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Speak Dog K9 Training

Pet Dog Trainer & Military Spouse

Hi! My name is Vanessa and I operate Speak Dog K9 Training. At Speak Dog K9 Training, my mission is to help improve a dog’s relationship with his/her owner and family, while embracing every dog’s uniqueness and potential, by using a tailored approach to learning good behavior and manners, obedience, boundaries and structure, fixing behavioral issues, and helping owners understand their dog’s language. A well behaved, trained dog benefits both the dog and their owner. As a military spouse, I understand it can be difficult to have the time and life circumstances to train your dog. I aim to create happy, well behaved pets and give their owners a healthy pet/work/life balance.

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Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakdogk9training

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakdogk9training

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About Vanessa

Learn to Speak Your Dog's Language with Me

Vanessa is a Marine Corps spouse, originally from Canada, and has been living the military life since 2014. She holds a double Bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin - Madison. Vanessa has been passionate about dogs since receiving The Encyclopedia of Dog book as a child. Her first childhood dog was a German Shepherd rescued from Shanghai, China that taught her the joy and importance of training, loving, and caring for dogs. Speak Dog K9 Training (fun fact, Vanessa knows how to speak English, Mandarin, and Cantonese in addition to Dog!) came about to help dog owner's learn their dog's language and improve their relationship. 

She is an approved, official American Kennel Club (AKC) Evaluator and AKC Judge, and an approved, official
Therapy Dogs International (TDI) Evaluator.

Vanessa has over 16 years of dog experience and dog training including:

  • Certified Evaluator for Therapy Dogs International

  • Certified AKC Evaluator for AKC STAR Puppy, AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine (CGCA), AKC Urban Canine, AKC Trick Dog (all levels), and AKC Virtual Home Manners

  • Certified AKC Evaluator for AKC ATT (Temperament Test)

  • Certified AKC Judge for AKC Fetch (all levels)

  • Associate member of Therapy Dogs International

  • Beginner to Advanced Obedience

  • Training and certifying for Therapy Dogs International therapy dog test

  • Training in K9 Search and Rescue (with Escambia Search and Rescue)

  • Training and certifying for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test

  • Training and certifying for the AKC Community Canine/Canine Good Citizen Advanced test 

  • Training in tricks and certifying for the AKC Trick Dog Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced tests

  • Training in the dog sports of Barn Hunt, Dock Diving, Agility, and Scent Work

  • Training behavior modifications for issues such as reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, fear, etc.

  • Enrollment in AKC Canine College

  • Enrollment in Leerburg (Dog Trainer) University
     

She fostered for Renegade Paws Rescue and trained her foster dog in obedience and manners. She has also rehabilitated and fostered 2 reactive English Mastiffs with Southern States Mastiff Rescue that had dog aggression, resource guarding, reactivity, and male aggression issues and trained them in obedience, behavior modification, and manners. She is currently in Search and Rescue K9 training and is hoping to be a certified team in the near future. Vanessa has over 5 years of dog sitting and dog boarding experience.
Please see Services tab for what I can help you and your dog with.

Vanessa currently has 3 brindle rescue dogs of her own: 

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    Pensy, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier/Hound mix, who is an AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced, AKC Trick Dog Advanced, and certified Therapy Dogs International Therapy Dog (with therapy visits at hospitals and airports). She participates in the dog sport of Barn Hunt. Pensy won 1st place in the Parris Island Trick Dog Contest in 2020, awarded by the Commanding General of Parris Island. She was published in the BringFido Ruff Guide to the United States travel book in 2021. Pensy knows 35 tricks/commands.

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  • Clementine, a Shepherd/Hound/Pit mix, who is an AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Trick Dog Advanced, U.S. Canine Biathlete, and Search and Rescue K9 In Training. She participates in the dog sports of Dock Diving, Agility, Scent Work, and Barn Hunt. Clementine placed 4th out of 330 racers in the 2021 U.S. Canine Biathlon Rewind in Anniston, AL. Clementine knows 57 tricks/commands.

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  • Elwood, a Mastiff/Lab mix, who is an AKC Canine Good Citizen and certified Therapy Dogs International Therapy Dog (with therapy visits at hospitals and airports). He was published in the BringFido Ruff Guide to the United States travel book in 2021. Elwood knows 24 tricks/commands.

     

     

You can follow them on Instagram at @brindlepack !

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Speak Dog K9 Training Services

Personalized Training For You and Your Pup

We strive to help dog owner's and their families learn how to speak dog.  See what services we offer below.

Please note: Any One on One Training session pricing, the Private Training program pricing, and any of the Group Training programs pricing all do not include training tools.  Dogs are individuals. We will not have a definite idea of which tools will work best for your dog until we start training.  Training tools that may be utilized include: slip lead, crate, place bed, gentle leader, prong collar, treats, dog food, toys, long lead. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.

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Private Training

One on one training tailored to you and your dog

Rescue dog from the shelter needing brush up on manners and obedience?

