldn't have to chase updates, wonder what's happening, or question who's accountable.
Clear communication, professional oversight, and real accountability aren't extras here. They're part of the job.
Nationally Trusted Behavioral Expertise.
Command Canine founder Chelsey Marino is a nationally respected Canine Behavior Specialist whose work with severely traumatized dogs has earned the trust of leading rescue and sanctuary organizations across North America.
Through her other organization, Keeper & Kin, she is the official training partner of many noteworthy organizations including Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary and The Beagle Alliance, helping rehabilitate former research beagles.
Many of these dogs have spent their entire lives in laboratories; making even ordinary experiences like walking on grass or entering a doorway terrifying.
You don't fix that by teaching a dog to Sit. It requires a deeper understanding of fear, learning, and what actually drives behavior.
That Same Expertise Is Behind Your Dog's Training
Chelsey oversees every Command Canine training plan, bringing her extensive behavioral experience to your dog.
When you work with Command Canine, you're getting the experience of an entire team, guided by the person trusted to help dogs facing some of the most difficult behavioral challenges imaginable.
Featured on WCNC Charlotte
Watch Chelsey discuss her work rehabilitating former laboratory research beagles and helping them overcome severe fear and trauma.
Training Services
Start with personalized training. Then put those skills to work in the real world.
Work one-on-one with an experienced trainer
Build practical obedience skills, improve everyday manners, and address behavioral challenges when needed.
Because training your dog is only half the equation. We want you to know what you're doing, too.
Private Lessons
Training in a real home. Not a kennel.
Your dog lives with one of our professional trainers while we work on obedience, household manners, and strengthening the behavioral foundations that support those skills.
Then we teach you how to continue that progress at home.
Board and Trains
Put your dog's new skills to the test!
Practice your dog's new skills in real-world environments (not a training room) around realistic distractions.
Build your dog's skills and your own confidence to handle everyday situations independently.
Exclusive to Command Canine training clients, with complimentary classes included in qualifying programs.
Real-World
Group Classes
Not Sure Where to Start?
Service Area
Dog Training in Lake Norman, Charlotte, and beyond...
Command Canine works with dogs and their owners throughout Charlotte, Lake Norman, and surrounding communities, including Cornelius, Davidson, Harrisburg, Concord, York, and Matthews.
Outside our local service area? We also offer virtual dog training and behavior consultations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Prefer to Start Small?
Not ready for a training program just yet?
Our ebooks and guides give you practical, easy-to-follow advice on everything from puppy training and leash walking to behavioral challenges, confidence building, and more.
Learn what to do, why it works, and how to get started with your dog at home!
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Common Questions, Clear Answers
What makes you different from other dog trainers? Our Mind & Manners and REWIRE methods blends preconditioning, behavior work, and obedience, focusing on how your dog feels and acts so results actually stick. We work with all pet dogs, but we specialize in tough cases, rescue dogs, and former research dogs, offering support that’s practical, empathetic, and proven to work. We work with you to create a customized training plan so you can get everything you want, and none of the extra fluff you don't actually need.
What options are available for tough cases? Command Canine provides dog training for tough cases in Charlotte, Cornelius, and Lake Norman, with virtual dog training available across North Carolina and the U.S. We help dogs with fear, anxiety, reactivity, overstimulation, and behavior issues that require more than basic obedience. Our services include private lessons, board and train programs, puppy training, and behavior modification, all tailored to your dog’s needs, history, and lifestyle. A couple of notes, though. I would not stuff “North Carolina” into every sentence, and I would not try to rank statewide unless you truly serve statewide in a meaningful way. For you, Charlotte, Cornelius, and Lake Norman are probably the stronger targets, with virtual across the U.S. as the broader secondary target.
What do you mean by "customized training" for each dog? We look at each individual dog (and their owner!) and create a training plan based on their unique medical history, genetics, environment, stress levels, family dynamics, past experiences, and individual personalities. We come up with the strategies that will help you and your dog be the most successful in your lives.
What methods do you use to train dogs? Whatever is best for you and your dog! We are not a "one-trick-pony" and we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. This is why we can work with tons of dogs, even if they're not food motivated or have been failed by other trainers in the past. For obedience training, we use positive reinforcement and pressure/release leash pressure, (similar to how horses understand where you want them to go when you move the reigns one way or the other). For our clients who want more flexibility and off-leash training, we can add in remote collar training with a vibration collar or ecollar. Behavior Modification training requires deep expertise in canine psychology and emotional regulation. We focus on rewiring emotional responses by building frustration tolerance, resilience, autonomy, problem-solving skills, and relaxation. This isn’t obedience; it’s emotional rehab. It works because we tailor every step to your dog’s unique history, triggers, and tolerance levels.
How long before I see results? You’ll likely see progress fast, especially with obedience! Many of our clients notice changes in their dog’s behavior at the very first lesson or immediately during the Board and Train. But, lasting results take reps. Think of dog training like going to the gym; we're your personal trainer, and we'll teach you (and your dog) everything we know - but eventually you won't need us there by your side anymore, however, you will need to keep going to the gym on your own if you want to keep everything up! For behavior cases, the timeline is different. You’ll usually see a big shift within the first couple of weeks, especially once we start helping your dog feel safer and more in control. Then, things tend to plateau a bit. That’s totally normal and expected, because of how your dog’s nervous system and brain process change. Around 4–6 months in, with consistency on your part and ours, you’ll start to see deeper changes: better choices, calmer reactions, and a more regulated, confident dog!
What is your success rate with previous clients? We’ve helped hundreds of families make real progress, and the clients who lean in, ask questions, and keep showing up see real results- and we’re proud to say that’s most of them! For us, success means less guilt, shame, and frustration... and more peace of mind, confidence, and clarity for you and your dog. But don't just take our word for it: read our 100+ five star reviews and hear directly from our clients about their experience and the success they achieved!