The Good Dog Yorktown

The Good Dog Yorktown offers group classes, private lessons, and an online community. Group classes are kept small to allow for one-on-one attention and cover a wide range of topics from Puppy Obedience to Advanced Agility and Trick Training. Private lessons provide individualized attention tailored to specific needs, whether for basic obedience, troubleshooting specific issues, or enrichment activities. The online community offers in-depth, easy-to-follow courses with week-by-week video guides, bonus courses addressing common challenges, and frequent live webinars. This platform also provides daily support from the founders, Morgan and Katie, and fosters a supportive community of like-minded dog owners.

Pricing Summary

The Good Dog Yorktown offers group classes, private lessons, and an online community. Private lessons are priced at $125 for a 1-hour Basic Obedience lesson, $175 for a 1-hour Specialized Training session, and $75 for a 30-minute Enrichment Lesson. The online community is available for $49 per month. Discounts of $15 off any class are offered for military personnel, first responders, and for signing up more than one dog.

Policies

For dogs 16 weeks and older, rabies, distemper/parvovirus, and bordetella vaccinations must be up to date. For puppies younger than 16 weeks, a minimum of 3 out of 4 rounds of puppy shots and the bordetella vaccine are required. A $5.00 cancellation fee applies if a class is cancelled or rescheduled more than 24 hours prior to its start; otherwise, the class fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, with no make-up classes. If a client cannot attend a class, they are permitted to drop into another class without their dog to learn the necessary skills. For spay/neuter surgeries, a 3-6 day recovery period is recommended before returning to obedience classes, and 10-14 days for agility or trick training. Dogs in heat are allowed in class if wearing a securely fitted diaper and not causing a distraction. The business cannot work with dogs that have displayed aggression towards humans.

The Good Dog Yorktown is a woman-owned dog training company founded by experienced dog trainers and passionate dog advocates. Their mission is to provide simple, effective, and accessible training for everyday dog owners, helping them build a strong communication system with their dogs for comfortable coexistence at home and while exploring the world.

They believe in clearly communicating desired behaviors through reward-based learning and structure-based reinforcement. Their training is customized to fit each individual dog’s needs and each owner’s capabilities and expectations, emphasizing consistency and encouraging family involvement. The company focuses on eliminating unwanted habits and encouraging dogs to make good decisions independently by teaching owners to be trustworthy leaders, fostering a lasting bond between owner and dog.

The Good Dog Yorktown offers a variety of services including in-person group classes, personalized private lessons, and an online community for remote training and support. They also provide training guides and ebooks for purchase.

Accomplishments

Katie, Owner and Trainer, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Organismal Biology and a minor in Psychology. She obtained “U.S. Certified Trainer” (2019) and “U.S. Certified Master Dog Trainer” (2021) certifications through the American Society of Canine Trainers. Morgan, Owner and Trainer, graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2020 and holds Master Trainer, Therapy Support Canine, and Trainer Service Canine certifications through the American Society of Canine Trainers (2022). Together, Katie and Morgan have worked with over 3,000 dogs and their owners.

How to Get Started!

To begin training, dog owners can book a class in Yorktown, join the online community, or sign up for a private lesson. If a class session has already started or is full, clients must wait for the next session, but can get a head start by joining the online community or booking a private lesson. A quiz is available to help determine the most suitable class. For military and first responder discounts, proof of eligibility is required on the first night of class.