Dog Training & Board-and-Train in Cumming, GA

Personalized obedience and off-leash training programs built on trust, structure, and consistency.

Focused & Intentional

Balanced Dog Training That Builds Trust

At Ducktown Lodge, training isn’t about cranking out perfect obedience robots. It’s about helping dogs feel safe, understood, and clear about what’s expected of them, and helping owners feel more confident along the way.

We use balanced dog training, which means we pair positive reinforcement with gentle, low-pressure corrections. This approach builds clarity without fear, creating steady progress and calmer dogs. More importantly, it helps both dogs and people understand the “why” behind behaviors, not just the “what.”

Instead of drill-style obedience or flashy quick fixes, we focus on real-life training:

Meet Sara

A Trainer Who Knows Dogs — and Their People

For Sara York, dog training isn’t a job, it’s a lifelong calling. A former vet tech, she’s spent more than eight years working hands-on with dogs of all ages, temperaments, and challenges.

Sara’s foundation came from training under a respected North Georgia professional, where she eventually became a lead trainer responsible for up to 60 dogs a day. That high-volume experience gave her skill, but it also convinced her that dogs thrive best when numbers are low and attention is personal.

Today at Ducktown Lodge, Sara keeps her training groups intentionally small, no more than three dogs at a time. That way, every dog gets patience, consistency, and respect for their individual pace.

Clients consistently share that what makes Sara different is her ability to bring training home. She doesn’t just hand back a well-behaved dog, she teaches owners how to carry forward the progress with confidence and clarity.

“She doesn’t just train your dog — she helps you understand them.”

Our 2-Week Board-and-Train Program

When life is busy or when a dog needs more structure than you can give at home, our board-and-train program bridges the gap. For two weeks, your dog lives at Ducktown Lodge in a calm, real-life environment where training and daily care work together.

What’s Included

Foundational obedience: sit, down, place, heel
On-leash manners and polite greetings
Introduction to off-leash work with an industry-leading e-collar (included)
Crate training and structured daily routines
Pack interactions and distraction work with people, dogs, and real-world settings
Three off-property training sessions for true generalization
Extra activity: play time and “love-up sessions”
Baseline behavioral modification when needed
Lifetime client support by text, email, or phone
3 off-property sessions (taking the dog out of the home environment and into a real-world situation)

More Than Training

Turning Training Into Real-Life Success

Skills only matter if they work outside a quiet training room. We practice in real settings so your dog learns to listen when life is moving. Door knocks, visitors coming and going, walking past other dogs, loading into the car, waiting politely at the vet or coffee shop, your dog rehearses the moments that actually happen at home.

What makes the difference

Structured daily routines that lower stress so learning sticks
Distraction work with people and dogs, not just empty fields
Three off-property sessions to generalize skills in real environments
Handoffs that include you, so the progress transfers home

The result is simple, a calmer dog that understands what to do, and an owner who knows how to keep it going.

Focused & Intentional

Freedom Through Off-Leash Dog Training

Off-leash ability is about safety and clarity, not tricks. After foundation work on leash and with a training collar, we introduce a modern e-collar at low levels and teach it as a clear communication tool. Dogs learn recall, holding place, and walking with you without tension. We proof those skills around distractions and in new locations, building reliability step by step.

What owners notice

If off-leash isn’t appropriate for your dog, we focus on the highest standard of on-leash control and confidence first.

Improve Daily life

Who Thrives in Our Programs

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all boot camp. It’s best for families who want steady progress and real support.

Good fit

If you’re looking for fast tricks with no follow-through at home, we’re probably not your place. If you want a calmer dog and a plan that makes daily life easier, you’ll feel at home here.

Ready to Start? Let’s Talk About Your Dog

See the lodge, meet Sara, and tell us what life looks like at home. We’ll help you choose the right path, board-and-train or a different plan, without pressure.