Learn what makes our academy so effective at dog training.
Professional Dog Training Programs in Southeastern Washington
Programs
At Mattox Dog Training Academy, we specialize in creating customized training programs to meet the unique needs of each dog and owner. Whether you’re looking for obedience training, help with anxiety or aggression, or specialized service dog training, our expert trainers use proven methods to ensure your dog’s success.
Our scenic farm in Eltopia, WA, provides the perfect environment for structured learning and personal growth for your dog. With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, we offer programs that prioritize consistency, care, and positive reinforcement.
Your involvement is a critical part of your dog’s training success.
While we can teach your dog to follow commands and behave well with us, those results won’t fully transfer to your home unless you’re actively involved. Consistency and clear leadership from you are key to making the training stick.
No matter what training your dog needs, please understand that we are here to train you too, and there will be homework. We are also here for the lifetime of your dog. We want to answer any questions you may have after training and encourage all our clients to reach back out to us after your dog goes home.
All programs include a detailed 90–120 minute go-home session at our facility, where we transfer all training to you. Plus, every Board & Train program includes a complimentary follow-up. We encourage graduates to attend one of our monthly group classes approximately one month after returning home. If the group class schedule does not work for your family, a complimentary one-hour private follow-up session may be scheduled instead.
For a more tailored experience, you may upgrade to our *In-Home Session, where a trainer will meet you at your home to ensure a seamless transition, troubleshoot real-world challenges, and customize your dog’s training to your environment.
*This premium service is available for an additional fee.
Foundational Obedience
8-12 Week Program
$1550
due on sign up then
billed every 4 weeks
Click Me For Foundational Obedience Focus.
At Mattox Dog Training Academy, your dog gets a cozy blanket, a bed, and a bedtime treat every night, included. Because comfort shouldn’t be an upgrade. It should be standard.
Foundational obedience covers:
- Basic understanding of manners: not jumping on people, listening to commands, leave it, and off.
- Basic understanding of socialization: getting them familiar with small dogs, big dogs, puppies, and old dogs, basically all sizes and age ranges.
- Basic understanding of on-lead work, recalls, and downs. Along with the wait command for waiting at doors.
- Basic understanding of focus: sit with focus and wait for food and commands.
- Basic confidence-building.
- Basic Grooming: getting nails done, climbing in and out of the bath, and getting their coat blown out.
- Basic Kennel Training: Go to bed (command to get in the kennel) and wait to be freed once the door opens.
We strongly believe that daily, consistent training is a key component of your dog’s learning and growth, which is why the board-and-train program is so important.
Multi-dog discounts available
Solid Obedience
12-16 Week Program
$1550
due on sign up then
billed every 4 weeks
Click Me For Solid Obedience Focus.
At Mattox Dog Training Academy, your dog gets a cozy blanket, a bed, and a bedtime treat every night, included. Because comfort shouldn’t be an upgrade. It should be standard.
Solid obedience is for those looking to build further than our foundational obedience. A dog with solid obedience should need to be told a command only once or twice.
- Solid understanding of manners: not jumping on people, listening to commands, leave it, and off.
- Solid understanding of socialization: getting them familiar with small dogs, big dogs, puppies, and old dogs, basically all sizes and age ranges, being around horses and new people constantly
- Solid understanding of on-lead work, recalls, and 30-minute in-sight downs. Along with the wait command for waiting at doors.
- Solid understanding of off-lead work, along with load and unload commands for medium and large dogs. For smaller dogs, we focus on safe handling when getting in and out of vehicles.
- Solid understanding of focus: sit with focus and down with focus.
- Solid confidence-building: training on stairs, A-frames, wobble boards, see-saws, swing bridges, and trampolines.
- Solid Grooming: getting nails done, climbing in and out of the bath, and getting their coat blown out.
- Solid Kennel Training: Go to bed (command to get into the kennel) and wait to be released once the door opens, calming in the kennel.
We strongly believe that daily, consistent training is a key component of your dog’s learning and growth, which is why the board-and-train program is so important.
Multi-dog discounts available
Advanced Anxiety
12+ Week Program
$1550
due on sign up then
billed every 4 weeks
Click Me For Advanced Anxiety Focus.
This is mandatory for all dogs coming in with anxiety. In this program. We work on everything listed in the Foundational Obedience Program, as well as getting to the root of the anxiety and focusing on confidence-building. In this program foundational obedience is secondary to confidence-building.
At Mattox Dog Training Academy, your dog gets a cozy blanket, a bed, and a bedtime treat every night, included. Because comfort shouldn’t be an upgrade. It should be standard.
Anxiety can come from a multitude of things, whether it’s improper training, as dogs don’t understand punishment; they understand correction in the moment. They can even be fearful of something, either at home or in public. It’s important to remember that a lot of anxiety can be a direct result of current and even past events in the home environment. This is also important to remember when adopting rescue dogs, as you never truly know what they have been through in the past. Confidence & good training can help them build the foundation they need to take the next step in their journey, with you by their side.
