The Dog Wizard - Dog & Puppy Obedience Training Upstate listing logo

The Dog Wizard - Dog & Puppy Obedience Training Upstate

Greer, South Carolina

4.9/5· 86 Google reviews

About The Dog Wizard - Dog & Puppy Obedience Training Upstate

We work with dogs and families throughout the Upstate to solve real behavior challenges, not just teach commands. Every dog is different, which is why we never use a one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding who your dog is and what’s driving their behavior, we get to the root of issues like reactivity, anxiety, leash pulling, poor manners, and aggression. Our programs include puppy training, private lessons, immersive board & train options, and ongoing graduate support classes to ensure results last in real life. We focus just as much on training owners as dogs, giving you clear structure, tools, and confidence. That’s why so many South Carolina families trust us to help turn struggling dogs into calm, reliable companions.

Training & services

Training goals

  • Behavior consultation
  • House training Customer-reported
  • Leash training
  • Obedience training
  • Puppy training
    Program details

    Start with foundations that make life easier: calm manners, confidence building, leash skills, and early house rules. Great for preventing common puppy habits from settling in. Serving Inman with simple homework, coached sessions, and support for new owners.

    If you have a new puppy, one of the best things to do to get your relationship off on the right foot is to start puppy training. At The Dog Wizard in Upstate, South Carolina, we catch and correct destructive behaviors in puppies before they become an issue.

  • Recall training Customer-reported
  • Socialization
    Program details

    Confidence around people, dogs, sounds, and busy places comes from guided exposure at the right pace. Sessions focus on calm focus and better choices on outings, with simple homework between visits. Serving Waterloo with structured practice and handler coaching.

Behavior support

  • Aggression training
    Program details

    Reactivity and aggression issues need structure, controlled setups, and practical handling skills for real walks and real environments. We work on triggers, distance management, and neutrality building. Serving Tryon with evaluation-first training and measurable progress.

  • Barking
  • Fear and confidence
  • Reactivity training
  • Resource guarding
    Program details

    Guarding food, toys, beds, or spaces can create tension at home. Training focuses on safer exchanges, better boundaries, and calmer routines that help everyone feel more comfortable. Serving Landrum with step-based coaching and handler skills you can repeat.

  • Separation anxiety
    Program details

    Panic behaviours when left alone can be exhausting. Training builds calm routines, independence skills, and gradual alone-time practice with clear checkpoints to track improvement. Serving Saluda with realistic steps and steady support you can stick with.

How training happens

  • Board and train
    Program details

    Dog board and train programs are perfect for individuals with busy schedules. With various lengths of stays to choose from, it's no wonder why so many Upstate dog owners have chosen The Dog Wizard to train their dogs.

    Intensive training days paired with a transfer session so you can keep progress going at home. Strong option for building reliable obedience or resetting problem habits with clear structure. Serving Woodruff with follow-up coaching and easy take-home practice.

  • Group classes
    Program details

    Structured group classes help your dog practise obedience around distractions while you sharpen handling skills. Great for focus, calm greetings, and better reliability in public. Serving Lyman with guided practice that translates to walks, parks, and busy places.

    Group dog training classes can be a powerful and social component to training your dog. Group dog training sessions are a great way to cement the training your dog has learned in a public setting. Meet with other Spartanburg, Greer, or Duncan dog owners to train together.

  • Owner coaching
  • Private training
    Program details

    One-on-one coaching to improve leash manners, recalls, and in-home rules with clear drills you can practise between visits. Ideal for owners who want focused attention and real-life results. Serving Duncan with sessions built around your day-to-day routine.

Dog age

  • Puppies

Class options

  • Weekend classes

Support between sessions

  • Follow-up support
  • Go-home lessons
  • Homework and practice

Your dog’s background

  • Rescue dogs
    Program details

    Help a new rescue dog settle in with clear routines, calmer manners, and reliable obedience foundations. We focus on confidence building, communication, and practical household rules. Serving Mill Springs with coached sessions and follow-ups that support steady progress.

Additional services

  • Boarding
    Program details

    A safe, supervised place for your dog to stay while you’re away, with experienced staff and structured daily routines. Great for clients who want dependable care from a training-focused team. Serving Lyman with boarding options and clear drop-off planning.

  • Daycare
    Program details

    Supervised play, structured breaks, and a consistent routine that helps many dogs burn energy and settle more easily at home. Ideal for busy workdays and regular social time. Serving Woodruff with dependable day care and attentive handling throughout the day.

  • Grooming
    Program details

    Grooming plus acclimation sessions help dogs feel more comfortable with handling, tools, and the grooming process. Great for nervous pups or dogs who struggle with brushing and baths. Serving Greer with patient support and calm routines around grooming visits.

Consultations

  • Free consultation

Other listed services

View 11 additional details
  • Dog training
    Program details

    At The Dog Wizard Upstate, we offer a variety of dog training programs to the greater Spartanburg, Greer, and Duncan areas of South Carolina. With years of experience, our trainers take a unique approach to fixed behavior issues in your dog - all while having fun while they do it!

  • Behavioral Analysis
  • Certified Behavior Analyst
  • Dog Aggressive
  • Dog Barks
  • Free Consultations
  • Lifetime Support
    Program details

    Keep training on track long after sessions end with ongoing support, refreshers, and guidance as new situations come up. Great for maintaining obedience and household rules over time. Serving Greer with practical next steps and follow-up help when needed.

  • Problem Solving
    Program details

    Jumping, pulling, barking, and ignoring cues often have a pattern behind them. We identify what’s driving the behaviour and build clear rules and reps you can use daily. Serving Columbus with practical coaching that fits real homes and busy schedules.

