Families send their dogs to Neuman K-9 Academy in Hugo, Minnesota from across the United States and from Canada for our 8-week and 12-week Dog Boot Camp. Your dog lives and trains at the Academy, 7 days a week, from the start of camp until graduation, so you don't need to live nearby to enroll. This page explains how it works from a distance.
Out-of-State Families
How It Works
- Enroll. Submit the Get Started form. We email you an electronic contract and a payment form for the deposit, which is 50% of the tuition. Then we send a behavioral questionnaire, a health form for your vet, and the list of items to send with your dog; the questionnaire and health form are due a week before camp begins.
- Get your dog to the Academy. Drive your dog to Hugo on the start date, or book private, door-to-door dog transport: a member of our team picks your dog up in one of our own vehicles, with no other dogs on board. We cover the lower 48 states, and for families in Canada we can meet you at an agreed U.S. border crossing. Transported dogs usually arrive a few days before camp starts so they can settle in. We do not offer airport pickup or airline shipping.
- Follow along during camp. Visits are not allowed once camp begins, so trainers can keep to the training schedule. Instead, we email you a weekly update with photos and a description of your dog's progress.
- Come to graduation. Handler training at graduation is in person, hands-on, and required, so plan a trip to Hugo for graduation day. You'll learn the commands, hand signals and equipment with your own dog, and you'll take home written instructions, a private YouTube seminar of the go-home instructions, and a video of your dog performing the commands.
- Go home. Take your dog home with you after graduation, or book transport home; return trips are usually scheduled for the Tuesday or Wednesday after graduation, and your dog stays in our care until then.
- Keep in touch. Your dog's training includes lifelong support from the Academy.
Out-of-State Families
Programs & Tuition
8-Week Boot Camp
$6,800. Foundation obedience, leash manners and household etiquette for dogs 12 months and older.
12-Week Boot Camp
$8,800. Everything in the 8-week camp, plus field trips into the city and off-leash heeling and recall.
Dogs under 12 months go to Puppy Boot Camp. Transport is priced separately by distance; get an instant estimate on our dog transport page. Start dates and open spots are listed on the Dog Boot Camp page.
Out-of-State Families
From Families Who Traveled
“February 29, 2020, I drove from Canada to Hugo, MN to bring BELLA to her new home for the next 8 weeks, so I thought. … We can walk on command off-leash and she will ignore wildlife around her and focus on me.”
Lori DelBo
Bella, Airedale Terrier · from Canada
“We loved the weekly pictures and updates and when we arrived in MN to pick up Dexter, Josiah and Summer spent numerous hours with me and my daughter reviewing the commands to ensure that the training continued smoothly at home.”
Danica Baron
Dexter, Shiba Inu · Alameda, CA
“Since leaving her 8 week puppy camp she has been on 6 cross country flights, 2 ferry rides and a couple of long car trips (6+ hours) all of which have gone off without any dog issues at all. … The cost of training, travel and time are worth it.”
Elizabeth Culp
Lucy, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel · New York and California
“We had kids over last night and he stayed in his place while they interacted with him… that is something we have never been able to do before.”
Jessica & Jared G.
Malto, Siberian Husky · Manvel, ND
Read their full stories 450+ Google reviews
FAQs
Do I have to come to Minnesota?
Yes, for graduation. Handler training is in person, hands-on, and required of owners who enroll their dog, because your dog's training lasts only as long as you keep it up. Drop-off can be handled by our transport service, so graduation can be your only trip.
Can my dog fly to the Academy?
We do not offer airport pickup or commercial airline shipping. Instead we offer private ground transport throughout the lower 48 states, with one dog per trip and a member of our team at the wheel, plus pickup at an agreed U.S. border crossing for families in Canada.
How far do families come from?
All over the country. In 2026 alone, we've transported dogs for families in Tampa, Florida; Parsippany, New Jersey; Palm Springs, California; and other locations, and families from Canada have enrolled as well.
Can my dog arrive early or stay after graduation?
Yes. Dogs are welcome to arrive before camp starts or stay after it ends; a boarding fee per day applies. Use the boarding reservation form to arrange it.
Other pages you may find helpful:
Questions?
For questions about enrolling from out of state, Contact Us or complete our Services Inquiry form.