Guiding Canines

Guiding Canines is an amazing Board and Train program! Val and Caleb took our foster dog Waffles for a month of e collar training and then spent time training my husband and I so we could enforce all that Wafflws learned during his month with them. They are gentle but firm and clearly Waffles loves them and listens to them in a way that shows how much he respects the boundaries put in place. I HIGHLY recommend Guiding Canines for both Board and Train and their standard board and care.

I cannot thank Val and Caleb enough for what they have done for my 3-year-old Staffy. When he went to board and train, he was spoiled, stubborn, and definitely liked to do things on his own terms. After four weeks with them, I brought home a calmer, more focused dog who is truly a pleasure to be around. He now listens so much better, has mastered “place,” walks nicely on a leash without pulling, and is enjoyable to take out in public. The transformation has been amazing, but what I appreciate most is that they didn’t just train my dog—they helped me learn how to continue that success at home. I continue to bring him to daycare once a week so he can burn off some energy, spend time with the friends he’s made there, and get a little refresher on the skills he’s learned. He absolutely loves it. Val and Caleb genuinely care about the dogs they work with, and it shows in everything they do. I am incredibly grateful for their patience, dedication, and support. They have made such a positive difference in my dog’s life and in mine. Thank you both for giving me the tools and confidence to enjoy my dog in ways I never could before!

Guiding Canines is honestly one of the best dog training businesses around! As a dog groomer with a lot of experience working with dogs, I am very selective about who I trust with my own dogs and who I recommend to others. When I found a stray dog on the side of the road who I couldn’t even make eye contact with without him growling and attempting to bite, I knew I needed professional help. I was seriously considering the fact that he may need to be put down due to the extent of which he was aggressive. Several people recommended Val and Caleb at Guiding Canines, and when Val agreed to help us, I was incredibly relieved. She came to our home for an assessment, stayed in touch with me through text, and even met me at the vet’s office to help safely muzzle him so he could be neutered. There were times when I felt completely overwhelmed and called Val in tears, and she was always extremely supportive and encouraging. Eventually, she took him into her home for an extended board-and-train program. Throughout the process, I met with her for training sessions and received regular updates on his progress. WOW! He is a completely different dog. He’s happy, confident, well-adjusted, and truly has his life back. Very few trainers can successfully rehabilitate an aggressive dog without simply shocking them into submission. While Val is a balanced trainer, she used positive reinforcement techniques during those crucial first weeks to help build his confidence. She knows that every dog is different and adjusts her technique based off the dog! She gave him the opportunity to learn how to be a dog. Now, he’s a playful little goofball. No more resource guarding. He can be picked up without growling or biting. He can be leashed. These are things most of us take for granted with our dogs, but they were impossible for my foster dog before professional training. He would not be where he is today without Val and Caleb. If you’re looking for a trainer who is incredibly talented and has an even bigger heart, I wholeheartedly recommend Val and Caleb at Guiding Canines.

If I could describe Guiding Canines in one word, it would be phenomenal. They're some of the most genuine, down to earth, and hard working people who are amazing at what they do. They're highly communicative and go above and beyond for every dog and owner who crosses their path. We always received updates during our dog's board & trains and always felt like our dogs were treated like family. My dog was very reactive to other dogs prior to Guiding Canines. I couldn't even take him in the car with me because if he saw a dog, he'd lose his mind. They helped him immensely and I can now enjoy peaceful car rides and walks without being in fear of a reaction. They also worked with our puppy (who is now over 1) and she is the most well rounded dog we've ever had. Her recall is amazing, she walks on leash perfect, and we're even able to have her off leash without fear of her running away. We truly wouldn't trust anyone else with our dogs in the upstate. Guiding Canines not only trained our dogs but they also trained us, too! 10/10