Dog Door Behavior Center and Outfitters

Marc Haro

2024-03

We took our dog Django here 6 years ago and he has been the sweetest and most mild mannered and well behaved dog ever. We have moved fromthe area but would drive back if we ever get another dog. Highly recommend.

Drew Beeman

2024-01

We can’t say enough good things about the training we’re doing with Angie for our reactive boy Pumpkin. Angie has been astonishingly knowledgeable, recognizing right away that our other dog had some pain she was subtly dealing with and we’ve already seen a big change in her since we started addressing that issue. But with general training for reactivity, behavior, crate training, riding in the car, and everything else with our anxious dog she has been incredible. The training sessions at Carrier Park have been extremely helpful and Angie is very fast to respond to our emails about anything and everything, prescribing us tailored plans for addressing his difficult behaviors and we’ve been steadily seeing a big change for the better. She’s made great recommendations of places for daycare, grooming, and more and we are so thankful to have her as a resource.

Tessa Eaton

2023-09

We adopted an older dog, Boulder, a few months ago that has some behavioral issues that we just weren't sure how to navigate appropriately. We have seen Ashley twice now to get some advice on how to help him and it has been so incredibly helpful. She gave us the tools and insight to help us know how to help him, and a bit of counseling/encouragement for us. All the staff there are super helpful and awesome also. ❤️

Josh Kong

2024-01

Was strolling around Asheville and happened to stop in for a dog toy and so glad we did. The assistant manager happened to be working and she is incredible. So friendly and really enjoyed chatting with her. We'll definitely be back next time we're in town!

Amanda D

2020-05

We drove up from South FL to stay just north of Asheville in a cabin with all 3 of our pups. We had read that Asheville is Dog City USA! The Dog Door IS the place to check out for all Dog Friendly Info!! Sure was! Woman was Very helpful & friendly as all 5 of us walked in. We received all the "local" hangouts & great places to take our pups while in this beautiful city! Thank U Dog Door!!

Alexa Bonsey

2020-05

Where to begin with our love and appreciation for the Dog Door?! My partner and I adopted Willa when she was about 10 weeks old. We had planned to do some basic puppy training with a professional, but within a few days of bringing Willa home it was clear that we needed more direction. She had a smart, sensitive and independent nature from the get-go and was not particularly eager to please. Wes and I had no experience raising a dog and needed some support to make sure that we were giving Willa the best possible care. We signed up for the “All-Around Puppy” training package with Angie, and her guidance was truly transformative. Angie has a very intentional approach to her work; she is kind, highly attentive, incredibly knowledgeable, and offers clever analogies that help her clients understand dogs’ behavior and perception of the world. Angie quickly helped us recognize that much of the training information we had relied upon from other resources was unproductive, and she offered alternative methods that instantly helped Willa find more structure, comfort, and trust in us. Angie’s training was entirely individualized—by tuning in to Willa’s genetic traits and her personality, as well as our personalities and shared environment, she showed us how to raise, understand, and love Willa in the way that is best for Willa. Perhaps most fundamentally, she helped us develop a shared language with Willa. The impact of our training sessions is undeniable: Willa is far more cuddly and affectionate, WAY happier and less stressed, and we feel much more equipped to continue giving her a great life. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Angie and rest of the The Dog Door staff!

Steven Allen

2023-09

Em saw that our dog was pulling hard on the leash as soon as we walked into the store. She offered to demonstrate how this behavior could be changed with a different type of harness. Within seconds of trying it on, my one year old German Shepherd mix became more compliant on the lead, which immediately reduced her and my stress while moving about the rest of the day in Asheville.

Chantelle Coones

2019-05

This place is amazing!!!! We have been a client for about 8 months now. We came with an 8 week old puppy and began working to make sure we did all the right things to help him develope and grown into an amazing family member. At 10 months old, we can take him anywhere, he is polite and has manners, and he is one of the most happy dogs I have ever known. While most of the work was on us as little Norbert, the continued guidance and support from the Dog Door made it all doable.

