Virginia Company Dog Training

Virginia Company Dog Training Building healthy relationships through dog friendly training techniques to create happy dogs and own
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Change. So much changed for this beautiful dog when we lost Kane dog this past summer. We needed time to grieve and unde...
03/16/2024

Change.

So much changed for this beautiful dog when we lost Kane dog this past summer. We needed time to grieve and understand what the world looked like without each other.

Yesterday was a beautiful day with lots of children running and playing. So, we worked. We worked on avoiding distractions, staying stationary and focused, being curious and nose driven when the time was right, and most importantly, how to stay connected in a busy environment.

So grateful for this dog and for all you taught me, Kane dog. Gone, but not forgotten 💙.

Tired of this cold weather keeping you and your pup from training 🥶?Want to learn how to do scent detection with your do...
01/22/2024

Tired of this cold weather keeping you and your pup from training 🥶?

Want to learn how to do scent detection with your dog in a warm, indoor environment?

This series is limited to four dogs, so get in touch today to find out if your dog would be a good fit and get signed up for some nosey fun 🐶!

Good morning, ya’ll! Spread the word if you know of any puppy families looking to get out and get some training during t...
01/17/2024

Good morning, ya’ll! Spread the word if you know of any puppy families looking to get out and get some training during the critical exposure and socialization window for healthy development 🐶❄️💙.

Get ready for some fall training, ya'll! Not sure if your puppy is a good candidate? Give me a ring (267) 640-5720
10/05/2023

Get ready for some fall training, ya'll!

Not sure if your puppy is a good candidate? Give me a ring (267) 640-5720

10/04/2023

Dogs will be dogs, we've all heard it before, right? Intrinsically, dogs are hardwired to investigate the environment with their noses. If we're on a walk, sniffing is almost always allowed by handlers, but what about during dog training sessions? It can be frustrating when you want to initiate a tr...

Your dog training journey is always unfolding — today, I invite you to stop and take a quiet moment with your dog. Stop ...
10/04/2023

Your dog training journey is always unfolding — today, I invite you to stop and take a quiet moment with your dog. Stop frisbee throwing or tugging or asking for sit’s and just find a quiet space with their blanket where you can get connected through breath and touch.

Then, once you’re connected, notice how the training energy shifts.

There are endless moments for training, don’t get stuck — keep moving. You can do this!

Now, have fun!

Puppies are cute. They're cuddly. They're fun and active! Puppies, however, are incredibly animalistic -- meaning, they ...
09/19/2023

Puppies are cute. They're cuddly. They're fun and active! Puppies, however, are incredibly animalistic -- meaning, they act how they feel. When they are excited and become over-excited and aroused, they will naturally use their mouths to release energy. Jumping, pawing and running uncontrollably, are all natural, energy-releasing behaviors.

Let us help you and your puppy learn how to live in this domestic world. Brought to you by my family of homeschoolers, with knowledge, respect and understanding, we will teach your puppy how to control their impulses and over-excitability through puppy training games and relaxation exercises.

Not sure if this is a good fit for your puppy? Give me a ring, let's talk!

09/04/2023

When your dog can relax, life is happier and more enjoyable together -- check out some training tips on how to work towards a calmer dog with this Zen Den Training Protocol -- you can do this!

Does your dog follow you around the house? Do they pant, pace or have difficulty settling when the family is up and moving around? Then this article is for you....read the following training protocol below. Dogs are capable of relaxing, in fact, once we teach them how to do it, they start offering t...

When you work together, the magic truly happens ❤️.
03/31/2023

When you work together, the magic truly happens ❤️.

Excited to get outside with some dog loving people! This class is open to all ages (puppies will be separated into a dif...
03/16/2023

Excited to get outside with some dog loving people!

This class is open to all ages (puppies will be separated into a different area of the field) -- we will focus on --

1. Leash handling skills -- learning how to apply pressure and release it appropriately to communicate with your dog
2. Understanding how dogs communicate with each other and us
3. We will learn the fundamentals of fetch
4. Learn how to invite our dogs to chase us to build recall
5. How to teach our dogs to hand target for ultimum power steering in all situations with people and dogs
6. And one of the most important concepts -- how to teach our dogs how to relax after getting amped up

Not sure if you're ready? Give me a ring and we can talk through it to see if this class is a good fit for you!

