Holistic positive dog training
Servicing Richmond, VA
about us
Holistic Dog Training is a FUN & Positive Experience!
- Basic Manners – helping your dog live their best life, enjoying activities with you and reducing stress
- Raising Puppies – how to train, socialize and raise a perfect pup to be a well-mannered adult
- Behavior Challenges – how to manage situations, train new behaviors, and bring comfort and ease to reactive, stressed-out, sensitive, scared dogs
In business since 2010
Common problems we can resolve:
- Puppies! Housetraining, crate training, and all the annoyances
- Pulling on leash
- Barking at strangers, pulling toward dogs or people
- Coming when called / General Responsiveness
- Jumping on people
- Stealing, playing keep-away, destroying items
- Reactivity (barking/snarling, going nuts) to other dogs or people
- Resource Guarding
- Separation Anxiety
- Shyness, anxiety
- Hyperactivity, avoidance of touch
- More!
With a little understanding about how dogs think, we can go a long way to resolve many problems more easily, sometimes in only one session! We specialize in helping you to understand your dog by making the complex simple.
WE USE THE LATEST SCIENCE-BASED, FORCE-FREE, EFFECTIVE DOG TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR TECHNIQUES APPROVED BY VETERINARY BEHAVIORISTS.
“God requires that we assist the animals when they need our help. Each being (human or creature) has the same right of protection.”
– St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals
The Thinking Dog
Sophia Hutchence, PN2, force-free professional dog trainer
Dogs are thinking and feeling creatures! Humans have the capacity for higher thinking that a dog does not. A dog trainer’s job is to help bridge the gap between the two species.
In using a positive reinforcement, respectful, force-free approach, I teach the dog to learn to think before moving onto complex patterns. Corrective tools such as prong or e-collars should not be necessary – and they do NOT teach the dog to think or make positive associations; in fact, they create negative (fear/anxiety) associations and teach a dog to AVOID situations in order to produce results. This shouldn’t be necessary in a thinking dog. I teach owners to use limited touch, clear, gentle and consistent body language and verbal communication. I want your dog to learn to trust you, communicate better, be more responsive, and make a “connection” that I believe we all can develop with animals.
Are We the Right Fit?
If you’re excited to learn to work with your dog as best friend/companion using positive reinforcement, enjoy games and can cultivate patience and understanding, I can work with any dog!
I do not take bite cases, treat severe aggression, or train service dogs, but I will happily and responsibly refer you to a certified specialist peer.
Private Dog Training
Read about the dog training services we offer for metro Richmond
GROUP Dog Training CLASSES
CLASSES ARE HELD AT THE DUDE RANCH PET RESORT
ABOUT
Sophia has been training dogs professionally since 2010. She started her career as an SPCA behavior volunteer, vet assistant and conformation breeder of Golden Retrievers and started her business after years of professional education and mentoring. She has been a Mentor with C.A.T.C.H. dog trainer academy since 2016.
G’Day! I’m originally from Australia and California, and my other gigs are artist and Catholic life and wellness coach. I also take acting classes, rock climb, do yoga, and love the water and outdoors. I live with my two Goldens, ages 6 and 15. I’m also a new cat-mom to two Siamese boys.
Contact the Trainer
email: hello@seadogtrainingk9.com