We strongly believe that daily, consistent training is a key component of your dog’s learning and growth, which is why the board-and-train program is so important.
Multi-dog discounts available
Advanced Aggression
12+ Week Program
$2125
due on sign up then
billed every 4 weeks
Click Me For Advanced Aggression Focus
This is mandatory for all dogs entering with aggression-related issues and aims to identify the root cause. Everything listed in the Foundational Obedience program is taught, but with a focus on what leads to aggression and what is needed to overcome those issues. In this program, foundational obedience is secondary.
At Mattox Dog Training Academy, your dog gets a cozy blanket, a bed, and a bedtime treat every night, included. Because comfort shouldn’t be an upgrade. It should be standard.
We get to know your dog and understand their story and what the underlying issue is. One of our head trainers has said in 50 years of training, she has only met four genuinely aggressive dogs. Everything else stemmed from anxiety or understanding what happened at the moment and why a dog showed aggression. In both the Advanced Anxiety and Advanced Aggression Programs, it’s important to understand that we work at your dog’s pace, not a set standard. Each dog has a different story to tell and has individual needs.
- Aggressive.
- Resource Guarding.
- Food Aggression.
- Lead Reactive.
- Anxiety Aggression.
- Fence Fighting.
We strongly believe that daily, consistent training is a key component of your dog’s learning and growth, which is why the board-and-train program is so important.
Daily Boarding
Graduates Only
$60
Per night
Click Me For Boarding Benefits
We love every pup that trains with us, and we can’t wait to welcome them back for a stay!
During their visit, your dog will enjoy:
- Plenty of time to play in our spacious play yards
- Daily sessions with our trainers to reinforce commands and overall obedience
- A fresh bone every day
- A cozy dog bed and warm blanket for restful evenings
- Lots of toys to chew, toss, and squeak
We also include Dynamite Showdown minerals with meals, along with wild Alaskan fish and salmon oils and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, always at no extra cost.
And speaking of extra fees, there aren’t any. Everything listed below is fully included in your dog’s stay:
- Administering required or prescribed medications
- Preparing additional meals if needed
- Providing daily bones and treats
- Extra outdoor playtime
- Bathing during their stay
- Nail trimming during their stay
Your dog’s comfort, care, and happiness are all part of the experience, no add ons required.
Our boarding program is exclusively available to graduates of our Board & Train program. Because every dog has been trained to the same standards and understands our expectations, we can provide a calm, structured environment that isn’t possible in a traditional kennel. Your dog maintains consistency and behaviors they’ve learned while receiving individualized care from the same team that trained them.
Tune Up Refresher Course
4 Week Program
$1300
$325.00 deposit due on sign up
Click Me for Tune Up Focus
This program covers the skills taught in our Foundational and Solid Obedience programs in a condensed timeline.
We understand life gets busy, and sometimes, we don’t have the time or energy to work with our dogs or follow through like we should. This refresher course aims to help those who have already completed our board and train program but could use a little extra time put into helping them remember their manners and the foundation we built with the original program.
Any training time recommended beyond the program’s initial contracted period is at the trainer’s discretion and is a recommendation, not a requirement. This flexibility allows us to tailor training to each dog’s individual needs and progress.
Training Is Just The Beginning
Graduation is an important milestone, but the real reward is everything that comes after it. Every Mattox graduate leaves with lifetime support from our team, so you’ll never be on your own when questions come up.
For families who want even more convenience and continued connection to MDTA, our optional Care Plans offer added benefits such as priority scheduling, refresher training, group classes, boarding perks, annual check-ins, and exclusive savings.
Care Plans aren’t about starting training over—they’re designed to help you maintain what you’ve built and make life with your well-trained dog even easier.
Once a Month Group Class
$100 per dog per class
$250 Pre-purchase for 3 classes
These classes are held once a month, and each month has a different training focus. Please click enroll, create a profile, and then look under group classes for upcoming dates and times. Up to date vaccination records are required to participate. A fecal test is not required for group classes.
Specialty Training Plans
Therapy & Facility Dog Training
Starting at $12,040*
*This covers up to 8 months of on-site training, which does not include the 3-month Solid Obedience Program. Any additional time or tasks will increase the cost. Please remember each dog is unique.
This type of training is meant for someone who wants a dog for a group setting such as schools, hospitals, police stations, and retirement communities. Therapy dogs are meant for groups, not just individuals.
All dogs being trained as a therapy dog must first go through our Solid Board and Train for a full 12 weeks. This is not included in the starting price.
ESA Training
Starting at $12,040*
This type of training is meant for someone who wants a dog to help with their anxiety in or out of the home.
All dogs being trained as an ESA must first go through our Solid Board and Train for a full 12 weeks. This is not included in the starting price.
Service Dog Training
Starting at $27,090*
*This covers up to 18 months of on-site training, including the3-month Solid Obedience Program. Any additional time or tasks will increase the cost. Please remember each dog is unique.
Any Service Dog Trained by MDTA needs a yearly recertification. This is $250 per year.
