Krystal Z. Dog Training

Krystal Z. Dog Training Canine obedience trainer handling private in home lessons in the Norfolk, VA and surrounding areas as well as drop in pet care.

I am an Animal Behavior College certified dog trainer. I have been training my own dogs for the last 10+ years. I received my certification in March 2012. I fell in love with dog training as a kid working with a neighbors dog but my love of training was solidified with my first rescue shepherd. She challenged me and taught me how to teach her. At that time, I had no idea about dog sports so all we

did was basic obedience at home and went about our days. Now I have three German Shepherds. Two have taken and passed their AKC Canine Good Citizen tests as well as having earned various Trick Dog titles and I'm hoping soon to have my younger male take and pass his CGC. You can find individual information about each of my dogs on my training website! I have been teaching private lessons off and on since earning my certification having taken time off between my husband's deployments and training schedule. I enjoy working with dogs and helping their people learn how to work with their dogs in learning to be better members of the family.

02/11/2025

Please make sure your pets are current on their distemper vaccine!!! Hampton Roads has a huge outbreak happening!

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This is tragic.
11/23/2024

This is tragic.

A truly tragic and horrific case to read.
A seven month old baby girl killed by the family pet in a hideous incident in their home.
The little one leant on to the dog as she was toddling and was bitten on the neck and very sadly died. A stark reminder of how fast dogs can turn, How quickly something can escalate and how fatal one bite can be.

A dog will correct other dog’s behaviour with a snap or bite and in an agitated state of mind will lash out before investigating the situation. The Malinois was fixated on a bag when the baby touched him, both parents were in the vicinity and present when the dog bit.

Owners who have asked for advice with young babies around dogs know I am incredibly strict and have a 0 tolerance for babies/toddlers/young children being next to, touching, climbing on, leaning on, sitting with or “petting” a dog and this is the worst case example of exactly why I am so adamant about it!
Dogs shouldn’t have any access to young children who are crawling for exactly this reason! It’s so fast!! And in this case the dog had been seen by behaviourists for “dominating” behaviour in the months before the incident.
I would have absolutely tied the owner down to ensuring the dog and baby were never in the room together whether or not the parents were present for exactly this reason so maybe some owners out there who think I’ve been too harsh with rules around babies will understand why now!!
“Oh we never leave them alone together” is absolutely NOT good enough!!!! The parents were right next to the dog and baby!! Please remember this!!

Everyone thinks being a dog behaviourist is a dream job working with dogs but I have to deal with child bites and injuries every week and it’s always upsetting and highly emotional!! The only way to deal with this is to PREVENT!
And if you need to hear it here’s your reminder!
Dogs are NOT a furbaby
Dogs are NOT thrilled for the arrival of your baby
Dogs are NOT protecting your baby
Dogs are NOT “kissing” your child
Dogs are an ANIMAL
Dogs are an apex predator in your home!

Please no hate or comments about the parents in this case they have suffered enough and I hope this post may just save another child from injury!

I get to hang out with this sweet guy for a couple weeks! He's such an adorable happy dude. Drop in Pet Care
11/19/2024

I get to hang out with this sweet guy for a couple weeks! He's such an adorable happy dude.

Drop in Pet Care

09/30/2024

Hey everyone! I'm having some issues with my page here and messaging so presently, if you have inquiries or need to schedule, please immediately reach out to me at the following avenues! These avenues go straight to my phone and will allow me easier access until the messaging issue is resolved!
[email protected]
719-301-6339 (text is preferred and easiest). If you do call, please leave a detailed and clear message on how to reach you.

Thank you!

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I get to spend my week visiting these cuties while their owner is on a much deserved trip!
09/04/2024

I get to spend my week visiting these cuties while their owner is on a much deserved trip!

What's happening here?That's right! I'm bringing out the Halloween decor! Why is this exciting besides the fact it's Hal...
09/04/2024

What's happening here?
That's right! I'm bringing out the Halloween decor! Why is this exciting besides the fact it's Halloween stuff? Halloween decorations are excellent for socialization with your pets. Have you ever gone on a walk with your dog and suddenly they're very concerned about an inflatable in someone's yard or that super scary suddenly there animatronic? It's not a usual item they see year round.
This time of year, is a great time to properly and safely work your pups around the decorations! Reach out to schedule a session or two! I'll help guide you and your dog on how to work around and process the new change smoothly.

*Dax modeling with Wolfie. Dax is 11 years old and very much retired. He was bribed with treats away from his nap for this photo. He barely even acknowledged the new thing on the porch because he's been socialized to things like this since he was a puppy.*

08/16/2024

I'm sure by now most people have seen this. For the record, as soon as those puppies were exposed to that dead skunk, they should have immediately been put into holding for a minimum of 30 days and never been put on transport. Now there is a HUGE trail of people and other animals who were exposed who never would have been if things had been handled correctly. BE CAUTIOUS!!!!! Make sure your adult dogs are properly vaccinated against rabies, especially since Virginia has several cases of confirmed rabies every year in wildlife. If you are concerned your pet may have been exposed, immediately get them a rabies booster!

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Some of my recent drop in stop buddies! Looking for pet care while you go on a trip? Pictures daily, mail and packages b...
08/07/2024

Some of my recent drop in stop buddies!

Looking for pet care while you go on a trip? Pictures daily, mail and packages brought inside, plants watered, etc. Message me to discuss your pet care and scheduling needs!

I am back from my vacation and have availability for training sessions as well as drop in stops! Flexible scheduling mea...
08/03/2024

I am back from my vacation and have availability for training sessions as well as drop in stops! Flexible scheduling meaning we don't schedule everything all at once for training! Reach out to get started! Happy training!

My drop in stop buddies for the next two weeks. Look at that sweet face!!! I'm scheduling training sessions and drop in ...
04/13/2024

My drop in stop buddies for the next two weeks. Look at that sweet face!!!
I'm scheduling training sessions and drop in stops through the end of May currently!! Message me to schedule!!

Kori does it again! She rocked her tricks and earned her AKC Trick Dog Intermediate title! Way to go!!!
02/27/2024

Kori does it again! She rocked her tricks and earned her AKC Trick Dog Intermediate title! Way to go!!!

Address

Little Creek Road
Norfolk, VA
23505

Telephone

+17193016339

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I am an Animal Behavior College certified dog trainer who tailors the training to the dog in front of us. This means I use balanced methods. I have been training my own dogs for the last 10+t years. I received my certification in March 2012. I fell in love with dog training as a kid with a neighbors dog but it was solidified with my first rescue shepherd. She challenged me and taught me how to teach her. At that time, I had no idea about dog sports so all we did was basic obedience at home and went about our days. Now I have two German Shepherds. One has taken and passed her AKC Canine Good Citizen test as well as having earned her Novice and Intermediate Trick Dog titles. My other, a male, is working through towards his next level title for AKC Coursing Ability. He has his Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert Trick Dog titles as well as his Barn Hunt Instinct and Barn Hunt Novice titles. At the present time, we are working our way towards rally obedience titles in various venues. He recently passed and earned his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) title. I have been teaching private lessons off and on since earning my certification having taken time off between my husband's deployments and training schedule. I enjoy working with dogs and helping their people learn how to work with their dogs in learning to be better members of the family.