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Customized Dog Training For
Obedience and Behavior Issues
Transform Your Dog's Behavior in Johnson City, Kingsport & Bristol.
You love your dog, but you don't love the stress. If you've tried the treats, the tools, and the online videos without lasting success, you're not alone. Real transformation starts by addressing your dog's mindset first.
Why Basic Obedience Isn't Working for Your Dog
Many dog owners in East Tennessee come to us feeling stuck.
Their dog knows "sit" in the living room but completely falls apart the moment they step outside or see another dog.
If your dog is anxious, fearful, or overstimulated, forcing commands on them won't fix the root cause—it can actually make things worse.
Happy Dogs. Happier Humans.
Obedience training without addressing your dog's mindset can lead to...
Commands may not work unless: you have treats or raise your voice.
Forcing obedience commands onto a dog that doesn't have a calm mindset can escalate bad behaviors.
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You start to believe your dog is the problem, or worse, that you are.
Frustration
Inconsistent Results
Issues Getting Worse
The Mind & Manners™ Method
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We don't believe in cookie-cutter training. Our proprietary Mind & Manners™ Method addresses both your dog's emotional state and their real-world skills—because lasting change requires both.
Mind (Behavior Modification):
Helping Your Dog Feel Calm and Relaxed
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We help your dog build confidence, resilience, and the ability to relax. We uncover the "why" behind the behavior so your dog feels safe enough to actually learn.
Manners (Obedience):
Teaching Skills That Stick
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Once your dog's mind is calm, we layer in real-world obedience. Leash walking without pulling, greeting guests politely, coming when called—even with distractions. Skills that work in your actual life, not just a training facility.
We Help Tri-Cities Dogs Overcome the Hard Stuff
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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 Confidence
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Barking/Lunging on Walks
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Pulling on Leash
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Ignoring When Called
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Jumping on Guests
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"Selective Hearing"
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Mouthiness
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Won't Listen Outside/Distracted
Behavioral Issues (Mind)
Obedience Issues (Manners)
Trusted by Vets & Rescues Nationwide
Command Canine founder Chelsey Marino has built a reputation for handling the cases other trainers can't.
Her expertise in canine psychology and emotional regulation has made Command Canine the go-to for complex behavioral issues.
Through The Keeper & Kin Project, we serve as the official training partner for leading rescues and sanctuaries, specializing in rehabilitating traumatized laboratory research dogs.
If our trust-based methods can help them heal, imagine the peace of mind we can bring to your home in the Tri-Cities.
Training Programs for Tri-Cities Families
Services are tailored to your lifestyle, so you can start building a calmer, more predictable life with your dog.
Work one-on-one with an experienced trainer. We teach you the skills to confidently handle your dog in any situation—building a bond that lasts a lifetime.
Private Lessons
Board & Train
Your dog stays in your trainer's home—never a kennel—for immersive, focused learning. They return calmer, more responsive, and ready for their next chapter.
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eBooks
We wrote the book(s) on starting your puppy off the right way.
What you teach your puppy now shapes their entire life. Let us help you build a solid foundation from day one.
Your Path to a Calmer Dog
Whether this is your first dog or you have trained dogs before, we make the process simple and easy to follow from start to finish.
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Free Consultation
Tell us about your dog's struggles and your goals. We'll listen and determine the best path forward.
Custom Training Plan
We design a Mind & Manners™ strategy built specifically for your dog's needs, history, and personality.
Real, Lasting Results
Experience the relief of a dog that listens and a home that feels peaceful again—for both of you.
Hear how training has changed their life.
Common Questions, Clear Answers
What makes you different from other dog trainers? Our Mind & Manners™ Method blends behavior work with real-life 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 animal 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.
Where are your services available? We’re based in North Carolina for in-person training, but our virtual programs are available anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.
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!