Cindy Meehan-Patton

2018-05

Kim has been helping me find dogs and has taught priceless ways to help them be the best dogs they can be for many years now. Her knowledge and loving techniques have been a God send to us. I am so thankful. I hope she never retires!

School of Canine Science

2023-06

My visit to The Dog Door in Asheville, North Carolina, was nothing short of an absolute delight. The centre has managed to create a perfect blend of a well-stocked shop and a top-tier dog training facility, all guided by an incredibly respected figure in the dog behaviour community.Upon entering, I was immediately welcomed by an impressive array of quality canine products, with everything a dog owner might need or want. The shop was beautifully organised, catering to the needs of dogs of all sizes, breeds, and dispositions.Yet, what sets The Dog Door apart is not just the excellent stock they offer, but their incredibly friendly and experienced staff. Each member I encountered demonstrated a profound understanding of dog behaviour, and it’s evident that they are passionate about what they do. This passion is infectious and helps make every visit an enjoyable and enlightening experience.But perhaps the centre’s crowning glory is its respected figurehead, who brings an extraordinary depth of knowledge and experience to the table. Their reputation is well earned, and their influence permeates the entire centre, making it a pinnacle in the field of dog training and behaviour modification.In conclusion, The Dog Door is more than just a dog training centre. It’s a hub for dog owners, a treasure trove of quality products, and a beacon of knowledge and expertise in the realm of dog behaviour. If you are a dog owner seeking help, advice, or even just a visit to a welcoming environment tailored for you and your furry friend, look no further than The Dog Door.

Maria Aponte Zimmer

2021-05

Kim has been helping us with our wild rescue puppy Paris, a very energetic Boxer Lab Pit mix who is very excitable and leash-reactive to dogs. We’ve done Zoom and in-person leaks at the park. Her team follows up. She gave us some great tips and things we can work on on our own. We just had a great walk with Paris recently. She behaved so well! She helped us introduce a new dog to Paris and she introduced us to a wonderful doggy daycare (Happy Tails Country Club). Kim also had a fantastic pet store and book.

david stacy

2023-09

Great people. We visited as tourists and unfortunately we're not able to bring our dog with us. But this is a great place to bring your puppets. Our little pug was very happy with the ladybug we bought for him.

Jennifer Casey

2023-05

I can't say enough great things about Dog Door! We were traveling through NC w our dogs and this was the PERFECT first stop in Asheville! Emily was so friendly and knowledgeable not only about the products in the store, but also about the coolest places for us to check out! This is a must see in Asheville for those traveling w their pups!

Mark Johnson

2023-10

Great store! Nice selection of toys and treats... got a new harness for the doggo. The young lady working was very helpful fitting the harness for us (thanks!).

Becca Wier

2019-05

I adopted a scared hound, and after several months of watching her progress out of her shell, she was still completely terrified of my harmless significant other. I was proud of her becoming more confident, but it was discouraging to see her mortified to return home. Many people I trust with dogs recommended Kim to me. We've met for several sessions now, and it's almost hard to believe the progress my little rescue hound has made! With Kim's guidance, she is now happy and comfy at home with us! And things seem to only get better! I cannot be grateful enough! Thank you!!

Lila Mclendon

2021-05

My mom and I purchased a quarantine (rescue) dog in early March. We never had a rescue before and did not realize what we were getting ourselves into. Thankfully, we found Kim Brophey at The Dog Door. We have done 5 or 6 sessions with her, all online, and she has been able to help us correct every negative behavior from our dog in a very short amount of time. The virtual setting is amazing because we don’t have to leave the house and neither does Kim. We would have had to take our dog back to the shelter if it wasn’t for Kim. We highly recommend her for any type of dog training and think that the zoom sessions are a great resource to be able to do it from the comfort of your home!

Leigh Coddington

2021-05

Kim and her staff at the Dog Door are amazing . There are a lot of new trainers in town since we trained our service dog seven years ago , but I only recommend Kim and her staff . She is brilliant and approaches training differently with each animal and the family’s needs . She explores the relationships and professionally and quickly addresses the issues . She is expensive because her time is valuable and she really knows her stuff ! All in all , together we were able to turn a wild and driven golden retriever into a well trained service dog , for my son with special needs ,also , it would have been a lot more expensive to purchase a service dog from an organization . You will not regret using her !

