About Me
My start in the dog world was working at Longmont Humane Society in Colorado. I saw many sad stories of dogs being surrendered or abandoned, sometimes for basic obedience issues. My own dog, Bodhi, was surrendered there by his family when he was 5 months old. He remained there for a few months before I took him home. He is dog reactive. I understand what it is like to have a dog that can be unpredictable and I can help if you also love a dog that can be scary.
After the shelter, I went to school for Zoo Keeping in Colorado Springs where I learned about animal behavior and fell in love with training. While attending classes and doing internships, I worked at a couple dog daycare/boarding facilities. Day in and day out, I was handling stressed dogs and managing large groups of dogs together. This helped me learn to read dog body language. I am able to point out the subtle signs your dog is displaying so you can understand them better.
After a brief stint as a keeper at Pueblo Zoo, I realized my passion was training and zoo keepers often don’t have the luxury of time to train. So, I began dog training professionally. I worked for a couple different training companies, watching different methods in action and developing my approach.
I will help you communicate effectively and build a firm foundational relationship with your dog using positive reinforcement- just like with the exotics at the zoo. Training different species that you can't compel to do anything made me a particularly patient and still trainer. On the other hand, working and volunteering with shelter dogs taught me that sometimes there are behaviors that are just unacceptable. In dog trainer lingo, my method is "LIMA" (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive).
Why Local?
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Choosing an independent local trainer is your best option.
Why should I find an independent trainer or boarding facility?
This answer is the same for any small businesses. When you choose me to train your dog, the money is much more likely to stay local and help our Western North Carolina community thrive. It will go to Christopher's Farm or Haywood EMC. If you go to a franchise, the money gets sucked out to wherever the headquarters are located and a CEO will be able to buy another boat. Not all independent trainers are created equally however, so be sure to do your homework and ask lots of questions about their background and training methods.
Where are you located?
Our small boarding facility is in Cruso near Springdale Country Club. For most training lessons, it's best to train in your home where your dog is most comfortable and least distracted. For some more advanced training, we can practice off leash reliability and hiking trail manners on our 20 acres.
How much do you charge for training?
I charge $60 an hour for private lessons no matter how many dogs you have at home. Not all dogs respond to the same techniques and my goal is for your family to get along better. That being said, if you have two dogs with drastically different issues, like separation anxiety vs leash reactivity, it will take longer to work on the problems.
Do you offer board and trains?
As soon as my kennel is licensed (hopefully in November 2023), I will be offering board and trains. Dogs do not generalize well, so this will not get you out of training your dog completely. However, there is a saying in the horse world- "green on green makes black and blue." It means that when an inexperienced rider is paired with an untrained horse, injuries and accidents are likely to occur. Having a professional lay the foundation of training for your dog will prevent many common training mistakes for your pup. Because of our unique and small set-up, your dog will also be trained in Victoria's home, not just at the kennel. This means that she will be able to offer valuable insight and practical tips for living with your dog.
"I just don't have the money in my budget for dog training right now."
We've all been there. I will work for trade. Taking care of 20 acres of overgrown North Carolina mountainside is a lot of work. If you can mow or weed for an hour, I can train your dog for an hour. If you have any skill or product that you think might be worth the trade, don't hesitate to contact me! Also, if you foster dogs I'll do a lesson for free.