What Our Clients Say About Working with Us!
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“The Best Investment For His And Our Quality Of Life. It’s Never Too Late With The Right Trainer”
I thought it was hopeless. Our 3 year old St Bernard had developed some really bad habits at doggy day care and had become very reactionary with other dogs and people. It was to the point that we quit taking him anywhere. He was so sweet with us but just freaked out when he saw other dogs and strangers.
Decided to give it one more try and enrolled at Asheville Dog Academy. Our trainer, Anna, was fantastic! By the end of the program, we were walking through the park with other dogs and people. Something I thought would never happen. He is so much happier and so am I. He’s become much more confident and comfortable. The best investment for his and our quality of life. It’s never too late with the right trainer!
Anna R
“We Had Tried And Failed Other Programs Until We Found Asheville Dog Academy Through Our Veterinarians Recommendation”
We highly recommend Asheville Dog Academy! Rebecca did amazing with our reactive dog. We had tried and failed other programs until we found Asheville Dog Academy through our veterinarian’s recommendation. The work they do is life changing for you and your dog and we can’t recommend them enough.
Maggie M.
“Like All Other Reviews THIS PLACE IS AMAZING”
Like all the other reviews THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! From the moment I reached out to Chris to the last day of training with Anna, they were so great to work with. They took their time and really heard my concerns with my dog. The training sessions were directed to exactly what I needed and within the capacity of my dog’s ability. They were able to schedule around my tight schedule and responsive through emails and texts. Anna is so knowledgeable and professional about training and immediately can see her commitment to getting my dog everything she needed to succeed! I feel so confident with my dog and saw so much progress in such a short time, thank you Asheville dog academy!
“Seriously, If You Are Looking For Any Sort Of Training Or Want To Address A Specific Behavior, These Are The People To Work With”
Chris and Rebecca are phenomenal trainers. My dog had some behavioral issues with leash aggression and aggression around our home’s fence, and I am so grateful that I found Asheville dog academy. They were clearly very knowledgeable about how to work with dogs with aggression issues. I felt very confident in my ability to transfer skill from our training sessions into everyday life. Perhaps most importantly, Chris and Rebecca approached the situation very proactively and without shame. If I could go back in time, I would have started working with Chris earlier. While the work that they did with my dog may have seemed like run-of-the-mill work for them, from my perspective, they are miracle workers. Seriously, if you are looking for any sort of training or want to address a specific behavior, these are the people to work with!
Emily T
“Using The Remote Collar has been the Best Decision!”
I have to say that the remote collar training we received with Chris Valdes has been more than exceptional. We can take our 1 year old lab anywhere with the confidence that she will be under control. At first of course we were worried about using the collar as training but she loves learning with it. It has been the best decision we have made with our dog training.
“We Can’t Even Begin To Tell You How Much ADA Has Changed Our Lives!”
We can’t even begin to tell you how much ADA has changed our lives! When I first reached out to Chris I was 100% against using e-collars for our dogs. I had always had other people, including our vet practice, discourage the use of them & paint them as cruel & negative. Within my first conversation with Chris it was easy to see how uneducated I was on the subject and how my entire viewpoint was based on misinformation.
After a few weeks with Chris we have our life back. The e-collars have really been an amazing tool in helping us set boundaries with our dogs. There was a time when them & us had no confidence in public settings but now that boundaries are set and understood we get to take our dogs all sorts of places without worry. ADA has not only helped our dogs but has helped us to have a more positive relationship with them in & outside of the home. Our dogs are now hiking the trails & behaving at lunch afterwards! Truly a gift of freedom!
Chris was so easy to work with & his calm but firm demeanor makes him an amazing teacher. We are now educated & confident dog owners! We are already planning for more classes to continue our dogs path of success! We can’t recommend them enough! Worth every penny we spent!
“If You’re Looking For A Place To Take Your Dog, This Is The Perfect Place, And We Highly Recommend It”
When I decided to have Coco trained, I was nervous about spending the money. Coco had just turned one, and she is extremely loving but had some issues I wanted to take care of:
*Jumping up on the table and bar.
*Chewing items.
*Coming when called.
*Sitting, staying.
*Walking on a leash without pulling us.
*Roughhousing other animals.
I paid for the lessons, and then Coco began her training. Well, actually, I found out real fast that it was not just Coco who was being trained, but we (myself, my daughter, and Coco) all were. Rebecca was the trainer assigned to us. Thank you, Chris, for pairing us with Rebecca. She was kind and gentle but corrective. We also had many laughs. She not only taught Coco, but she taught us. I was very pleased with Rebecca’s training. Coco now knows how to play outside and come when called. She will sit and stay in place and even pose for pictures. Coco walks beside us without pulling (heels). We can even take her to the dog park, and she plays very well with other animals. Coco learned so much, and we are thankful for Asheville Dog Academy and Rebecca! If you are looking for a place to take your dog, this is the perfect place, and we highly recommend it.
Sincerely,
“Based On Online Ratings, We Decided To Give Asheville Dog Academy A Try As A Final Hail Mary Effort And The Program Did Not Disappoint”
I can’t say enough good things about Asheville Dog Academy and our trainer Anna Fritz. We adopted Oliver from the shelter at 8 weeks, and my husband was NOT happy about living through the puppy year(s). We had tried another training program that focused only on positive rewards, and let’s face it, there are limits to how appealing you can make yourself to a nine month old puppy who sees a rabbit under a nearby bush. Frustrations with the limitations of his training had really begun to create tensions in our home. Based on online ratings, we decided to give Asheville Dog Academy a try as a final Hail Mary effort. And the program did not disappoint. They advocate and use a balanced program of positive reinforcement and corrective actions when appropriate. I was very concerned at the outset about the use of a prong collar and an E collar, but Anna demonstrated and coached us in proper use. Because let’s be honest — any dog training program is owner training as well. We noticed an immediate change in Ollie‘s behavior once the lessons started – he seemed happier and more settled, having a clear idea of behavior expectations. He continued to improve over the course of the program. Anna was wonderful with Ollie; she was able to communicate genuine appreciation for him at the same time she firmly corrected him to steer him in the direction of appropriate behavior. He was excited to see her every week. After eight one on one sessions with her and three group sessions with 6 to 8 other dogs and their owners and several academy trainers, we have a dog who walks at a loose leash heel, has lovely door manners, sits and stays when we need him to, and does not react to every dog or bird passing by. And we have the tools to work with him moving forward and a peaceful home!
