Training Dogs in Kannapolis Concord Mooresville Huntersville Salisbury Charlotte
Training Dogs in Kannapolis Concord Mooresville Huntersville Salisbury Charlotte
Are you searching for experienced dog training near Charlotte, NC?
StonePaw Dog Training is here to help.
Are you feeling lost and confused with your dog’s behavior? Or do you want to strengthen the bond and communication between you and your pet? If so, we’re here to help. StonePaw Dog Training offers experienced training to enhance the communication between you and your dog.
We offer flexible and customizable programs to ensure that you and your dog get the help needed.
Our trainers have years of experience working with all types of breeds so whether it’s a stubborn Husky or French Bulldog full of energy we’re here to help.
You should no longer feel frustrated or embarrassed about your dog’s behavior. Call us today to get started with a new life for you and your pet.
Our Programs
Our FREE phone consultation will help you choose the right training solutaiton!
Private Lessons
Our private lessons are flexible and customized to you. We do not offer packages so you can pay as you go! We can go to your location or you can come to us, you can bring your entire family or you can just bring yourself. With our private lessons we will be able to target problem behaviors and create new healthy behaviors for your dog.
Board & Train
Our Board & Train Program is our most popular program. With our Board & Train program we are hands on with your dog daily. This means your dog is getting handled by experienced trainers day in and day out. Additionally, your dog will go out on real world field trips to learn how to cope with the world! At the end of the board & train your dog will have transformed into a dog you can be proud of! Throughout their stay you would have also learned everything your dog has learned so you two can have a strong bond.
Group Classes
Our group classes are a fun way to get your dog started on some basic obedience! In addition to basic obedience, our group classes teach a variety of different stress coping mechanisms to help your dog navigate the real world! We also teach the basics of keeping your dog healthy through grooming and by teaching them how to be handled!
Recent Industry Participation
Movement Markers | November 2022
Canine Con | April 2022
This event will feature four speakers over two days who are experts in dog education, aggression, training, and care. Expert presenters will cover the following topics: dog communication, defensive handling, “Don’t Shoot the Dog”, all about rescue dogs, enrichment and meeting dogs’ needs, developmental stages, husbandry 101, all about euthanasia, and compassion fatigue. The expert presenters are: Michael Shikashio, Trish McMillan, Kelly C. Ballantyne, and Laura Monaco Torelli.
The Puppy Potential Workshop | May 2022
Puppy Potential takes you into a deep weekend full of learning from neonatal through 6 months of age. Turn your puppy into a thinking and active partner, engaging their seeking system and appetitive responses! Turning the appropriate dials from this early age is one of the easiest and best ways to prevent unwanted behavior as adult dogs.
About Us
When you choose us, you are choosing integrity. Together, Erin and Marco own six dogs and four cats, and have fostered many more. This experience allows them to understand how it feels to live with problem dogs (or cats) – and how great it feels once your dog’s issues are solved!
Choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000+
Dogs Trained
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Years of Experience
Training Philosophy
Our Goal
Our goal is to teach you and your dog how to speak a common language. This communication can look different with different relationships. In any case, StonePaw Training helps bridge the gap between owner and dog.
Holistic Approach
We look at the whole dog, not just their behavior. We'll help you assess your dog's day to day routines and activities and optimize them so that your dog has a solid foundation for success!
Our Focus
We focus on transferring information to you so that you can have a solid foundation on what your dog needs to continue training at home. We are always available for online support or continued lessons!
Everyone matters
A dog’s behavior problems usually impact all members of your family, so we are always willing to work with all family members, including kids! Teaching children and dogs how to interact with each other makes home life smoother and safer for all members of the family.
The tools we use vary depending on your dog and your needs. We may use:
- Food and treats
- Toys
- Clicker or verbal marker
- Y-front harness
- Flat collar
- Martingale collar
- Slip lead
- Prong collar with safety attachment
- E-Collar (Ecollar technologies or Dogtra brand)
- Long line
- Leash
- Place bed/mat
- Target
- Gates
- Crates
- X-pen
Tools are never used without an owner’s permission. Owner’s are given detailed instructions on how and when to use each tool.
Marco & Erin
Erin works alongside her assistant trainer and high school sweetheart, Marco. Together, they spent much of 2021 working on DogWorld Dog Park in Kannapolis, NC, where Marco learned he had a passion for helping dogs and their people live their best life!
Together, Erin and Marco own five dogs and four cats, and have fostered many more. This experience allows them to understand how it feels to live with problem dogs (or cats) – and how great it feels once your dog’s issues are solved!
Erin Christner (she/her) - Head Trainer
Since 2016, Erin has worked with thousands of dogs and their families. She was head trainer for a local board and train company. Working with many different breeds, sizes, temperaments, and age ranges has given Erin the ability to help dogs with any issue!
Erin is always pursuing continuing education opportunities – she has attended The Lemonade Conference through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, Training Between the Ears® Level 1, The Clicker Expo, NePoPo® Theory, The Aggression in Dogs Conference, and the Puppy Potential Workshop.
She has been a member of the Association for Professional Dog Trainers and an AKC Temperament Test and Canine Good Citizen Evaluator since 2020, and is insured through State Farm. Erin is certified in CPR and first aid for pets through Pet Tech®.
Marco Mercado (he/him) - Assistant Trainer
Marco graduated with a double-major in Computer Science and Philosophy from UNC-Charlotte, but is now building on his experience at the dog park and his degrees to learn dog training.
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DogWorld Dog Park
DogWorld is a one-of-a-kind dog park! The 17-acre property features an Olympic size swimming pool, two water slides, an 18-hole obstacle course, natural pond, rolling hills, a beautiful creek, and 12+ acres of fenced in play space!
Does your dog need to work on their obedience around distractions like other dogs, people, or toys? Do you want to practice your off-leash recall in a safe place? StonePaw Training is the only dog trainer able to offer lessons inside DogWorld Dog Park at no additional cost to you!
Note: Dogs must be able to interact with other dogs if your lesson occurs during DogWorld’s open hours.