Live a Happier Life with Your Furry Friend
Certified
balanced trainers you can trust
Since 2005
helping families nationwide
Lifetime Support
to keep training on track
National Network
of local trainers near you
Free Evaluation
to start your dog’s training
How It Works
We offer a wide range of dog training programs designed to fit your goals, whether you need board and train, private lessons, puppy training, or group classes. Each program is led by certified trainers, with flexible scheduling and lifetime support after graduation.
Free Evaluation
We assess your dog’s needs and create a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle.
Customized Training Plan
Certified trainers guide you and your dog through proven, positive methods for behavior improvement.
Hands-On Training
Choose from in-home, mobile, or facility-based programs designed for lasting results.
Ongoing Support
Receive tools, guidance, and follow-ups to maintain progress and reinforce skills at home.
Our Dog Training Programs
and Services
Meet Your Dog Trainers
Every dog trainer on the The Dog Wizard Lake Norman team is extensively trained and experienced in balanced training techniques that address a range of behavioral issues to help your dog reach their full potential.
Kassie Johnson
Lead Trainer
Kassie’s connection to The Dog Wizard started long before she worked here — as a client. Her own dog, Lynn, went through the program five years ago to work through some serious leash reactivity, and watching that transformation changed the direction of Kassie’s life. What began as a general love of animals turned into a real passion for behavior modification.
That experience led her straight into a role at the Lake Norman and Gastonia locations, where she’s now approaching her five-year mark as a trainer. She still credits Lynn, now seven, as the reason she found this career in the first place.
When she’s not working with dogs and their people, Kassie is usually keeping up with her three-year-old, checking out local coffee shops, or out exploring with Lynn by her side. Her favorite breed is the Golden Retriever — she loves their intelligence, friendliness, and easygoing nature.
Lindsi Larck
Advanced Trainer
Lindsi’s love for dogs started close to home, spending time helping her uncle, a husky breeder, train and care for his pups. She fell for their goofy voices and endless energy, and that early experience stuck with her.
Before joining The Dog Wizard, Lindsi worked as a bather at a grooming facility, where she built the patience needed to work with all kinds of dogs. She’s also an Advanced Trainer Graduate of The Dog Wizard Academy, having read Dog Training for Dummies front to back along the way.
For Lindsi, meeting new people and their dogs, and helping them learn to communicate with each other, is the most rewarding part of the job. She’s grateful for every new dog and owner she gets to work with, and outside of training, she can usually be found reading, gaming, or catching a movie.
See What Other Dog Owners are Saying
Do not send your dog here!! They kept my dog Sunny for the 3 week training program and not only did he come back with no improvement to his behavior, he came back traumatized. They deprived him of play time which is vital to exercise and neglected to tell me about it until I asked when he got home. They did not follow thru with the updates as promised, they did not brush his coat (he is a poodle and poodle’s require daily brushing). He came come so matted his groomer even was angry and raised questions of neglect. It has been months and he still is fearful and anxious. He also got fleas while he was there. Staff is impossible to contact and they refuse to acknowledge any issues. It has been months and my dog still hasn’t been quite the same. It breaks my heart to imagine what he went thru in their “care”. Please do not subject your dog to this company.
I have a 2 year Pyredoodle with lots of anxiety and energy. Just before her 1st birthday I enrolled her in the The Dog Wizard program! What a difference that made! The trainers in the program are AWESOME! Melanie and Chris kept me in formed with texts and pictures throughout her stay in the 3 week program. The lessons they taught her have made a difference in our daily lives. The way she walks and greets people makes it so much more pleasant in social situations. I still use their services for boarding Piper when I travel. It's great because they refresh her training while boarding. Win...win! Highly recommend their services!!!
I’ll admit that the initial days were a little nerve-wracking for this first-time Dog Mom, sending her baby off to ‘college’, after we had only been together for 6 weeks! :) However, once I started getting frequent progress reports via text and social media posts, and could actually SEE her growth & transformation, I knew I had done the best thing for my girl and for our long term relationship. Plus, she looked so HAPPY and EAGER to be working with her trainer, Kassie.
Jesse was already a relatively well-behaved pup for her age; and when I signed up for this program I had a few goals in mind: 1) loose-leash walking/heel by my side; 2) freedom to take her out to dog friendly businesses and me have the confidence in knowing how she would react - and not require me to provide her with distractions (bones, chews, etc); 3) recall/off-leash ability mainly for peace of mind when I have other family members & friends care for her when I’m traveling.
Kassie ABSOLUTELY delivered on all three of my goals and then some. She also did a great job turning the training reins over to me, spending the better part of two hours teaching me how to work with Jesse and setting us both up for a successful transition; after all, the 3 week program is one thing - but it doesn’t end there - I have to put the work in as the owner to maintain the foundation that has been built.
Kassie clearly has a passion for dog training and I cannot thank her enough for what she has done for us. My pup came home as an improved, confident, more obedient version of the one that left! Money well-spent and I have nothing but the highest regard and recommendation for the Dog Wizard of Lake Norman & Gastonia, and especially Kassie. Can’t wait to see her out when we get together for group walks!
PS: If my cat were writing this review, he would say he’s frustrated that Jesse isn’t as interested in him anymore (she will hold her down/stay on her bed like it is her JOB, much to his dismay).
About The Dog Wizard Lake Norman
Our dog training goes beyond basic commands like Sit, Come, and Down. Our approach focuses on helping your dog make better choices and respond to you instead of their impulses.
We cover all the essential obedience commands you need to communicate effectively with your dog. But more importantly, we teach your dog to stay engaged and follow through with these commands, even in the most distracting environments.
Our goal is to enhance your dog’s understanding of obedience, making it a natural part of their behavior, not just a few tricks they perform when they feel like it.
Why Choose The Dog Wizard
Magical Methodologies
All of our trainers use balanced training techniques that are proven to be effective in and out of the classroom.
Everywhere Dogs Are
With over 100 locations — the majority of them being mobile — we have the ability to bring balanced dog training right to you.
Trained to Transform
Our knowledgeable trainers complete a rigorous dog training curriculum through The Dog Wizard Academy that teaches them methods that truly work
A Lifetime of Support
Those who complete our obedience programs have access to indefinite group class training support.
