about us
Riverfront Dog Training provides dog obedience training for central Pennsylvania in the Harrisburg area. We can help you connect with your dog in a way that will ease the stress and frustration of undefined boundaries and lack of clear communication. Encourage your dog to achieve their full potential.
Whether you have a new puppy, a recently adopted dog, or a dog whose bad behavior you have been living with for far too long, we can help! Puppy classes for dogs under six months of age begin at the start of each month. For dogs older than six months, our advanced training programs allow you the option of having a hands-on approach with private in-home lessons, or a two week board and train program where I’ll smooth the way
by laying the foundation work. Then I’ll equip you with everything you will need to continue the progress.
I use a balanced approach when working with dogs. This means lots of praise when your dog is doing something great, and corrections to let him know when he is doing something inappropriate. We use the mini-educator from E-Collar Technologies to help connect with your dog. I will help you overcome any communication barriers you may have with your dog so that you can have the happy, well-behaved pet that you may have previously thought impossible!
Please fill out the contact form below and I will send you additional details. From there, we can schedule a time to chat to determine the best avenue to a happier life with your dog.
Services & RATES
Board & Train
The Home Away from Home program provides two weeks of intensive training for dogs over six months of age. I will teach your dog the commands come, sit, place, down, heel, wait, and off. Issues such as aggression, separation anxiety and housebreaking can also be addressed. Your dog will practice in a variety of different settings like downtown, dog-friendly stores, parks, trails, and in my home where they stay. I will then teach you how to incorporate all of your dog’s learned behaviors into your daily lives so that you can confidently provide the leadership that your dog needs. Unlimited Saturday group classes included. The cost of this program is $4000.
Private Lessons
The Home Sweet Home program includes six private lessons in your home and/or public venues. We will teach the commands come, sit, place, down, heel, wait, and off. You will be expected to practice 20 minutes daily with your dog in order to achieve these goals within 6-8 weeks. Unlimited Saturday group classes included. The cost of this program is $1500.
Private puppy lessons for dogs under the age of six months are available in the comfort of your own home. We can cater the lesson to address the needs of your family. Sessions typically last about an hour and a half. The cost of one lesson is $200.
HYBRID PROGRAM
This involves 4-5 weekly lessons in your home to lay a solid obedience foundation. Then I’ll take your dog with me for a week for extra socialization and practice around distractions in public settings. We’ll follow that up with 1-2 additional lessons and unlimited Saturday group classes. The cost of this program is $3500.
DAY TRAINING
I’ve recently added this new program to the mix! This is an add-on to any of my advanced programs (Home Sweet Home, Hybrid, & Home Away From Home). I will pick your dog up and take them out with me for some one on one training to help troubleshoot any problem areas or just to provide extra practice and fun! Pictures and videos of your dog’s field trip, as well as my training notes, will be shared with you later. The cost of this program is $200 for a 2 hour session.
Puppy Socialization
Start your puppy off on the right paw by teaching proper socialization with other puppies and people, confidence building, bite inhibition, and foundation obedience work to help them grow into a happy, well-balanced member of your family. Crate training, housebreaking, body handling, and health & safety will also be addressed. Classes are held on Tuesdays at 6:30 at the Harrisburg Area Animal Hospital. Class size is limited, so email us to reserve your space. Puppies six months and younger are welcome. The cost of this program is $150 for 5 lessons.
Group classes
Our weekly Saturday group classes are only open to graduates of the Home Sweet Home, Home Away from Home, and Hybrid programs. We meet at a variety of different local parks in the Harrisburg area year round to reinforce all that you and your dog have learned. Pack walks are typically an hour long and we incorporate drills to help with socialization, impulse control, and focus. Drop in any or every week for the rest of your dog’s life.
follow ups
My advanced training programs include participation in our weekly Saturday classes where we can help you work through any issues you may be having with your dog. I am also available to chat, text, or email regarding your dog’s behavior for the rest of their lives. If you need additional help beyond this, my fee is $150/hour for in home follow up lessons.
“Contacting Jillian was the best decision I ever made. We adopted a Pit Bull back in January who’s a love bug but he had separation anxiety and didn’t respect other dog’s space bubbles when we were in public. I’ve had dogs all my life but was in over my head with the situation. In 6 months, he caused over $2,000 in damage and we tried everything under the sun to try to help his separation anxiety on our own but nothing worked. We couldn’t crate him and we were coming home to a mess and things destroyed every day. We were at our breaking point. I started researching trainers and found Jillian. Upon our first meet up with her, I knew she was just what we and Bruno needed. She doesn’t over promise or offer “quick fix” solutions. She will give you the tools and advice you need to better understand your dog’s behavior so you have the confidence to handle your dog in a variety of situations. We had to put in a lot of work and find out what worked best for Bruno to overcome his separation anxiety. I can happily say 2.5 months into working with Jillian, we can now be gone all day at work and come home to bliss. Before, we couldn’t even be gone 10 minutes without coming back to havoc. I still can’t believe what we accomplished with his turnaround in such a short time. We now take him out in public walking by other dogs and he’s on his best behavior. Our family members noticed a change in his behavior too. It’s refreshing to be around someone who truly loves dogs and what they do. A dog who was once a huge stressor now brings immense joy into our lives. Not to sound cliché, but Jillian truly changed our lives and she could change yours too. “ - Sarah E.
CONTACT US
I love helping people learn how to enjoy their dogs at their best. Letting my dogs run off leash in nature puts the biggest smile on my face and I would love the opportunity to show you how to do the same with yours. There is truly no greater gift you can give your dog. Training takes a lot of dedication and hard work, but you know what can be even harder? Living with an out of control dog!
Jillian Karns is the owner of Riverfront Dog Training and she provides training services to the Harrisburg area. She has five very special dogs, Bridget, Carmella, Hazy, Bowser, and Willie. They help run the business in a very big way - by providing companionship, distraction, and fun to the dogs that come through their home.
Riverfront Dog Training is a one woman operation, so I often have a wait period to begin training. Please fill out the contact form below or send an email directly to info@riverfrontdogtraining.com so I can get you on the schedule as soon as possible!
Please note that with my busy schedule, I only travel within 30 minutes of Camp Hill, PA. Clients outside of this service area can meet me at local parks for lessons. The board and train program is booked until NOVEMBER 2024. Private lessons (Home Sweet Home program) are booked until late APRIL 2023. Puppy class is booked until APRIL 23, 2024 (puppies must be under 5 months at start of first class).