Today I’d like to pay gratitude to one of my most dedicated clients, Dawn Atkinson, who shows up through the rain, the c...
03/15/2023

Today I’d like to pay gratitude to one of my most dedicated clients, Dawn Atkinson, who shows up through the rain, the cold and days when we feel like we just don’t have it in us.

Dawn & Mocha have been regulars with me for months, Mocha was fearful at a very young age so we have been working on the principles of partnership — teaching Dawn when she needs to be Mocha’s brain and redirect her to a state of focus and calm rather than fight or flight.

Pictured here you’ll see these two strolling through Tractor Supply to get Mocha prepared for a bath soon — a big thank you to you both as we venture on together, having fun and learning side by side.

03/13/2023
Group training creates such a wonderful community classroom, centered upon acceptance and support of one another and whe...
03/13/2023

Group training creates such a wonderful community classroom, centered upon acceptance and support of one another and where we are all at in our dog training journey.

I had the pleasure of working with each of these amazing humans and I congratulate all of them for their dedication and showing up, their willingness to support one another and their interest to connect and learn with their puppy (because we humans are learning just as much as our puppies and dogs!).

A big thank you to all my clients, I look forward to seeing your puppies down the road as they become even more connected with your wonderful selves ❤️

A while ago I decided to finally use my insurance and see a mental health professional. I was being screened for ADHD. I...
03/10/2023

A while ago I decided to finally use my insurance and see a mental health professional.

I was being screened for ADHD. I tested very high. The next step, I was told, was to go through with a diagnosis with a psychotherapist so I could get prescribed medication.

With my background in exercise science, I knew how powerful exercise was on the brain. I also know what we eat affects our behavior. So, not accepting a diagnosis or medication, I asked for alternative methods of healing.

I was told to use my iPhone to help keep appointments and time manage. When I inquired if diet and exercise could heal the symptoms of ADHD, I was met with a shrug and a, “It could help, buts it’s not what we recommend.”

Today, as I continue to connect the dots in my journey of life, I have found another connection piece that brings me much joy and relief of my ADHD symptoms (I call it symptoms because I will not be defined by a diagnosis, I’m stronger than that, in fact, it’s my super power). ANIMALS.

In the months to come I will be adding a connection piece to my dog training business, https://www.virginiacompanydogtraining.com, which will bring children and adults of all ages the tool kit to connect with their dog to help focus with distractions and feel more calm and confident in social situations.

Together, with our dogs by our side, we can begin to tap into our Authentic Power once again and see that we are not flawed, but rather the dandelions who have managed to grow through the cracks of the concrete. We are resilient. We are unique. We are exactly who we are meant to be.

At Virginia Company Dog Training our focus is on building healthy relationships through dog friendly training techniques to create happy dogs and owners.

03/10/2023

This morning I challenge you to stay present with your dog on your walk. That means, take notice to your environment. Feel the sun. Imagine what your dog is experiencing through all the glory of sniffing and walking with you. Let go of over management on your walk. Don’t worry about perfect heeling or pattern games. Just remember to look at each other. Connect. Appreciate each other.

That’s what having a dog is all about ❤️.

Super excited to announce...We are ready to grow! I absolutely love my career and I am excited to share my knowledge and...
03/08/2023

Super excited to announce...

We are ready to grow!

I absolutely love my career and I am excited to share my knowledge and wisdom with the right candidate who connects with people over their love of dogs!

Get in touch with me directly by sending an e-mail to [email protected] -- tell me about what makes you unique and driven and why you would make an excellent part of this team.

I look forward to hearing from you all, and please, feel free to pass the word along. Thank you!

02/04/2023

We have all heard it before — “Where can you get a good nail trim for your dog?”.

My answer for those of you who have anxious dogs, is, your living room!

By utilizing the principles of operant conditioning, your dog can choose how to file his own nails to earn reinforcement. It’s so much fun to help your dog learn this behavior because there is definitely a lightbulb moment where the dog goes, “A ha! Paw movement earns me reinforcement.” And you, the owner, get to relish in a small training session with your dog while eliminating stress from your (already) long, to-do list.

Now, get in touch for tips on how to get started!

And if you need the reminder, you can do this! Now, let’s go!

Excited to get back into group, puppy training at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton! Some of my favorite thi...
01/15/2023

Excited to get back into group, puppy training at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton!

