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We had an amazing time with Chris for our pup!! Our dog came in super crazy, and after training, our dog is so much more calm, happy and patient! It is truly like 2 different dogs and we are so grateful!! Awesome experience all around!!

We rescued our dog in hopes of being able to take him almost everywhere with us and enjoy his company. He was a great dog from the beginning; however he needed some leash, stay, and place work. We found Asheville Dog Academy and decided to put Chance in the program. Chris and his team have a true love for the dogs and we could see that immediately. We picked him up almost a week ago from the 21 Day Board and Train program and have been so overjoyed with the results. I have had him out two days hiking and have been very pleased with him. We can all actually enjoy our time out. Chris and his team are great and 100% dedicated to your pups success. Thank you Asheville Dog Academy.

Our dog is a Sheprador. The makeup of his personality is accurately reflected in his German Shepard/Yellow Labrador mix. His nature, temperament and disposition closely resemble both breeds of dogs. He is physically and emotionally strong. He is intelligent, vigilant, alert, confident and strong willed. He is also very loving. Our dog is also anxious and highly excitable which contributes to occasional inappropriate interactions with people and other dogs. At 10 months we realized we needed some guidance with our GSD/Lab mix puppy. We were led to Chris at the Asheville Dog Academy. After visiting with Chris, we enrolled our puppy in the Board and Train program. To make a long story short, Chris trained and boarded our dog for three weeks. We were updated with comments and daily photos that Chris sent through email and texts. In each communication we were able to witness our dog’s stages of behavioral transformation. After three weeks we drove to the Academy Dog Academy to pick up our dog. We were truly astounded. The positive transformation was impressive. Our beloved dog was able to perform basic as well as advanced dog obedience commands at ease. Before we left the Asheville Dog Academy, Chris explained the work he had completed with our dog. Most importantly he provided a couple of hours to answer questions and show the procedures needed for us to continue the obedience training in a consistent manner that was necessary for continued success. Since that day, we visited with Chris whenever we needed to talk with him about unusual circumstances regarding an occasional behavioral issue. Chris has also worked with us at the dog park and in our home. I am pleased to report that after 10 weeks we have a puppy who is loved by everyone. Again, we are still comfortable contacting Chris at any time. He has always been available to trouble shoot any behavioral circumstances that may arise during our dog’s complete change. Chris’ organizational mastery, teaching techniques, communication skills and follow-up plan are more than commendable. We place him in a rating category of 5+ on a five point scale. However, the most revealing traits of the Chris and his wife Violet are their passion and dedication for their chosen calling and their love extended to our dog. Our beloved puppy was treated with affection and understanding while learning the nuances of making the adjustment from a confused “rescue” to a responsible member of our family. Doug and Jacque McLaughlin

We came to Asheville Dog Academy( Chris Valdes ) with our large 8 1/2 month old female Lab who was highly active and much too much dog for us, both being over 70 . Chris assured us with three weeks’ training we would get back a still spirited affectionate dog but one totally changed. Chris kept his word to a T! She is still spirited but focused on us which she never was before, she is quieter, mannered and obedient. A wonderfully changed dog to be sure! And one we can now live with! In addition he provides very well organized and thoughtful written instructions that one can always refer to to check that one is on the mark at home, as well as follow up sessions for man and canine. Chris is a fully competent trainer who works with kindness and great respect for his charges . We can’t thank him enough for what he has done for her and us! Judy Warner and Lee Dudley

Chris has been training our French Brittany puppy Ranger for the last 6 weeks. It is amazing how much Ranger has learned, not to mention how much my wife Debby and I have! Chris is a Great trainer and communicator. We have continued puppy classes for a 3rd three week session and will move into Obedience training when Ranger is 5 months old. We highly recommend Asheville Dog Academy, Chris is helping us acheive our goal of raising a Happy, Friendly and Well Mannered canine citizen.

Chris is outstanding...he trained our 6 month old "wild man" golden doodle for three weeks and returned our dog behaving better than most mature dogs. We have always wanted a dog that was well trained and he did it for us! We are able to take our dog everywhere and are complemented on his behavior. My wife wants to send me away for 3 weeks with Chris to see if he can whip me into shape. We recommend Chris to anyone that wants world class training for their best friend. The Selmensberger Family