Whole Dog University listing logo

Whole Dog University

Lebanon, Ohio

4.9/5· 76 Google reviews

About Whole Dog University

Whole Dog University, LLC is a Professional Dog Training and Education business located in Lebanon Ohio, dedicated to serving the greater Warren County area and surrounding communities.

Training & services

Training goals

  • Behavior consultation
    Program details

    We work with you and your dog to discourage bad behavior in your dog including typical behaviors like chewing, digging, jumping up, begging, and not listening. We also work with dogs that show signs of aggression towards other dogs or strangers, possessive behaviors (food and toys), fear and separation anxiety, hyperactivity, and many other behaviors. We will meet with you and your dog to review your challenges and will recommend the proper training needed to meet your goals.

  • House training
  • Leash training
  • Obedience training
    Program details

    Individualized dog training programs in weekly private lesson format or in-residence day-training format (up to 3 weeks). No board and train option. Both dog and owner are trained. We work with both the dog and their owner(s) for the best results.

  • Puppy training
  • Recall training
  • Socialization

Behavior support

  • Aggression training
  • Digging
  • Jumping up
  • Separation anxiety

How training happens

  • Day training
  • Group classes
  • Owner coaching Customer-reported
  • Private training

Dog age

  • Puppies
    Program details

    Our early puppy classes are a fun and educational time for you and your puppy. Our class topics include thorough and varied socialization*, learning your rules, learning their place in the pack hierarchy of this new mixed species pack, successful housebreaking, learning bite inhibition and learning how to walk on a leash and go into a crate on command are the priority objectives. Laying this foundation properly has a major impact on the life and behavior of a dog as they get older.

  • Senior dogs

Training level

  • Advanced training
  • Beginner training

Assistance and working dogs

  • Hunting dog training
  • Service dog training

Dog sports

  • Trick training

Training approach

  • Positive reinforcement

Other listed services

View 18 additional details
  • Clean Up
  • Dog Learning
  • Dog Starts
  • Dog Training Consultation
  • Dog Training Course
  • Emotional Support Dog Training
  • Focused Training
  • Foundational Training
  • Potty Pads
  • Public Access Training
  • Residential Training
  • Scent Detection Training
  • Specialized Dog Training
    Program details

    If you require a specialized training course, WDU can help teach your dog soft-mouth retrieval, scent detection, and tracking.

  • Training Assistance
  • Training Your Dog
  • Unwanted Behavior
  • Working Dog
  • Workout Sessions

Confirm current programs and availability directly.

Customer reviews

Google listing
4.9
out of 576 Google reviews

Mentioned in reviews

  • Obedience commands 17
  • Socialization 11
  • Clear instructions 3
  • Flexible schedule 3
  • Pack leader training 3
  • Anxiety training 2
All 10 topics
  • Disobedience training 2
  • Patient teacher 2
  • Rescue dog training 2
  • Responsive to questions 2

Google review topics, not confirmed services.

76 collected reviews

Text reviews first · newest first
Julia Pyle
5/5
Whole Dog University is amazing! I came to Ruth with a rescue dog and lots of questions. She really spends time with you and helps you figure out what's best for your dog, as well as how to be a better pack leader. My dog Charlie was scared of everything and had very anxious and …Read full reviewClose full review

Whole Dog University is amazing! I came to Ruth with a rescue dog and lots of questions. She really spends time with you and helps you figure out what's best for your dog, as well as how to be a better pack leader. My dog Charlie was scared of everything and had very anxious and destructive behaviors. Whole Dog University helped me learn about and understand his behavior better so I could change it. After putting in some serious work, Charlie is a whole new and much more confident dog. I would recommend Ruth to anyone!