Jennifer McCartney

2021-05

Kim and her team are the best trainers in the business! I adopted a deaf BostonTerrier from Brother Wolf; it was amazing to see how she connected with my dog in the first meeting! Custom hand commands for my dog and training for me on how to best work with a deaf dog. It was a wonderful experience. Highly recommend, as do my friend who have gone to her after seeing our successful results from a positive training experience!

Susan Cook

2022-05

Kim and the Dog Door team are helping us train my daughter's service dog. They helped us pick the puppy and have worked with us throughout the entire process. The team is professional, knowledgable and responsive. Kim's methodology for using only positive reinforcement with a focus on building a trusting, mutually beneficial relationship between person and dog is amazing. I feel like I am watching magic when I witness the bond building between my daughter and her service dog.

Front Desk

2016-05

Kim came for an in home behavior consultation, and though I have only seen her once, I must say it was a wonderful experience. I love her method and my dog, whom doesn't warm up to strangers quickly, only took a couple minutes to warm up to her and then my dog just wanted to give her kisses! I think this was in part because she could sense that Kim was safe but mostly because of the way that Kim had me introduce her. Can't wait for my next training session!

Sharon Mammoser

2018-05

Kim is amazing and I highly recommend her! It's a wonderful service she offers and I'm sure she has changed a lot of lives and made a lot of owners--and their dogs--very happy.We took our nearly- two-year-old rescue dog to the Dog Door Behavior Center to work on some behavioral issues we were having with him. It was obvious immediately that Kim has been working in the field of behavioral management for many years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience she is happy to share. She is also easy to understand, helpful, kind, genuine and patient. She sat down with us, asking questions and and listening carefully to the issues we were having, then thoughtfully gave us ways to solve them. Her techniques DID NOT require prong collars, shock collars or other extreme-show-your-dominance-methods that some other trainers and articles on the internet suggest. Instead we explored why our dog was reacting the way he was in specific situations and how WE needed to change our interactions with him. The training sessions were reasonably priced and Kim's motivation was not making tons of money, but helping people and their dogs have a better relationship.One of the issues we were having was getting our dog not to pull on the leash when we walked with him. To our amazement, after just two sessions, this problem was solved!! Though we are still working with our dog to overcome his pulling when there are distractions (other dogs, bikes, etc) he can't ignore, it is now a pleasure rather than a chore to take our dog on a walk. We will continue to work with him, using the techniques that Kim taught us.Appointments were easy to schedule, the other staff we encountered in the store were super friendly and helpful and the store stocks things our dog loves. We highly recommend both the training at The Dog Door Behavior Center as well as the store. If you are having issues with your dog's behavior and live near Asheville, this is the place to go!

Jessica Cochran

2019-05

Not done yet, but Kim and her staff have been helping me with service dog training. I met with Kim before I had a dog in mind, and she told me the breed I needed to best suit my needs, and stayed in contact during the 8-9 months it took for me to find Nala. My golden retriever puppy has been training since she was 9 weeks old. She is 5 months old, and is super smart. She loves Kim, and has learned so much, and though she still has a long way to go I would not want anyone other than Kim and staff to get her where she needs to be. Dog Door is amazing.

Lauren Preston

2020-05

It took me a few times being referred to make an appointment with Kim. As a behaviorist (for humans) I thought I knew what she might say about my dog’s problems. I was so wrong! I wish I had talked to Kim sooner, she gave me EXCELLENT advice about diagnostics and medication. Her interventions were practical and she was able to explain the “why” behind them. She assessed for prior knowledge and was able to adjust the conversation accordingly to maximize our time together. I had a good time during our visits, but I had an INCREDIBLE time applying them to my dog, who promptly got better. We had been frequenting the emergency vet, and haven’t been since working with Kim. I have been talking about Kim to anyone who will listen, and a few people have also been lucky enough to have worked with her. Everyone I talked to has had the same excellent, effective experience that I have had.

