About Appalachian Canine Coaching

Appalachian Canine Coaching is based in Sugar Grove, Virginia. The site states the founding plainly: "Appalachian Canine Coaching was started by Casi McKinnon in 2019." The name is deliberate – the business describes itself as coaching owners rather than training dogs for them.

What they train

The published program list is priced and detailed. Puppy Development "is focused on socializing, desensitizing, and learning with your new family member" and is "ideal for dogs less than 6 months of age", covering crate training, name introduction, boundaries, jumping, nipping and recall. Beginner Obedience covers name recognition, yes and no, sit, come, down, stay, targeting, a settle cue, leash walking, calmness, focus games and an emergency come, and is described as "a great start and good for a low to medium energy level dog with low to medium level distractions". Intermediate Obedience and Canine Good Citizen is "the next level up for medium to high level distractions", adding impulse control, heel and loose leash walking, out-of-sight stays, generalizing cues in public, and walking through a crowd. Focus Coaching is a private-only format where the owner picks three goals – "2 lessons, with one additional free as needed $250". A Behavioral Consultation is offered for dogs the programs do not fit, at "Consultation: $75.00" and "Behavioral Lessons: $100 per lesson", ending with either a coaching plan or a referral: "At the end of the consultation we will start you on a coaching plan or refer you to a more specialized trainer." Group Coaching runs six weeks and is "Available online and in person", at 55 dollars online, 115 for beginner and 125 for the CGC intermediate class, and only "if there are at least 5 dog/person teams interested". Private Coaching is five one-hour lessons for 500 dollars, in the client's home: "The coach will come to your home so they can focus in on your dogs environment." A board-and-train option is listed but flagged "CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE", so it is not counted among the services here.

How they work

The stated approach is "a positive reinforcement, relationship based training that works with each dog as an individual", with the coaching shaped around what suits the dog: "We like to assess each dog and their individual needs and then coach you on what ways we think your dog will learn the best."

Who runs it

Two people are named. Casi McKinnon grew up on a dairy farm in Sugar Grove, worked with veterinarians as a vet assistant, and "attended Animal Behavior College online and participated in an internship with two excellent trainers for 18 hours", then "completed 9 hours of volunteer work and received her training certification". The site adds that "Casi is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and continues her education through Absolute Dogs Training Academy." Levi McKinnon "is working along side Casi with all board & train clients and group classes" and is "growing his knowledge through classes with the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and Absolute Dogs", with a stated goal "to become a certified dog trainer as well".

Discounts

Two are published: "10% of for dogs adopted from the animal shelter or a rescue" and "10% off for pitty/bully breeds". The site also says "10% of all proceeds go toward an animal in need."