PREMIER CANINE | Puget Sound Dog Trainers
Fast-Track Your Dog to Better Behavior With Premier Canine
Freedom, peace of mind, and fantastic obedience from your dog through a personalized board-and-train experience.
From Frustration To Greater Obedience and A Better Relationship With Your Dog
Hi! I’m Rachel, the founder of Premier Canine! We specialize in taking wild, high-energy, distracted and/or anxious dogs and turning them into calm, behaved, confident companions that you can take anywhere.
In just a few weeks, we’ll help you go from being at your wit’s end to experiencing great obedience from your dog, along with a deeper understanding of them. Together, we’ll help you create a bond with your dog that will lead to training success and enjoyment of your dog for years to come.
We offer our board-and-train program for the entire Puget Sound and Greater Seattle area. So whether you are in Bremerton, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, or anywhere in between, we can make your dog training experience seamless and convenient.
If this sounds like something that you would enjoy, send us a message today. Let’s get started training your dog!
✓ Training Style: Balanced Dog Training, Board and Train
✓ Locations Served: Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton, Olympia, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Puyallup, Federal Way, Shelton, Olympia, and anywhere in-between.
✓ Up to 5 Bonus Lessons once training is complete.
✓ Availability: Currently Accepting New Clients
− Exclusions: We do not accept dogs with a human bite history. Read why in the FAQ.
Ready to start enjoying your dog again?
If you’re ready to start enjoying your dog again and this sounds like a good fit for your family, click the button below to schedule a consultation with us! We’d love to meet you and your dog!
Campbell
Rachel was very accommodating and took our golden retriever in for 2 weeks and then again for a couple of weeks. She worked wonders for our 9 month old dog who had had very little training when we got him. I would definitely use Rachel again and highly recommend her.
Premier Canine’s Services & Specialties
Personalized Board & Trains
Go from frustration to total understanding of your dog and premier obedience over the course of a few weeks. We get to know your dog and train them, then we train you to understand their needs, build your relationship with them, and see results.
Puppy Camp
Start your puppy off on the right paw. In 10 days, you’ll develop an incredible relationship with them, train them to have great obedience, and enjoy taking them with you everywhere, even while they’re young. Puppy camp is available for puppies older than 16 weeks.
Recall Training
Dog won’t come when called? Discover what motivates your dog to come and get immediate recall, even in high-stimulation areas.
Reactive Dog Training
Is your dog anxious or reactive? Are they shy, fearful, or lacking confidence? No problem, we can train them to have great obedience. We have training accommodations for dogs who struggle with feeling confident or don’t love their fellow dogs. We’ll also train you to support your dog so every situation can result in less reactivity and more confidence.
3 Essentials For A Successful Dog Training Experience
Relational:
Many training styles get poor results because they focus on just training behaviors. We’ll teach you to understand and trust your dog, and vise versa, so their obedience will succeed for years to come.
Tailored:
No two dogs’ training needs are exactly the same. We tailor the goals and methods to them, your family, and your lifestyle so they’ll succeed at camp and at home. Live in the city? On a big property in the country? No problem! We’ll make sure their training fits with the goals you have for them!
Lifelong:
If you’ve been burned by other trainers, we can reclaim your trust and confidence. We ensure that you always feel supported and are learning more about your dog through unlimited lifetime support.
A Day At Camp
What will your dog’s day look like at camp?
Your dog will be happy and relaxed as they go about their day!
1. Wake up around 7-8 a.m.
2. Potty break and time to stretch their legs.
3. Breakfast around 8:30 or 9 am.
4. 3-4 training sessions throughout the day.
5. Spend time playing outside or in the house between training sessions.
6. Field trips to real-life locations like hiking on a trail, walking in the park, stores, parks, downtown.
7. Dinner around 4 pm.
8. Dogs relax and nap after a full day.
9. More house time or play time.
10. Bedtime around 9 – 10 pm.
BENEFITS
7 Benefits of Working With Premier Canine
Trust
Build trust, respect, loyalty, and integrity with your dog and your trainer.
Quality of Life
Set your puppy (or any older dog!) up for great obedience and yourself up to enjoy your dog for a lifetime.
Safety
Go from chaos to control, knowing your dog will recall anywhere.
Calm
Relax with your dog, friends, and family in any situation.
Consistency
Successful training every time, through clear and consistent communication and guidelines.
