Hello!

I’m Amy Estep, Grateful Dog’s trainer. I’ve been here nearly since we opened and love getting to know each dog and watching them grow into well mannered socialized pups!

I discovered dog training while earning my degree at West Virginia University. I took an elective service dog training course and earned a minor in psychology, with all of my courses focusing on applied animal behavior. I later trained under Dr. Megan Maxwell and Lindsay Parenti, and worked as a Pet Behavior Consultant helping owners with a wide range of behavior challenges.

After spending several years homeschooling my two children, I was excited to return to working with dogs. I’m so grateful to be part of Grateful Dog, where I provide individual training during daycare and lead our group puppy classes. Even when dogs are not enrolled in formal training, I enjoy incorporating basic obedience and positive behavior reinforcement into their daycare experience to help support good manners and confidence.

Play & Train Program

Our Play & Train program combines the fun and social benefits of daycare with focused, one-on-one training to help your dog build practical skills you can use at home.

Using positive reinforcement methods, our trainer teaches your dog new behaviors in a way that is effective, humane, and enjoyable. Reward-based training helps dogs understand what is expected of them while building confidence, strengthening your bond, and creating a positive learning experience.

How It Works

Throughout the day, your dog will participate in multiple private training sessions totaling approximately one hour of individualized instruction. Sessions are typically 15–20 minutes long to keep your dog engaged and set them up for success.

Each program is customized to your goals and adjusted as your dog progresses. We also provide video demonstrations of the skills we are working on so you can confidently continue training at home.

Between sessions, your pup will enjoy supervised daycare play with other dogs or take breaks as needed. As your dog advances, we will also practice skills in the daycare environment to help them respond reliably even with real-world distractions.

Who Is This Program For?

Our Play & Train packages are ideal for:

New dog owners looking for guidance
Busy owners who need extra support
Families wanting to reinforce existing training
Dogs who benefit from structured learning and mental stimulation

If you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure where to begin, we are here to help. Dogs are family, and living with them should be rewarding and enjoyable for everyone.

Common Training Goals

We can help with:

Basic obedience
Jumping
Counter surfing
Door bolting
Impulse control
Loose-leash walking
Off-leash recall
Socialization
Scent work
Leash and barrier reactivity (case-by-case basis)
And more

Commands We Commonly Teach

Sit
Down
Stay
Leave It
Come
Place
Off
Watch
Settle
Heel
Touch

Day Board & Train Option

Have a dog that prefers their own space? No problem.

For dogs who are not comfortable in group daycare, we offer a Day Board & Train option. Instead of participating in group play, your dog will relax in a private kennel and receive one-on-one yard time with a staff member in between training sessions.

Getting Started

A meet and greet is required for all dogs to ensure they are a good fit for Grateful Dog and to help us recommend the best training option for your pup. If your dog is intact, day board & train will be recommended when there is not a suitable yard to accommodate them.