Board & Train
3–4 week stay. Trainers work with your dog multiple times daily, plus evening classes. Eliminates unwanted behaviors and teaches commands.
6+ mo · Free eval · Case-by-case pricing
25+ years training WNY dogs · 4.7★ on Google
Well-behaved dogs
do more, go more places
, enjoy more of life.
Tailored dog training on Main Street in Clarence, NY. From puppy kindergarten to off-leash agility — group classes, private lessons, and intensive board-and-train all under one roof.
-
4.7114 Google reviews
-
25+Years in business
-
60+Combined yrs experience
-
IACPCertified trainers
AKC + IACP
Certified trainers
Pet first aid
Pet Tech certified
Member
IACP
Provider
AKC CGC & CGCA
Certified
Pet Tech first aid
TDU
Evaluator on staff
About us
A family-run school where every dog gets a tailored plan.
With more than 25 years in the business, Canine Academy is WNY's premier training facility. We're focused on providing dog training with the highest level of customer satisfaction — for both human and canine.
One size doesn't fit all. We offer a wide variety of programs and tailor them further to your individual needs. We don't just want to train your dog — we want to make your relationship better. Well-behaved dogs go more places, do more things, and enjoy more of life.
Tailored to your dog
Group, private, in-home, or boot-camp — we match the format to your dog's needs.
Free evaluations
Intensive program evaluations are complimentary — by appointment.
Small class sizes
Obedience capped at 7–9 dogs for real individual attention.
Climate-controlled facility
Cool in summer, warm in winter, joint-friendly matting throughout.
Group Classes
From eight weeks old to off-leash agility.
Convenient evening and weekend classes. Yes, you actually can teach an old dog new tricks — we work with dogs five months to fifteen years old.
8–20 weeks
$100
Puppy Preschool
4-week session. Socialization, confidence, basic obedience (sit, stay, leash walking, recall), housebreaking and bite inhibition. Includes virtual-class code for missed weeks.
See details
5 mo – 15 yrs
$199
Basic Obedience
8-week session, 7–9 dogs max. Watch, Leave it, Place, Settle, Walk nice, Sit, Down, Stay, Recall — plus jumping, pulling and barking. Discount for puppy-class grads.
See details
All levels
Call for rates
Agility
Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced classes. Whether you're there just for fun or to compete — taught by Lisa, who titles her own dogs in multiple agility venues.
See details
Spring / Summer
Seasonal
Advanced Obedience
"Proof" your dog's obedience in real life — held seasonally at local parks and bike paths. Off-leash, higher distractions. CGCA testing optional at session end.
See details
AKC test prep
4 weeks
Canine Good Citizen
Open to mixed-breed and purebred dogs. 3 classes prepare you for the 10-step AKC test on week 4. Great stepping-stone for therapy-dog work.
See details
TDU prep
4 weeks
Therapy Dog Prep
Taught by Gretchen, our certified TDU evaluator. Familiarizes you with every test aspect. Mandatory before testing — TDU tests hosted at our facility several times a year.
See detailsBoot Camp Programs
Behavior issues? No time? We've got you.
Intensive options for serious behavior work or busy owners. Dogs must be evaluated first — evaluations are free, by appointment only.
Daycare & Train
Day-only version of board-and-train. Dog spends the day with us (daycare + 1-on-1 training pulls + real-world field trips), home at night.
6+ mo · Dog-friendly dogs · Follow-up lesson included
Jump Start Puppy
10 wk – 6 mo. 3 days/week for 4 consecutive weeks. Socialization, confidence, foundation skills, crate training, handling desensitization, field trips.
A bomb-proof dog starts with a bomb-proof puppy
Private Lessons
1-on-1 at our facility, in your home, or anywhere. Best for hyperactive or aggressive dogs not yet ready for group settings. Phone + email support after every lesson.
Daytime & evening · Flexible scheduling
Upcoming Classes
Open spots & wait lists
Sessions fill quickly — early registration recommended. Call (716) 759-9406 to claim a spot.
Basic Obedience
$1998-week session · meets once weekly
- Monday, May 18 · 6:00 pmWait list
- Wednesday, June 3 · 6:00 pmWait list
- Wednesday, June 3 · 7:15 pmOpen
Other Sessions
- Puppy Preschool · $100 · 4 wksCall for waitlist
- Agility — Beginner (Sat / Thu pm)Waitlist
- Agility — Intermediate / AdvancedOngoing
- Advanced Obedience (spring/summer)Seasonal
- Private LessonsDaytime + evening
Dog Daycare
A tired dog is a good dog.
