My Shadow Dog Training

Group classes include Canine Manners I (6 weeks), Canine Manners II (6 weeks), and AKC Canine Good Citizen prep (5 weeks with testing on week 6). All classes are held outdoors weekly on Saturdays for 1 hour 15 minutes. Private lessons are customized for individual needs, including behavior modification, service dog training, and in-home assessments. Training emphasizes owner education, positive reinforcement, and real-world application.

Pricing Summary

Group classes cost $160 for a 6-week session. Private lessons are $75 for a 1.5-hour session. Travel fees may apply for off-site lessons.

My Shadow Dog Training, founded by Jenny Cole in 2012, offers positive, relationship-centered dog training focused on building a strong bond between dogs and their owners. They provide group classes and private lessons at their facility in Chatham, VA, emphasizing force-free methods with no e-collars or aversive techniques. Services include Canine Manners, AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC STAR for puppies, therapy dog training, service dog training, and behavior modification for issues like reactivity, anxiety, and leash pulling. Jenny has over 12 years of experience training emotional support and service dogs, and is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and Alliance of Therapy Dogs Tester/Observer. She also co-founded Hearts of Gold Therapy Dogs of Virginia and runs The Veteran Project, matching combat veterans with shelter dogs. Training is designed to educate both the dog and the owner, with an emphasis on communication, enrichment, and mutual trust.

Group classes are small, outdoor, and held weekly for six weeks, fostering socialization in a relaxed environment. Private lessons are available for dogs with complex needs, home-based challenges, or specialized goals. Jenny’s approach avoids board-and-train programs, believing true connection is built through owner involvement.

She has trained over 100 therapy dogs and holds advanced AKC trick titles with her own dog. Her ongoing education includes canine body language, adolescent training, and enrichment strategies. Clients praise her patience, clarity, and effectiveness in transforming challenging behaviors into well-mannered companionship.

Accomplishments

Jenny Cole is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and Alliance of Therapy Dogs Tester/Observer. She holds 3 Advanced AKC Trick Titles with her dog Summit. She has raised guide and service dog puppies for Guide Dogs of the Desert, Southeastern Guide Dogs, and Saint Francis Service Dogs. She has been a contract trainer for Saint Francis Service Dogs since 2015. She co-founded Hearts of Gold Therapy Dogs of Virginia, a 20-member therapy dog group serving Southside Virginia facilities. She founded The Veteran Project, matching combat veterans with shelter dogs. She is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and is insured through APDT.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can contact My Shadow Dog Training via phone or email to inquire about class schedules or private lesson availability. Group classes are offered on a seasonal basis with enrollment open for upcoming sessions. Private lessons require direct scheduling based on availability.