Unable to teach a specific command?
Trouble with your dog's reactive behavior towards other dogs or people?
Uncontrollable fence barking?
Rushing and barking at the door when you have guests?

Jumping on people?

Aggression between dogs in the same household?
Resource guarding issues?
Fear and lack of confidence in public spaces?
Temperament testing prep?
Leash walking/pulling frustration?
Want to learn fun tricks?

Whatever you would like to work on, whether it's common dog behavior problems or anything else, I am all ears to listen, try to help you solve your problems, and help you speak your dog's language. Contact me to see if we are a good fit!


FREE, NO PRESSURE 30-45 min evaluation/consultation
At least 3 one on one, custom sessions recommended for maximum impact at the client's home
45-60 minutes per session
Please contact for pricing

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*Dogs are affected a lot by the environment they live in (you, your household, their routine or changes in their routine). Training and providing structure is life long. Dog behavior can fall back into old habits if not upkept.*

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Basic Obedience & Manners Training Program (Group Class)

A trained dog benefits both you and your dog's quality of life

Basic obedience and manners training group class will help you and your dog establish structure, rules, and boundaries to help make sure your dog is the best pet or family dog he/she can be at home and in public. We will go over what it means to be a responsible dog owner by following AKC's guidelines, work on common behavior no no's (such as not jumping on people, impulse control, etc.) and work on loose leash walking, encouraging calm behavior, basic obedience (sit, stay, down, come/recall, leave it/wait, drop it, and place), basic impulse control, and socialization. 
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FREE, NO PRESSURE 30-45 min evaluation/consultation​
6 sessions included in the program
60 minutes per session
Group class of 3 - 6 other dogs/puppies and their owners
Please contact for pricing

Optional AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test and certification offered at the end of the program through Speak Dog K9 Training, an approved AKC Evaluator.  If you are not interested in AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy or if your dog is over 1 years old at the end of the program, you do not have to opt in for the test but you will also not be evaluated for or awarded AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy. 

*Dogs are affected a lot by the environment they live in (you, your household, their routine or changes in their routine). Training and providing structure is life long. Dog behavior can fall back into old habits if not upkept.*

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Intermediate Obedience & Manners Training Program (Group Class)

Be a Canine Good Citizen

Intermediate Obedience and Manners training will prepare you and your dog to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. 

We will work on building up from the foundations of Basic obedience (dogs should have first gone through Speak Dog K9 Training's Basic Obedience and Manners program or equivalent training) and we will work on training for all 10 components of the CGC test, a renowned standard for obedience that provides framework for your dog being a polite member of society and is often a pre-requisite for therapy dog certifications, service dog work, and advanced dog sports.

FREE, NO PRESSURE 30-45 min evaluation/consultation
6 sessions included in the program
60 minutes per session
Group class of 3 - 6 other dogs and their owners
Please contact for pricing

Optional, AKC Canine Good Citizen test and certification offered at the end of the program through Speak Dog K9 Training, an approved AKC Evaluator. If you are not interested in AKC CGC at the end of the program, you do not have to opt in for the test but you will also not be evaluated for or certified for AKC CGC.

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*Dogs are affected a lot by the environment they live in (you, your household, their routine or changes in their routine). Training and providing structure is life long. Dog behavior can fall back into old habits if not upkept.*

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AKC Testing

Stand-alone testing and certification with the AKC (test only - no classes)

Testing and certifying for the following AKC programs is available through Speak Dog K9 Training, an approved AKC Evaluator. These are tests only, no training classes included.

AKC Canine Good Citizen

AKC Community Canine Good Citizen (Canine Good Citizen Advanced)
AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen

AKC Trick Dog (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Performer, and Elite) Videos accepted.

AKC Virtual Home Manners. Videos accepted.

AKC ATT (Temperament Testing)

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Please contact for pricing

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All titles/titling is through the AKC. If you elect to have the official AKC title listed on your dog's title record, you would remit a separate payment directly to the AKC with a copy of your passing exam sheet. If you elect to have the certificate only, you would remit a separate payment directly to the AKC with a copy of your passing exam sheet. 

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Therapy Dogs International Testing for Therapy Dog Certification

Stand-alone testing for Therapy Dogs International therapy dog certification (test only - no classes)

Therapy dog testing and certifying is available through Speak Dog K9 Training, an approved Therapy Dogs International Evaluator. This is for the test only, no training classes included. Dog and handler will be tested as a team.
 

Please contact for pricing, clinic dates, and test dates

 

All paperwork and certification is done through Therapy Dogs International. After passing the test, you would remit a separate payment to them with your registration form. 

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AKC Judge

 AKC Fetch Judging

I am available for hire as an approved AKC Judge for official, sanctioned AKC Clubs/Events for AKC Fetch tests of all levels (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Retriever).