Some of my favorite things about group, puppy training is the connection it creates between the owner and puppy. Training allows the owner to understand their puppy's personality and uniqueness. It also helps to communicate in a clear, effective way so puppy can learn how to operate in our great, big, human world.

If you know someone with a puppy, please spread the word. Beginning with a solid, positive puppy training class is one of the best ways to prevent behavior problems in the future and decrease the number of dogs in shelters.

I look forward to talking dog with you!

01/09/2023

It's a New Year, so let's further our understanding of dogs and their communication system -- their body.

"A dog with a wagging tail is a happy dog" -- we've all heard it before. The truth is there's a lot more than the movement of the tail. There's the base of the tail, where is the dog holding it? High = arousal, low = fearful/nervous. Then there's how it moves. Does it move in a circular motion = friendly/safe state of being, whereas, a tight and fast wag = nervous/unsafe state of being.

Next time you meet a dog and interact with them, take notice of how they are communicating with you -- look at their eyes, their tail, and their gait. I bet you will be able to figure out if they want to say hi to you before you even ask the owner!

New Year, new understanding of how our dogs communicate with us. I love how animals communicate with us. As a quiet intr...
01/06/2023

New Year, new understanding of how our dogs communicate with us.

I love how animals communicate with us. As a quiet introvert, less is more. When I was younger, I always gravitated to the animal room at parties. When we pause and observe, we can learn so much from our animal's communication system -- their body.

When you observe something, take notice of what happened immediately before that tongue flick, stress yawn or body shake, then take note to what the end behavior is. This will help you become a better partner to your animal. Connection begins with understanding. Trust and happiness will blossom and then you can live your best life with that pup!

With the cold weather upon us and the slowness of the season, I have decided to offer some other training options for ne...
12/23/2022

With the cold weather upon us and the slowness of the season, I have decided to offer some other training options for new puppy owners as they settle in with their new family members.

Facetime and phone consultations can be scheduled as our schedules line up, in addition to 2 weeks of daily support and feedback for crate training and custom housebreaking programs. This is a great option for the new puppy owner who needs extra support during the first few weeks together.

As always, we also offer in-your-home training for those wanting more hands on support.

The phone's always on, give me a ring and let's talk dogs!

https://www.virginiacompanydogtraining.com/post/the-itty-bitty-secrets-of-loose-leash-walking-with-your-dogSnuggle up wi...
12/15/2022

https://www.virginiacompanydogtraining.com/post/the-itty-bitty-secrets-of-loose-leash-walking-with-your-dog

Snuggle up with your dog today, but set a goal to do something different with your dog tomorrow on their daily walk!

You've heard it countless times before, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," -- but, lucky for you, this is a myth!

Dogs learn through both associations and consequences. IF we let our dogs pull on leash, they learn that pulling is the reason behind leash pressure. BUT, what if we taught them that leash pressure meant to stop?

There's more to it than that, so check out this quick, easy read (with associated videos and links) so you and your dog can start pairing walks and training together!

Now, back to those snuggles!

Nothing tops a nice, long walk with you and your dog, immersed in Mother Nature together, right? Studies show that movement with your dog activates the parasympathetic nervous system -- this is part of the nervous system that helps you calm down and relax (Effect of dog‐walking on autonomic nervou...

Find out the secrets to dog training, and no, it doesn't require any fancy equipment or expensive training programs!
11/05/2022

Find out the secrets to dog training, and no, it doesn't require any fancy equipment or expensive training programs!

Cookie Confidential - The Itty, Bitty Secrets of Dog Training

Having a dog means living life together, and why not live life to the fullest by understanding your dog's communication ...
10/02/2022

Having a dog means living life together, and why not live life to the fullest by understanding your dog's communication system (their body language) while promoting relaxation and training at the same time?

Not sure if this is the right class for you? Give me a call and we can discuss all the details to figure out the best class and training environment for your dog (private, in-home training is also available).

I look forward to helping you create a happy and healthy relationship with your dog!

Getting excited for the next round of dog training with Puppy Preschool at the Rockfish Valley Community Center next Sat...
09/10/2022

Getting excited for the next round of dog training with Puppy Preschool at the Rockfish Valley Community Center next Saturday -- we still have a few spots left, so get in touch today if you have a puppy who you want to have fun training with!

Address

Staunton, VA
24401

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+12676405720

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