  • Rescue Rehab
  • Retail & Pet Products
    Program details

    Pick up training-friendly gear, rewards, and everyday pet essentials that support your dog’s routine at home. We can recommend items that match your goals and handling style. Serving Duncan with convenient retail options and product guidance from our team.

  • Summer Camp

Confirm current programs and availability directly.

Customer reviews

Google listing
4.9
out of 586 Google reviews

Mentioned in reviews

  • Leash pulling 16
  • Confidence building 14
  • New skills 13
  • Board and train program 6
  • Happier dog 4
  • Calm dog 3
All 10 topics
  • Off leash training 3
  • Puppy class 3
  • Anxiety training 2
  • Reactivity training 2

Google review topics, not confirmed services.

86 collected reviews

Text reviews first · newest first
Angela Coyle
5/5
What a wonderful experience! We had adopted 2 puppies at the same time. Poor things were competely unruly, absolutely no manners, no good behaviors but plenty of bad ones, and we were desperate to improve our situation. That's when we called Dog Wizard and met Carmen, a true dog …Read full reviewClose full review

What a wonderful experience! We had adopted 2 puppies at the same time. Poor things were competely unruly, absolutely no manners, no good behaviors but plenty of bad ones, and we were desperate to improve our situation. That's when we called Dog Wizard and met Carmen, a true dog whisperer. She did not teach us a bunch of trick commands such as roll over, shake, play dead, play frisbe etc Right from the start, we began learning practical behavioral approaches such as pressure on/off, heel, which includes so much more, place training, how to touch & handle your dog in sensitive areas & times and many others to help us teach our dogs what our expectations of them are. Although our dogs are still puppies and are not perfect all the time, Carmen not only helped to modify our dogs behavior, she drastically changed our perspective on how to communicate effectively with our dogs. She is more than patient with the puppies as well as the puppy parents. It is positively amazing what she helped us do with our 2 dogs. Hats off to you, Carmen!!!

Dawn Shelton
5/5
Getting a new puppy is allows so exciting and fun. The reality is it’s a LOT OF HARD WORK! Potty training and just basic obedience train takes time and energy be it a puppy or full grown dog. With Florida being a dog friendly state and knowing we could take our fur babies with…Read full reviewClose full review

Getting a new puppy is allows so exciting and fun. The reality is it’s a LOT OF HARD WORK! Potty training and just basic obedience train takes time and energy be it a puppy or full grown dog. With Florida being a dog friendly state and knowing we could take our fur babies with us almost anywhere was one of my motivation. I knew when I decided to get a puppy that I wanted a dog that was well behaved and could go anywhere dogs are allowed. I looked at different dog training option and felt that doing “myself” was going to take a lot of research to figure out the how’s and what was most effective. I started looking at companies with proven track records and ones that would still have me bonding and doing the training, provide the tools I need to do the training, and lastly long term support in the event my dog developed behavioral issue. The Dog Wizards of St. John’s “checked all the boxes”. The facility was neat, clean, the staff and trainers are very friendly and helpful. I love taking willow places and having people tell me how well behaved she is. They usually ask how old she is, then look amazed when I say she’s under 6 month. The next comment is usually how did I trained her. 

Kim
5/5
We adopted Copper at 6 weeks old and even though he grew up with 5 people and 1 other dog in the house, he had severe anxiety anytime we took him somewhere. He was also unable to have a physical exam at the vet. He sounded ferocious and would scare people. I honestly didn't reali…Read full reviewClose full review

We adopted Copper at 6 weeks old and even though he grew up with 5 people and 1 other dog in the house, he had severe anxiety anytime we took him somewhere. He was also unable to have a physical exam at the vet. He sounded ferocious and would scare people. I honestly didn't realize it was anxiety until I spoke to the amazing trainers at The Dog Wizard. I was able to work one-on-one with a trainer for weeks. Copper can now go out to the park and Lowe's and the vet. He had a physical exam a few months ago and was pronounced happy and healthy. He rides in the car without drooling all over the console. He comes when he is called, and I can even get him to stop barking when he doesn't need to be. And he doesn't hide behind me when we got out now! I mean really....who is supposed to protect who??? :) The difference in Copper has been noticed by people who visit my house. It was like he "grew up", you can almost visibly see the confidence that he has now. I have no idea why the methods work but I can say that they worked 100% for us! I can't say enough good things about the trainer Carmen, I appreciate her patience and her ability to train me as well as Copper. Thank you!

Yvonne Graves
5/5

Mallory worked wonders with Wesley (dog) and me! She is very knowledgeable and skilled. Her techniques were great for working with Wesley’s reactivity. She made necessary adjustments for my visual impairments. Wesley and I are grateful for her expertise! Thanks and we are doing our homework!

Jenn Green
5/5
If I could give 1000 stars ⭐️ I would!! We rescued Kale at 3 months. She was high energy, needed crate support, leash walking, manners and co-mingling with other dogs. At 5 months we sent her for 2 week program and have had her go for board & train a few times since. Kale is a to…Read full reviewClose full review

If I could give 1000 stars ⭐️ I would!! We rescued Kale at 3 months. She was high energy, needed crate support, leash walking, manners and co-mingling with other dogs. At 5 months we sent her for 2 week program and have had her go for board & train a few times since. Kale is a totally different pup! She walks amazing on a leash, listens so well, knows her commands and so much more than we could ever imagine. Maria is always available for a quick tip or question and set us up for success. They care about a relationship with us & the dog and are always investing in her growth and ours. We are forever grateful for Maria and the whole team at Upstate Dog Wizard and will always be a customer for life!

Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.

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