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Virginia Company Dog Training
Building healthy relationships through dog friendly training techniques to create happy dogs and owners
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Offering affordable one-on-one dog training and coaching in Augusta and Nelson County, Virginia
In-home dog training...
how it all works
An easy, step-by-step guide to get you moving toward your training goals
1. We'll pick a day/time that works well for the consultation and training session (90 minutes in length)
2. During our consultation we will create a training program to target any behavior problems, identify goals and stay organized with a shared document highlighting all the training material we cover
3. We'll practice training exercises together so you know exactly how to do the work with your dog in between sessions
4. Outline progressions to make in between sessions so you know exactly what to do and when
5. Receive support by e-mail in between sessions
6. Schedule our sessions at each session's completion and pay as you go or
7. Schedule your sessions out so you can progress at a constant rate with a package ​
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Affordable Dog Training in Waynesboro, VA
Training should be so fun and safe that your kids can do it, too!
How we train dogs works, and here's why
At Virginia Company our focus during training is centered upon your personal goals and financial budget, offering an affordable and effective approach to dog training.
By utilizing the principles of classical and operant conditioning during training, your dog will be eager to work for positive motivators. We are here to help you create the most out of your relationship with your pet through gentle and humane training methods. We encourage your entire family to participate during training sessions.
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Affordable, in-home dog training -- because I believe that gentle, effective dog training should be accessible to everyone.
Recommended readings & professionals to follow
Books
Beginner
Jean Donaldson, The Culture Clash
Helpful for owners who are switching over from old training methods utilizing control, punishment (including yelling/scolding) and domination theories.
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Intermediate
Mary R. Burch, Ph.D. & Jon S. Bailey, Ph.D., how dogs learn
This book dives into how dogs learn, providing the history of dog training and gives dog owners and enthusiasts the information they need to dive deeper into the science behind dog training, especially understanding operant conditioning.
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Advanced
Hannah Branigan (Author), Karen Pryor (Editor/Illustrator), Awesome Obedience
The voice behind the podcast, Drinking From the Toilet, Hannah Branigan presents all the nitty gritty details (and secrets!) on how to achieve high level success with competitive obedience using positive reinforcement training techniques. If you're already training, but need something to help fine tune your dog's distractions in the ring, or just give you the extra push to try something new, this book is for you.
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Book suggestions for specific topics
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Resource Guarding
Intermediate/Advanced
Jean Donaldson, Mine! A Practical, Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs
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If you're working with a professional dog trainer who utilizes classical and operant conditioning (with the exception of punishment/pain strategies), this book is an informative and useful training manual to understand all the in's and out's of resource guarding. Not recommended for individuals who are new to dog training.
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Becoming a professional dog trainer
Beginner
Pamela Reid, Excel-erated Learning: Explaining in plain English how dogs learn and how best to teach them
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This book will prepare you for the CPDT-KA Certification Exam. If you have fulfilled your required hours to mentor/observe/train, then this book will make sure you know the theory behind how it all works.
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Aggressive Dog Training
(Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County, VA)
(Nelson County, VA)
Your dog's behavior is driven by emotion and triggered by something (this could be a
noise, a person in your family, another dog or animal) -- through
observation and information provided by you, we can begin to piece the puzzle
together.
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In the comfort of your home we can begin modifying your dog's aggression and
help provide both you, and your dog, with the tools to understand what's driving that
behavior. All we need for this is a committed, attuned owner and treats your
dog enjoys working for.
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There is no large downpayment or investment in expensive equipment, at Virginia Company
Dog Training we believe that honest, gentle and effective dog training
for aggressive dogs should be accessible to everyone.
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My Services
At Virginia Company Dog Training our goal is simple - happy dogs and owners. Through dog friendly training techniques, we'll teach your dog new tricks while providing you with a thorough understanding of your dog's current behavior trends, temperament and daily exercise needs. With patience and kindness, training will be fun and effective based on your dog's personal needs.
Problem behaviors affect our relationship with our dog, let us help you figure out what's causing your dog to act out. With gentle, humane and progressive training with positive motivators, we can begin to modify your dog's emotional response to stressful stimuli together.
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Some common issues include:
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Fears and phobias
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Aggression
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Separation anxiety
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Reactivity
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Resource guarding
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Barrier/fence aggression
Behavior Modification
Puppy Training
Private, In-Home Training
At Home & At Your Neighborhood Park
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Puppies are so much fun, but often we forget just how much work they can be while we all get used to life together. Let us help you get off on the right foot so you can truly enjoy all the happiness puppies can bring!
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Some areas of training include:
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Crate training
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Potty training
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Socialization
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Focus and control in stimulating environments
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How to effectively communicate​
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Baby-dog preparation and integration
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Intermediate/Advanced Obedience
Setting The Foundation or Raising The Bar
All dogs thrive when they are given the ability to use their intelligence with purpose. Teaching new behaviors and tricks is a great way to strengthen your relationship with your dog while also providing them with mental enrichment they need.
Basic Obedience & Fun Tricks could include:
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Sit
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Touch
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Down
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Stay
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(Come) Here
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Sit Pretty
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Chin Rest
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Spin
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Roll Over
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Balance Work (leading into basic agility)
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Intro to Agility
Puppy Preschool
Helping you and your puppy learn while you work
Puppyhood requires a strong foundation of skills in order to thrive in adolescence and beyond. While you work, let us help!
Your puppy will enjoy the comfort of a family home, which includes three young children as active participants in your puppy’s training, appropriate exposure to two, adult dogs, and one adolescent cat.
Our days will include obedience training — sit, come, down, stay and mat training (curriculum criteria depends on the length of the stay and puppy’s learning capacity), appropriate toy play (to decrease mouthing) and crate training.
Let us help you create the best version of your puppy, all while having fun!
The Help Center
Have a Question? Here’s an Answer
What types of dogs does Virginia Company Dog Training train?
We welcome all dogs, regardless of their age, breed, or prior training history — here at Virginia Company Dog Training our customized training sessions offer you the ability to outline your goals and we work with your personal schedule and time line.
What does Virginia Company Dog Training do differently than others in your field?
We offer one on one dog training, in your home, so we can begin making progress together right away. Our sessions are always tailored specifically for your goals, with our ultimate focus being on increasing the quality of your relationship with your dog through positive dog training.
As a member of the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, we believe in positive dog training that strengthens you and your dog’s relationship. We welcome all types of dogs and feel strongly that each dog is capable of learning.
What areas do you service?
Virginia Company Dog Training offers private, in home dog training. We are happy to serve the greater Augusta County and surrounding areas.