We have a large, 4 yr old chocolate lab that we chose because we thought the breed is chill. Since…read morewe're older, we wanted a big dog but one that was calm. Our dog turned out to be anything but. He was so high strung that he would take us off our feet while walking him, didn't obey commands after repeated training, and was overly energetic. He was so strong that he ended up breaking bones in my hand because he couldn't control his impulses. Because we're older, we toyed with the idea of rehoming him to a more suitable situation but we've never done that to a pet and so we desperately sought other solutions. We ended up with Ridgeside K9 because of their 3 week board and train program. This would be our last ditch effort to try and keep our sweet boy. We didn't know what to expect but we were cautiously optimistic. The results of his training with Ridgeside has been nothing less than astounding! It has far exceeded our expectations. Trent has done an amazing job, so much so that we feel we have a new dog. Our dog is so much calmer and thus so are we. No more worries about him taking off or taking us off our feet. No worries about tearing off after a distraction (other dogs, squirrels, etc). It's been an amazing transformation. We HIGHLY recommend Ridgeside K9 in Charlottesville. They not only trained our pup, they trained us too! This was the best decision we could have made and the best money we could have spent! Thank you Ridgeside for all you have done for our family!!

We had a great experience with Trent and Ridgeside. He really takes the time to get to know your…read moredog and work with them. We did a three week board and train and loved the picture updates from him. Highly recommend!

Pam is easy to work with to schedule pet sitting when we go out of town. We have an asthmatic cat…read morethat requires meds twice a day. She always shows up as discussed and all our cats have taken to her very quickly.

TL;DR: HIRE HER. She's AMAZING…read more Our little beagle was rescued from a puppy mill that was raising him sell to a lab. The mill was shut down due to animal abuse. Since our pup had spent his entire life living in a kennel (and didn't know about grass, cars, walks, toys, peanut butter--anything!), we had our work cut out for us. And we're first-time dog owners, to boot. Tricia was recommended to us after I posted on a community Reddit page. She promised to be our one-stop shop for dog help, and she's more than lived up to her promise. Not only did she help us potty-train our one-year-old pup and teach him basic commands, but she's helped us with everything from figuring out doggy daycare, grooming, pet supplies, etc. We see her once a week at our house or at a public place and also answers tons of questions from us via text/email in between sessions. Not only is Tricia great with our pup (he ADORES her), but she's great with us, too. She's super professional and prompt, and is helping us gain confidence as new dog owners. I'd highly recommend her to anyone (and have already recommended her to several friends!).

Tricia with CVCA is fantastic! I've quickly seen a change in my dog after working with Tricia. My…read morepup is becoming much calmer when seeing other dogs on our walks. I'm a dog-walker so I'm familiar with dog behavior. Tricia sees the tiniest cues that I miss. These tiny cues make all the difference!

I adopted a wildly energetic dog (I don't think he has ever had a home). He came from a North…read moreCarolina shelter around the time of Hurricane Florence. I was hesitant to go to Atlantic Coast since there was not a review on Yelp. However, I was relieved when I arrived to the facility and was impressed by Mr. Ralph Smith's patience and handling of my dog, Buddy. He not only trains but explains rationales for each step of the process. My Vet at "Autumn Trails" confirmed that it was a good choice. We are practicing what we have been taught. I am looking forward to having a well behaved dog that I can bring places and be around other people and animals. I am so thankful that we have this resource so close to us here in Central Virginia.

Ralph was amazing with our dog. Despite his wealth of knowledge and years of experience he made…read moreeach lesson with our puppy very digestible. He gave in depth tutorials behind each of the exercises we did. Not just showing us how to perform the exercise but also why we do it. The behavior of our puppy after training was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend.

We have been using Ruckersville Animal Hospital since December and have been thoroughly impressed…read more We had a negative experience when another vet in Charlottesville prompting the switch. We had a lot of interactions with the School of Vet Medicine at VA Tech and were referred to RAH. Dr. Odom has been wonderful with our two puppies. They love the attention they receive from the staff. They listen to our concerns and are great communicators. They are currently doing Curbside Service. They come out and pick up your pet for their exam. Once in the room the Dr. calls and goes over the exam. Payment is taken over the phone. During an appointment this week the temps outside were 95+. The clinic brought waters to the customers in their cars. It included information such as WiFi password to help pass the time. I thought it was a great gesture. If you are looking for a vet on the north side of Charlottesville or Ruckersville, RAH should be considered.

I have no complaints about the quality of care provided at RAH. My beef is with the prices. For the…read morefirst 2 years my pets were treated there it seemed reasonably priced, but for the last several years the prices have risen dramatically, even accounting for inflation. Did a little research, and sure enough, since 2022 it has been part of the PetVets network, owned by the private equity firm KKR. These equity companies are not in the veterinary biz, they are in the profit maximization biz. The service provided is secondary to them. No disrespect to the fine vets who work there, but I just can't afford the bills anymore. Even routine visits produce budget busting tabs, and I'm not a poor person. 2 motion sickness tablets? $52. That's not a typo. My advice? Go to privateequityvet.org to find vet owned clinics that have more leeway on prices.

3 years later and the system is still working great. We also added an inside unit to keep our dog…read morefrom coming up Stairs while he was younger. All worked well. We were impressed with the battery life. We replaced the batteries after 2 years and purchased them online.

