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Our goldador, Wyatt, is a lot of dog - sweet, but couldn’t manage his energy. While we’re still fine tuning a few things since his 21 day board and train, we are enjoying him SIGNIFICANTLY more now and he seems so much happier. We took him to Carrier Park recently and noticed several dog owners struggling with dogs pulling, whining, and just generally not listening to them. It reminded me of how we used to struggle with Wyatt, despite working diligently to train him on our own for nearly 1.5 years. I felt so relieved that we’re not struggling like that anymore! Chris and his team at Asheville Dog Academy did wonders with Wyatt. In addition to being much more manageable in public, he’s so much calmer at home as well. While quite the investment, totally worth the money! Chris has made it clear that this is a lifetime guarantee and we’re confident that he’ll continue to work with us and Wyatt, as/if needed.

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

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

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

We adopted our lab mix, Cooper, when he was 6 months old and we were both still in school. When we brought him home he was so sweet but skittish and scared. After completing the basic and advanced training with Chris, Cooper has become confident, loving and full of energy. We were concerned we wouldn’t be able to afford training and if we could we weren’t sure it would be worth the money, as we’re students, but we would HAPPILY pay over and over again to get the results we did. Would recommend Asheville Dog Academy to anyone who wants to feel comfortable taking their furry companion in to any type of situation. Whether we’re going hiking, going to eat downtown, or hanging out with friends and their dogs I’m confident Cooper will behave and that we have the tools to help him do so.

My dog used to bark at everything, pull my arm on every walk, jump all over people as they walked in the door and was uncontrollable. Now after 21 days with Chris. My dog can heal while he ignores dogs and cars that are passing. He can be told to place for over an hour, which is so helpful while guest are over or dinner is being made. He learned door manners and many more great behaviors. The best thing of all though is he is so calm and so relaxed. He is still playful and has his life to him that I love but its manageable and is now always at the right time and place. I can not thank Chris enough for all the work on my dog. The results are worth every penny!