Northern Neck Dog Training

05/13/2026

I am behind with posting! Here is a belated Congratulations to Theresa Gholson and her Standard Poodle, Brady, for their graduation from our Good Life Program! They made a great team and have a lot to be proud of!! Way to go Team Brady!!

05/13/2026

Congratulations going out to Marie Goode and her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, “Pixie.” They are the first to complete our new 2-Session JumpStart for folks who want to try training before committing to a full program. For Pixie, we worked on what to do about her wanting to chew and tug on the leash; and not grabbing things she supposed to leave alone! Her owners said they saw a change in her behavior after their very first session - and they’ll be coming back for more! Well done Team Pixie! It was fun!

05/07/2026

THREE YEARS IN A ROW. 🏆🏆🏆

Northern Neck Dog Training has officially been voted BEST Dog Training Company in Eastern Virginia by the readers of Virginia Living Magazine for 2024, 2025, AND now 2026!

What makes this honor especially meaningful is the sheer size and scope of the Eastern Virginia region itself. This is not simply a local county award. The Eastern Region encompasses an enormous portion of coastal and eastern Virginia, including the entire Hampton Roads metropolitan area, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Williamsburg, the Peninsula, the Eastern Shore, the Middle Peninsula, and the Northern Neck.

That means this little dog training company based right here in rural Northumberland County competes against businesses from some of the largest and most populated urban areas in the Commonwealth of Virginia — and thanks to all of you, we have now earned this recognition THREE consecutive years.

And this award is especially meaningful because it is reader-voted.

That means this recognition came directly from clients, supporters, dog owners, families, friends, and community members who believed enough in what we do to cast their vote for us.

When I started Northern Neck Dog Training, my goal was simple:Help people build better lives with their dogs through practical, relationship-based training that works in the real world and creates lasting results for both dogs and their families.

No gimmicks.No “quick fixes.”No cookie-cutter approach.

Just honest training, clear communication, and a commitment to helping dogs and their people succeed together.

To every client who trusted me with your dog…To every person who voted…To every family who recommended us to a friend or neighbor…Thank you.

This award belongs to all of you too.

— Dawn Kelley
Northern Neck Dog Training
“A Polite Pooch for a Peaceful Life”

05/07/2026

THREE YEARS IN A ROW 🏆🏆🏆

Northern Neck Dog Training has been voted BEST Dog Training Company in Eastern Virginia by the readers of Virginia Living Magazine for 2024, 2025, and now 2026!

And “Eastern Virginia” is HUGE.

This region includes:✔ Virginia Beach✔ Norfolk✔ Chesapeake✔ Newport News✔ Williamsburg✔ Hampton Roads✔ The Eastern Shore✔ The Peninsula✔ The Middle Peninsula✔ The Northern Neck…and many surrounding counties and cities across coastal Virginia.

So for a small dog training business based right here in the rural Northern Neck to earn this recognition three consecutive years against companies from some of Virginia’s largest metro areas is something I am incredibly proud of.

Most importantly, this award was voted on by the READERS of Virginia Living Magazine — meaning it came directly from clients, supporters, families, and dog owners throughout the region.

Thank you for trusting me with your dogs, your homes, and your families.

This means more than I can say. ❤️

Virginia

04/22/2026

I have opened a limited number of Jumpstart Training spots this month for dogs who need immediate help.

This is a short, focused 2-session training series designed to:
• Stop the chaos
• Get your dog listening
• Give you a clear, workable plan

This is NOT a long-term commitment—it’s a starting point to get things under control quickly.

If your dog is pulling, ignoring you, over-aroused, or just out of control, this is where we start.

Message me “JUMPSTART” and I’ll send details. 703-345-1680. [email protected]

04/22/2026

The Northern Neck Kennel Club is offering FAST CAT Fun Runs - Save the date!
Saturday May 9th - 10 am-1pm

Wondering what the heck is Fast Cat (FCAT)? In this sport, dogs complete a timed 100-yard dash, running one at a time as they chase a lure. The area is fenced and the lure is run on a line down the course. When your dog is in position, Tallyho! is called and off the dog goes, chasing that pesky bag. If you and your dog fall in love with FCAT, there are competitive events in the area you can continue with .
The event will be held at the Upper Lancaster Volunteer Fire Department, 5170 Mary Ball Rd, Lancaster VA 22503. Each run will be $5.00. Each dog may do 2 runs per day. For guaranteed run times, please pre-register. You will be assigned either a 10 am or 11 am block of time. Depending on numbers 12 pm may either be assigned or walk-in. You may also walk in during the earlier block of times but will be worked in as spots are available.

Please email Kim Bolster at [email protected] to sign up. Include your preferred time block for Fast Cat and your dogs name.

For more information about FCAT www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/akc-fast-cat-getting-started/
Tallyho!

Fast CAT is one of the most popular AKC sports, and it's available to every dog! To increase your enjoyment, follow these steps to get your dog ready.

04/22/2026

I have opened a limited number of Jumpstart Training spots this month for dogs who need immediate help.

This is a short, focused 2-session training series designed to:
• Stop the chaos
• Get your dog listening
• Give you a clear, workable plan

This is NOT a long-term commitment—it’s a starting point to get things under control quickly.

If your dog is pulling, ignoring you, over-aroused, or just out of control, this is where we start.

Message me “JUMPSTART” and I’ll send details or call or email: 703-345-1680
[email protected]

03/11/2026

THIS! I couldn’t have said it better!

ARE YOU MANAGING?

Are we managing our dog’s environment to prevent or improve unwanted behaviour?

As people, we tend to prefer and look for more complicated solutions to problems. This tendency is termed “complexity bias” - the tendency to prefer complicated explanations and solutions instead of looking for the simpler ones.

Surely a complicated, time consuming, detailed solution has to be more effective, superior, impressive, or correct?

Complexity bias is so relevant when it comes to changing a dog’s unwanted behaviour.

We often get so stuck on trying to modify behaviour through counter conditioning, desensitization or detailed training plans when sometimes the simplest solution to the problem lies in simply managing the environment.

Dogs will do what dogs do – when an opportunity arises to help themselves to food left on a table, to bark at the gate at anyone passing by, to drink from the big water bowl we call a toilet, to go running off with irresistibly smelly socks, to rummaging through bins and eating anything that may or may not be edible, to running out an opened door in search of adventure - the list is long - dogs will be dogs.

Parents of little children use management all the time without giving it much thought. Baby locks on cupboards, covers on electrical sockets, valuable or dangerous items put far out of reach, fences and locks around pools, etc.

We wouldn’t just train a toddler not to stick their fingers in an electrical socket, not to open cupboards, not to touch a hot plate – it’s far safer, simpler and logical to first manage the environment, to prevent potential incidents.

The same principle should apply to managing a dog’s environment to prevent unwanted behaviour.

The more a behaviour is practiced the more difficult it is to prevent. The more a behaviour is rehearsed the better dogs become at it.

Preventing the behaviour from happening in the first place by using management is the logical, simple and effective way to address it.

Be a good manager – it’s far less stressful, for both us and our dogs.

02/16/2026

Good training starts with a healthy dog. This seminar covers what balanced nutrition is and how it and gut health impact your dog’s focus, behavior and mood with practical information you can use immediately. Come join me!

02/13/2026

Welcome to training, Rose the Golden Retriever and her mom, Jackie Scialabba. They started the Dependable Dog Program this week and I can’t wait too see them “bloom” 🤭!