Lawrence the owner did my install several years ago. He was a complete professional, a pleasure to…read morework with. I called around and DogWatch makes the best system. The batteries in the dog's collar last up to 2 years, not like Invisible fence that was double the cost for install and need to change batteries every 2 to 3 months. I reached out to Lawrence to do the install for my parents' new Border Collie. Once again, timely professional first rate install, no cutting corners. I am general contractor by trade and know enough to see if people are trying to scrimp on the install so they can get out of there as fast as possible. Lawrence and his nephew Johnathon take all the time needed to do a first-rate job. If you pay to have a professional install done, the entire job is guaranteed for life even acts of God like lightning strikes that no surge suppressor will stop. You can't go wrong with these guys!

Amazing classes really knows her stuff! she encourages the bond and trust to establish the…read moregroundwork..... I must say she definitely knows her dogs too! most definitely impressed and I'll be recommending to my friends!

From the owner: Core Behaviors Program: This 5-week in-home course covers essential behaviors like Sit, Down, Stay,…read moreWait, Leave It, Come, and Cruise Control. Growth Program: This intermediate program builds on basics with advanced commands like Heel, Place, and Wait, and enhances focus amidst distractions. We also teach polite greetings for proper behavior around guests and other dogs. Mastery Program: For advanced training, this 5-week course includes trick training, therapy dog preparations, off-leash training, and custom behavior adjustments. The "Vet Check" module covers precision heeling, distance cues, and urban navigation. On-the-Go Manners Class: This single-session class, lasting one to two hours, focuses on practical public interaction skills, including getting in and out of cars and greeting new humans and dogs. Behavioral Consultations: Our expert Dog Advisor provides personalized consultations for issues like separation anxiety, aggression, and excessive barking, offering targeted solutions to improve your dog's behavior. Group Classes: I offer various group classes for different skill levels, providing socialization and learning opportunities in a structured environment. My mission is to create a harmonious relationship between dogs and their owners through effective communication and training using a blend of science-based and natural methods to ensure lasting results. Join us on a journey to better understand and connect with your canine companion.

We had approval from the Veterans Affairs for my son who is 100% disable to fund this training. He…read morepaid 3600.00 and 3weeks of boarding and obedience training. His dog doesn't recognize any commands such as "Sit" Stay or any basic commands. He does "heel" very well. The sessions after the training (only 2) were more on the punishment level. During the training while we were away, communication was limited. We actually drove out to her address to see training in-action. Turns out the Afton Address is not her correct address. At the end of the 3 weeks session, we drove out to Gladstone Va. to pick him up. Not professional at all. To many excuses and personal issue to keep meet up times or sessions. I wanted to support her for her being a woman and small business owner, as her affiliation with Veteran. It was a costly mistake, and we are seeking legal avenues. At the time of postings she has not responded she had ghosted me. I need to return the wireless gadget that we never used. But she has not responded. Caution this is not a professional service.

From the owner: The Virginia School for Dogs provides professional dog training throughout Central Virginia,…read moreincluding Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Lynchburg, Amherst, Waynesboro, and surrounding areas. With almost 10 years of experience, we specialize in personalized dog training, puppy training, behavior modification, off-leash obedience, private in-home training, and immersive board-and-train programs. Whether you’re raising a new puppy, struggling with reactivity or aggression, or looking for reliable real-world obedience, every training program is tailored to your dog’s individual needs and your family’s goals. Our mission is to build lasting communication, confidence, and trust between dogs and their owners through practical, results-driven training.

Wyatt is terrific and the positive reinforcement training is top notch. We got a rescue dog that…read morehad a few issues and Wyatt is working with us - retraining both the dog and the people - for a better life. Really appreciate the great information he imparts and the calm, effective training he's doing with me and the dog. We've already seen improvement after only a few sessions. He explains that our job is to get the dog to "want to do what you want them to do." We accomplish this through lots of love and positive reinforcement. Kuddos Wyatt!

Thank you Wyatt for helping us with our 4 legged big baby. At 125 pounds, it's so important that…read moreour girl is socialized, obedient, and a good canine citizen. You're training for our pup as well as our family has been invaluable.

They have an excellent product and a committed, knowledgeable and friendly staff! I have two happy…read morefree running dogs now thanks to Mike and his crew. I highly recommend Dog Guard Hidden Fence to all my fur-baby lovers.

From the owner: Virginia Dog Guard® understands: Your dog is family…read more Welcome to Dog Guard of the Valley. My name is Mike Surratt, as the owner and authorized dealer of Dog Guard Out of Sight Fencing, I have been servicing the Western Virginia area since 1995. I understand that your dog is more than a pet it is a member of your family. I take pride in the quality and service I offer my customers, and will work with you to customize your pet fencing system to fit the needs of you and your pet.YOUR DOG deserves the freedom and joy of a yard to run and play in and YOU deserve the peace of mind knowing your dog is safely contained in your yard.Quality & Service are the Key!!As a Veterinarian tested, approved and recommended AND as a major force in the Pet Containment Industry for over twenty years, Dog Guard has long been known for the high quality and reliability of our American-made products, and for the unparalleled customer service that is included with every sale.Dog Guard thoroughly tests all products that go into our electric fence systems* to make sure they meet our strict quality standards before they are shipped from our headquarters.With our unparalleled dealer support, superior hands-on training and the Dog Guard lifetime equipment guarantee, you and your pet can enjoy the benefits of a Dog Guard Out-of-Sight Fencing System for years to come!