Dog Lovers Obedience School

Dog Lovers Obedience School Dog training services: We offer group training, board and train, and at home training sessions.

Dog Lovers Obedience School offers puppy and adult dog obedience training programs in Richmond, Virginia. Our puppy and dog training classes teach basic and advanced obedience commands, enhance social skills and help build healthy relationships between the dog and the owners. We offer private training sessions for dog behavior modifications. Emily knew from a young age that her passion for dogs would eventually
lead her down a path to dog training. She started out dog walking and pet
sitting for neighbors and family friends. She graduated from the Veterinary
Science program at Hermitage Technical Center and has worked with
breeders, at kennels, and as a veterinary assistant. Emily became a puppy trainer with Canine Companions for Independence
(CCI) a nationally recognized service dog placement organization.

We wanted to clear up some confusion about what Dog Lovers will still be offering in 2027! 🐾 While our Gaskins Rd. facil...
09/16/2026

We wanted to clear up some confusion about what Dog Lovers will still be offering in 2027! 🐾 While our Gaskins Rd. facility is closing, Dog Lovers is not closing. We will continue offering many of the services you know and love, with some exciting new opportunities ahead.

Check out the post to see what services will be available in 2027, and as always, message us with any questions!

Big changes are coming! After many wonderful years, we’ll be closing our physical training facility on Gaskins Rd. and b...
09/14/2026

Big changes are coming! After many wonderful years, we’ll be closing our physical training facility on Gaskins Rd. and beginning an exciting new chapter for Dog Lovers.
 
As part of this transition, our group classes and half-day training programs will come to an end. We’ll continue offering the trusted services you know and love, including private training and board & train programs, with exciting new opportunities coming next spring.
 
If you have  remaining group classes from a pre-purchased package, please use your remaining sessions by November 30. If you have any questions, we’re happy to help.
 
While the way we deliver our services is evolving, our commitment to helping dogs and their families succeed remains the same.
 
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. We can’t wait for what’s next!

08/29/2026

“Wait” is more than just a command. It’s a safety skill.

Teaching your dog to wait can help prevent them from rushing through doors, gates, or crates and can help keep them out of dangerous situations.

“Wait” teaches your dog to pause and follow your direction instead of automatically rushing forward. Your dog doesn’t necessarily need to sit. The goal is for them to pause until you give them permission to move forward.

One of the easiest ways to start? Teach your dog to calmly wait before exiting their crate. From there, you can practice at doors, gates, and other thresholds. A simple skill that can make a BIG difference.

Kinda chic 💁🏼‍♀️✨🐕
08/26/2026

Kinda chic 💁🏼‍♀️✨🐕

08/24/2026

Not every walk needs to look the same! 🐾
Both structured walks and sniff walks have a place in your dog’s routine. They just serve different purposes.

Structured Walks:
These are all about focus and engagement. Your dog practices staying in a heel position, paying attention to you, and listening around distractions. They’re a great opportunity to reinforce obedience and practice walking with purpose.

Sniff Walks:
Snuff walks are just as mentally enriching! Using a long line in an appropriate, safe area gives your dog more freedom to explore, sniff, and enjoy their surroundings. The goal is relaxed exploration without constant tension on the leash.

A good routine can include both. Give your dog opportunities to practice listening and following direction, while also giving them time to explore!

You get what you pet! If your dog jumps, barks, paws at you, or demands attention and you respond with petting, talking,...
08/19/2026

You get what you pet!

If your dog jumps, barks, paws at you, or demands attention and you respond with petting, talking, or even eye contact, they may learn that those behaviors get them what they want.

Instead, when your dog is calm, has four paws on the floor, or settles nicely, that’s when they get the attention and affection they’re looking for. Reward what you want repeated!

Your dog is always learning from what you reinforce, even when you don’t realize you’re training.

08/13/2026

Teaching a new command means making sure your dog understands what you’re asking, not just repeating it until they respond.

Whether you’re teaching “Down,” “Sit,” “Come,” or any other command, say it once, give your dog a chance to respond, and then reinforce the behavior if they don’t.

With repetition and consistency, your dog learns that the command has meaning, and that listening the first time matters.

Clear communication + consistent follow-through = A reliable dog!

08/06/2026

Your daily walk is one of the best training opportunities!

Your neighborhood walk is the perfect place to practice obedience around real-life distractions.

Here are a few ways to turn your walk into a training session:
✔ Practice random sits and down stays.
✔ Allow sniff breaks, then practice calling your dog back to you.
✔ Reinforce calm behavior while adding distractions, like petting your dog or stepping over them during a down stay.

Training during walks helps your dog learn that commands apply everywhere, not just at home 🐾

07/30/2026

A confident dog isn’t born, it’s built!

If your dog is nervous around new people, unfamiliar objects, loud noises, or new environments, our Half Day Trainings could be the perfect fit! We’ll help your dog feel more comfortable and confident navigating the world around them.

At Dog Lovers, we meet each dog where they are, creating experiences that build trust, resilience, and confidence over time.

Our Half Day Trainings include structured training, exposure to new environments, safe, supervised socialization, and real-world practice, all while having fun along the way.

Every dog deserves to feel confident, no matter where they go ❤️

Address

1127 Gaskins Road
Richmond, VA
23238

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