DFW Dog Training That Actually Works
Certified Trainers, Real Results — Across the Whole MetroplexServing One of the Largest Metro Areas in the Country
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex spans more than a dozen counties and stretches roughly 100 miles east to west — which means “DFW dog training” can mean a lot of different things depending on where you’re starting from. We’re based in Rockwall County, on the eastern edge of the metroplex, which puts us within a reasonable drive of most of Dallas, Collin, and northeast Tarrant County without the cross-town traffic clients further west sometimes deal with.
Led by Valerie Fry and Keisha Tucker, we bring the same certified, positive-reinforcement program to every client we work with, whether you’re a few minutes from our Rockwall facility or coming in from further out in the metroplex for puppy training, Board & Train, or full service dog training.
Why DFW Clients Love TSDTA
We're a small, certified team — not a franchise juggling dozens of locations across the metroplex. Valerie holds her KPA CTP, ABCDT-L2, AKC CGC Evaluator, and CLASS certifications. Keisha is also an AKC CGC Evaluator and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), a background that shapes how we work with veterans and clients managing PTSD or anxiety through service dog training. Every program we run uses positive reinforcement exclusively — no e-collars, no prong collars, no corrections.
Being based centrally in Rockwall, near the intersection of I-30 and the eastern loop of the metroplex, lets us reach most of the DFW area for in-home and public access sessions without the multi-hour round trips some trainers based further out in Fort Worth or Denton County would need for an eastside client.
Programs Available Across the Metroplex
Every program we offer is available to DFW clients, regardless of which side of the metroplex you're on:
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Where We Work Across DFW
We're based in Rockwall, in the eastern half of the metroplex, and travel throughout the surrounding counties for in-home sessions, public access training, and Board & Train drop-offs. Cities we regularly serve include:
Don't see your city listed? We likely still serve your area — contact us to confirm availability before booking.
Common Questions from DFW Clients
Answers to all your pressing questions about our services, our prices, and what to expect with your dog in one of our training programs.
What parts of DFW do you actually cover?
We’re based in Rockwall County and regularly serve Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Forney, and Lavon. Coverage can extend further depending on the service — Board & Train clients travel from all over the metroplex, while in-home session availability depends more on drive time. Contact us with your city and we’ll confirm.
How far will you travel for in-home training?
It depends on where you’re located relative to Rockwall. Clients in the eastern half of the metroplex — Rockwall, Forney, Lavon, and eastern Dallas — typically have the most scheduling flexibility. Clients further west or north may have more limited availability. We’ll always tell you honestly if distance is going to be a scheduling challenge.
Can clients from anywhere in DFW enroll in Board & Train?
Yes. Distance isn’t a barrier for Board & Train the way it can be for in-home sessions, since your dog stays with us for the full two weeks. Clients from across the metroplex — including areas outside our regular in-home service radius — drop off and pick up at our Rockwall facility.
Do you train service dogs for clients outside Rockwall?
Yes — service dog training is one of our core specialties, and we work with handlers throughout the DFW area through the full training pathway, from Board & Train through CGC certification and task-specific work. Public access training sessions are scheduled based on location.
What makes The Service Dog Team Academy different from other DFW trainers?
Our team holds certifications most trainers in the region don’t — including AKC CGC Evaluator status held by both owners, meaning we administer official Canine Good Citizen testing directly rather than referring out. Co-owner Keisha Tucker is also a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, which shapes our work with veterans and clients managing PTSD through service dog training. Every program uses positive reinforcement exclusively.
My city isn’t listed — do you still serve my area?
Possibly. We’ve listed the cities we serve most regularly, but coverage can extend further depending on the program and your specific location. Contact us with where you’re located and we’ll let you know honestly whether we can accommodate you.
How do I get started?
Reach out through our contact page or call (469) 786-7877. Let us know your location and what you’re looking for, and we’ll point you to the right program.