Welcome to Free To Be Dog
A place for happy & well-trained dogs!

We are a certified Fear-Free Professional Training company headed by Tiff Score. Tiff holds a master's degree in Applied Animal Behavior and welfare from Virginia Tech and is an honors graduate of the world-renowned two-year professional dog training school, The Academy for Dog Trainers.

Important Note

We are currently not accepting new clients. Please visit the following directories to find a qualified, credentialed trainer or behavior consultant. Thank you for understanding.

Westward Hound

Academy for Dog Trainers

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

Karen Pryor Academy

Fear Free

Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers

We're on a mission to create a world where dogs and their owners live in happiness and harmony.

We specialise in positive reinforcement training which means we use training methods that ensure your dog feels comfortable and safe. Our goal is to empower you with the skills and knowledge you need to create a positive and rewarding relationship with your dog. We specialize in treating complex behavioral problems. Most of our clients have worked with multiple trainers or attempted to DIY training with little to no success but find relief when they find us!

Training Programs & Offerings

Private Training

What is it?

Dog training tailored by our professional trainers to your specific goals, needs, and dog. You will meet with your trainer in your home or at a public location for private lessons. Private training is not appropriate for dogs who are exhibiting severe behavior challenges such as excessive barking, hyperactivity, fear/phobias, or aggression of any kind.

Who is it for?

Private training is for dog owners who are committed to and want to learn how to work with their dogs to teach them valuable life skills and manners. During private lessons, we can work on leash etiquette, manners such as sit, down, stay, and safety skills like emergency come when called (recall), leave it, wait at open doors, and calm behaviors like settling on a mat.

What's Included?

Private training packages include travel to and from your home, individualized training plans, communication with your trainer, recommendations for gear/training tools, and between lessons instructions and guidance.

Where are private training programs offered?

In-person private training programs are available in Moore County, NC, and Wilmington, NC.

Training Packages

Initial Consultation and Assessment: 90-minutes

All new private training clients are required to start with an initial consultation. Your trainer will assess your dog's behavior and temperament and gather the necessary information required to write an individualized training plan that suits your needs and goals. Investment: $189

Basic Behavior Boost: 4 Lessons

Includes 4 private lessons and is best for dogs or puppies who need basic obedience/manners training at home. Investment: $596

Advanced Training Track: 6 Lessons

Includes 6 private lessons and is best for dogs or puppies who need intermediate obedience training and socialization. Investment: $870

Expert Canine Coaching: 12 Lessons

Includes 12 private lessons and is best for dogs or puppies needing advanced obedience skills such as public manners. Investment: $1,680

Behavior Modification

What is it?

Complex private training for dogs with behavioral concerns. Sessions are conducted with an Applied Animal Behaviorist and will involve in-depth, holistic approaches to modifying your dog's behavior. Techniques may include collaboration with other professionals such as your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.

Who is it for?

Behavior Modification is for dog owners who are committed to sustainable behavior change in their dog. This requires patience, dedication, and understanding. Owners must be open to changing their own behavior to get the best results. Dogs with fear, anxiety, abnormal hyperactivity, or aggression need a behavior modification program.

What's Included?

Behavior modification packages include travel to and from your home, individualized training plans, direct communication with our canine behaviorist, written reports, recommendations for gear/training tools, and between sessions instructions and guidance.

Where is behavior modification offered?

In-person programs are available in Moore County, NC, and Wilmington, NC, and online. If safety and welfare are a concern, our behaviorist may require you start with online consultations.

Behavior Programs

Behavior Consultation and Assessment: 2 hours

All new clients are required to start with an initial consultation. Our behaviorist will take a detailed history of and assess your dog's behavior and temperament, gather pertinent information required to write an individualized modification plan, and discuss the specifics to your case such as prognosis, likely outcomes, options, and provide immediate recommendations for relief/safety. Investment: $379

Basic Behavior Boost: 2 Follow-Ups

Includes 2 private follow-up sessions and is best for mild cases. Investment: $430

Advanced Training Track: 4 Follow-Ups

Includes 4 private follow-up sessions and is best for mild to moderate cases. Investment: $860

Expert Behavior Coaching: 8 Follow-Ups

Includes 8 private follow-up sessions and is best for moderate to severe and/or complex cases: $1,720

Home-to-Town Manners Mastery

What is it?

Our "Home-to-Town Manners Mastery" program is designed for dog owners seeking comprehensive training that ensures your canine companion is well-mannered both at home and in public spaces. With this package, our expert trainer conducts personalized sessions in you dog's home environment, focusing on obedience, socialization, and behavior shaping tailored to the individual needs of you and your dog. Additionally, our trainer accompanies your dog on outings into town, gradually exposing them to various real-world situations and environments, reinforcing positive behaviors and etiquette. By combining in-home training with practical experiences in public areas, this package ensures that your dog becomes a well-behaved and confident companion, capable of navigating any situation with ease and grace.

Who is it for?

Owners interested in a hands-off approach. Best for busy or physically limited dog owners who seek well-behaved companions without a direct involvement in the training process. With a focus on convenience and effectiveness, our professional trainer works directly with your dog, employing positive reinforcement techniques to address obedience, socialization, and manners. This program is ideal for owners seeking the benefits of a well-trained dog without the time or ability to commit to training, although it's not suitable for dogs with severe behavioral issues such as fear, aggression, or separation anxiety, which require more intensive and personalized interventions.

What's Included?

Travel to and from your home, treats and tools used during training sessions, personalized shopping lists, communication from your trainer with up-dates and pertinent information about your dog's progress, supporting content and documentation, video instructions on maintaining your dog's newly learned skills, private teaching sessions with your dog's trainer upon program completion, summary video showcasing your dog's training journey,

6 months of post program text and email support, lifetime 10% discount on all future services.

Where is offered?

Available in Moore County, NC.

How does it work?

Step 1: Initial Consultation

All new program students are required to start with an in-home consultation. Your trainer will assess your dog's behavior and temperament, gather the necessary information required to prepare your dog's program individualized training plan, and complete necessary enrollment steps if your dog is accepted into the program. Consult fee goes toward the price of the program.

Step 2: Master the Basics

Because every dog is an individual, learning at various paces and starting at different levels, we do not sell a pre-prescribed program. Instead, your dog is enrolled in the appropriate training level until they can graduate to the next level by mastering the foundational skills needed before advancing. You will meet with your trainer for a 2-hour private training lesson when your dog is ready to graduate so that you can maintain their newly learned skills. Expect your dog to spend 1-2 months in this phase.

Step 3: Introducing Real-Life Distractions

This is the really fun part when your trainer starts to include real-life distractions, transforming your dog from a perfectly well-mannered dog at home to the envy of dog owners everywhere! Training may take place in public stores such as Lowes, Ace Hardware, local parks, or restaurants. Specifics depend upon your goals it can graduate to the next level by mastering the foundational skills needed before advancing. When your dog is ready to graduate, you will meet with your trainer for two, 1-hour private lessons in public when your dog is ready to graduate this phase. Expect your dog to spend 1-2 months in this phase.

What Free To Be Dog People Are Saying

"Free To Be Dog’s group classes helped transform my dog’s behavior. Most importantly, she [Tiff] taught me the significance of building a trust-based relationship with Rex [my dog]. I recommend the Free to Be Dog team if you are seeking a trainer who is passionate and highly qualified in their field."

Joseph & Rex