Companionship
Stop feeling guilty about leaving your dog behind and enjoy taking them anywhere.
Support
Feel supported forever with an expert dog trainer on-call.
Our Advantage
How We Compare
Typical Dog Trainer
Basic Obedience Training
Dog Learns Basic Commands
Just Basic Obedience
Usually No Potty Training
Pay If Your Dog Has Future Problems
Premier Canine
Done-For-You Obedience Dog Training
Dog Learns Basic Commands + Recall and Off-Leash Heel
Additional Training to Solve Digging, Jumping Up and Pulling
We Work on Schedules and Routines That Help in Potty Training
5 Free Bonus Lessons
Camps and Pricing
Once your dog is assigned to a camp based on their age, we require a non-refundable $400 deposit to hold your spot.
$3,400
Adult Camp
During our 2-part camp, we focus on more than just obedience. We address behavioral issues and teach your dog how to be calm and well-mannered in various environments. We train in different places and go on field trips, including parks, hikes, stores, and restaurants, to reinforce training in new and distracting settings.
Your dog will come home from adult camp having worked on:
- Behavioral changes like reducing overexcitement, jumping, barking for attention, and learning how to settle down.
- Manners, such as leash walking, jumping up, play nipping, and unwanted barking.
- Commands such as sit, stay, down, recall, and place (go to a bed and stay until released), reinforced in real-world scenarios with distractions.
Packages are fully customizable. If you have any specific requests (like jogging in heel or running alongside a bike), let us know! We’ll make sure to practice that with your dog so they come home ready to enjoy.
The camp includes a go-home lesson, all the equipment you’ll need to continue working with your dog, and up to 5 bonus lessons after the training is complete.
$1,600
Puppy Camp
Puppy camp is for dogs from 16 weeks to 6 months. It focuses on basic obedience commands (in a positive and fun way!) socialization with people and dogs, and manners like jumping up, play nipping and unwanted barking.
The camp is for 10 days and includes a go home lesson to show you everything that your pup has learned and how to continue training at home.
During puppy camp, we focus on:
- The sit command and building duration
- The down command and building duration
- The place command (go to a bed and lie down)
- Name recognition and recall
- Crate training
- Leash walking and manners
This is a foundation program! Puppies are too young for extended focus and precision obedience.
Camps and Pricing
Once your dog is assigned to a camp based on their age, we require a non-refundable $400 deposit to hold your spot.
$3,400
Adult Camp
During our 2-part camp, we focus on more than just obedience. We address behavioral issues and teach your dog how to be calm and well-mannered in various environments. We train in different places and go on field trips, including parks, hikes, stores, and restaurants, to reinforce training in new and distracting settings.
Your dog will come home from adult camp having worked on:
- Behavioral changes like reducing overexcitement, jumping, barking for attention, and learning how to settle down.
- Manners, such as leash walking, jumping up, play nipping, and unwanted barking.
- Commands such as sit, stay, down, recall, and place (go to a bed and stay until released), reinforced in real-world scenarios with distractions.
Packages are fully customizable. If you have any specific requests (like jogging in heel or running alongside a bike), let us know! We’ll make sure to practice that with your dog so they come home ready to enjoy.
The camp includes a go-home lesson at drop-off, all the equipment you’ll need to continue working with your dog, and up to 5 bonus lessons after the training is complete.
$1,600
Puppy Camp
Puppy camp is for dogs from 16 weeks to 6 months. It focuses on basic obedience commands (in a positive and fun way!) socialization with people and dogs, and manners like jumping up, play nipping and unwanted barking.
The camp is for 10 days and includes a go home lesson to show you everything that your pup has learned and how to continue training at home.
During puppy camp, we focus on:
- The sit command and building duration
- The down command and building duration
- The place command (go to a bed and lie down)
- Name recognition and recall
- Crate training
- Leash walking and manners
This is a foundation program! Puppies are too young for extended focus and precision obedience.
Where We Train
We provide dog training and boarding services in a wide area around the Puget Sound and Greater Seattle area. This includes Tacoma, Seattle, Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Shelton, the entire Kitsap Peninsula, Federal Way, Olympia, Puyallup, Lakewood, South King County, Pierce County, and any of the nearby areas not mentioned.
Bremerton
Federal Way
Gig Harbor
Lakewood
Olympia
Port Orchard
Puyallup
Seattle
Tacoma
Belfair
Shelton
Poulsbo
Seabeck
Our Past Canine Transformations
My experience with Premier Canine was amazing.
