Blue Dog Creature Coaching offers a variety of services and classes to help pets and their people live in harmony.

• Puppy Classes
• Adult Dog Classes – Beginner
• Adult Dog and Puppy Classes – Intermediate
• Adult Dog Classes – Advanced
• Private In-Home Dog Training

Jenn Merritt, CPDT-KA

Located between the Triangle and Triad regions of North Carolina, Blue Dog Creature Coaching serves Burlington, Mebane, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham.  If you are located outside of our service area, please consider our remote dog training services. Sharing our lives with a canine companion is a highly rewarding and sometimes challenging experience. Since puppies and dogs do not come with instructions, pet parents must teach them how to live in harmony with their new surroundings.  No dog is perfect – we’ll help set realistic goals for you and your dog. Our reward based techniques are based on the science of learning theory and positive reinforcement.  Our methods are dog friendly and family friendly and do not involve the use of force or fear. Blue Dog can assist you in setting up your dog for success and changing your dog’s undesirable habits and issues such as:

• Chewing/Destructive Behavior
• Hyperactivity/Reactivity
• Leash Pulling/Jumping Up
• Housetraining/Crate Training

Reward Based Group Classes are taught indoors, year-round at the newly renovated, climate controlled Extraordinary Ventures Conference Center, 200 South Elliott Road in Chapel Hill.  Classes are taught by Jenn Merritt, CPDT-KA and puppy instructor Gloria Faley.  We also work in collaboration with Jane Marshall, of Cheery Dogs.  

Climate controlled indoor facility

Our group classes integrate the principles of reward-based training and the Tellington TTouch Method. Classes are designed to educate dogs and their people to live together successfully, build teamwork and communication, while teaching manners and real life skills. Our non-confrontational, family friendly training environment is designed to reduce your dog’s stress and arousal for optimal learning (and fun!). We welcome the entire family to participate in the dog’s education. Classes consist of a maximum of six participants and their dogs and are taught at Extraordinary Ventures Conference Center in Chapel Hill (200 South Elliott Rd., across from Whole Foods), Bed & Bone in Mebane, Ears, Eyes, Nose and Paws in Carrboro, and at Blue Dog’s private training studio in Efland.

Which class for your puppy/dog? Use this chart to view all our offered classes and our suggested progression for your puppy’s education.  Classes are scheduled on demand and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To check availability of group classes or to determine what training option would work best for you and your dog. please contact us. You may register for classes and services online.

Private Training Lessons Blue Dog Creature Coaching private sessions are taught in your home and integrate the principles of reward-based training and the Tellington TTouch Method.

Jenn Merritt in a Private In Home Dog Training Session

Private sessions are by appointment and are the best option for busy pet parents that cannot attend regular group classes or for dogs that have problematic behavior issues. Sessions may include teaching you and your dog to work as a team, learning basic commands, creative management solutions for undesirable behaviors or specific techniques of the Tellington TTouch Method to address your dog’s individual health or behavioral needs. All private training and behavior modification emphasizes the reduction of stress and arousal to create an environment in which the dog can more easily learn new or more appropriate behaviors. Semi-Private Lessons Semi-private lessons can consist of 2-4 participants and their dogs at a client’s home. These lessons may include learning a variety of skills, commands, and tricks. Classes can be customized for the group and are a great way for friends to work with their dogs together! If you are interested in semi-private lessons, please call or email us for more information. If you prefer to mail a check for payment instead of using PayPal, you may download our Registration Form and mail with proper payment.