About Sterling Canine Academy

What they offer

Sterling Canine Academy runs group classes and private lessons at its own facility. The published class list is Puppy Obedience, Beginner Obedience, Intermediate, Advanced, Open, Utility, Rally Obedience and, on occasion, Trick Dog. A session of puppy or beginner classes is eight one-hour weekly classes held on Saturday, with 8-12 dogs per class, for $150.

Private lessons

Private lessons are held at the facility and run an hour, scheduled on weekdays or evenings. The site prices regular private lessons at $60 and behavioral private lessons at $80, and says these "can range from changing typical unwanted behaviors to behavioral issues such as reactivity to dogs and people."

Who teaches

Trish Gautier is the owner and trainer. Her own page states over 30 years of experience, work with more than 130 different breeds, and that she has "competed and titled in obedience, agility, Flyball, herding, conformation, rally's, lure coursing, Fast CAT and Barn Hunt." She is listed as an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and an AKC Trick Dog Evaluator.

Approach

The academy's mission statement frames training as enhancing the human-dog relationship, whether the owner wants "a well-behaved family member or a dog to compete with in obedience and rally trials".

Two things they do not do

The site says so at the top of every page: "I DO NOT offer board and train programs or train dogs for service/medical alert." The FAQ repeats it.

Practical details

The facility is at 4391 Scott Depot Rd, Hurricane, WV 25526. The site notes that mail is not taken at the building, and that class registration opens online ahead of each session.