Drop your dog with us while you're at work. Climate-controlled, joint-friendly matting, separate small/large dog areas — and all play is supervised by certified trainers, not just staff.
- No advance scheduling after first day
- Discounts for multiple days / multiple dogs
- No extra charge for meds or meal feeding
- Pet Tech first-aid certified staff
- Sanitized daily — toys, play areas, potty areas
Daycare requirements
Current on Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Bordetella · Flea & worm free · Dogs must be spayed by 6 months / neutered by 6–8 months.
Open: Monday through Thursday · 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Meet the Team
A dedicated crew with what it takes.
Real titlists, IACP members, TDU evaluators — and we live with dogs ourselves.
Colleen Hitchcock
Owner · Founder · Chief Bowl Washer
Proud National K9 graduate. IACP & National K9 Dog Trainers Association member. Former 4-H leader. Competes in USDAA & AKC agility, plus obedience. Dogs featured in Front and Finish and Borderlines magazines. Lives with five dogs — a Border Collie and rescue Pitbull mixes.
Gretchen Buckles
Trainer · TDU Evaluator
With us since 2006. Active TDU member & evaluator with her Husky Kunik. Lives with a Border Terrier (Krouton), French Bulldog (Quasi), and two Siberian Huskies (Kunik, Sequoia). Trains and competes in Rally, Obedience & scent work.
Lisa Eagler
Agility Instructor
Teaches beginner & advanced agility. Focus on teamwork and having fun — whether you're casual or competing. Her crew: Grace, Emmett, Wendell, Harley & Maisy — multiple agility titles across all five.
What Owners Say
114 real reviews. 4.7 stars.
4.7
Based on 114 Google reviews
- Knowledgeable staff
- Tailored programs
- Friendly trainers
- Patient with puppies
- Real results
- Easy scheduling
M
Marissa W.
Local Guide · 17 reviews · 41 photos
"Gretchen and Alex are amazing! They totally transformed my mini schnauzer Rhiannon! We enjoyed coming to class every week and saw a noticeable difference just after 2 classes. Highly recommend to anyone looking for beginner or advanced classes!"
via Google · 2 yrs ago
J
Joe K.
Local Guide · 127 reviews · 767 photos
"This place is wonderful. The staff here really know their stuff about dogs. The instructors always answer your questions and help make sure your dog is well adjusted. They offer private and group lessons."
via Google · 6 yrs ago
J
jess gal
Local Guide · 89 reviews · 22 photos
"Winter just completed her four week Puppy Jumpstart program at Canine Academy. I could not be happier with the results! All of the staff are very friendly, but also open & honest with their clients."
via Google · 4 yrs ago
J
Jessica S.
2 reviews · 3 photos
"When I got my puppy, I knew instantly he was a handful. After many recommendations to send him to Canine Academy, I started bringing him to daycare. He became more social with other dogs and I instantly noticed a difference."
via Google · 8 yrs ago
N
Noah
3 reviews · 2 photos
"All of the trainers at Canine Academy are amazing. We have taken both of our dogs there for daycare as well as multiple obedience training classes. Everyone is so impressed at how well behaved our dogs are since they've been trained there."
via Google · 5 mo ago
S
SaltyFryMageTv
Local Guide · 385 reviews · 187 photos
"Definitely recommend reaching out to this place for dog training! Very accommodating in terms of availability and scheduling!"
via Google · 3 mo ago
Reviews aggregated from Google Maps · 114 total · 4.7 average
Pack Walks
Group play isn't right for every dog — but every dog deserves to socialize. Bi-weekly structured group walks at local parks, paths and nature trails. We occasionally end at an ice-cream stand or brewery. Great for reactive, fearful or nervous dogs.
Therapy Dog Prep
Taught by Gretchen, our certified TDU evaluator. Four weeks leading up to the test. Mandatory before testing — but you're welcome to take the class without testing. Review TDU testing requirements →
Get in Touch
Ready when you are.
Questions, evaluations, or signing up — give us a call or send a message. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Call us
(716) 759-9406
Visit us
9270 Main Street, Clarence, NY 14031
Hours of operation
- Mon – Thu · 7am – 6pm (classes evenings)
- Fri · By appointment only
- Sat · Classes held
- Sun · Closed
