Dog Boot Camp
Achieves the highest level of obedience training you will find
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Puppy Boot Camp
Getting your puppy on the right track
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Dog Boarding
Reinforces what your dog has learned previously at the Academy
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Our Campus
Take a video tour of our campus
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Neuman K-9 Academy, situated in the city of Hugo, MN, is widely recognized as the nation's foremost in-board dog training boot camp.
Renowned as the “Ivy League” of dog training schools, Neuman K-9 Academy prides itself on offering a comprehensive and holistic approach that transcends traditional dog training methods. Our mission is to improve the overall quality of life for dogs and their families by providing extensive education, consistent reinforcement, and a truly unique and enriching training experience.
We are an all-breed obedience training facility that specializes in Dog Boot Camps, and Puppy Boot Camps. Our Boot Camp courses are second to none, we offer the most comprehensive dog training camp you will find, nationwide.
Our school has trained many dogs that have been deemed 'untrainable', by other trainers or owners at their wits end. Behavioral problems can be complex, which is why we offer in-board training options. The training techniques we use are unique, and have been developed over many years of training and handling thousands of different dogs, of all shapes and sizes.
Your dog is housed in the lower level of a home – NOT in a kennel run, pole building, barn, or garage. The room where they sleep has in-floor heat, constant climate controlled fresh air (HRV), a commercial medical-grade air purification system, and a concrete block/brick exterior for additional safety.
Training exercises, real-life scenarios for distraction proofing, physical conditioning, and activites happening everyday; 7 days a week, from the beginning of camp till graduation 7:00 AM till 9:30 PM.
The outdoor play area is a 10,000 sq ft. fenced play area, that was professionally designed for dogs. Your dog is safely confined to a fenced and gated play area on campus, surrounded by a forest like setting. This play area is fully irrigated which makes it easy to maintain and sanitize.
On campus, we have 3,000 square feet of indoor climate controlled training and play space; designed specifically for the comfort and safety of your dog. This indoor training space has been featured in an internationally printed dog training magazine.
We have multiple trainers on staff, both male and female, which helps your dog learn to respond to more than one person.
We believe in offering the best possible boot camp on the planet; therefore we focus exclusively on boot camp for dogs and puppies. We choose NOT to offer classes, doggie day care, protection training, hunting dog training, rally, agility, or other forms of training. This is what has enabled us to master the best possible boot camp for your family/companion dog.
Trainers at our Academy are full-time, career oriented, professional dog trainers. This is not a part-time job, or side gig. We commit 100% of our time to professional dog training.
Our training process is proprietary and unlike anything you will find online, in a book, in a class, or on YouTube. It is something we have developed through years of training dogs, hands-on experience, and coaching dog owners. Our clients frequently comment that the instruction they receive is unique, and unlike anything they have learned previously.
We send you weekly email updates and progress reports with high quality digital photographs of your dog or puppy in action. Each week the training drills become more challenging, and we share these experiences with you.
We prove that each and every dog has been trained to our high standard by producing a graduation video which is published to YouTube. We proudly exhibit every single dog that has graduated from our Academy which we invite you to view here: K-9 Academy's YouTube Channel
The programs we provide are in-board - also known as boarding training or board and train. This means that the dogs stay at the Academy for the duration of the training program or boot camp. This is the best and most efficient form of dog training. We do the work for you - delivering a well behaved canine companion.
We welcome and train dogs from all over the nation, including nearby cities like Minneapolis, St. Paul, the Twin Cities metro area, and surrounding communities such as Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Stillwater, White Bear Lake & Woodbury.
Getting your puppy on the right track
We teach puppies the fundamentals of being a canine good citizen. We incorporate puppy obedience training, crate training, proper etiquette, socialization, and confidence building. We also can address problematic behaviors like nipping, biting, jumping, and other unwanted behaviors. This program is a constructive start with your soon-to-be adult dog.
Learn morehighest level of obedience training
It will teach your dog to respond to commands in a variety of situations, to meet and greet people under control, and make unwanted behaviors incompatible. This program will improve physical condition, build confidence, and create a well balanced canine companion.
Learn moreReinforces what has learned
Graduates of our training program have exclusive access to our dog boarding program. Unlike typical boarding kennels, our boarding program reinforces what your dog has learned previously at the Academy. Options for boarding include group play sessions, refresher training, nature hikes, treadmill sessions, and more! This program is available exclusively to graduates of Neuman K-9 Academy
Learn moreWe are a locally owned and operated company — not a franchise. We don’t offer ‘fast-food’ two-week, cookie-cutter crash courses. You can't rush real results. With years of experience, we’ve developed a unique curriculum that produces highly trained companion dogs.
If you're in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the Twin Cities metro area and want to give your dog a better life, take the next step and enroll now!
