Consultation - Advanced Canine Development, Dog Trainers Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda FL

Good Dog? Bad Manners?

Individualized, science-based training for the dog you love. Serving Southwest Florida with results-driven boarding and obedience programs.

“I took my four month old German Shepherd puppy for assistance with jumping and leash pulling. We also discovered that she had pretty bad separation anxiety when not with someone all the time. Hayley, Ali, Emily and Mark all helped get her back on track. They answered all my questions and still support me if needed. Today Focus went to Home Depot and acted like a nice well behaved little lady! Highly recommend using ACD!!!”

~ Tracy W.

“Great place to take our puppy! Haley, Ali, Emily and Mark were all great to work with. Always kept us up to date with Bella’s daily progress. They provided me with tools to continue our training at home as well. Would recommend to anyone that’s starting with a puppy or needs help with an older dog.”

~ Christina S.

“Mark, Ali, Emily, Hayley and the rest of the team are amazing. They had my Rudy for 3 weeks and what a difference that 3 weeks made. It was hard being away from him, but they sent lots of videos and picture. I also had many trainings with other fur parents and some one on ones. Rudy is doing great and it’s such a comfort to know they are always there for us when we need them. Thank you ACD! You’re the BEST!”

~ Kimberly J.

“What an incredible experience. Hayley and the entire staff is absolutely incredible! They train and care for your dog as though they belong to them. The effort to teach and train is hands down the best we’ve seen. My husband and I have a 6 month old Silver Lab and the transformation is so incredible! We would recommend anyone trying to get their dog trained and to obey correctly to use these incredible people!! Thank you so much for everything!”

~ Janessa

“I can’t recommend Advanced Canine Development enough! From the moment we walked through the doors, we knew we were in the right place for our three-month-old Australian Cattle Dog, Bindi. She had a ton of energy, but unfortunately, it wasn’t directed in the right way. Thanks to the incredible training we received, we couldn’t be happier with the results.”

~ Lizz R.

Serving our Neighbors in Southwest Florida for Over 10 Years

Located in Punta Gorda, we are just a short drive to a more confident, well-behaved companion.

Arcadia

Babcock Ranch

Boca Grande

Cape Coral

Captiva

Charlotte Harbor

Charlotte Park

Englewood

Harbour Heights

North Fort Myers

Nort Port

Port Charlotte

Punta Gorda

Rotonda West

South Venice

Southeast Arcadia

Venice

Big Personality, A Few Unwanted Habits?

Is Your Dog Struggling With…

JUMPING

on guests?

PULLING

during walks?

BARKING

at every passerby?

IGNORING

commands?

Our Board & Train program is designed to build calm, reliable behaviors, through structured, science-based training that sets your dog (and your family) up for long-term success.

1 Signup for Your Consultation

Every dog is different, and so is our approach.

Start by completing our sign-up form to request your In-Person Comprehensive Behavioral Consultation (valued at $100). We’ll connect with you to confirm the details and schedule an in-person consultation to learn more about your dog and goals. During this session we’ll also design a custom training roadmap tailored specifically to your dog!

2 Meet & Evaluate

During your In-Person Comprehensive Behavioral Consultation, we’ll:

Assess your dog’s temperament, skills, and behavior
Learn about your goals and expectations
Recommend the best training program for your family
Answer all of your questions
This ensures we’re the right fit, for both you and your dog

3 Personalized Training

Once enrolled in our Board & Train program, your dog begins a structured, science-based training program.

This includes:

One-on-one and small group sessions
Positive reinforcement and behavior development
Daily structure, socialization, and enrichment
We keep you involved every step of the way with updates, photos, videos, and progress reports. Before completion, we’ll schedule hands-on sessions so you feel confident continuing the training at home.

4 Success! And Ongoing Support

When your program is complete, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to maintain your dog’s success.

Graduates of our 2+ week programs are also eligible for our Board & Maintain option. This gives your dog a structured, familiar environment to refresh their skills whenever needed, and you the peace of mind that we are always here to help.

