Eastern Shore Dog

Eastern Shore Dog Group classes in scent sports, games, tricks, AKC STAR Puppy/CGC and companion obedience. And more! I sign up my dogs for her classes, she's really fun.

Eastern Shore Dog is me, Beth Ann Sabo, Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Canine Nose Work Instructor. In 2018, Anna Malik joined the team - Anna is a CNWI and a Pro Dog Trainer (absoluteDogs) and is a wonderful instructor. ESD has held K9 Nose Work and companion obedience group classes at the Barrier Islands Center, Machipongo, Virginia - since 2010. :)

We also host the shelves of

thoughtful retail of dog toys, treats and gear at the Machipongo Trading Company (on Route 13), right across from the Barrier Islands Center.

Happy New Year! 🄳🐶From all of us ladies at Eastern Shore Dog, we wish you and your furry family a wonderfully happy, hea...
01/01/2026

Happy New Year! 🄳🐶
From all of us ladies at Eastern Shore Dog, we wish you and your furry family a wonderfully happy, healthy, and prosperous 2026!

May the new year be filled with:
Sofa snuggles and endless belly rubs!
Tail wags and exciting new adventures!
Successful training sessions and yummy treats!
Our biggest wish for you in 2026 is for it to be the Year of Understanding between you and your pups! We hope you discover new ways to communicate, bond, and build an even stronger, happier relationship with your best friend.
Cheers to a fantastic year ahead!

Happy Training,
Anna, Claudia, Linda and Beth Ann

Ready for a Paw-fect Vacation? Here are Anna's Travel Tips! Taking your best friend on vacation is an amazing experience...
12/28/2025

Ready for a Paw-fect Vacation? Here are Anna's Travel Tips!
Taking your best friend on vacation is an amazing experience, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges! From finding the right places to stay and eat, to making sure your pup is comfortable, a little planning goes a long way.
I'm currently traveling with my dog, June, and I wanted to share some of my go-to strategies to make the trip as smooth as possible for everyone:
Preparation is Key:
Train Before You Travel!
The secret to a relaxed traveler is preparation. It is incredibly important to train your dog ahead of time! This means:
* Mini Practice Trips: Take them on short, mini-trips—even if it's just a day trip or an overnight stay nearby. This helps them get used to car rides, different sounds, and unfamiliar hotel rooms.
* Proofing Behaviors: Practice training in lots of different places, not just your home or yard. This ensures their manners and skills generalize to new environments, which is essential for busy hotels and restaurants.
Must-Pack Comfort & Gear
Familiar Comfort: Always bring a mat or bed from home! Familiar scents and textures help dogs settle in a new environment, and if you have been in any of our classes, your dog will know their mat is a wonderful place to relax.
Mental Stimulation on the Go:
I pack June's regular food inside a puzzle toy for her meals. It helps keep her routine and gives her a positive activity to focus on, reducing anxiety and preventing boredom in a new space.
The Basics: P**p bags (lots of them!) and bottled water are non-negotiable for breaks and hydration. Don't forget your leash and harness.
Finding Pet-Friendly Spots
The biggest hurdle is often finding pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and fun activities.
My secret weapon is the BringFido app! It's an incredible resource for finding places that genuinely welcome dogs—not just tolerate them.
Thanks to the app: We're currently staying at the DoubleTree Hotel, which is wonderfully pet-friendly!
We also found the perfect restaurant, Morgan's Tavern, which offers a great pet-friendly dining experience.
Remember, consistency in routine, packing familiar items, and early preparation are the keys to a low-stress, enjoyable trip for both of you!
What's the longest trip you've taken with your dog? Share your experiences below! šŸ‘‡

As the year comes to a close, we want to send the biggest thank you to all our wonderful clients and your furry family m...
12/24/2025

As the year comes to a close, we want to send the biggest thank you to all our wonderful clients and your furry family members.
Thank you for trusting us this year—your loyalty means everything. Every training session and every conversation has brought us so much joy!
From our pack to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your holidays be filled with warmth, love, and plenty of doggie kisses.
See you in 2026 for more adventures!
Warmly,
Anna, Claudia, Linda and Beth Ann

12/17/2025

Our Amazing Friend Melanie Parker is Training her Rescue cat Cardie Beans. We love sharing their videos,
In this one Mel is teaching Cardie to wait and sit while she fixes her food in the kitchen. This will help prevent her from jumping on the counters.
Mel is using shaping to get the desired behavior.

🐾 Alumni Spotlight: Scotch!We absolutely LOVE seeing our former students keep up the fantastic work!Check out our amazin...
12/04/2025

🐾 Alumni Spotlight: Scotch!