Fara Stewart

2020-05

Kim is so observant and quickly identified how we were contributing to our dog’s anxiety! Some easy adjustments quickly modified her behavior and gave us a calm, loving companion! We will return next month to tackle some further behavior issues and hopefully have a pup that can safely join us on our outdoor adventures!

Susan enderle

2018-05

Kim is amazing! Our beloved puppy was a wild child, pulling on her leash, jumping all over us, growling at strangers. Kim taught us how to set the rules for what behavior we should have from our dog. And it works! What was really wonderful was we didn't have to try to break our dog's vivacious spirit. Our dog actually likes having boundaries, and is very happy and (mostly) well behaved.

Valerie Vanderlip

2018-05

Our visit with Kim gave me hope that our crazy, destructive 10 month old puppy wasn't a lost cause. Kim's way of explaining our puppy's personality and unique needs gave me hope that with time and the proper approach we'll have a great dog. The Dog Door Behavior Center was a perfect place to meet, really better than at home for a first visit. I highly recommend Kim Brophey.

Beth Graham

2017-05

I was so impressed with the professionalism of the Dog Door. Kim Brophy was recommended by our vet for our 3 year old mild mannered mega-mutt, Hope, due to alleged aggression issues reported by our kennel. From the initial phone call to schedule an appointment to our 1.5 hour consultation with Kim we were asked intelligent and relevant questions about our dog. Kim observed both Hope and us and made a recommendation for future kenneling. She did not ask for additional meetings but instead asked that we follow-up with her by phone. Her knowledge of dogs was exceptional. She even suggested that our sweet Hope might actually be part Carolina Dog, a more recently recognized breed!

Craig Arey

2021-05

Our Golden Doodle was about 8 months old when I was fairly certain that we should probably find her a new home due to the constant irritation of her behaviors that kept stressing me out. Then I had a 180 degree change of heart after being profoundly touched by Kim's Ted Talk. Kim's sincere knowledge and respect for the species to species relationship between human beings and dogs opened my mind and heart to this very special sentient being who was sharing her life experience with my wife and myself. Kim's genuine concern that our dog's behavior of regularly swallowing rocks was a matter of life and death inspired us to do whatever Kim suggested to save her. What once appeared to be an intensely unsolvable problem is now becoming a thing of the past day by rock free day. My wife and I are very grateful for Kim's skillful interventions and compassionate desire to help us keep our dog safe and loved.

Annie Rule

2020-05

I’ve written a positive review on yelp already, but I feel the need to write another one after a wonderful experience with my dog, Rae, in the board and train program with Angie. Rae (13 months old) has had the deck stacked against her from 5 months old, particularly with regard to her health. It broke my heart to watch my once stable, extensively socialized and calm lab become fearful and jittery as she got older. When I made plans to go away for a week, I enrolled her in the board and train program so that we could intervene early and get some help with her confidence as well as build on new skills. While my dog was in Angie’s care, she was treated like one of the family. Angie even went to my dog’s vet to pick up pain medication for her because an existing leg injury had flared up again. She put her in real world situations and gave her support and guidance through challenges they faced. The best part is that all of this was done without force, electric shocks, metal prongs or “dominance” methods. In addition to sending me daily updates throughout the week, Angie sat with me upon my return and reviewed the entire experience. She gave me exercises to do to help with confidence, even while Rae has to be off her leg for the foreseeable future. In addition to a plan, Angie also gave me hope when she told me that chances were good that if I put the work in, I would get that calm, stable dog back that I had once had. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being one of the only force free facilities in the area and for giving me the advice and skills to develop my dog into a confident adult.

Karolina Dróżdż

2021-05

Kim is amazing. I recommend her wholeheartedly to all dog owners who are willing to put some effort into truly seeing and understanding their dogs, and don't expect a "set and forget" type of training. We laugh with my husband that it wasn't only the dog that was undergoing the training, but we were too, because we learned so much about her and how she functions, so that we can communicate with her in the most effective way. All the tips and exercises that Kim gave us worked wonders. I gained a completely new understanding of dog behavior. Sawa, our pup, is doing amazing, and we all wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Kim. Thank you!