OBEDIENCE . BEHAVIOR . SUPPORT

SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN’S TRUSTED DOG TRAINING TEAM.

At Smart Dog, we focus on off-leash obedience and behavior training that helps dogs grow into calm, confident companions—while giving owners the knowledge and foundation for lifelong trust and understanding.

INQUIRE ABOUT TRAINING

Do you have a new puppy and aren’t sure where to start?

Are you struggling with your dog’s behavior and looking for real solutions?

SMART DOG HAS THE TRAINING, SUPPORT, AND GUIDANCE YOU NEED.

FIND THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR YOU

WHETHER YOU’VE JUST BROUGHT HOME A BRAND-NEW PUPPY OR YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SUPPORT WITH THE DOG YOU ALREADY LOVE, WE’RE HERE TO HELP.

At Smart Dog, we understand that every dog is unique and every owner deserves clear, practical guidance. Our balanced training approach creates calm, confident dogs while giving owners the tools and structure to build lasting trust and respect. From puppy foundations to advanced off-leash obedience, we tailor training to fit your real life. Since 2013, our team has been helping families transform challenges into confidence and connection. You don’t have to figure it out alone, let’s build your Smart Dog together.

Person crouching on grass playing with a German Shepherd dog during daytime, with a woman in the background near a wooden fence.

A girl in a black hoodie, leggings, and a cap running with a playful puppy on a grassy area with trees and a wooden fence in the background.

| JOIN THE PACK

YOUR DOG’S JOURNEY STARTS HERE

A white line drawing of a dog sitting inside a house outline on a black background.

BOARD AND TRAIN

Send your dog for six weeks of structured off-leash training, socialization, and adventure returning home confident, attentive, and fluent in 16 commands.

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PRIVATE TRAINING

Work one-on-one with a trainer in four personalized sessions, tailored to your dog’s breed, temperament, and behavior, with progressions up to advanced obedience.

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BEHAVIOR SUPPORT

Our behavior modification program starts with a personalized consultation and builds into a tailored plan that transforms struggles into confidence and harmony—both for your dog and your home.

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THERAPY DOG CERTIFICATION

Take the first step toward giving back. We offer therapy dog evaluations and certification so you and your dog can bring comfort and joy to your community.

Learn More

WHY CHOOSE SMART DOG

Proven Training Methods

We use a balanced, results-driven approach that emphasizes structure, consistency, and clear communication to develop calm, reliable dogs.

Ongoing Support

Training doesn’t stop when you leave our facility. We provide continued guidance through follow-up lessons, group outings, and direct support for our graduates.

Tailored to Your Dog

Every dog is unique. Our programs are customized to meet your dog’s needs and your family’s goals for long-term success.

Trusted Experience

With over 20 years of professional training experience, our team has successfully guided hundreds of dogs and owners toward stronger, more confident partnerships.

A group of dogs and a woman are seated and lying on a sidewalk outside a restaurant or cafe, with people dining at tables in the background. The dogs vary in size, breed, and color, and some are on leashes. The woman is smiling and crouching beside a large white and black dog.

TRUSTED BY OUR PACK

"Smart Dog has been truly life-changing for me and my family. "

“Their training felt like magic from the very start, and now Murphy can accompany me everywhere because he listens so well and is such a joy to be around. What sets Smart Dog apart is the ongoing support from the ownership and team. Being part of the pack has been a real game changer! The monthly outings not only give us the chance to practice our training skills, but they’ve also become something we look forward to. They create such a wonderful sense of community with other dog owners who share the same love and dedication to helping their pets be their very best. We are beyond grateful for the positive impact Smart Dog has made in our lives and can’t recommend them enough!”
"Having our dogs off-leash certified has certainly been a blessing"

We have been a pack member at Smart Dog for about 5 years. Our dogs Blue and Skye have flourished in the off-leash program. Having our dogs off-leash certified has certainly been a blessing for them to be able to go hiking and knowing that we have their safety using hand and verbal commands that we were taught through the off-leash program. Lea, Frankie and the SD crew are amazing at what they do and truly love working with dogs. Blue and Skye are always so excited to be able to see them at outings and spend time with them. We highly recommend Smart Dog; it definitely is a 5-star pack to be a part of.
"The logic that Smart Dog uses is tailored to the dog’s & owner’s needs"

We took our first dog to Smart Dog several years ago after he started eating socks and rocks. We met Lea and from the first introduction we knew this was the right fit for us and our dog. Blue went through 6 weeks of off leash training and the transformation was amazing. We knew right away after getting our second dog Skye, that she would also go through the Smart Dog training. The logic that Smart Dog uses is tailored to the dog’s & owner’s needs. Once you are in the pack, you can rely on Lea, Frankie and the rest of the crew for any guidance if needed. We highly recommend them to anyone looking to have a Smart Dog
"Corgi was high energy and had a lot of strong instincts that would kick in making him a difficult train"

Lea and team are AMAZING! My Pembroke Corgi was high energy and had a lot of strong instincts that would kick in making him a difficult train for our family. Once we engaged the expertise of Smart Dog it was life changing and now our guy is living his best off leash life!!! I am so grateful for this group of professionals and HIGHLY RECOMMEND them!
"A much better behaved and trustable companion following his training at Smart Dog"

Our dog, Buddy, has become a much better behaved and trustable companion following his training at Smart Dog. We now enjoy our time together on the roads and off-leash on the trails confidant of his behavior. He responds to voice and gesture commands so well.
Highly recommended!
"They are simply...THE BEST."

“Smart Dog = Safe & Happy Dog! Lea and her girls are truly amazing! Their knowledge and love for the pooches goes above and beyond. They want to teach dogs and owners how to be happy and safe in all environments. Our pup was a little anxious in certain situations, and they helped her (and us) know what to do and how to be safe. I really cannot say enough about them. Any dog that we have moving forward will go though their training program. BTW, they offer great support and group outings after the (formal) training is over. They are simply...THE BEST.”
"Has been the same fun, loving dog, only incredibly well trained beyond our expectations. "

Our dog Islay (Rhodesian Ridgeback) was growing fast and was very difficult to control, even with conventional training. She pulled on walks, jumped on us and visitors, and was incredibly stressful to manage. After getting her back from the 6 week off-leash program, she has been the same fun, loving dog, only incredibly well trained beyond our expectations. She listens to us, she no longer exhibits unwanted behavior, and trusts that she is safe in our care which we think has made her even more affectionate towards us. Lea and her Smart Dog team made us feel that we could trust them the entire time that Islay was in their care.

Two women smiling and standing close together indoors against a brick and wood wall, posing for a photo.

THE PASSION BEHIND SMART DOG

Founded in 2013 by Lea DiBella, Smart Dog has grown from a one-woman passion into a trusted team of professional trainers committed to transforming the lives of dogs and their owners. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience, Lea leads her team in delivering balanced training methods that build structure, safety, and confidence for every dog. At Smart Dog, we don’t just train dogs — we empower owners with the knowledge and tools to create lasting trust and harmony in their homes. From immersive board-and-train programs with lifetime graduate support to private lessons and therapy dog certification, our mission is clear: to develop relaxed, reliable, and confident dogs who are truly a joy to live with.

MEET OUR TEAM