TRAIN THE PROPER
PUP WAY

More freedom. More adventure.

A better relationship with your dog.

Dog training should be about so much more than sitting, staying, and walking nicely on a leash.

It's about understanding your dog, building trust, communicating clearly, and creating a relationship that allows you to enjoy more of life together.

At The Proper Pup Co., we offer personalized private lessons for dogs of all ages, from brand-new puppies to adult dogs who need a little extra guidance. We are a small boutique style training company born in New Bern, North Carolina. Our approach is practical, relationship-focused, and built around your real life.

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Every dog is different.

Your training should be, too.

No cookie-cutter programs here.

Our private lessons are tailored to your dog's personality, your lifestyle, and the goals that matter most to you.

We work with puppies who are just learning the ropes, adolescent dogs testing their boundaries, and adult dogs who need help building better habits or working through behavioral challenges.

Together, we'll focus on building a foundation of trust, clear communication, appropriate boundaries, and skills that actually translate into everyday life.

Skills we work on:

  • Puppy foundations, confidence, and healthy habits

  • Leash walking and everyday manners

  • Recall and building toward off-leash reliability

  • Engagement, motivation, and structured play

  • Impulse control, boundaries, and household expectations

  • Socialization and confidence in new environments

  • Behavior challenges and real-life distractions

    Most importantly, you'll learn how to understand your dog and continue building on those skills long after our lessons.

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Because a well-trained dog deserves a life full of adventure.

This is where training meets the real world.

The Proper Pup Off Leash Adventure Club is an exclusive outdoor adventure experience designed to give dogs opportunities to explore, socialize, move their bodies, engage their minds, and practice their skills beyond the backyard.

We’ll pick up your pup in our Adventure Club van, where they’ll travel safely in crash-tested kennels before heading out for a day of exploring! Alongside a small group of carefully selected canine companions, your dog will enjoy nature trails, new environments, plenty of enrichment, and lots of adventure.

But this isn't your average dog-walking service or free for all day care play group.

Every adventure is guided by a professional dog trainer, with an emphasis on exploration, respectful safe play and social experiences, and reinforcing the skills that make more freedom possible.

Whether your dog is already enjoying off-leash freedom or is still working toward that goal, we'll meet them where they are.

Adventure Club experiences may include:

  • Pickup and transportation in secure travel kennels

  • Nature walks, trail exploration, and outdoor enrichment

  • Carefully managed social experiences with compatible dogs

  • Recall practice and real-world obedience reinforcement

  • Opportunities for appropriate off-leash exploration

  • Physical exercise, mental stimulation, and plenty of fun

  • Participation is subject to approval. Eligible dogs must be Proper Pup Alumni or currently enrolled in private lessons. Off-leash opportunities depend on each dog's training, behavior, and the safety of the environment.

The Off Leash Adventure Club

 CLIENT FEEDBACK

  • A leonberger dog with a green leash sitting on an east coast beach with the ocean in the background.

    Bodhi

    When we brought Bodhi home, we knew we were going to have to take training seriously because he was going to be so big. We heard about Lindsey and The Proper Pup Co. through a friend and wow, it was the best decision we have made! Lindsey has such a way with dogs and when you send your dog to a retreat with her you know they will be loved and taken care of. The changes we saw in Bodhi’s behavior were drastic! The puppy we couldn’t leave unsupervised in our own fenced in backyard, is now able to have that freedom. Not only did our lives get easier, but Bodhi’s quality of life got so much better. Now he gets to enjoy the park off leash, running on the beach, and all the backyard time he wants. We have peace of mind for his safety and that he will listen to us. We could not be more grateful for Lindsey and the work that she does.

    Rachel B.

  • Labrador Retriever sitting on a brick porch with a leash

    Grace

    Lindsey helped me to understand how my dog thinks and what motivates her. Then she trained us both how to work together using consistent and frequent use of commands and lots of praise. Gracie now knows what to expect from me and what I expect from her. She has come a long way! So have I! We now look for opportunities on every walk to practice our skills so that our walks don't become boring. Our favorite activities are perching (in place) on rocks and letting go of the leash entirely for a little "follow-me" practice. I can't say enough about how supportive Lindsey is; she answers all my questions promptly and she genuinely shares in our success! Thank you Proper Pup Company!

    Gretchen W.

  • Tri-color dog sitting on a gray mat with brick wall background.

    Juno

    Lindsey is nothing short of incredible! I have never hired a dog trainer, but she came highly recommended when we got our Australian Shepherd pup. When Lindsey came over to meet Juno for the first time, she explained to us everything she could teach him. I was in a bit of disbelief, but in just a few short lessons, she has absolutely delivered on what she promised. Juno is so well-behaved now. He LOVES to see Lindsey come into the yard for training. She has unlocked incredible potential in our puppy and in us -- as she explains how Juno thinks and learns. She always leaves us with a very helpful page of homework to help us remember what she's gone over and to help us solidify the progress we've made after she leaves. Lindsey is very reliable and quick to respond. She's always on time, and she always comes over ready to work with a beautiful smile for us and our puppy. She is also great at helping us with specific problems within the house as they pop up. I'm so glad she was referred to us, and I think it will make all the difference in how we interact with our dog throughout his life.

    DARE O.

  • Kodi

    I've had various dogs for over fifty years and various German Shepherds for nearly thirty years. I've worked with a fair number of trainers (including a K-9 Officer), and I had thought I knew a fair amount about training, and dogs. I'm a senior citizen now, and last August, when my sixteen year old GSD died, a friend brought me a GSD puppy straight from Germany . The puppy's sire is a champion ... and 130 pounds of muscle. I was worried about whether I could handle that puppy, as I'm not a spring chicken ! So..I thought it best to work with a trainer , and being new to the area I asked for suggestions from those I'd met. Several people suggested Lindsey's firm, A Proper Pup. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've learned an amazing amount from Lindsey, who is not only brilliant at what she does, she's patient and terrific to deal with.
    And the results? My high spirited, high energy GSD is now a pleasure to be around. I can't recommend The Proper Pup Co. highly enough.

    Ann R.


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