Southern Hounds LLC★★★★★ 5.0 from 38 Google reviews
Free behavior assessment
Asheville, NC
Serving Asheville, Hendersonville, Weaverville, Black Mountain, Arden & Fletcher
A dog you can trust on the leash and off it.
What you get — free
A written 3-step plan for your dog — the exact things to change first, in order, and why. Yours to keep whether you train with us or not.
Two short steps: a quick 15-minute call so we can hear what's going on, then your free one-hour assessment in person. You get the plan either way.
- —What's actually driving the pulling, barking or reactivity
- —The first 3 things to fix, in the right order
- —An honest answer on how long your dog will take
- —Whether your dog needs behavior work or just training
No card. No obligation. You keep the plan either way.
Rather talk now? Call or text (828) 903-8713
★★★★★ 5.0 from 38 Google reviews · AKC evaluator · 7 years training
5.0★
38 Google reviews
7 yrs
professional training
AKC
certified evaluator
You love your dog.
But something has to change.
"I dread walks."
You have tried the harness, the gentle leader, the treats. Your dog still pulls like a freight train. You walk at 6 AM just to avoid other people.
"I can't trust my dog."
Off-leash? Not a chance. Around other dogs? You hold your breath. Guests coming over? You lock the dog in a room. It is exhausting.
Three steps, starting this week
A quick call
15 minutes on the phone. You tell us what's going on and what you've already tried — we make sure the assessment is the right fit. No sales pitch.
Free assessment + your plan
A full hour in person with Maddie. You show us the behavior, and you leave with a written plan: the first three things to change, in order, and a realistic timeline.
Train it in
If you want help doing it, we lay out the program that fits your dog, your schedule and your budget. Your call.
Real results Asheville dog owners are getting
Loose-leash walking
Your dog walks beside you without pulling, lunging, or dragging you down the street.
Calm greetings
No more jumping, barking, or chaos when guests come over or you pass people on a walk.
Reliable recall
Call your dog once and they come. At the park, in the yard, around other dogs.
Real-world focus
Your dog pays attention to you — not every squirrel, dog, or person that walks by.
Reactive? Fearful? A bite in the history?
Reactive and fearful dogs are most of our work — the lunging, the growling, the walks you've stopped taking, the guests you can't have over anymore.
A bite history doesn't disqualify your dog. It just means we plan the first session differently. And we're honest at the assessment about what training can and can't fix for your dog — you get a straight answer either way.
Get my free 3-step planOwners who were where you are now
★★★★★
“He came to us scared, growly and snappy. By week three he was lying calmly in a loud Home Depot while people walked past us.”
★★★★★
“She prances proudly right by my side now. Maddie didn't just train my dog — she taught me to be a better dog owner.”
★★★★★
“When it became clear our dog couldn't stay with us, Maddie handled the rehoming, the arrangements and the paperwork. She cared more about the dog than the sale.”
Maddie Powers
Maddie is the owner and head trainer of Southern Hounds LLC. With 7 years of professional experience and a background as a Doctor of Chiropractic, she brings a deep understanding of behavior, nervous system regulation, and biomechanics to every session. She is an AKC evaluator and uses balanced training methods that produce real-world results — not just controlled-setting performance.
What it costs, if you want the training
Leash Training
$1,400
5 weeks · weekly private sessions
Leash + Recall
$2,400
8–10 weeks · weekly private sessions
Board & Train
$6,000
4–6 weeks · your dog lives with your trainer
The Board & Train guarantee
- ✓Lifetime follow-up support after your dog comes home
- ✓Every training tool provided — prong collar, e-collar system and leash included
- ✓Go-home lesson plus four in-home follow-up sessions
- ✓Exclusive boarding rights for graduates — your dog's structure is maintained when you travel
Your dog lives in your trainer's home — not a kennel — with only a few dogs in the program at a time. You get regular photo and video updates, and a structured go-home session so the training transfers to you.
Payment plans available through Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay. We confirm the right program and exact number at the assessment — no surprise pricing, no pressure to decide on the spot.
Step one: pick a time for the quick call
It's a short 15-minute call — what your dog is doing, how long it's been going on, what you've already tried. If we're a fit, we book your free one-hour assessment from there, and you get your written plan.
No card, no obligation. Just a conversation about your dog.
Calendar not loading, or don't see a time that works? Call or text (828) 903-8713
Straight answers
Is the assessment really free?
Yes. No card, no deposit. You get the written plan whether you hire us or not.
What does training cost if I want it?
Programs run from $1,400 for Leash Training up to $6,000 for Board & Train, and monthly payment plans are available through Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay. We tell you the exact number at the assessment — no surprise pricing.
My dog is reactive or has bitten. Is that a problem?
No. Reactive and fearful dogs are most of our work, and a bite history doesn't disqualify your dog. Tell us on the call so we plan the first session safely. If your dog needs more than training can offer, we'll tell you that honestly at the assessment.
Where does my dog stay during Board & Train?
In your trainer's home, not a kennel — and we only take a few dogs at a time. You get regular photo and video updates while your dog is with us, and a structured go-home session before they come home so the training transfers to you. Every Board & Train includes lifetime follow-up support.
What method do you use?
Balanced training: clear rewards, clear boundaries, and skills proven in real-world places — not just in a quiet living room.
How soon can we start?
Calls are usually available within a couple of days, and assessments within the same week, depending on the slots left on the calendar.
Your dog is not going to grow out of it.
A quick call and a written plan cost you nothing. Waiting another six months costs you the walks, the guests and the yard.
Get my free 3-step planOr call / text Maddie at (828) 903-8713