Varian Kennels

Training programs include private one-on-one sessions, two-day intensive workshops, and board-and-train options. Dogs stay at the facility for training, with owners receiving personalized videos of progress. Training covers obedience, behavior correction, service dog tasks, therapy dog readiness, and AKC CGC preparation. Patricia trains both the dog and the owner, ensuring consistency and long-term success. Group training is implied through her use of multiple dogs in training, but structured group classes are not explicitly described.

Pricing Summary

Private training sessions are $200 for a 1.5-hour session ($100/hour pro-rated). Travel cost is $2.25 per mile from the client’s home to the facility. Two-day private workshops are available. No package pricing is listed, but clients can sign up for sessions via the training signup page.

Policies

Private sessions are limited to one dog at a time, with weight restrictions: dogs must be 75 lbs or less (50 lbs or less for aggressive “Red Zone” dogs). Travel fees apply. No cancellation or rescheduling policy is explicitly stated on the website.

Varian Kennels, located in Parkfield, CA, is a dog training business run by Patricia Varian, who has over 25 years of experience training dogs. She offers private and group training sessions focused on obedience, behavior modification, service dog training, and therapy dog training. Patricia uses a personalized approach, matching training techniques to each dog and owner’s needs, emphasizing attention, impression, and consistency. Her facility spans over 200 acres of rolling hills with farm animals, providing a unique environment for socialization and training. She also breeds AKC-certified Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds, raising puppies with early socialization to ensure calm, well-adjusted temperaments. Patricia trains dogs for AKC Canine Good Citizenship, therapy dog certification, and specialized roles like diabetic alert and autism assistance dogs. She provides training videos, books, and sells training tools, food, and supplies. Her program includes in-person training at her facility and travel-based sessions for clients within her service area.

Patricia is certified as an AKC Canine Good Citizenship evaluator and is a member of IACP, TDI, and NAHRA. She uses the “Power of the Pack” method, leveraging her own well-trained dogs to model behavior for trainees. She trains dogs of all ages, but currently limits private sessions to dogs 75 lbs or less due to physical constraints. Clients receive personalized attention, with follow-up videos and ongoing support.

In addition to training, Varian Kennels offers puppy sales, boarding, grooming, and pet supplies. Patricia’s reputation is built on ethical breeding, clean facilities, and deep compassion for animals, with many clients praising her ability to transform difficult behaviors and build strong owner-dog bonds.

Accomplishments

Patricia Varian has over 25 years of training experience, including working with Guide Dogs for the Blind. She has earned titles on multiple dogs in AKC and NAHRA events. She is an AKC Canine Good Citizenship evaluator and a certified member of IACP, TDI, and NAHRA. She has authored two best-selling books: “A Pound of Cure” and “Puppies: An Ounce of Prevention.” She has trained service dogs for diabetics, allergies, and autistic children, and currently has two TDI-certified therapy dogs.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can sign up for training via the Training Signup page. An initial consultation is not offered for free. Clients are encouraged to contact Patricia by phone or email to discuss needs, schedule a session, and determine if their dog meets weight and behavior criteria for training.