I sent my dog Hank to puppy school. He learned to sit, stay in place, and was potty trained. He was also afraid of the car so she trained him in the car. I was so pleased with my dog’s training that I sent him back for the advanced training . Rachel is amazing. Hank heels on and off leash, he can handle lots of distractions like the farmers market and still behave and have manners. He can heal walking through store. I take him to many meetings with me and he lays at my feet and stay there with no disruption. I could not be happier.
I would recommend Rachel To anyone, she’s amazing. Having gone through both trainings if my dog needs some help with anything, she will come to my house and give him a lesson and I’ve also texted and called her many times. She always answers. Didn’t know what to expect, but I couldn’t be happier with the results, I’ve had dogs, but none of them have been trained well. Her programs are worth Every penny, and I could not be happier. Thank you, Rachel. You guys are the best.!!
Darby Armbrister
“We can take Robin out to the park, on a trail, around the neighborhood, etc with ease now. “
Rachel trained my dog Robin – a 2 year old German Shepherd/Great Dane mix. We had tried many types of training on our own, but really needed an expert.
Rachel took the time to talk to me on the phone and explain the process and answer my questions (I had A LOT).
Rachel is extremely trustworthy and amazing with our dog. We can take Robin out to the park, on a trail, around the neighborhood, etc with ease now. Her recall is perfect, the barking is minimal now, and our doggo is SO HAPPY. Robin built so much confidence and we learned tools how to properly communicate with her through Rachel’s expertise. I’m so grateful for Rachel and I highly recommend her training!
Jenna
“He can heel and not react towards other dogs on walks now!”
My 2 year old German shepherd (Howie) developed reactivity towards dogs after we moved from suburbia to the city. He wasn’t able to go on walks or go to the bathroom without barking or lunging towards other dogs.
After a board and train with Rachel we are both so much better equipped to handle these situations. He can heel and not react towards other dogs on walks now! He has a great recall as well.
Overall it has changed our lives together. He is so much more mindful in and out of the house as well. Howie is still his goofy and sweet self just with better manners and more skills.
Caroline
“Her recall is better than ever and walking her on leash has become a fun experience instead of a chore like it was before. “
We have nothing but amazing things to say about Rachel and Premeir Canine.
We have a one year old reactive Australian Shepherd that we sent to her camp and she came back with a whole new set of tools to help her when she is passing dogs on leash! Her recall is better than ever and walking her on leash has become a fun experience instead of a chore like it was before.
We would highly recommend Premire Canine to anyone who wants to have a better listening and more well behaved dog in their family. We will definitely be recommending all our friends and family for training!
Becky
“Again Rachel spent time “training” us on the commands that Fiona now knew.”
My husband and I added an American Bully puppy to our family last year and knew we needed to invest in some training.
Thankfully we found Rachel online and signed up for her puppy training course when Fiona was 3 months old. She came back to us with a great foundation and Rachel spent time with us going over what Fiona learned in the 10 days.
We decided to continue to invest in training and signed Fiona up for Adult camp at 6 months.
We were so impressed with what Fiona learned! Again Rachel spent time “training” us on the commands that Fiona now knew. There isn’t a day that goes by that we aren’t grateful for Rachel and her expertise!
Fenny
“My pup is extremely obedient and very acknowledging of commands when we’re out and about with distractions galore.”
Cannot recommend Rachel’s services enough. My pup is extremely obedient and very acknowledging of commands when we’re out and about with distractions galore. People come up to me and comment how well behaved he is (Australian Shepherd), and I just always reiterate the services Rachel provides. Best investment for anyone having trouble with training their pup.
Alex
Contact Premier Canine
Take Your Dog’s Off-Leash Obedience to the Next Level!
If you’re ready to see your canine friend transformed from being reckless and out-of-control to being a well-behaved member of your family, send us a message!
We’ll schedule a quick call and come up with a custom training plan tailored to your dog and your lifestyle.
– Rachel & Sarah, Premier Canine
The Friendly faces who will transform your dog
Meet Our Trainers
Rachel Givan
From Stray-Dog Tamer to Canine Confidence Builder
Hi, Rachel here! I’m the founder and lead trainer at Premier Canine. My long-standing passion in life is training dogs for basic obedience and off-leash skills while at the same time increasing their confidence.