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"AKC Fetch is a pass-fail noncompetitive test. The four levels of titles (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Retriever) assess the ability of the dog to retrieve. In the Advanced and Retriever levels, the dog must respond correctly to signals. There is also a memory component in Advanced and Retriever because a retrieving bumper or ball is dropped (or thrown) behind a blind where it cannot be seen.

For each of the four titles, the dog must pass the test twice under two different approved AKC Fetch judges." - AKC website

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Please contact for pricing

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All titles/titling is through the AKC. If you elect to have the official AKC title listed on your dog's title record, you would remit a separate payment directly to the AKC with a copy of your passing exam sheet. If you elect to have the certificate only, you would remit a separate payment directly to the AKC with a copy of your passing exam sheet. 

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Advanced Obedience & Manners Training

COMING SOON!

Do you have aspirations to be a certified Therapy Dog handler and team? 

Advanced Obedience and Manners Training will help you get there by building up from the foundations of Intermediate obedience (dogs should have first gone through Speak Dog K9 Training's Intermediate Obedience and Manners program or equivalent training) and working on high level manners with other dogs, humans, and public settings, advanced impulse control and neutrality with high distractions, increased difficulties, and extended duration. This program should prepare you to pass and certify to be a Therapy Dog team. 

 

Speak Dog K9 Training is an official Therapy Dogs International evaluator but does not guarantee passing dogs and handlers that take this course. All handlers interested in taking Therapy Dogs International’s therapy dog test will be tested impartially and fairly and must be evaluated by another TDI Evaluator. If there are no other TDI Evaluators available in the area, permission must be given by TDI to test dog/handler teams who have taken this training course.
Handlers are also able to find other therapy dog groups and test with them as they please. 

 

FREE, NO PRESSURE 30-45 min evaluation/consultation
6 sessions included in the program
60 minutes per session

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*Dogs are affected a lot by the environment they live in (you, your household, their routine or changes in their routine). Training and providing structure is life long. Dog behavior can fall back into old habits if not upkept.*

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AKC Community Canine (Canine Good Citizen Advanced) Training Program

COMING SOON!

Coming soon!

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Testimonials/Reviews

What People Are Saying About Speak Dog K9 Training

Scroll through the five star testimonials and reviews below!

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Dexter C.

My girlfriend and I rescued a 1 year old german shepherd from the shelter who was found emaciated on the streets of DC. After bringing him home, we quickly realized how difficult this dog would be especially after seeing his severe leash reactivity to both people and dogs. Even after $3500 and two trainers, our dog was still extremely reactive to the point where we felt devastated and defeated after every walk, and limited his activities to quick/short walks because of his incessant barking. After being referred to Vanessa, she helped change our relationship with our dog in only one weekend. The process with her was as follows:Day 1:We met with her to chat about our goal of having our dog be able to walk past another dog and stay neutral and calm without barking. After a walk around our neighborhood, she determined the reactivity to not be fear based and concluded that his leash reactivity was actually not as severe as we thought. Through her proactive handling and threshold management, Vanessa helped teach us and our dog how to navigate Home Depot, as well as Petco, which absolutely dumbfounded us because we honestly thought it would take him at least one year to get to this point where he could calmly walk through Home Depot and Petco without any reactivity and barks! In a matter of a couple hours, Vanessa had already helped us reach our goals.Day 2:We walked our dog on a trail as well as a busy park by our house that we never dared to walk through due to its small path and potential of off-leash dog(s). As expected, we encountered several off-leash dogs, including one that directly came up to my dog. Instantly, Vanessa sprung into action to create distance between the off-leash dog and my dog, expertly controlling the situation, making sure my dog was calm, and also teaching us the tools and strategies for advocating for our reactive dog. Later that day, she also showed us the foundations to scent work after we expressed how we wanted additional mental activities to further enrich our dog, and only after a couple runs, Vanessa successfully taught our dog scent work in our apartment. Day 3:With Vanessa's guidance, we successfully walked our dog through busy downtown DC without a single reactive barking episode! We also spent 30 minutes at an outdoor park teaching our dog how to be calm and how to be in a sustained down position without reacting to the various people, cars and dogs that were passing through. Later that day, that foundation of how to be calm in a sustained down position allowed us to bring our dog to a coffee shop for the first time, where he remained calm and non-reactive throughout the entire meal. Overall, we cannot recommend Vanessa enough! She gave us practical strategies and easy to follow explanations on how to handle our dog. It has changed our entire relationship to the point where instead of fearing the outside, we now feel empowered to experience it. Thanks to the new tools and strategies Vanessa has taught us, our dog's world has expanded exponentially, and we are confident that we can take him anywhere now. It truly feels like a weight has lifted off of our shoulders, and we cannot thank Vanessa enough!

Contact Speak Dog K9 Training

Please reach out for booking and training needs. I am always happy to answer any questions and further speak with you. I will get back to you ASAP.

Thank you for reaching out!
Vanessa 

Beaufort, SC

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