Expert dog training serving SW Virginia and beyond

Training for your dog so they can become the perfect family companion!

Call us Today
(540) 212-4067

Virginias best personalized and expert dog training to meet your specific needs

Helping develop a happy and coehesive relationship between you and your dog!

With many years experience in dogs, we can provide the right coaching, technique, and skill to help you achieve any goal with your dog. We work with a large variety of breeds and behavior issues. We specialize in puppy training, advanced obedience, off leash reliability, and behavior modification.

Being as though we are a small business and not a franchise, you will know exactly who your trainer is and get personal one on one attention and coaching. We don’t believe in a one size fits all approach, we know every owner and dog is individually different.

free 30 minute phone consultations to get started.

There’s no commitment, pressure, or obligation.

A woman walks her golden retriever in line at an outdoor event with food vendors and people in the background on a sunny day.

Board & Train

Our 3-6 week board & train program is the most efficient and effective way to obtain strong reliability and obedience for your companion. Ensure your dog is getting properly trained all while receiving amazing care in the trainers home and getting daily updates during their stay. Each stay comes with 3 go home lessons so we can teach you everything your dog has learned.

Call for scheduling & pricing!

Two people walking with black dogs into a store through sliding glass doors. The store has a yellow and gray floor with various items on shelves.

Private Lessons

If you have the time to train your own dog but need professional guidance, this is the program for you. We would visit you in your home or an offsite location for an hour once per week for a consecutive 5-10 weeks to give you the proper coaching to help you achieve your goals. Homework is given each week so you can practice the techniques at home.

Call for scheduling & pricing!

A dapple gray and black spotted dog lying on a textured black surface, looking directly at the camera with ears back and head slightly tilted.

Day Train, Behavior Modification, Boarding & More!

Day Train allows you to get the best of both worlds. Drop your dog off twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks where they receive training throughout their day, exercise, and new experiences. We provide weekly feedback so you can practice at home and a go-home lesson to be done at the end of the 8 weeks.

We provide limited boarding and refresher training for already existing clients! Ask us about other services we offer as well.

We work with dogs of any breed, size or age and we teach owners lifelong skills to have continued success.

We can address:

Leash manners & Heel

Barking Issues & Reactivty

Separation Anxiety

Off Leash Reliability & A strong recall

Destructive Tendancies

Jumping on Guests/House Manners

Training for Specific tasks

Fearful/Aggression Issues

& More!

Two happy dogs sitting on a large rock in front of a fountain with two waterfalls and a large green tree in a park.

Some of our board & train and private lesson graduates:

Close-up of a small, fluffy, light-colored dog with curly fur, looking up at the camera, standing on green grass.
Two dogs sitting on green grass near a shrub and a stone wall, looking at the camera. One dog is black with a white patch on its chest, and the other is tan with black markings on its face.
A happy dog sitting on a large rock in front of a waterfall in a park on a sunny day.
Close-up of a happy yellow Labrador Retriever sitting on green grass, looking up with its mouth open and tongue out.
A happy dog with a joyful expression, looking up at the camera on a grassy surface.
Four dogs with varying coat colors and patterns, sitting on a concrete driveway, with two people partially visible behind them holding their leashes.
A happy, curly-haired dog wearing a colorful birthday hat and blue bandana, sitting on green grass with tongue out.
Two dogs, a fluffy cream-colored one and a black one, lying on green grass in a park on a sunny day, both looking at the camera with their tongues out.
A happy, gray brindle dog lying on green grass with its tongue out.
A happy gray and white dog with its tongue out, sitting on green grass and looking up at the camera.
A dog with blue eyes, merle coat pattern, sitting on green grass, looking up.
Two dogs, one gray and black sitting with tongue out and the other black, white, and brown laying on concrete sidewalk with grass, trees, and parked cars in the background during sunny weather.
A small black and white Chihuahua sitting on a sidewalk, with a man holding a leash to a larger tricolor dog, both outside in a residential neighborhood.
Four dogs sitting on a well-maintained green lawn with a house and gravel area in the background. The dogs are a golden retriever, a black dog, a corgi, and a small black fluffy dog. All are panting with their tongues out and appear happy.
Two dogs, a German Shepherd mix and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, sitting on grass outside, looking at the camera with happy expressions.
A happy Australian Shepherd dog sitting on green grass with a blurred background.
Two dogs sitting inside a home improvement store aisle with garden supplies, plant food, and gardening tools on shelves.
Two dogs on a bench at Queen Creek Olive Mill, Arizona, with trees, picnic tables, and a sign in the background.
Two dogs, a golden retriever puppy sitting and a German shepherd lying on the ground at an outdoor patio with chairs and a wooden table.
Two adorable dogs, a golden curly-coated retriever and a black and white Boston terrier, lying on a raised outdoor dog bed in a backyard with a chain-link fence in the background.
A happy brown dog lying on a dirt path near a body of water with trees and bushes in the background.
Four dogs lying on a concrete porch, with a gravel area in the background. Three of the dogs are light-colored and one is black and gray. They appear happy and relaxed, with their tongues out.
Three dogs, a golden retriever, a small black and white terrier, and a husky, lying on a paved patio with a patch of green grass in the foreground. There are red chairs and a potted plant in the background.
A light-colored Labrador Retriever puppy sitting outdoors on a black surface with green grass in the background, looking directly at the camera.
Close-up of a happy Rottweiler dog with its tongue out, sitting on a grooming mat with green leash attached, indoors near green carpet.
A puppy lying on the floor of a store aisle, looking up and happy, with shelves of products on either side and a blue recycling bin nearby.
Two dogs sitting on bright green artificial grass outdoors, one with curly tan fur and the other with short tan and brown fur, both looking at the camera.
French Bulldog sitting on green grass, looking directly at the camera with an attentive expression.
A black and white Border Collie dog looking up with ears perked on green grass, smiling with an open mouth.
Two dogs sitting in a field of orange and white flowers under a cloudy sky, one black and the other black and white with blue eyes, smiling and looking at the camera.
A German Shepherd dog lying on a dirt path in a park, with trees and parked cars in the background, sunny weather.
A happy Labrador retriever mix dog lying on grass in a park with a leash, smiling with its tongue out.
A fluffy cream-colored dog lying on a dirt path in a park with trees, a man, and a black and tan dog in the background.
Two dogs lying on the ground next to a yellow signboard at Gilbert Farmers Market, with people walking and tents in the background on a sunny day.
Four dogs sitting on grass in a sunny yard, with a small orange ball in the background.
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A woman walking outdoors with a large German Shepherd dog during daytime.

Meet Your Trainer: Eliza Collins

Eliza began her dog training journey in 2014. She ran her own business for 8 years in Arizona before moving to VA and becoming owner of The Canine Intention which has now re branded into DLS Dog Training Academy . Since then, she has professionally trained thousands of dogs in anything from therapy work to behavior modification cases. With her combined experience in high level dog sport and dog psychology, she can provide the right balance of methods that will work for your dog and your goals.

What Our Clients Are Saying

  • Tom W, Cave Spring VA

    “

    I don’t have one bad thing to say. Very professional, very prompt, very likable. The results in my dog are truly remarkable. Not to mention the confidence and peace of mind Eliza has instilled in me.

    ”

  • Trent R, Rocky Mount VA

    “

    These folks are trustworthy and passionate about dogs. Whether it’s training or boarding, they do an excellent job!

    ”

  • Sheila G, Roanoke VA

    “

    Eliza was very receptive to our concerns and goals before we started the training process. She answered all of our questions and once he came back from boarding he was a transformed dog. The fact that she offers small sessions after boarding to help train the humans as well made a world of a difference since it gave us the opportunity to address additional concerns that came up once he was home. If you are looking for a highly knowledgeable trainer receptive to humans and dogs needs don’t hesitate to hire Eliza, completely worth it.

    ”

  • Paige L, Roanoke VA

    I absolutely recommend DLS. Eliza did an excellent job with our very hard headed 3 year old yellow lab. Communication was great, she texted videos, pictures and updates daily.

  • Karen S, Roanoke VA

    I would recommend DLS to anyone needing dog training. She listens to what you need. Gives you honest advice. Patient with you and your pups. We have 2 german shepherds. We have been working with a hyper 2 year. Already seeing a huge improvement. Getting ready to start with our new puppy.

  • Angel M, Cave Spring VA

    Eliza helped transform our Corgi, Trilby. She was difficult to manage on walks and destructive in the house. We were given the proper guidance and skills to effectively walk her and communicate boundaries when necessary. The training gave us a much better relationship with her and we are forever grateful!

  • Mel A, Boones Mill, VA

    This lady is one of the most professional and knowledgeable Dog Trainers I have ever met. She has brought top notch proven methods and outcome based no nonsense training to our area. After talking with her I was pleased that she offered me many options for my Dachsund and some of the behavioral issues he is having. She is not a one size fits all dog “ therapist”. Thank you so much!!