Scotch Pines Dog Training – Idaho Falls: Helping Dogs and Owners Thrive

We believe that every dog has the potential to be a well-behaved, confident, and obedient companion—both on and off-leash.

We’ve helped over a thousand dogs in Eastern Idaho achieve off-leash reliability through our proven training method, and we’re ready to help you and your dog, too!

Our 8-week obedience training program is designed to give you and your pup the ultimate freedom, allowing you to enjoy off-leash adventures while maintaining a strong, trustworthy bond built on leadership and clear communication. With our training, you won’t need to rely on treats or gimmicks—just real-world skills that create lasting results.

Scotch Pines Dog Training – Idaho Falls: Helping Dogs and Owners Thrive

We believe that every dog has the potential to be a well-behaved, confident, and obedient companion—both on and off-leash.

We’ve helped over a thousand dogs in Eastern Idaho achieve off-leash reliability through our proven training method, and we’re ready to help you and your dog, too!

Who Can Benefit from Our Training?

Our program is designed for dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes! Whether you have a:

🐶 Energetic Puppy – Start them off right with structured guidance and proper socialization.

🐕 Rescue Dog – Help them build confidence and trust in their new home.

🐾 Adolescent Dog with Behavioral Issues – Get rid of bad habits like pulling, jumping, and ignoring commands.

🐕‍🦺 Anxious or Nervous Dog – Build their confidence and teach them to feel secure in new environments.

🐩 Off-Leash Adventure Enthusiast – If you dream of hiking, running, or exploring with your dog off-leash, we’ll give you the tools to make it a reality.

Serving Southeast Idaho with Expert Training

We proudly serve Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Rexburg, Blackfoot, and surrounding areas. We’re here to help you achieve a happy, well-trained, and obedient dog.

Don’t Wait – Start Your Dog’s Training Journey Today!

📅 New classes start soon! Don’t miss the chance to transform your dog’s behavior and experience the joy of off-leash reliability.

Serving Southeast Idaho: Idaho Falls

Group Classes Held In Idaho Falls At Tautphaus Park

Why Choose Scotch Pines Dog Training?

With over 20 years of experience and tens of thousands of happy customers, our structured, results-driven training has changed the lives of countless dogs and their owners. Whether you have a new puppy, a stubborn adolescent, or an older dog needing behavior modification, our program is designed for real-world success.

Unlike traditional training programs that rely on food rewards, we focus on teaching your dog to listen because they respect and trust you as their leader. Our method builds clear expectations, so your dog understands commands in any environment, no matter the distractions.

Registration Now Open 8 Week Program

8 Week Off Leash Program will start Summer 2025

Saturday 7th

8:30am-10am

Fall session Registration opens June 10th, 2025

August 16th- September 27th

9am-10:30am

11:30am-1pm

this is our last session of the year

Our Training Approach

At Scotch Pines Dog Training, we emphasize consistency, leadership, and structured guidance to help dogs become well-mannered companions. Here’s what sets us apart:

✔ Expert Off-Leash Obedience Training – Teach your dog to respond off-leash, even in distracting environments like parks, trails, or busy streets. Our program ensures your dog listens without treats or e-collars, relying instead on a structured leadership approach. These are held in Large Groups to add in big distractions to prepare for off leash obedience.

✔ Real-World Training Scenarios – Our training takes place in real environments, ensuring your dog learns to behave around distractions. We help you and your dog practice skills in parks, neighborhoods, and public spaces, making obedience reliable in any setting.

✔ Personalized 1:1 Consultations – Have specific behavior concerns? We offer private consultations for issues like jumping, barking, leash pulling, aggression, and separation anxiety. We tailor solutions to fit your dog’s unique needs.

✔ Structured Puppy Training Programs – A solid foundation is key to a well-behaved adult dog. Our puppy training program focuses on socialization, basic commands, potty training, and impulse control, helping your puppy grow into a well-mannered companion. Offered On-Demand, 1:1 privately, or in small groups.

Proudly Helping People Become

Their Dogs' Best Friends

Before I discovered Scotch Pines Dog Training, managing my dog Billie Bones was a constant challenge. That naughty German Shepherd was difficult to handle, especially around other dogs, out on walks, or even in our backyard.

But with Scotch Pines, our lives were changed! I had my dream dog. She was my adventure dog, going everywhere with me! She brought out the best in me. Because of her, and the hard work we put in during training, I decided to become a trainer with Scotch Pines Dog Training. I have loved helping people become their dogs' best friends.

I have happily trained thousands of people over the last nine years. I can't wait to work with you!

