About Upward Pup Dog Training

Upward Pup Dog Training is a one-trainer, in-home practice covering Salem, Cave Spring, Hollins, Daleville, Troutville, Catawba, Glenvar and much of Roanoke County. The site describes the offering as "Positive, certified, client-focused, and vet-recommended dog training for puppies to senior dogs".

Certification, and why the site makes so much of it

Much of the About page is an argument for hiring a certified trainer, on the grounds that "dog training is unregulated. Anyone can claim to be a dog trainer". She holds the CPDT-KA: "I hold a CPDT-KA level of distinction from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers". Earning it meant documenting hundreds of lead trainer hours, passing an exam, a vet recommendation, a code of ethics and continuing education. She is also "a graduate of the Canine Behavior Academy and the Academy of Dog Behavior (advanced level)" and says she is pursuing a Fear Free certification.

Experience

The practice dates to 2011, and before it came a decade in shelters: "With 10+ years of animal shelter experience, my roles have included animal care, adoption specialist, and manager." Since then she has trained privately across breeds and ages "on issues including house training, obedience, attention seeking, manners, fear, and reactivity", and has taught both puppy and adult classes as well as shy dog workshops.

Method

This is a force-free practice and the site says so directly: "Such methods can lead to aggression and destroy the bond with your dog." The two published training tracks are People and Pup Training, where the owner is coached alongside the dog, and Just the Pup Training.

A note on the name

The site prints the trainer's surname two ways – the About page heading reads "Certified Dog Trainer Lisa Walden" while the byline under her photo reads "Lisa Warden, BSc, CPDT-KA". We have used the spelling from the page heading and have not tried to resolve which is correct.