We Don’t Just Train Dogs, We Empower Owners.

Our program includes hands-on guidance and continued support so you feel confident maintaining your dog’s progress at home.

What Our Clients Are Saying About Our Trainers

“[The Team at ACD] went above and beyond for us, taking extra time to understand our dog’s personality, challenges, and needs. Their guidance was clear, supportive, and always delivered with kindness. Not only did our dog learn so much, but we did, too.”

~ Mario S.

“Our trainer, Emily, was absolutely fantastic. She not only took the time to work with Bindi but also focused on us as owners, ensuring we understood how to communicate effectively with her. Emily’s patience and expertise made a world of difference. She was always available to answer our questions, and her passion for dog training was evident in every session.”

~ Lizz R.

“Mark’s trainers clearly show and train the family the skills and attitudes necessary to resolve the issues that need to be corrected. We had Ali, Hayley and Emily as our team of trainers. They were more than effective, involved and obviously loving their work. They provide exceptional training, demos, and hands on practice in the community for family members to work with the dog. Mark’s entire team is Exceptional: to the dog and the family.”

~ Lawrence M.

“We do want to give the trainers Emily, Hayley, and especially Ali a special shoutout. We appreciate all the time and dedication they devoted to our boy! But Ali!!! Her patient and consistent support not only working to train Duke but also building our skills and our confidence to also be able to train Duke has been a totally positive experience. We simply cannot say enough about Mark and the entire team at ACD! And….we know they will always be just a text away if we need more help.”

~ Pauline M.

“What sets them apart is their genuine care and commitment. You’re not just signing up for training—you’re joining a supportive team like family, Mark, Hayley, Ali, Emily and others, that want the best for you and your pet. Highly recommend this excellent team!”

~ Bridget M.

“Hayley did an amazing job with Fancy and communicated with us daily through texts and lots and lots of pictures. We feel like Fancy had a great trainer and we gained a new friend. Fancy and I have learned so much! They showed the canines and taught the humans.... strongly recommend Mark and his staff to anyone looking for a safe, secure, and responsible facility to help your canine develop.”

~ David S.

“A huge shoutout to Mark, the owner. His knowledge, leadership, and hands-on involvement set the tone for the entire program. You can tell this isn’t just a business to him—it’s a craft, and he expects excellence. And the trainers? Absolutely top-tier. Patient, consistent, communicative, and genuinely invested in each dog’s success.”

~ James M.

“We are so very Thankful to Mark and his excellent staff, Hayley, Emily and Ali at ACD for loving our doggies and teaching them to be very obedient and a pleasure to be with.The staff is dedicated , attentive and overly caring.”

~ Clint K.

“Mark, Hayley, and Ali were all so amazing with my boy. They truly took their time with training my stubborn boy and helped shape him into a dog I could now actually manage at home. They make sure their clients understand they ‘why’ behind everything that they do so you can follow through with it at home properly. I was updated every day on his progress with pictures and videos! I truly can not recommend this team enough. They are so amazing.”

~ Haley S.

“The staff was outstanding—Ali, in particular, was incredibly helpful, and both Hayley and Emily were equally impressive. Mark, the owner, is deeply committed and passionate about the work he and his team do, and it truly shows. It’s clear that both he and his staff care deeply about their business and the well-being of their clients.”

~ Kaylin M.

Training Built on Science.
Designed for real Life with your dog.

Our Training Philosophy

At Advanced Canine Development, our training is rooted in the science of how dogs learn. Using reward-based methods and Applied Animal Learning Theory, we focus on clear communication, positive reinforcement, and structured guidance to help dogs develop calm, reliable behaviors.

Our programs are designed not only to train dogs, but to support the families who live with them. By building focus, confidence, and consistency, we help dogs and owners develop the skills needed for a balanced, enjoyable life together.

Founded by trainer Mark, whose background includes extensive apprenticeship work in professional service dog training, Advanced Canine Development combines science-based methodology with years of hands-on experience helping dogs and families succeed.