I learned at a very young age how to train dogs, thanks to my mother, a seasoned dog trainer who competed in obedience and conformation shows. As a multi-pet family (including horses, dogs, and cats), creating harmony over our six-acre property was very important to us.
Growing up in the countryside, I loved to teach my dogs basic obedience alongside my horse and in group settings. Country life meant that I found a lot of stray/unwanted dogs; this gave me the opportunity to learn how to work with many different dog breeds.
By the age of 18 I had trained and/or found forever homes for a range of breeds, including Huskies, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Bulldogs, Great Pyrenees, Labs, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Pugs, Pomeranians, Dobermans, and a variety of mixed breeds. Venturing out on my own, I started training dogs for conformation, weight pull, dock diving, agility, AKC obedience, and French Ring Sport.
Some of my accomplishments include multiple obedience titles, with several high in trial placements. Building a relationship with my dogs has been a source of immense fulfillment and I enjoy helping people build those special relationships with their own dogs.
I specialize in helping dogs increase their confidence gradually and reliably so that in the future you can enjoy your canine companion in various locations and contexts. I’ll help you form a bond with your dog that will result in better behaviors and amazing obedience for years to come.
Sarah Mueller
Doggie Nerd at Your Service!
Hi, I’m Sarah, the newest addition to the Premier Canine team! Believe it or not, my history as a dog trainer goes back to about the age of 5. Since then, my passion for all things dog behavior, competitions, and continued education in dog training has only increased.
In my free time, you’ll see me competing in AKC Obedience, French Ring Sport, and other sports-dog competitions.
I love to apply what I have learned about canine behavior, which has made me uniquely suited to solve the more challenging problems that come up in dog training. In addition, my background as a vet assistant helps me notice any issues related to dog safety and nutrition.
One of my passions is helping dog owners create the structure within their home to see their dog(s) thrive. If your dog has reactivity issues that are difficult to solve, or if you need additional assistance with crate training or house manners, I can help!
If you feel like previous training attempts have failed, or you just don’t know where to start, I’d love to help you and your dog move forward with harmony and confidence.
Michelle
A Compassionate Retired RN Turned Dog Enthusiast
Hi! My name is Michelle. I’m a retired RN. I worked as a registered nurse for 26 years. Before becoming an RN, I worked as a veterinary technician for 10 years. I began training and working with dogs as a teenager, and rescuing just about any animal for as long as I can remember. In my teens and early twenties I trained and competed in AKC obedience and conformation with dobermans and huskies. I spent several years working with the Doberman rescue league in south Florida. I loved helping these troubled dogs learn to trust people again, train them in obedience and build their confidence.
During my years as an RN I continued to train and find homes for unwanted dogs and cats. I worked side by side with my 3 daughters and taught them how to rehabilitate and train dogs that had lost their confidence and their faith in people. The love, joy and gratitude I feel when working with and caring for dogs is immeasurable.
My daughter, Rachel, shared my passion for working with dogs and has been able to pursue a career that she loves. Upon my retirement I have been able to join my daughter with our shared passion once again. I feel truly blessed to be able to work with my daughter and return to something I love. Working with Rachel and Sarah as they train and work with the dogs is a joy. The best part is, that I get to assist them as needed, play with and care for the dogs! (Some of the campers can play fetch for hours!) Fulfilling my childhood dreams of spending all of my days with dogs!
D’Artagnan & Ghost
Trusted Canine Coaches: A Malinois & Samoyed Duo
At Premier Canine, our dogs D’Artagnan (Malinois) and Ghost (Samoyed) are an essential part of the training team! As our first neutral distractions, they’ve helped so many nervous or reactive dogs build confidence. D’Artagnan’s calm energy and Ghost’s friendly, playful nature make them perfect for guiding dogs through new experiences. Ghost is also great at showing other dogs what appropriate playtime looks like, making training both fun and effective!
F.A.Q.s
Do you work with dogs with a bite history?
Our goal is a transformed dog from when you drop them off to when you pick them up. We can train every dog to this degree with enough time, intention, and patience through building a strong relationship!
However, in our experience, dogs with bite history take 6+ weeks to get there, over twice as long as our board and trains. We’ve seen trainers try to get there in less, but the time frame did not set up either the dogs or their owners for success after the training.
For this reason, we do not train dogs with a bite history. It’s not because they’re a bad dog or there’s no hope for them. It’s because we can’t promise the transformation we want to deliver in the time that we spend with each dog.
Why do we split our board and train into two parts?
