About Dog Gambit!

Dog Gambit! is a one-person Raleigh business offering dog training alongside dog walking and pet sitting. The owner, Autumn, writes that she has "been working with dogs as a hobby for over 20 years," grew up "training my first dog in both obedience and agility," and has three rescue dogs of her own. The name comes from a former dog: "Whenever she was being naughty, I would jokingly say 'dog Gambit!' to her."

The lessons on offer

Five are published. A personalized session works a plan for "any number of behavior problems… jumping, mouthing, separation anxiety, or anything else that you feel is causing friction." Canine Good Citizen prep uses "positive reinforcement (treats and toys) and gradually fading out reinforcers for the test." Muzzle acclimation is offered as a safety skill for vet visits, grooming, emergencies and scavenging – "I love teaching all of my dogs to wear a muzzle." Rally foundations and agility foundations build on CGC skills, the agility class covering crosses, forward drive, wraps, contacts and weaves.

Method and background

The method line is unambiguous: flat, head or martingale collars and harnesses are fine, but "I will not use prong or shock collars." The site lists titled dogs in CGC, tricks, agility, rally obedience, critter hunting and Fast CAT, work as an assistant trainer at a local training business in 2014-2015, and volunteering with the SPCA of Wake County and a Border Collie rescue.