About The Trusted Companion

The programs

The Trusted Companion is run by Brant Weller from 220 Bobcat Ln in Massanutten, and its published package list is the clearest in this catchment. Residential training runs as a ladder: a three-week "Play and Learn" board and train, a five-week "Clarity and Confidence", an eight-week "Rehab and Rehearse", and a twelve-week "New Life" program. Alongside those the site sells a one-hour consultation, training-lesson packages, in-home lesson packages, tracking, nosework and detection, a reactive dog class, shadow dog training, and boarding with training for existing clients. Prices are published against every line, which is rare.

The problems they name

Rather than list services, the home page is built around the problems owners arrive with, and the list is broad: a dog that will not listen around distractions, one the owner wants to hike with off leash, one that "tries to hurt other dogs or people", a frightened dog, leash pulling, separation anxiety, guarding of food, chews or toys, dogs in the same home attacking each other, a new puppy, and a dog recently out of a shelter or rescue.

Approach

Weller states his aim on the front page: "My goal is the pursuit of confidence and a trusting owner relationship in each and every dog I handle, and to continue to learn and to grow in my ability to do that." The site says programs are built to fit the household rather than the other way round, and points owners to a before-and-after video library as the proof.

Worth knowing

The residential programs are the expensive end of this catchment, and the ladder is graded by how much rehabilitation the dog needs rather than by how much obedience the owner wants.