Welcome to RTN Dog Training and Boarding

Our Story

Welcome to RTN Dog Training & Boarding, a veteran-owned, family-operated dog training, daycare and boarding facility in Auburn, Alabama.

Founded by Troy and Jenn Heilman, RTN was built around a simple idea: dogs deserve professional care, meaningful structure and training that helps them succeed in real life. Today, our team provides professional dog training, structured daycare and all-inclusive overnight boarding for families throughout Auburn, Opelika and the surrounding Lee County area.

Whether you're raising a puppy, working through obedience or behavior challenges, looking for a structured daycare environment or planning an overnight stay, our goal is to give you confidence that your dog is in capable hands.

Quality Pet Care

We know your dog is family — and finding someone you trust to train and care for them is a big decision. At RTN Dog Training and Boarding, we make that decision easier.

Located in Auburn and serving families throughout the Auburn and Opelika area, our 8,000 sq. ft. facility was built to give dogs a safe, structured and positive environment where they can learn, grow and thrive. Whether your dog needs basic obedience training, puppy training, an immersive Board & Train program, structured daycare, or a comfortable place to stay while you're away, we have programs designed around the individual needs of your dog.

Our certified trainers bring decades of combined experience and use a balanced, relationship-focused approach to help dogs develop reliable skills while building a stronger connection with their owners. We offer training for puppies through advanced obedience, including Canine Good Citizen (CGC) preparation, and we're proud to be authorized AKC Trick Dog and AKC Fit Dog instructors.

We also understand that training and care don't stop when the lesson ends. Our boarding, daycare, Board & Train and Stay & Train programs give Auburn and Opelika families flexible options for keeping their dogs safe, active and learning while they manage busy lives.

RTN has been recognized by the Opelika-Auburn News Best of OA for excellence in dog training, dog daycare and pet boarding. We're proud of those awards, but we're even more proud of the trust our clients place in us every day.

Award Winning Services

Voted Best Dog Training, Best Doggie Daycare, and Best Pet Boarding in the Opelika-Auburn News Best of OA 2026 — three wins that reflect what our clients already know.

See all of RTN's awards and recognition →

Voted Best Dog Training, Best Doggie Daycare, and Best Pet Boarding in the Opelika-Auburn News Best of OA 2026...

8,000 sq. ft. Facility | CGC Evaluator Certified | AKC Authorized | Auburn's Best of OA 2026 | 334-625-6588

Every dog's journey looks a little different. Reach out and we'll help you find the right program — no pressure, just honest guidance.

Ready to Get Started?

Dog Training

Board & Train Programs

From basic obedience to full board and train programs

Learn More About Our Training Programs

Board & Train Programs

Productive, supervised days for dogs who need more than playtime

Learn More About Our Board and Train Programs

Dog Boarding

Structured Dog Daycare

All-inclusive stays in a facility built for comfort and safety

Learn More About All Inclusive Boarding

Structured Dog Daycare

Productive, supervised days for dogs who need more than playtime

Learn More About Our Daycare Programs

Why RTN?

Veteran-Owned. Family-Operated. Personally Invested.

RTN was founded by Troy and Jenn Heilman, and we're proud that our daughter Janiece is now part of the next generation of RTN. Janiece helps lead the day-to-day operations of the business, working closely with our team to keep the facility running smoothly and ensure our dogs receive the care and attention they deserve.

We're proud to be

We're proud to be a family business—not just in name, but in the way we operate every day.

Show Less

Professional Training Team

Veteran-Owned. Family-Operated. Personally Invested.

RTN's training team is backed by professional education and hands-on experience. Both Jenn and Janiece are graduates of Animal Behavior College and serve as Trainer Mentors for Animal Behavior College, helping guide and mentor the next generation of professional dog trainers.

Our team continues to build its knowledge through professional

Our team continues to build its knowledge through professional development, continuing education and hands-on experience in dog training, behavior and care.