At Premier Canine, we offer board and train program in two parts to ensure success for both you and your dog.
The first part focuses on the basics and lasts 10-14 days. After this, there’s a 2-4 week break, during which we’ll provide a lesson to review the tools your dog has learned. We’ll also have weekly check-ins to make sure you and your dog are progressing.
The second part of our camp emphasizes longer durations, handling distractions, e-collar training, and personalized goals, and also lasts 10-14 days. At the end, you’ll receive another lesson, tailored to your goals and the specific challenges you and your dog are facing.
Additionally, you’ll have up to five lessons within the first three months after your dog comes home to help keep you on track.
Our camp not only involves you in your dog’s training but also allows you to grow together as your dog learns new skills.
Why should I invest in the Premier Canine board and train program?
- Our board and trains are better than weekly training: Our training program helps us quickly gain a deeper understanding of your dog. With this insight, we can tailor our approach to set your dog up for success and teach you how to do the same.A weekly trainer can’t be there to tell you how to react in every situation. When we train your dog, you’ll always have a trainer on-call who completely understands your dog.
- Our board and trains are better than group classes: In a group class, the trainer has to focus on many dogs, not just yours. When we train your dog, you’ll feel seen and satisfied. Your dog will get specialized training instead of standing in the back while the trainer works with other dogs. Plus, a group environment isn’t always the best environment for success. Many distractions hinder the process. We work with your dog in controlled environments before we ever go into high-distraction environments.
- Our board and trains are better than at-home training: Your dog will be trained in different environments so you can be confident in every situation and location.
We spend countless hours each day working with your dog throughout their time in the camp. That’s why we’re able to build such a strong bond and get such great results in so short a time.
How often will I get updates?
We’ll send you 2-3 updates a week via email and text. We’ll also send a substantial email halfway through camp.
In that email, we’ll talk about about how your dog is progressing toward your goals. We’ll also cover any areas your dog is struggling that we will address when you bring them home. We’ll also schedule a date and time to bring them home and talk about any questions we might have for each other.
If there are urgent concerns at any point, we will contact you right away.
Aren't ecollars unethical?
Many people think ecollars are unethical or wrong to use. When used by a non-trained professional, they can be! You should never use an ecollar to shock your dog into submission or punish them. That’s not what we do here!
If used properly, ecollars are just a very long leash. When your dog gets too far ahead on the leash, what do you do? You pull on it a little to bring them back. An ecollar is the same, except the distance is far longer.
Think of it like a tap on the shoulder – when you want your dog to come back, you tap them and say, “Hey, please come back to me!” Taps can be lighter or stronger based off of the danger or stimulation of the situation. Most dogs never need a stronger tap, as they will come back at the gentlest of requests.
Think of the alternatives. How much pain is your dog experiencing being on a leash 24/7, 365, when they could be running at the park, or chasing toys in your front yard? What could happen if you let them off and their recall isn’t good? There are many good reasons to use an ecollar to train your dog!
Can I visit my dog?
You want to see your dog because you love them, we get it! But because of the depth of bond we create with them, bringing another party they love into the mix can confuse them and set the training back.
But don’t worry! Once we finish training, we’ll transfer that bond to you. Your dog will love you even more than when they left, and vice versa! Especially as you continue their training and doing all the fun things you wanted to do with them!
What if I have another dog at home that isn't trained?
We get this question all the time. We’ve helped many multi-dog homes where they’ve only trained one dog. We help you integrate your trained dog back into your home, whatever the situation. Sometimes the owner is so happy with the results that they have the other dog trained later! We are committed to helping make sure everyone succeeds!
I don't want to send my dog away!
We know it’s difficult to send them away for so long, but they’re going to be having so much fun! They’ll enjoy new places, experiences, other dogs, and have a great time while they’re with us. Think of all the fun you’ll have with them when they come home!
Your dog will be the same dog, just better trained.
What if I don't have the equipment that I need?
We provide everything that you will need both before and after training. This includes a collar, leash, and ecollar. You and your dog will leave the training fully equipped for success!
What is your facility like?
Our facilities are our homes – there’s no separation between the dogs and us. You never need to worry about either of us leaving your dogs unattended! I live on 3 acres in the countryside outside of Seattle, WA. I have large fields with solid fences so that your dog can run far, play safe, and practice recall. I have many spaces dedicated to sniffing, playing, and enjoying while they’re not being trained