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.

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. Whether you’re looking for group training, private consultations, or puppy training, 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.

Sign up for our next session and take the first step toward a better life with your dog!



 Serving Southeast Idaho: Idaho Falls | Pocatello | Rexburg | Blackfoot & More
Group Classes Held In Idaho Falls At Tautphaus Park. All 1:1 consults are done at your home. 


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.
8 Week Off Leash Program will start Summer 2025
Saturday 7th
8:30am-10am


Private Lessons offered in your home throughout the Winter

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.








Not in Southeast Idaho? 

In the Boise/Nampa area, contact April

In Magic Valley, contact Stephanie



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!




 
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. 




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!





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. 

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.  
________________________________________________________________________
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. 


      

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