That gives you three strong messages:

Jenn — Animal Behavior College graduate
Janiece — Animal Behavior College graduate
Both — Animal Behavior College Trainer Mentors

And importantly, it supports your claim that RTN isn't simply a daycare/boarding facility that happens to offer training. You have people in leadership who are professionally educated in animal behavior and are trusted to mentor other trainers.

Show Less

Learn More About Our Training Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What type of Training do you offer?

We offer all levels of training from Puppy Foundation through CGC Good Citizen and Public access.

What are the costs for dog training.

Costs on dog training vary from dog to dog and family to family. We do have Obedience Packages starting at $600 but do offer a custom training plan to every client based on the needs of their dog. We do offer payment plans and in house financing provided by All Pet Card with many zero interest options!

What type of trainer are you?

At RTN Dog Training and Boarding we offer Balanced training. We are primarily positive training but do offer a small amount of corrections. 95% of our corrections are verbal, and we never use abusive or forceful corrections.

Do you offer Board and Train?

WE DO! Board and Trains are set up on a custom training plan, and prices will vary depending on the training type, and the boarding time required to achieve your training goals.

What is Board and Train?

Board & Train is an immersive dog training program where your dog lives and trains with our professional team while staying at our Auburn facility.

RTN's Board & Train program is designed for dogs whose owners want a more intensive training experience or who may not have the time to complete a structured training program through traditional lessons alone.

Our Board & Train program includes a structured daily routine that combines obedience training, socialization and guided play while your dog is surrounded by professional trainers throughout their stay. Our standard program has a minimum four-week stay, with the appropriate length determined during your evaluation based on your dog's needs and your training goals.

When training is complete, we don't simply send your dog home and wish you luck. Your program includes a two-hour go-home session to teach you how to maintain your dog's new skills, along with two follow-up in-home visits at no additional cost.

Board & Train can be a great option for busy families, puppies and adolescent dogs that need consistency, or dogs requiring more intensive obedience or behavioral work.

Do you offer puppy training in Auburn?

Yes! RTN offers puppy training in Auburn and the surrounding Auburn-Opelika area. Our training programs start with Puppy Foundation skills and can progress into basic obedience, advanced obedience, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) preparation and other training goals.

Puppy training is about more than teaching commands. We focus on helping puppies develop good manners, confidence, social skills and reliable behaviors that will carry into everyday life. Every dog is different, so we start by evaluating your puppy and your family's goals before recommending the training program that is the best fit.

Whether you're bringing home a new puppy or your young dog needs help developing better habits, our certified training team can help you build a strong foundation for a lifetime of better behavior.

Do you offer dog boarding in Opelika?

Yes! RTN provides dog boarding for families throughout Auburn, Opelika and the surrounding area. Our facility is located in Auburn, just minutes from Opelika.

Our overnight boarding provides a safe, comfortable and supervised environment while you're away. Depending on your dog's temperament and needs, boarding can include structured activities, supervised socialization, exercise and individual attention from our team.

We also offer boarding options that can incorporate training, including our Board & Train and Stay & Train programs. This allows your dog's time with us to be more than simply a place to stay while you're traveling.

For boarding requirements, availability and current pricing, contact our team or create an account through our online booking system.

Is RTN's daycare structured?

Yes. RTN's daycare is specifically designed as structured dog daycare rather than traditional open-play daycare.

Our groups are kept small, with no more than 10 dogs per group, and interactions are directly supervised by our certified training team. Dogs are matched with appropriate playmates based on energy level and social needs, and our trainers actively guide interactions throughout the day.

Dogs follow a structured routine that typically includes two hours of play followed by one hour of rest, with enrichment activities during downtime. Rest is an important part of daycare because constant stimulation can leave dogs overstimulated, stressed or exhausted.

Our structured daycare can be especially beneficial for high-energy dogs, dogs that become easily overstimulated, dogs building social confidence and dogs that need more guidance than a traditional open-play daycare provides.

