About Beyond Sit And Stay Professional Dog Training

Beyond Sit And Stay Professional Dog Training works across Southwest Virginia from Chilhowie, and describes itself as offering "the most advanced and proven dog training services to Southwest Virginia and other various surrounding areas".

What they train

The published program set is broad: Classes, Private Lessons, In-Home Training, Off Leash Training, AKC Testing & Therapy Dogs, and Trick Dog. The group obedience class is priced and specified – "Obedience Class $165.00 5 Weeks – 1 hour each week", covering "Sit, Down, Come, Stay, Heel, Place, Name Training, Manners Greeting, Socialization, Pack walk, Jumping/Nipping, Leave It/Drop It, Release/Okay, House training techniques", and it "Will also prepare you for the AKC Star Puppy or AKC Canine Good Citizen Test". Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old and vaccinated. Dated class schedules for basic obedience and off-leash classes are published through the year. Off-leash work is described as the headline capability: "Our off leash training offers a greater level of control, whether going to the beach, mountains, or just around your home you get complete freedom from the leash."

Who it is not for

Unusually, the site states plainly who should not book a group class: "Dogs who are not socialized or comfortable around other dogs or people", "Fearful or anxious dogs who do not handle new or strange environments well", and "Dogs with significant behavioral issues like resource guarding, leash-reactivity, biting, separation anxiety or aggression issues". Those cases are pointed toward the private and in-home options instead.

How they work

The stated philosophy puts the owner at the center: "We don't train dogs. We train the people who love them." The site describes "our ability to be great communicators—to teach every dog owner to better understand their dog's perspective, behavior, and body language", and says the programs "train your dog motivationally and with a balanced approach".

Who runs it

The owner is named and her background stated: "Beyond Sit And Stay is owned and operated by Certified Master Trainer Paula Shupe", who "has been providing training to pet owners, competition enthusiasts, and law enforcement agencies" and "has trained and titled dogs in many different types of training and sport dog events", with "over 25 years experience raising and training dogs". The Certified Master Trainer title is the business's own claim.