This type of training is meant for someone who wants a dog that completes a task. They can be trained to work with wheelchairs and canes. Training can be specific to one need or include any combination of alerting for seizures, autism, narcolepsy, diabetes, and PTSD.
All dogs being trained as a Service Dog must first go through our Solid Board and Train for a full 12 weeks. This is included in the starting price.
Facility Dog Training information
Service, Therapy, and ESA Dog Laws for Washington State
The Mattox Difference
The Mattox Foundations of Good Training
Confidence
Having confidence in your dog and it being confident in you are key. This is why at the end of every board and train program we spend 90 to 120 minutes with you going over all the training your dog has received during the stay here. We’ll provide recommendations for feeding amounts and schedules, discuss appropriate training tools and how to use them, and offer guidance on outings and continued socialization once your dog returns home. This support doesn’t stop there, we always want to hear how you and your dog are doing once they have left and encourage our clients to reach back out with any questions that may arise.
Consistency
Training every day with structure helps your dog know what is expected of them and reinforces the commands and expectations the trainers have for them. We understand life gets busy and you cannot train with your dog every day. That is why the foundations we build here through our board and train program are important. We want to ensure long term obedience is achievable for your dog with realistic upkeep at home.
Nutrition
While your dog is training at Mattox Dog Training Academy, they will be receiving the best of care. Nutrition is one of the biggest factors in a dog’s overall health and well-being. Whether your dog is a beloved family companion or a working service dog, we want to ensure their nutritional needs are individually evaluated, administered, and monitored. We will also instruct you on how you can best feed your dog in today’s world of preservatives and additives.
Dog Training 101: What to Expect
Vaccine Requirements
You must provide proof of the vaccinations listed below. These can be uploaded from your portal once you make a profile for yourself and your pup under the enroll now button
- Rabies Vaccination
- DHLPP, DA2PP-L, or DA2PP-C — annual vaccination required; 3-year vaccination not accepted
- Leptospirosis annual
- Bordetella
- Negative fecal test for Giardia and intestinal parasites.
- Please have your veterinarian send shot records to [email protected]
Common Questions:
Can I visit my dog during training?
No, you can’t visit while they are here for training as it sets the training back; they need to be comfortable and integrated here so the trainers can effectively work with your dog.
Can I bring my dog’s blanket, bed, or toys?
No, we appreciate you wanting to care for your dog while they are away. All bedding and toys on site get washed and sanitized daily. If you bring bedding, blankets, or toys, we cannot guarantee that your dog’s individual belongings will remain separate, as all items are cleaned and sanitized together.
Class Times and Dates:
Please use the new customer portal to sign up and schedule your obedience or specialty training. For additional information, please call or email us.
Your dog will stay with us for the length of the Board & Train program selected for their individual needs. Program lengths vary, and some dogs may benefit from additional time based on their progress and training goals. During that time, we will reset destructive behaviors using the Mattox Method. By living away from their owners in our farm environment, we can provide the consistency, structure, and clear expectations that allow the training to become part of their everyday life.
We will treat your dog as if they were our own. In our house, the dogs always come first. We will exercise, groom, and ensure your dog receives the best nutrition while staying with us.
What We Expect From You:
We require the first four weeks to be paid upfront. Please be on time. If you cannot make a scheduled appointment, let us know, and we can reschedule. Listen to our instructions and follow all our directions strictly.
Materials You Will Need:
You must provide 2 bags of dry food and 12-24 cans of wet dog food for your dog, and we will provide the rest.
Nutrition And Health:
Before a dog comes to us, we must ensure the dog is in good health and up to date on shots. Nutrition is a critical factor in the health and training of a dog. At Mattox Dog Training Academy, we use raw meat, homemade supplements, vitamins, and minerals.
We will make an individualized plan specific to your dog’s needs.
Follow Up:
We encourage every Board & Train graduate to attend one of our monthly group classes approximately one month after returning home. This complimentary class gives us the opportunity to check in on your progress, reinforce training, answer questions, and address any challenges that may have come up during the transition home.
If the group class schedule does not work for your family, we can provide a complimentary one-hour private follow up session instead.
This follow up support is included with your Board & Train program.
See What Our Customers Are Saying
Testimonials
“The staff are amazing. We have taken 3 dogs to them for training. They are caring, experienced, and patient. Chance and Mary take the time to answer all your questions and concerns. My dogs are well cared for in their care and treated like family. I highly recommend them for all your training needs.”
Shannon Novakovich
“I sent my 9yr old Husky mix, I had hoped he could come home with the training of being able to walk by a dog with out lunging. What I got was so much more! He can now be around dogs with out a care in the world, he walks on a leash with out pull, he recalls amazing. I am so thankful for Chance and Mary for taking the time to teach this old dog some new tricks.“
Sammi Jo Jongeward
“Words cannot describe the amazing talent Mattox Dog Training Academy has!! They turned our unruly and aggressive German Shepherd into a “gentle giant”. We will be forever grateful to Mary, Chance and all who worked with Zeke. Thank you!!“