Part of Dude Ranch Pet Resort's Training Academy offering group classes & private lessons (puppy through adult) in obedience, manners and life skills, as well as performance, Agility, Rally & more!

 

Certifications:

 

Training Philosophy: Reward for the right behaviors for increased presentment. "Positive" reinforcement as in in "POSITIVE means PLUS, TO ADD". FORCE and PUNISHMENT are not words used in training.

 

Locations Served: The Dude Ranch Pet Resort serves the greater Richmond, VA area. Classes & schedules (7 days a week, days and eves) at www.duderanchacademy.com. The facility, situated on 47+ acres, is located centrally in GLEN ALLEN, VA. We serve clients in Richmond, Henrico and Glen Allen, as well as the surrounding counties of Hanover, Goochland and Louisa. Families on the south side of the James may reach us through Route 288. We're just a few miles from the Route 288 and I-64/I295 i

 

I am proud to be part of the Dude Ranch Academy. This enables me to offer the best solution in course offering for each of my students from a wide array of choices. I am a firm believer in positive reinforcement based training. Positive reinforcement training is not about being permissive, nor about being a pushover for your dog. Positive reinforcement training is about establishing a relationship with your dog based on trust. Unlike aversive methods, positive reinforcement training is not about fear. I seek to reinforce the dogs' desirable behaviors (with attention, treats, praise and play) and, inversely, challenge ourselves to not reinforce the dog's undesirable behavior. I am an active member in numerous certification and industry trade groups including APDT, IDGAA, PSDT, ABKA, AMAC, AKC, ARBA and TAGtrain. At The Ranch, several of us have served - and/or continue to serve on advisory boards to councils, training/certification advisory boards, and government as well, including the Invitation-Only-Advisory-Board (IOAB) of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Our broad range of backgrounds ensures that you and your dog will have the greatest breadth of training possible; rather than the limited 'my way' program provided by single instructor solutions. Classes, both group and private, are offered in: PUPPY BUILDING BLOCKS (with socialization) "My Puppy - My Clicker - And Me!" Basic Manners Classes Foundations & Life Skills AKC S.T.A.R., CGC and CGC-A Programs Pre-Therapy Dog Training Service Dog Training Adult Obedience "Click & Play" Hi-Q Advanced Learning Performance Obedience (AKC & UKC) Performance Rally Conformation (AKC & ARBA) and of course, the complete APDT C.L.A.S.S. sequence! "The pawsibilities are truly endless!" Check out classes & schedules at www.duderanchacademy.com (The Dude Ranch Facility is great! It has a 5,000+ sq ft facility for us to train in - that is completely rubber floored and fully airconditioned year-round! C'mon - check it out!)