A new dog training facility is set to move into Richardson near the Dal-Rich Towne Square shopping center.

Richardson City Council approved a special use permit for What A Great Dog! Training Center during its Oct. 27 meeting.

What they offer

The dog training center will offer “positive, reward-based dog training,” owner Maureen Patin said during the meeting.

What A Great Dog offers group and private dog and puppy training and manners classes in the facility. It also offers specialized in-home training options, drop-off day school and online training courses.


The background

What A Great Dog had a location in Richardson on N. Glenville Road from 2016-24. Patin said that the center consolidated services into their Frisco location in late 2024 due to a “huge rent increase.”

The facility will be moving all operations to the new Richardson location at the end of its lease in Frisco next January, Patin said.

“We’re tired of leasing—we want to make an investment in a community, get a building, get established and stay there,” she said.


The special use permit was required as the space is currently zoned for office use.