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Beyond the Dog, LLC — Dog Training in Houston, TX

Beyond the Dog, LLC is a dog training business in Houston, Texas offering board and train and virtual training, working from a home-based setup. They describe their approach as reward-based training, accept aggression and reactivity cases, and publish pricing from $775 per course to $6,250.

Houston, TX • Home-based trainer • 4.9 ★ (269 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Oct 10, 2026

Transparency Score

98 / 100

Highly transparent

How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.

Price transparency: 100%
Method transparency: 100%
Program clarity: 93%

About Beyond the Dog, LLC

Based on what the business publishes about itself

Beyond the Dog is led by Kristyn Savage, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) with a PhD in behavioral psychology and published research on canine behavior. According to their website, this credential is held by roughly 50 people nationally. Her co-founder Sean Savage holds Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Certified Professional Dog Trainer certifications, with over two decades of experience. The broader team includes trainers with backgrounds in marine mammal training, zookeeping, and behavioral research, all mentored by the founders.

The company describes its approach as grounded in operant and classical conditioning, stating they do not use aversive tools such as shock collars. All training happens in private, one-on-one settings: clients' homes, neighborhoods, and public spaces rather than a dedicated facility. Their materials emphasize that training where dogs actually misbehave produces more lasting results.

Programs in Houston cover puppies through adult dogs, including basic obedience, reactivity, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and fear-related behaviors. They also offer cat training. Their board-and-train retreat houses dogs at the founders' residence, with follow-up lessons conducted in the client's home afterward. Virtual training options are available, led by the CAAB founder. The company notes that some pet insurance policies covering behavior modification may reimburse their programs when conducted under a CAAB or board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

What dog training programs does Beyond the Dog, LLC offer?

Beyond the Dog, LLC offers a five-week virtual puppy program covering manners and socialization at $775, led by Dr. Echterling-Savage. Their board and train retreat runs four weeks starting at $6,250, focusing on puppy foundations, obedience, socialization, and leash skills, with handoff and follow-up sessions included.

Dr. Echterling-Savage's Board and Train Retreat

From $6,250

The puppy lives with the trainers in their home for four weeks, practicing obedience commands and manners across parks, trails, shops, and dog-friendly locations in the local area. The program addresses play biting, chewing, potty training, jumping, crate training, and loose leash walking, followed by follow-up lessons with the owner at home.

The puppy stays at the trainers' home for four weeks of training, then returns home for 4.5 hours of follow-up lessons with the owner.

Best for: Puppies needing immersive obedience and manners training along with behavior issue correction.

Duration: 4 weeks

Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization, Leash training

Includes: Owner handoff sessions, Follow-up sessions

Virtual Full Puppy Manners and Socialization Starter Virtual Training Program with Dr. Echterling-Savage

$775 per course

A virtual puppy obedience and manners program led by a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, who evaluates the puppy's behavior and designs a personalized training plan. Ongoing virtual guidance is provided over five weeks to troubleshoot training scenarios and support progress.

Owner and puppy meet virtually with the behaviorist for an initial evaluation, followed by ongoing virtual coaching and troubleshooting over five weeks.

Best for: Owners of puppies seeking behavior modification guidance conducted entirely through virtual sessions.

Duration: 5 weeks

Focus: Puppy training, Basic obedience, Socialization

How much does Beyond the Dog, LLC cost?

The virtual puppy course costs $775 for the full five weeks. Board and train starts at $6,250, with final pricing varying by program. No city-wide comparison data is available for Houston.

Board and Train pricing

Board and Train pricing at Beyond the Dog, LLC in Houston, TX
Program	Price	Length
Dr. Echterling-Savage's Board and Train Retreat	From $6,250	4 weeks

Virtual Training pricing

Virtual Training pricing at Beyond the Dog, LLC in Houston, TX
Program	Price	Length
Virtual Full Puppy Manners and Socialization Starter Virtual Training Program with Dr. Echterling-Savage	$775 per course	5 weeks

What training methods does Beyond the Dog, LLC use?

They explicitly identify as force-free in their training approach. The program accepts dogs with aggression cases. Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.

Their public materials state they do not use e-collars. Which tools they do use is not specified, so ask the trainer directly.

Who runs Beyond the Dog, LLC?

As described in the business's own materials

Kristyn Savage, CEO, Founder, Owner

According to their site, certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a PhD in behavioral psychology; trains and mentors the company's other trainers and has published research on canine behavior.

Credentials listed on their site: PhD, CAAB, and BCBA. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Sean Savage, CFO, Founder, Owner

According to their site, certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Certified Professional Dog Trainer with over two decades of experience training obedience, manners, and complex problem behaviors.

Credentials listed on their site: BS, CDBC, and CPDT-KA. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Alexis Mitchell, COO

According to their site, holds a bachelor's degree and multiple dog training/behavior consultant certifications.

Credentials listed on their site: BS, CPDT-KA, and CBCC-KA. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Abby Hurley, Trainer

According to their site, holds a bachelor's degree and a behavior consultant certification.

Credentials listed on their site: BA and CBCC. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Shyenne McCowan, Trainer

According to their site, holds a bachelor's degree.

Credentials listed on their site: BS. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Allison Conrad, Scheduling Manager

According to their site, holds a bachelor's degree.

Credentials listed on their site: BS. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Where does Beyond the Dog, LLC offer dog training?

Beyond the Dog, LLC runs a home-based training operation in Houston, TX, offering board and train stays and virtual sessions online.

Their site says they dog and cat owners in the greater Houston area (and other served metro locations), covering both puppies and adult animals, from basic obedience to more serious behavioral problems.

The business does not train in a dedicated facility, instead traveling to clients' homes, neighborhoods, and public places; their board-and-train retreat program houses dogs directly in the founders' own home.

Training operates from a home-based setup, with the business address at a Richmond Avenue suite in Houston. Parking and accessibility details are not published.

How does Beyond the Dog, LLC compare with other Houston dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 5 published Houston listings (9 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Beyond the Dog, LLC.

Price: 160% above the Houston midpoint at entry price for board and train ($6,250 vs. $2,000–$4,710).

Reviews: 4.9★ from 269 Google reviews, among 5 published Houston programs.

Transparency: 98 out of 100 (highly transparent), with 100% price transparency and 93% program clarity. 1 of 5 Houston listings show certifications; this business lists CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA.

Published prices at Beyond the Dog, LLC compared with Houston ranges
Program type	Beyond the Dog, LLC	Houston range	Barklen read
Board and Train	$6,250	$2,000–$4,710 across 5 Houston programs	160% above the Houston midpoint at entry price

What should you ask Beyond the Dog, LLC before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

Ask which training tools, if any, they use and when.
Ask whether you can visit your dog during a board and train stay.
Ask if anyone is on-site overnight.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.

Location and hours

2990 Richmond Ave Ste 620, Houston, TX

Monday – Friday: 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed Beyond the Dog, LLC against the business's public materials and published this listing. That is not a check of licenses, insurance, or certifications. See our methodology for what a verified listing does and does not mean.

Details the public materials do not address (owner visits during programs, overnight staffing, guarantee, dogs per trainer, years in business, and waitlist) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.

Last reviewed by Barklen: Oct 10, 2026