Asheville Dog Academy

I’m not one to often go out of my way to write reviews. However, as I’m sitting here, sipping my morning coffee in the quiet piece of my home with both my baby and puppy on my lap, I never thought this would be possible. I have to give all the credit to Asheville dog Academy. I have a 13-year-old, set in her ways, little pup who absolutely hated (past tense!) babies and toddlers. When we brought our newborn home, we tried everything. Our dog constantly barked at him and was very reactive. She had to live with my parents for the first month of his life, and this was our last attempt to be able to keep her in our home. We worked with Rebekah and used the E collar which at first I was hesitant about, but I don’t think it would’ve been possible without it. Here we are about one month later and we haven’t even had to touch the collar in about two weeks! Our dog could care less about the baby now and is changed pup! If you are on the fence, I would say it is expensive, but it’s worth every penny and to trust the process. Pics for proof! Edit: to be clear, this is not the E collar in the photo, poor girl also had to have a mass removed and is wearing a collar due to that.

Working with Violet has been an absolute privilege for our family. When our young Cavapoo began showing concerning signs of aggression toward our children, our hearts sank. As someone who typically trains all of our dogs independently, I quickly realized this challenge was entirely beyond my depth. We were extremely worried that we might have to rehome our puppy, and knowing our window to turn things around was dangerously narrow, we sought guidance. Thankfully, Chris pointed us in the exact right direction, recommending a three week board and train program. Violet’s approach was a masterclass in balance: nurturing, firm, consistent, calm, and gracefully assertive. Our puppy, Lucy, instantly adored her. When Lucy returned home, the transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Chris was entirely right when he assured us that "taming that little monster inside her would bring out her sweetness." Trusting that intuition remains one of the best decisions we have ever made. Today, Lucy is a joy! Affectionate, cuddly, well-mannered, and an absolute delight on daily walks. Most importantly, her resource guarding has nearly vanished. While we will continue to manage this final stretch with Violet’s expert guidance, we feel grounded, confident, and firmly on the right path. I cannot recommend Violet highly enough. She is a rare blend of deep knowledge, genuine kindness, clear communication, and unwavering support. Her heart is entirely devoted to her calling, and the profound love she pours into her canine clients is beautifully mirrored in how they adore her in return. Seeing Lucy’s face light up with pure joy when she reunited with Violet nearly two weeks later was evidence of the positive experience Lucy had with her. Entrusting Lucy to their care was an investment of a lifetime, and one I will forever be thankful for. You will not be disappointed.

I can’t say enough good things about Asheville Dog Academy, especially our trainer Rebecca. She is incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and truly cares about both you and your dog. What stood out most is that she didn’t just train my dog Phoebe-she taught me how to build a better, lasting relationship with my Phoebe girl. The techniques and tips Rebecca shared go far beyond basic commands. They’re practical, easy to apply, and designed to create lifelong behavior and understanding. I’ve seen such a positive difference, and I feel so much more confident as a dog owner. If you’re looking for someone who is kind, effective, and genuinely invested in helping you and your dog succeed together, I highly recommend Asheville Dog Academy and Rebecca!!

Chance and I had a wonderful experience with Rebecca and Chris. Chance is a 120lb rottweiler, and he had started getting reactive (after 10months of recovery and no socialization due to two surgeries back to back...no real fault of his own). With his breed and size, I knew I had to get control of him now. Money was tight, but we made it work. Rebecca was phenomenal in helping ME understand what Chance needed. Chance did great. He responded well to the e-collar and quick. After all of our sessions, I felt like Chance really wasn't the problem....I was (my lack of confidence). But once I could relax....it seemed smooth sailing. I loved the training so well, we are going back for group classes now!! I can't thank Rebecca enough for the calmness she portrayed in her training, and that then carried over to me. (And I put not sure of the price only because how do you put a price on making sure your dog is safe?)