The FUNdamental Dog

The Manners + Obedience program consists of six 50-minute classes covering loose leash walking, sit, down, stay, waiting at doors, public/social outing preparation, recalls, focus games, and verbal response cues. It is recommended for larger breeds and outgoing, energetic dogs. The Pup Pre-K Classes are a six-class package, each 50 minutes long, focusing on puppy gym/agility, recalls, focus games, basic manners introduction, leash walking skills, and an introduction to public manners. This program is designed for smaller dogs and younger puppies, or small dogs even after puppyhood. Both 6-week programs include printed homework and access to a private Facebook support group. The Pup Pre-K program also offers an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certificate upon completion.

The Conformation Handling Class is a 1-hour “drop-in” class for dogs new to conformation or needing troubleshooting, taught using positive reinforcement. A basic manners course and approval from The Fundamental Dog are required for those new to dog sports. Private Lessons are offered as hour-long or half-hour sessions, providing tailored attention for specific needs such as reactivity training, puppy training, leash mechanics, jumping on guests, basic obedience skills, and unwanted barking. The Puppy Potty Training is a self-serve webinar that includes a 20-minute instructional video and a printable Potty Training Journal, without instructor feedback or Q&A.

The Service Dog Training Program requires dogs to have a good foundation of skills, including graduation from a 6-week basic training class (team must train together), AKC Canine Good Citizen certification, and a highly recommended AKC Novice Trick Dog Title. Dogs must have stable temperaments, public manners, and natural arousal control; aggressive or hyper-social dogs may not be accepted. The program includes a Public Access Prep Class to practice skills for public access and prepare for CGC, CGCU, and CGCA certifications. Specific service dog task training is conducted through private lessons.

Pricing Summary

Group classes for Manners & Obedience and Pup Pre-K are $195 for a 6-class package. Conformation Handling classes are $30 per class, or $25 per class with a $100 package. A $5 late registration fee applies for Conformation classes. Private lessons are $135 per hour or $55 per half hour. The Puppy Potty Training Webinar is $35. For 6-week class packages, there is a limit of 2 make-up classes, and packages expire within 90 days of purchase. A 24-hour notice is required for make-up classes. Cancellations within 24 hours of a Conformation class are not refunded, and no-shows are not guaranteed a refund.

Policies

For Conformation classes, there is a $5 late registration fee, and cancellations within 24 hours of class will not be refunded. No-shows are not guaranteed a refund. For 6-week class packages (Manners & Obedience, Pup Pre-K), a limit of 2 make-up classes is allowed, and packages expire within 90 days of purchase. A 24-hour notice is required for make-up classes.

The FUNdamental Dog creates a more harmonious life for people and their dogs through training. They focus on building strong, joyful relationships using science-backed methods that emphasize kindness, clarity, and teamwork. Their training is designed to be fun, effective, and positive, with carefully designed curriculum and well-thought-out lesson plans for every class.

They aim to optimize communication between canines and their humans, ensuring each student’s needs are met. Their professional team of dog trainers continuously improves classes and stays updated with the latest training methods, adding new skills. They offer an experience beyond just a class.

Accomplishments

Judy Ramsey, owner and trainer, has owned, trained, and titled various breeds since 1980, earning an Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH), many Master Agility Championships, a breed Championship, and other titles in Obedience, Agility, and Rally. She also participated in therapy dog work for over 20 years. Lora Raycroft, owner and trainer, began training and showing dogs at a young age, earning various obedience, rally, and agility titles, including a MACH (agility championship). She also performed Therapy Dog work and taught beginning and foundation classes at K9 Country Club for four years. Marcella Ward, Training Director and Trainer, has competed in agility since 2007 and is a student with The Academy for Dog Trainers program. She is an AKC CGC, Trick Dog, and ATT Evaluator, with her dogs holding titles in agility, nosework, dock diving, barn hunt, fastcat, rally, and frisbee.

Paige Conrad, Trainer, previously ran a successful family pet sitting and dog walking business and worked at a boarding facility. Deanna Marks, Trainer, has been training in agility since 2021 and has studied the work of Sarah Stremming, Hannah Brannigan, and Susan Garrett. She holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration and an MBA, and is working towards her CPTD-KA. Peggy DeMers, Trainer, has over 20 years of experience showing in agility, obedience, rally, conformation, and herding, achieving multiple High in Trial wins, agility championships (MaCH and Bronze ADCH), and conformation titles. Rebecca Bass, Trainer, graduated from Texas A&M College of Engineering with a Bachelor’s of Technology Management and a minor in Business with a focus on adult education. Darcie Myers, Trainer, began dog training in 1975, titling multiple dogs in agility, rally, dock diving, scentwork, CGC, and trick dog, including a RACH (Rally Championship). She was instrumental in starting the 4H Dog Project in Montgomery County, serving as county project leader for 12 years, and is a certified CGC, trick dog, and AKC temperament test evaluator/judge. Sadie Kosenko, Trainer, is an AKC CGC, S.T.A.R Puppy, and Trick Dog Evaluator who trained her own boxer as a service dog and previously owned a business specializing in Board and Train and private lessons for reactive dogs.

How to Get Started!

For group classes like Manners & Obedience and Pup Pre-K, pre-registration is required. Clients need to complete an application form to inquire about joining, after which the business will review and email available class options and scheduling details. For private lessons, clients can fill out a request form or email TheFundamentalDog@gmail.com. For Conformation classes, pre-registration is required via their client portal. The Puppy Potty Training Webinar can be signed up for directly through their client portal.