Our Mission At Scotch Pines Dog Training

Our ultimate goal at Scotch Pines is to help you become your dog's best friend, by building a deep bond through teaching your dog what you want, being consistent, and being the human they need to succeed. Whatever your training goals may be—whether it is enjoying an off-leash lifestyle, or cuddling on the couch—we are here to help you experience as much freedom as possible while building a strong bond with your dog.

Whether you have a brand-new puppy, behavioral issues, or just the need for obedience training, we can help!

Meet the trainers

Proudly Helping People Become

Their Dogs' Best Friends

But with Scotch Pines, our lives were changed! I had my dream dog. She was my adventure dog going everywhere with me! She brought out the best in me. Because of her, and the hard work we put in during training, I decided to become a trainer with Scotch Pines Dog Training. I have loved helping people become their dogs' best friends.

I have happily trained thousands of people over the last nine years. I can't wait to work with you!

Our Mission At Scotch Pines Dog Training

Whether you have a brand-new puppy, behavioral issues, or just the need for obedience training, we can help!

Meet the trainers

Not in Southeast Idaho?

In the Boise/Nampa area, contact April

scotchpinesdogtraining.com

In Magic Valley, contact Stephanie

spdogtraining.com

What's in a Name?

Scotch Pines Dog Training was established on Scotch Pines Road in Payette, Idaho, in 1993 by Will and Vivian Stoppel.

Scotch Pines is now owned by their daughter April Stoppel Jantz, who has made it her full-time career. Scotch Pines is the largest dog training school in Idaho and one of the largest in the nation.

We enjoy tremendous support from veterinarians, law enforcement officials, and humane societies throughout Idaho.

Over the years we've been privileged to work with thousands of dogs of all breeds—huge dogs, aggressive dogs, sensitive dogs, rambunctious dogs, timid dogs, petrified dogs, abused dogs, young dogs, and old dogs. We love them all. We welcome the chance to work with you and your special dog soon!

For the past 20 years, Scotch Pines has grown from a hometown program started in the Boise area to two additional franchises that cover the Magic Valley and Southeast Idaho. We've expanded our dog training services online as well! Now we can work with you and your dog anywhere you live!

What Services Do We Offer?

Our 8 Week Obedience Program

Our 8 Week Obedience Program is designed to teach you how to train your dog. We give you the tools to build a bond with your dog. This, in turn, makes working with you worthwhile for your dog.

We help you achieve this bond by providing exceptional dog training services that go beyond the basics of obedience. We strive to equip you with the necessary tools to connect with your dog on a deeper level. This will help you understand their behavior and body language, which will strengthen your relationship with them.

With our training, you will learn how to communicate effectively with your dog, set clear expectations, and create a positive and healthy home environment.

2025 Tentative Schedule

Spring

March 29th - May 17th 9am

March 29th - May 17th 11:30am

Summer

June 7th- July 26th 8:30am

Fall

August 16th-Oct. 4th 9am

August 16th-Oct. 4th 11:30am

8 Week Obedience Program

Our 8 Week Obedience Program

Our 8 Week Obedience Program is designed to teach you how to train your dog. We give you the tools to build a bond with your dog. This, in turn, makes working with you worthwhile for your dog.

With our training, you will learn how to communicate effectively with your dog, set clear expectations, and create a positive and healthy home environment.

2025 Tentative Schedule

Spring

March 29th - May 17th 9am

March 29th - May 17th 11:30am

Summer

June 7th- July 26th 8:30am

Fall

August 16th-Oct. 4th 9am

August 16th-Oct. 4th 11:30am

8 Week Obedience Program

On Demand Puppy Course or Settle Bootcamp

At Scotch Pines Dog Training, we know that the key to a successful and happy relationship with your dog starts from the very beginning.

We believe that taking action early on and building a strong foundation with your puppy sets you both up for a lifetime of adventure and companionship. Whether you're just starting out with your new puppy or need a fresh start with an older dog, we're here to help you every step of the way.

With our expert guidance and support, you can make puppyhood or "re-puppyhood" a positive and fun experience for both you and your dog.

Puppy Course Settle Bootcamp for Older dogs

Puppy Preschool Academy

Basic Obedience and Behavioral Management Program

for Puppies 3-5 Months

Our extensive training program is structured to help you and your puppy navigate this significant developmental phase, resulting in a well-behaved, confident, and happy dog. Join us in raising your puppy as we address the normal, but not-so-fun puppy behaviors to basic obedience, ensuring a lifetime of love and respect.

Puppy Preteen Academy

4 Week On-Leash Obedience Program

We are now offering our comprehensive obedience program in just 4 weeks! You'll enjoy the same skills taught in our 8-week program, without the off-leash component. This program will also offer smaller class sizes.

