Professional Board and Train for Knoxville Dogs

If your Knoxville dog is pulling on the leash, ignoring commands, showing aggression, or driving you crazy with non-stop barking, a board and train program can change everything. Your dog moves into our trainer's home in Maryville — just 20 minutes from downtown Knoxville via Alcoa Highway — and gets daily, professional training tailored to their specific issues.

Unlike large kennel operations that warehouse dozens of dogs, we take only 2-3 dogs at a time. That means your dog gets individual attention every single day from David Van Fleet, one of the only NePoPo® Graduate in East Tennessee. This isn't a cookie-cutter approach — every program is custom-built around your dog's temperament, behavior challenges, and your goals as an owner.

Why Knoxville Dog Owners Choose Our Board & Train

  • NePoPo® Graduate Trainer: Advanced methodology combining positive reinforcement with clear communication — the only Graduate-level trainer in East Tennessee
  • 202 Five-Star Reviews: Across Google, Facebook, and Rover — real results from real families
  • Only 2-3 Dogs at a Time: Your dog isn't lost in a crowd, they get truly personalized daily training
  • Home Environment, Not a Kennel: Dogs live in our trainer's home, learning real-world manners in a real house
  • Convenient for Knoxville: Just 20 minutes south via Alcoa Highway (US-129)
  • Owner Training Included: You learn to maintain everything your dog has learned
  • Woman & Veteran Owned: Proudly serving our Knoxville neighbors with integrity and dedication

How Board and Train Works for Knoxville Families

Board and train is the most effective way to address serious behavior issues. Your dog stays with us full-time for 2-8 weeks, getting multiple structured training sessions every day. Because they're immersed in training around the clock, dogs make faster progress than with weekly lessons alone. By the time your dog comes home, they've built new habits through hundreds of repetitions in real-life situations — not just a training ring.

We know handing your dog over isn't easy. That's why we send video updates throughout the program so you can watch your dog's progress from your Knoxville home. And before your dog comes home, we schedule hands-on go-home sessions where we teach you exactly how to maintain everything your dog has learned. You're not just getting a trained dog — you're learning how to keep them that way.

Board and Train Programs for Knoxville Dogs

2-Week Foundation Program

Perfect for: Basic obedience and manners

  • Sit, down, stay, come, heel
  • Leash manners
  • Crate training
  • Basic impulse control

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4-Week Behavior Modification

Perfect for: Moderate behavioral issues

  • Jumping, barking, pulling
  • Resource guarding
  • Mild reactivity
  • Advanced obedience

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6-8 Week Intensive Program

Perfect for: Severe behavioral challenges

  • Aggression rehabilitation
  • Severe anxiety/fear
  • Multiple behavior issues
  • Complete transformation

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What Makes Our Knoxville Board & Train Different

Home-Like Environment

Your dog lives with our trainer's family, not in a kennel. Real-world training in a loving home.

Weekly Updates

Video progress reports every week so Knoxville owners can see their dog's transformation.

Family Training Sessions

Multiple sessions teaching you to maintain your dog's new behaviors at your Knoxville home.

Lifetime Support

Ongoing support for Knoxville clients. We're here whenever you need guidance.

"Our reactive German Shepherd went through the 6-week program. The transformation was incredible! Worth the drive from West Knoxville. David's NePoPo® methods really work."

- Sarah T., Knoxville

Common Behavior Problems We Fix for Knoxville Dogs

Every dog that comes to us has a unique story, but many Knoxville families reach out about the same frustrating issues. Here are the most common problems we solve in our board and train programs:

  • Leash pulling and reactivity: Your walks become enjoyable again — loose leash, calm passing of other dogs and people
  • Aggression toward dogs or people: David specializes in rehabilitation of aggressive dogs using proven NePoPo® protocols
  • Jumping on guests: Your dog learns to greet calmly, even when excited
  • Ignoring commands: Reliable recall, sit, down, stay, and place — even with distractions
  • Separation anxiety: Your dog learns to be calm and confident when you leave
  • Destructive behavior: Chewing, digging, and counter-surfing are replaced with appropriate habits
  • Door bolting and no recall: Your dog comes when called, every time

"We tried two other trainers in Knoxville before finding Paws & Applause. Our Lab was a nightmare on walks — pulling, lunging at every dog. After 4 weeks, she walks right next to us like a different dog. The drive to Maryville was so worth it."

- Mark & Julie R., Farragut

Serving All Knoxville Areas

We proudly serve dogs from all across the Greater Knoxville area. Whether you're in West Knoxville, downtown, or one of the surrounding communities, we're just a quick drive down Alcoa Highway:

  • West Knoxville & Farragut
  • North Knoxville & Fountain City
  • South Knoxville & Island Home
  • East Knoxville & Holston Hills
  • Downtown & Fort Sanders
  • Cedar Bluff & Bearden
  • Powell & Halls

The Board & Train Process

1

Initial Evaluation

Meet at your Knoxville home or our facility to assess your dog's needs

2

Drop-Off Day

Bring your dog with food, medications, and favorite toy

3

Daily Training

Multiple training sessions daily using NePoPo® methodology

4

Weekly Updates

Video progress reports sent to your phone

5

Go-Home Training

Learn to handle your newly trained dog with confidence