Jeff Sharp
5/5
Our experience with Ruth and her basic obedience training was amazing. We took our 6 month old pup with zero obedience and now we can have him sit, stay, heel, go to his place, and the list goes on. We did 6 private lessons (which I would recommend) and she sculpted our class to …Read full reviewClose full review

Our experience with Ruth and her basic obedience training was amazing. We took our 6 month old pup with zero obedience and now we can have him sit, stay, heel, go to his place, and the list goes on. We did 6 private lessons (which I would recommend) and she sculpted our class to fit our needs and address behavioral problems. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone who is interested in becoming a better pack leader to their pet. Edit 2 years later: My pup is still an amazing dog and now we just expanded to a second pup who has her own needs. In a little distress, we spoke with Ruth about some of our concerns with our 18 week new puppy and how to integrate two dogs. She was again amazing and provided her expert knowledge which instantly transformed our experience as dog owners for the better! Thank you again Ruth!

Grace Johnson
5/5
100% recommend Whole Dog University to transform your dog’s behavior! I took my high energy goldendoodle, and new puppy to Ruth for basic obedience training prior to welcoming our baby boy. 1. Overall calmness in our home. My parents say it’s night and day coming over to our ho…Read full reviewClose full review

100% recommend Whole Dog University to transform your dog’s behavior! I took my high energy goldendoodle, and new puppy to Ruth for basic obedience training prior to welcoming our baby boy. 1. Overall calmness in our home. My parents say it’s night and day coming over to our house once my dogs went through Ruth’s program. They went from jumping up and barking at anyone who would come over, to calmly greeting guests (and us)! After delivering a baby, and bringing home a newborn, this was really important to us for the baby’s safety. I also feel way more comfortable having my grandparents and kids over. 2. Sense of direction & overall happiness for the dogs. At first we were concerned that our dogs would be upset by the training and sad that they aren’t allowed to do whatever they want anymore, but we found the opposite to be true! The dogs are actually happier and calmer with a routine and more clear hierarchy. They LOVE training, and get so excited to practice the commands. We’ve noticed they sleep better and are calmer too when they are more mentally stimulated with training. 3. Safety. I waited until 2 weeks after baby’s arrival to write this, so we could see the training in action! The dogs understand to keep a bubble around the baby, and not go in his nursery. They can smell him from a distance, without the need to get closer than we are comfortable! They are also perfectly happy not sleeping in bed with us anymore—which is really important for baby’s safety when breastfeeding during the night. We have been so impressed with how well the dogs have responded to his arrival (and less attention from mom now that baby is here too). Overall, I would absolutely recommend Whole Dog University to anyone expecting a new baby in the family, or with the need for calmer dogs in general. If my puppy and high energy doodle can become under control in just a couple months, any pup can do it!

Kevin Sunshein
5/5
Ruth did an outstanding job with our Labrador Winston. He just completed the Intro to Basic Obedience Training Program. Ruth’s program stresses how to train the owners how to follow basic techniques on training their dogs. In just over 7 weeks, Winston went from having no bound…Read full reviewClose full review

Ruth did an outstanding job with our Labrador Winston. He just completed the Intro to Basic Obedience Training Program. Ruth’s program stresses how to train the owners how to follow basic techniques on training their dogs. In just over 7 weeks, Winston went from having no boundaries to becoming a well behaved dog. He now follows basic commands and is a joy to take on walks. Ruth really excels as a coach to the owners. My friends and family have been very impressed with his behavior since starting this program. My wife and I are exceptionally pleased with this course. The value we received was worth every penny! We will be taking Winston back for the next level!

Cheri Henderson
5/5
Ruth did an excellent job training both us and our nine month old labrador retriever! The most important thing we needed for him to do was to learn how to heel because he was dragging us down the street, and about yanking our shoulders right out of their sockets! He heals perfect…Read full reviewClose full review

Ruth did an excellent job training both us and our nine month old labrador retriever! The most important thing we needed for him to do was to learn how to heel because he was dragging us down the street, and about yanking our shoulders right out of their sockets! He heals perfectly now, and is such a pleasure to walk! He has also learned other commands, and he’s doing very well with those! Ruth is very knowledgeable, and we are so pleased with the training she provided!

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

Explore nearby & related training