In-your-home positive dog training

Training begins with a 90-minute in-home consultation to assess the dog’s needs and set goals. Ongoing sessions are scheduled weekly or bi-weekly with homework between lessons. Group programs include the 6-week AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Series focusing on foundational skills and the 4-week Rescue Rover Revamp for new rescue dogs. Puppy Day Training provides structured care and training during work hours. Client Collaboration Training allows shared sessions with other clients to reduce cost and build community. Homeschool Program offers remote support via email and phone.

Pricing Summary

Initial 90-minute in-home consultation and behavior assessment is offered; subsequent 60-minute sessions follow a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule based on client needs. Group programs include Rescue Rover Revamp at $125 for 4 weeks and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Series at $175 for 6 weeks. Puppy Day Training is available 7am–6pm. Client Collaboration Training offers a 50/50 cost split when training with another client.

Policies

Refunds are only considered if requested by phone 10 days prior to the start of a group class series. No other cancellation or rescheduling policies are explicitly stated for private sessions.

Virginia Company Dog Training, led by Melissa Kenngott, offers positive reinforcement-based dog training services tailored to help dog owners build a happy, healthy relationship with their pets. Services include in-home one-on-one training for behavior modification (such as leash reactivity, fearfulness, and anxiety), group classes like Rescue Rover Revamp and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Series, and puppy day training for working families. Melissa specializes in working with rescue dogs, puppies, and dogs with behavioral challenges, using science-based methods influenced by Karen Pryor, Jean Donaldson, and Leslie McDevitt. She emphasizes individualized training plans, family involvement, and understanding dog body language to create safe, joyful interactions between dogs and all household members, including children.

Melissa also offers Client Collaboration Training, where owners split the cost of sessions while training alongside others, and a Homeschool Program with email and phone support for ongoing guidance. Her approach avoids force, fear, or intimidation, focusing instead on reward-based techniques to build confidence and trust. She is certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and actively promotes humane, ethical training practices.

Accomplishments

Melissa Kenngott is a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). She founded Reactive Rover Dog Walking in Philadelphia, specializing in urban dogs with behavioral challenges. She has successfully trained dogs in complex environments and created family-centered training programs that include children. She is influenced by leading positive reinforcement experts and actively contributes to the dog training community through blog content and group classes.

How to Get Started!

Client engagement begins with a 90-minute in-home initial consultation and behavior assessment to evaluate the dog’s needs, discuss goals, and create a customized training plan. Sessions are scheduled on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. Group classes can be booked online through the website.