Riverrun Dog Training

05/16/2026

Hello everyone, first I want to thank all of you for being so supportive and kind over the last few months. I am grateful.

All seminars and workshops for the remainder of May and all of June are full. Thank you all for your support and for trusting me with training. Please be assured that I will put 100% into helping you prepare for success and helping you work thru issues.

If you did not get into the event you were hoping to PLEASE message me or text me. Get on the waitlist, there are often last-minute availability so don't miss out.

Also I will be putting together my July schedule in the next couple of weeks. Message or text me to get on the pre-signup list.

04/26/2026

Below is the current list of AKC Rally Trials for the remainder of 2026 happening within 2.5 hours of my farm.
It's Excited to see so many of my favorite judges included on this list trials. In particular, I'm thrilled to see Ted McCall and Maryann Mullens who I haven’t seen in the area in a while. The list has motivated me to work hard on my recovery and get back in the ring as soon as possible.
If you'd like an Excel copy of the list of AKC Rally Trials, please message me and I'll be happy to send it to you.

03/02/2026

Miuccia, a four-year-old Whippet from Italy, won Best in Show at Crufts 2025. One of our favorite breeds.

02/25/2026

Below is the current 2026 AKC Rally trials within 2.5 hours of my farm. Currently there are 38 trials (there we 51 trial on my 2025 list). Not show yet is the Cape Fear Fall trial and the Triangle Sheltie Club trials, those may be added later on. Myrtle Beach has increased the trial weekend from 2 trial to 4 trials. While Youngsville who had 3 trial weeks in / 2 trials per day in 2025, will still have 3 trial weekend with only one trial per day. Carolina Dog training club who has for years held their trials in Greensboro will now hold their trials in Winston Salem.
Please recheck trials you are interested in entering, as I am still typing with 2 fingers and errors are possible.
If you would like a copy of this list in excel message me as F/B will not let me upload the excel file.
Please check comments for a printable list of date to remember.

02/23/2026

Announcement of Change at Riverrun Dog Training
I want to make sure everyone is aware of an important update. In January, after teaching thousands of classes over the past 28 years, I have decided to step away from regularly scheduled training sessions/classes. This decision came after careful consideration, especially since a large percentage of my students have been training with me for many years—some for 8, 10, 12, or even 20 years. I am looking forward to achieving more balance in my life by streamlining our programs.
Future Plans:
Workshops, Seminars, and Private Sessions
Moving forward, while we will no longer offer continuous classes, we will regularly host Rally Seminars and occasionally offer other seminars as well.
Private training sessions will also be available on a limited basis.
Monthly rally workshops will also be available primarily for former class students. Competitors are welcome to join these workshops as space permits.
Personal Update
Please also note that I sustained an injury a few weeks ago and will be proceeding slowly over the coming weeks and months.
Most of this has been typed with two fingers please pardon any misspellings

01/03/2026

Our Rally Obedience classes resume this week. All five rally classes are continuing classes that run continuously through 2026. At this time all Rally classes are full.

If you are interested in attending our Rally Obedience classes, please email me to be added to the waiting list. Openings may become available once everyone settles into their routine.

While most of our rally classes are competition/master-level classes, we occasionally have space for novice or intermediate students who are willing to work hard and keep up with the class pace.

12/22/2025

REMINDER: We will not have classes this week or next week. Classes start back the week of January 5th.

12/11/2025

It’s dog night at the gardens

Attention, humans: it is DOG NIGHT at Holiday Lights at the Garden 2025 🐾🎄

I heard we’re allowed to come see the lights tonight only, so please locate my festive sweater and leash immediately.

Apparently I get to sniff everything, walk the sparkly trails with you, and say hello to Santa and the Grinch. Huge night for me.

Secure your tickets. Pocket the treats. I’ll take it from here.

12/07/2025

There are some audit spaces available (no dog) for this seminar. I highly recommend it for anyone who hasn't shown yet and first time Novice/Intermediate Handlers.

The Fayetteville Kennel Club
PRESENTS:

***AKC Rally Handler’s Seminar With Paula Thomason***

Paula has many notable achievements she has earned over 20 Rally Championship Titles with 5 different breeds. All but one Championship title was earned in a minimum of 20 triple events. Paula and her dogs have also earned over 200 High In Trial titles. In 2021 Paula had 4 dogs place in the top 10 (actually top 6) all breed AKC TOP DOGS IN RALLY

Sunday - December 14, 2025


Date: Sunday December 14, 2025
Time: 10am to 3pm
Cost: Working spot: $100 limited to 11
Audit spot: $50 limited to 20
Lunch will be provided. Jimmy John’s Lil Lunches

Crating space available for working spot dogs. Must bring a towel to place under the crate
No Refunds Available – We will maintain a waitlist.
Register here:
https://form.jotform.com/252054055960151

12/04/2025

🌟 Due to cancellations, we still have a bit of funding from Athletes for Animals.

Thanks to their support, we can now offer reduced-cost spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats living in Robeson County.

For just a $50 copay, your pet will be:
✨ Spayed or neutered
✨ Given pain medication for recovery

Help us reduce pet overpopulation and keep our community’s animals healthy and happy. ❤️

🖥 Request a voucher at https://form.jotform.com/253005609409151

⚠️ Because this is a small grant, only one pet per household please