Master Trainer by Tarheel Canine School For Dog Trainers
Certified Dog Trainer (IACP-CDT) by the International Association of Canine Professionals
Accredited Pet Care Provider (PSI)
Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (AKC)
Certified Canine First Aid and CPR
Certified Canine Infectious Disease Management (ABKA)
Our Graduates
Since 2007, Neuman K-9 Academy has helped more than 3500+ dogs build solid obedience, better impulse control, and consistent good behavior through our boot camp programs. We train a wide range of breeds, including German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Doodles, and more.
Our Graduates page features dogs from every year, from puppies to adults, along with their individual graduation videos on YouTube, so you can see what our training looks like in real life, the variety of dogs we work with, and what is possible for your own dog after camp.
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Morgan Held
He has been home for two months after the 12 week bootcamp program and he is amazing. He still has his goofy personality but we now have tools to help him manage every day situations. Our dog can join us in so many more parts of our lives because of the skills he learned at bootcamp.
Deborah Hamilton
After 60 days of boot camp, Murphy is home. I cannot express how thankful I am to Josiah and his whole team of trainers! Murphy is a changed dog! He walks and heels next to me with NO leash pulling! He’s not counter surfing! He listens to me when I give him a command.
In-board training means your dog stays at our facility for the duration of camp while our trainers work with them every day. Your dog takes part in multiple daily training sessions focused on obedience, confidence building, physical conditioning, and manners.
Because training is repeated consistently in a structured environment, dogs learn faster and more reliably than in occasional once-a-week lessons.
Our boot camp is designed to be the most efficient and effective way to train your dog.
In a four-week program, your dog participates in 60+ training sessions. An eight-week program includes 120+ sessions. To match this with weekly private lessons would take well over a year, cost significantly more, and still rely heavily on your time and consistency.
At the Academy, professional trainers do the intensive foundation work, then we teach you how to maintain and build on that training at home.
Puppy Boot Camp is for dogs that begin training under 12 months of age and includes our 4, 8, and 12 week options. Dogs 12 months and older fall under Dog Boot Camp. For these dogs, the 4 week program is not available, so they must enroll in an 8 week program or longer.
We accept all breeds and sizes, including small breeds and giant breeds. There is an additional monthly fee for dogs over 100 pounds or those requiring a colossal crate, so that we can provide an appropriately sized, comfortable space.
We do not accept dogs that show aggression toward humans due to safety and liability. Dog-on-dog aggression, resource guarding, or other behavior issues may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. We also do not accept littermate dogs that live in the same home.
We do not offer personal protection training or any training that teaches a dog to be aggressive toward people. Our focus is obedience, control, and proper etiquette for pet dogs.
Boot Camp runs seven days a week from the start of camp to graduation. A typical day includes (1) Structured bathroom and play times, (2) Multiple obedience training sessions, (3) Confidence building, treadmill work, and nature hikes, and (4) Physical conditioning and rest periods.
Activities are adjusted based on the dog’s stage of training, weather, and season. When outdoor conditions are not ideal, we train in our climate-controlled indoor training center, which is designed specifically for dogs and dog-related activities.
Your dog lives at our fenced and gated facility on a wooded property, in a private crate or kennel. Between training sessions, dogs have supervised opportunities to socialize and play in safe, controlled groups.
We aim to create an environment that feels like a structured home-away-from-home, while also being highly conducive to focused obedience training.
Yes. Dogs remember their owners, and we encourage dogs to live at home for at least four weeks before camp so they can build a strong bond with you.
Your dog will transfer their training home, but your role is crucial. We teach you the commands, hand signals, and what to do if your dog does not respond. You receive written go-home instructions, a private YouTube video of your dog’s commands, and in-person graduation handler training. We also include follow-up handler training to support you after your dog returns home.
We do not allow visitation during camp. This keeps dogs focused on their training and allows our trainers to stay on schedule with exercises, distraction proofing, and activities.
Instead, we send weekly email updates with photos and a detailed summary of your dog’s progress, so you can stay informed and see how your dog is doing throughout the program.
Owners must provide enough of their dog’s regular food to last for the entire stay, and we recommend sending extra since camp days are active and dogs often burn more calories. If food runs out, we can provide kibble for an additional daily fee.
Dogs must be current on required immunizations according to Minnesota and USDA protocol, and we require vet records at least five days before camp starts, along with a clear fecal sample dated within 45 days of arrival. Flea and tick preventatives are required during the stay, and heartworm preventatives are required during mosquito season.
To reserve a place in camp, you complete our Training Enrollment Form. We accept Visa and MasterCard. Once your enrollment is processed, we send a Docusign contract, payment authorization, and the required forms.
A deposit is required to hold your dog’s spot and is non-refundable. If an emergency, illness, or failed fecal test prevents your dog from starting on the scheduled date, we will move the deposit to the next available start date after your vet clears your dog. We do, however, require advance notice so that we can manage camp spaces and avoid vacancies.