We absolutely LOVE seeing our former students keep up the fantastic work!
Check out our amazing alumnus, Scotch, showing off a perfect "Silly Sit" in front of the Christmas tree in Exmore! šŸŽ„āœØ
* We are so incredibly proud of you for continuing to practice your skills!
* (And we can’t forget to mention that coat—so stylish, Scotch! You look ready for the holidays!)
Keep up the great training, and thanks for sharing this adorable moment!

Canine Good Citizen student Olive is starring at the Atlantic Animal Hospital page this week! Do you wrap presents for y...
12/01/2025

Canine Good Citizen student Olive is starring at the Atlantic Animal Hospital page this week! Do you wrap presents for your pet? https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17AWbGjtH1/

Do you buy holiday presents for your pet? Do you wrap them? Weigh in below!
Olive wonders "What's in the boxes? Hey, mom, are these for me?"

🐶🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from The  Eastern Shore Dog Crew!Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting—and of c...
11/27/2025

🐶🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from The Eastern Shore Dog Crew!

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting—and of course, including our beloved pups! To make sure your holiday is safe and enjoyable for your furry friends, here are our top tips:
🚫 Keep the Feast OFF the Floor
Many traditional Thanksgiving foods are dangerous for dogs.
* No Bones: Turkey bones can easily splinter and cause choking or serious internal injuries. Dispose of all bones and carcasses securely in a trash can your dog cannot access.
* Avoid Fatty & Rich Foods: Gravy, turkey skin, dark meat, and butter are too rich and can lead to severe stomach upset or even a dangerous condition called pancreatitis.
* Watch for Toxic Ingredients: Keep dishes containing onions, garlic, leeks, chives, grapes, raisins, and the sweetener xylitol (often in sugar-free baked goods) completely out of reach. These are highly toxic!
* Raw Dough is a Hazard: Unbaked yeast dough can rise in your dog's stomach, causing painful bloating and potential alcohol poisoning from the yeast fermentation.
āœ… Pet-Safe Treats (Yes, Please!)
Want to give your dog a little holiday cheer? Share these in very small, plain portions:
* Plain Turkey: A tiny, boneless, skinless, unseasoned piece of cooked white meat.
* Plain Veggies: Small amounts of plain pumpkin puree (not pie filling), cooked sweet potato, or green beans (without seasonings or butter).
šŸ” Manage Guests & Environment
More people and activity can be stressful, or lead to escape opportunities!
* Create a Safe Haven: Set up a quiet, comfortable space—a crate, bedroom, or exercise pen—where your dog can retreat from the noise and crowds. Provide a favorite chew toy or a food puzzle (like a stuffed Kong) to keep them happily occupied.
* Mind the Door: With guests coming and going, there's a higher risk of a pet slipping out. Use baby gates to block access to the front door, or keep your dog secured in their safe space when guests arrive and depart.
* Inform Your Guests: Politely remind guests not to feed your dog from the table. If they want to give a treat, direct them to a stash of approved, pet-friendly snacks.
Following these tips will help ensure your dog has a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Anna  had such a fantastic time yesterday volunteering at the bake sale fundraiser Friends of Animal Control Eastern Sho...
11/16/2025

Anna had such a fantastic time yesterday volunteering at the bake sale fundraiser Friends of Animal Control Eastern Shore. FACES Seeing so many happy faces—both human and canine—made our day. ā¤ļø
A huge shoutout to all the amazing dog Alumni from the local animal control who stopped by! It warms our hearts to see these wonderful pups thriving and getting great socialization experience out in the real world. šŸŒ
It was also a treat to catch up with a few Alumni students from Eastern Shore Dog! It truly highlights the joy of seeing our dog friends out and about in the community. Keep up the great work, everyone!


Cute picture of Eastern shore dog Alumni Ella and her parents.

Address

Barrier Islands Center
Machipongo, VA
23405

Telephone

+17576076069

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Our Story

Welcome to Eastern Shore Dog! The group of instructors started with me, Beth Ann Sabo, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Canine Nose Work Instructor and an AKC Canine Good Citizen/STAR Puppy Evaluator. I’ve been training dogs professionally since 2006. In 2017 Michelle Surran joined me and trains Basic Obedience classes. In 2018 Anna Malik joined the team with Brain Games and K9 Nose Work(R) classes - Anna is an Associate Nose Work Instructor with NACSW and a Certified Pro-Dog Trainer. Our philosophy is that our dogs learn best when they are able to choose happy, healthy behaviors themselves - and we use the problem-solving skills of our dogs in all of our programs. ESD has held K9 Nose Work and companion obedience group classes at the Barrier Islands Center, Machipongo, Virginia - since 2010. :) We host nose work/scent work workshops on the Shore, and provide these workshops elsewhere. Eastern Shore Dog has carefully chosen dog toys, treats and gear for sale at the Machipongo Trading Company (on Route 13), right across from the Barrier Islands Center. We also have a dog corner at Peach Street Books in Cape Charles. On-line you can find scent sports items for sale at easternshoredog.com.