“You Gave Me And My Dog The Freedom To Be Able To Explore Asheville With So Much Less Fear. Thank You!”
I am so amazed at how much progress my dog has made while attending Asheville Dog Academy! Anna is such an incredible trainer. She was able to cater to my dogs specific needs and you can tell she cares so much that you and your dog will get the most out of each session. Anna was so great to work with, it was easy to build trust with her through the training process. My dog has a lot of anxiety to the point where it was impossible to walk her. With Anna’s help, my dog is now heeling as we walk together! I can’t thank Anna and everyone at Asheville Dog Academy enough. You gave me and my dog the freedom to be able to explore Asheville with so much less fear. Thank you!
“We are exceptionally fortunate to have found Chris.”
We are exceptionally fortunate to have found Chris Valdes to provide expert trainer services. We were having trouble with Murphy jumping on people and being inordinately active in social situations. Chris gave us the necessary tools to cope with his behavior and demeanor. Chris also builds your confidence in sustaining the training environment into the future after your professional sessions are concluded. Plus, he is always a phone call away if help is needed. Chris proved to us that any dog can be trained and managed to your expectations.
“We can’t thank Chris enough for his knowledge, expertise and giving us the opportunity to fully enjoy our dog’s companionship. “
Andie is a 40 pound German Shepard, Australian Cattle Dog mix. We adopted her when she was about 7 months old, she was a rescue dog with “issues.” We called Chris and with his expert training knowledge, he helped us understand Andie’s most annoying habit. To greet you, Andie would jump about 7 feet and nip your forehead.
Chris explained this was her way of saying “hello” and even though a great trait for herding cattle not one you want to have for a family pet. Chris worked with us and with consistency and practice, Andie now stays on all fours to say hello to our family’s guests. Not only does she greet properly, she is a spectacular sight heeling – prancing backwards, sideways and of course, forward to the smiles of our neighbors watching us. My family can confidently take her out to the park, let her run free and when called she’s right by your side, sitting, alert and waiting for her next command. We can’t thank Chris enough for his knowledge, expertise and giving us the opportunity to fully enjoy our dog’s companionship.
“I appreciate All Your Help!”
I really appreciate all your help. everything you said makes so much sense. you are almost like a translator for dogs. once you explain their side of things, it makes sense for us humans to understand and communicate in their language. i don’t know if i told you before, but the way my dogs have acted since your lessons, it is almost as if they had been waiting this whole time for the directions to be given to them so they could do right.
I know I was very immature and uninformed when I got my dogs nine years ago, but it astonishes me now to think how much they (and i) have learned in such a short time taking your directions. it almost makes me mad to know that for as long as i have tried to get them to listen, one hour with you changed their whole demeanor. but, instead i will just be thankful that i found someone who was able to make a difference. i don’t have to worry anymore about the problems i had with them .
i also know that if any other problems arise you are only a phone call away from solving them. in my line of work i get to interact with a lot of people, and i have been talking about you and how phenomenal your performance is when it comes to training dogs. i am easily the most cynical person i know so the people i talk to are well aware that if i am impressed, what i found must be something special. most of them have a hard time believing that after one hour, one lesson, that my psycho dogs were any different. but i assure them that one hour made all the difference in the world. i can walk them in public with out causing a scene. i can stop worrying that they will bolt out the front door. i can relax on the couch without fighting to keep the dogs off. it is truly amazing. i feel very fortunate that i ran across your number, and i wanted to thank you for all of your help.
“We think you’re the best kept secret in dog training!”
Thanks so much for the great training. We have seen such a change in Pharaoh. We can really show him off now! We think you’re the best kept secret in dog training!
“Chris is very professional and knowledgeable and was a pleasure to work with for both us and the dogs.”
Chris has helped make our two dogs, Lennox and Spark, into two very well behaved animals. We never thought that this was possible before Chris helped them to become Chris Valdes. Chris is very professional and knowledgeable and was a pleasure to work with for both us and the dogs. I would recommend Chris to anyone who is considering training for their dog as it is the best decision we ever made for the well being of our two dogs.
“I owe you a huge “Thank You” for the terrific work you did with my Boxer!”
I owe you a huge “Thank You” for the terrific work you did with my Boxer, Laila! When I first brought Laila home I knew that her timid disposition and fear of the world would make training her a challenge. I spent many months socializing her with strangers but saw few results. As Laila grew larger her appearance became more intimidating and strangers were not as willing to reach out to pet a growling, fearful, 50 pound dog! I was worried that Laila’s fears would lead to aggression and I was hesitant to take her anywhere new. The best decision I ever made was calling you for remote collar obedience!
Until I saw the changes in Laila’s behavior I would never have thought that basic obedience training could actually calm my dog in a stressful situation. Now, when Laila feels overwhelmed she looks to me for guidance rather than looking for a place to hide! I’m confident enough to take her back into the big scary world, and Laila is free to experience life in a way that might not have been possible without your help.
Thanks for Everything!