RTN was recognized as Best Doggie Daycare in the 2026 Opelika-Auburn News Best of OA awards.

Do you train reactive or difficult dogs?

Yes. RTN works with dogs that need more than basic obedience training, including dogs that are reactive, easily overstimulated, highly energetic or struggling with certain behaviors.

Every dog is different, which is why we don't believe in putting every dog through the exact same training program. We start with an evaluation to understand your dog's behavior, temperament, current skills and your family's goals.

Our approach is primarily positive and relationship-based, with limited corrections used when appropriate. We do not use abusive or forceful corrections.

For dogs with more challenging behaviors, we may recommend private training, structured daycare, a custom training plan or our Board & Train program depending on the individual dog and the behaviors we're addressing.

If your dog is reactive, aggressive, fearful or difficult to manage, please contact us before booking daycare or boarding so we can determine the safest and most appropriate program for your dog.

How does your dog training work?

RTN begins with your dog, your goals and your individual situation—not a one-size-fits-all training package.

We offer dog training programs ranging from Puppy Foundation through advanced obedience, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) preparation and public-access training goals. Our programs include basic obedience, day training, custom training and Board & Train.

The first step is an evaluation where we learn about your dog, identify areas that need improvement and discuss what you want to accomplish. From there, we recommend a training plan that fits your dog's needs and your family's lifestyle.

Our training philosophy is primarily positive and relationship-focused. We use rewards, structure, repetition and clear communication to help dogs understand what we expect from them. When appropriate, we may use limited corrections, but we never use abusive or forceful training methods.

Most importantly, we don't believe training ends when your dog leaves our facility. Our goal is to teach you how to maintain the behaviors your dog learns so that the training becomes part of your everyday life.

Whether you have a new puppy that needs a foundation, an adolescent dog that needs better manners, or an older dog that needs help with more challenging behaviors, we'll help you determine the training approach that makes the most sense for you and your dog.

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule A Free Evaluation

Whether your dog needs training, structured daycare or a safe place to stay while you're away, we're here to help.

Schedule a Free Training Evaluation

Book Daycare or Boarding

RTN Dog Training and Boarding

123 E Veterans Blvd, Auburn, AL 36832, USA

Call or Text 334- 625-6588 Rtndogtraining@gmail.com

Hours

Open today

07:00 am – 06:00 pm

Sundays we are open for pick up and drop off from 9AM to 11Am and 4pm to 6PM.

Dog Training, Boarding & Daycare in Auburn and Opelika, AL

Schedule Your Free Evaluation or Book Boarding or Daycare.

Welcome to RTN Dog Training and Boarding

Our Story

Quality Pet Care

Award Winning Services

See all of RTN's awards and recognition →

Ready to Get Started?

Dog Training

Board & Train Programs

Board & Train Programs

Board & Train Programs

Board & Train Programs

Board & Train Programs

Dog Boarding

Structured Dog Daycare

Structured Dog Daycare

Structured Dog Daycare

Structured Dog Daycare

Structured Dog Daycare

Why RTN?

Veteran-Owned. Family-Operated. Personally Invested.

Veteran-Owned. Family-Operated. Personally Invested.

Veteran-Owned. Family-Operated. Personally Invested.

Professional Training Team

Veteran-Owned. Family-Operated. Personally Invested.

Veteran-Owned. Family-Operated. Personally Invested.

Photo Gallery

Certifications and Course Offerings

Professional Training & Continuing Education

CGC Evaluator

AKC Fit Dog

AKC Trick Dog

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Involvement

Authorized Impact Crate Distributor

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule A Free Evaluation

RTN Dog Training and Boarding

Hours

Send Message

Barks of Approval

Check us out on our Social Media for the latest and greatest

RTN Dog Training and Boarding Email and Text Opt In

This website uses cookies.