Rebecca’s Canine Academy

Training programs are offered in group and private formats across multiple disciplines including Agility, Obedience, Rally, Tracking, IPO, Nose Work, Trick Dog, Conformation, and Canine Good Citizen. Programs are structured as ongoing weekly classes with progressive levels. Behavior Modification is offered as private hourly sessions. All training is based on positive reinforcement and learning theory, with individualized plans tailored to each dog and handler. Classes are held exclusively at the facility, which includes indoor and outdoor training areas with professional footing and safety protocols.

Pricing Summary

Private behavior modification sessions are $75 per hour. All classes must be paid in full prior to the start date. Payment is accepted via cash or check. No pricing details are listed for group classes or other services.

Policies

All dogs must be leashed or crated when not actively training. Flexi-leads are prohibited in classes. Handlers must clean up after their dogs; bags and disposal pails are provided. Classes require full payment in advance. Proof of current rabies vaccination and distemper/parvo vaccination or titre results are required for enrollment. The facility is smoke-free.

Rebecca’s Canine Academy is a professional dog training facility founded in 2000 by Rebecca Letson, a certified animal scientist with an AAS, BT, and MAT in Animal Sciences and graduate work from Cornell University. The academy offers group and private training in a wide range of canine sports and behavior programs including Agility, Obedience, Rally, Tracking, IPO, Nose Work, Trick Dog, Conformation, Canine Good Citizen, and Behavior Modification. Training is grounded in the science of learning theory, operant and classical conditioning, and positive reinforcement, with all programs tailored to individual dog-handler teams. The facility features a climate-controlled classroom, an indoor Juta sport turf arena, and an outdoor fenced agility arena, ensuring year-round, safe training. All dogs must be leashed or crated when not actively training, and flexi-leads are prohibited in classes. The academy welcomes all breeds and mixes, including rescues and special needs dogs, and emphasizes sportsmanship and community support among clients.

Rebecca personally competes in multiple disciplines and has trained dogs to national championship levels, including AKC Agility Invitationals and Westminster Masters. Her training philosophy prioritizes respect, consistency, and building strong human-dog relationships. The facility is smoke-free, and handlers are required to clean up after their dogs. Classes require full payment in advance and proof of current vaccinations or titre results.

In addition to training, Rebecca is involved in breeding Standard Poodles and Giant Schnauzers, and serves as a Canine Good Citizen evaluator for the American Kennel Club. She is an active member of the APDT and several working dog clubs, and holds leadership roles in canine organizations.

Accomplishments

Rebecca Letson holds an AAS, BT, and MAT in Animal Sciences with graduate work from Cornell University. She is a Canine Good Citizen evaluator for the AKC, training director for the Schutzengel Working Dog Club, and a board member of multiple canine organizations. Her dog Hemi vom Engelskotten earned invitations to the AKC Agility Invitationals in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and competed in the Westminster Masters Agility Championship. Jim Turner and Mysti were named AKC Top MACH Dog of the Year in 2016 and 2017. Rebecca has competed nationally in Agility, IPO, Rally, Nose Work, Obedience, Tracking, and Barn Hunt.

How to Get Started!

To enroll, email rletson@stny.rr.com with a copy of your dog’s current rabies certificate and vaccination history (or titre results for distemper/parvo). Classes must be paid in full before the start date. Payment is accepted via cash or check.