Held Spring, Summer and Fall. Closed for Winter

4 Week Program

Behavioral Consults

We understand that living with a dog who doesn't quite fit into your home and life can be challenging. Our behavioral consults will teach you how to address the issues and give you the tools you need to take back control.

Behavioral consults are one-on-one and held in Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, Pocatello, Rigby, Rexburg and even further out depending on the situation!

We will be expanding our one-on-one consults to Twin Falls soon!

Book a 1:1 Consult

Meet Sarah

Head Trainer- Obedience Expert, Behavioral Expert, Puppyhood Expert

Sarah is passionate about helping dogs and their people build stronger, more fulfilling relationships through the training programs offered by Scotch Pines Dog Training. As the driving force behind our classes, she spends her time planning and creating new ways to help our clients achieve their goals.

Sarah is always dedicated to sharing her expertise and knowledge with others. Her infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude make her a joy to work with. She is committed to providing the highest level of service and support to each and every client.

When she's not training dogs, Sarah loves exploring the great outdoors with her husband, Joseph, and their two kids. Hiking, kayaking, and discovering new places are just a few of her favorite pastimes. And of course, taking her dogs along for the ride is the ultimate perk of her job!

Sarah trains our 8 Week Programs in the Spring and the Fall. She supports Ari and Saige with their clients and is always available to answer any questions you may have.

Have Questions? Bark at me

Meet Ari

Trainer-Behavioral and Aggression Expert, Puppyhood Guide

Ari is our behavioral and aggression expert and helps run our Large Group Training session held in the Spring and Fall. Whatever issue you may be struggling with, Ari can help you achieve your goals! While Ari is our Behavioral Expert, she is also very skilled with any age, breed or issue you are struggling with.

She can walk you through brining your puppy home, 1:1 obedience lessons, or any behavioral management issues you may be dealing with.

Ari Travels within Idaho Falls, and travels to Pocatello/ Blackfoot area once a week and to the Rigby/ Rexburg area once a week.

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Ari started her training journey in 2020 when she adopted her first dog Blue. She quickly realized her dedication to her new monster matched her naivety. What followed was a year of weekly private training sessions to address Blue’s aggression, reactivity, and general chaos. Through that process Ari saw that every dog is good and the right training can help them show the world that goodness.

Before joining Scotch Pines Dog Training with Sarah, Ari honed her training skills by fostering dogs from local rescues and shelters. Still maintaining a level of optimistic naivety she takes the difficult cases. She’s experienced the full spectrum of dogs: from aggressive to extremely fearful, from never living in a house to agents of chaos in the home, from shutdown and timid to wild and unable to focus. She drank the Scotch Pines koolaid after taking her second dog, Cheese, through the 8-Week Obedience Program with Sarah in 2023. Now she has been eagerly learning from Sarah and incorporating Scotch Pines methods into her daily work with her dogs. In addition to Scotch Pines training method Ari practices cooperative care and positive reinforcement with dogs in her home.

Outside of training Ari has further immersed herself in the world of dogs through providing boarding and daycare for dogs in her home. By maintaining strict boundaries, constant supervision, and play group rotations she has created a home that is for the dogs. They have been nice enough to let Ari continue to live there. Being surrounded by dogs all day every day has allowed Ari to observe and learn dog behavior firsthand.

Now Ari has a house full of dogs at all times. She has 5 dogs of her own (Blue, Cheese, Macaroni (Mac), Potato (Tato), and Beanie) and always a few fosters in the mix. She is an avid volunteer at Snake River Animal Shelter in Idaho Falls and is their biggest fan. When she’s not training Ari cycles through a long list of collected hobbies including crocheting, reading, hiking, caring for her many houseplants, and smiling at every dog she encounters.

Book With Ari

Meet Saige

Trainer--Puppyhood Expert, Behavioral & Aggression Guide

Saige is our Puppyhood Expert and runs our Puppy Preteen Academy in the Spring, Summer and Fall.

While Saige is our Puppy Expert, she is also very skilled with any age, breed or issue you are struggling with. She has trained multiple dogs through the Scotch Pines Program as well as Apprenticed with our main Scotch Pines in Boise. She knows her stuff and she is here to help you as you bring your puppy home, as you deal with all the fun puppy stages, or she can work with you 1:1 doing obedience training or behavioral issues.

Saige offers Training within the Idaho Falls area.

Please email sarah@scotchpinesdt.com for the option to book Saige in Blackfoot/ Pocatello area or Rigby/Rexburg area.

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I took a Scotch Pines obedience class for the first time with my unruly teenager, Ruger. I am grateful that through Scotch Pines I got the best adventure buddy I could ask for, he is my right-hand man and I can't wait to help guide you on your journey with your pups and be a part of the Scotch Pines family. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and anything outdoors

Book with Saige