West Jefferson, NC
Maggie Hunter
Maggie is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and the only one teaching in Ashe County. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's in Biology and English and completed the coursework for a Master's in Education at Appalachian State University.
Training Philosophy
Maggie believes in positive reinforcement training and is a strong advocate for the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach. She emphasizes the importance of understanding how dogs learn and using humane methods to modify their behavior.
Services
Maggie offers a variety of training programs for puppies, adolescents, adults, and senior dogs. She provides both in-person and remote training. Her services include:
- Private Training:
- Getting Started: 2-hour session covering how dogs learn, behavior modification, canine body language, and child-dog safety. ($200)
- Intro to Training: 4-session package (5 total hours) including foundation skills like sit, stay, down, come, impulse control, and leash walking. ($475)
- Beyond the Basics: 6-session package (7 total hours) building on foundation skills with more distractions and advanced behaviors. ($659)
- Advancing Your Skills: 8-session package (9 total hours) focusing on advanced skills, distractions, and public training. ($810)
- Unleashed Potential: 11-session package (12 total hours) for comprehensive training, including generalization of skills to various environments. ($1020)
- Behavior Modification:
- Getting Started: 6-session package (7 hours) for addressing common behavioral problems like aggression, fear, reactivity, guarding, and separation anxiety. ($770)
- Intermediate Behavior Training: 8-session package (9 hours) for dogs who are comfortable working with the trainer, focusing on impulse control and owner focus. ($975)
- Intensive Training: 14-session package (15 hours) for dogs with bite history, debilitating fears, or anxiety, often in collaboration with a veterinarian. ($1520)
- Puppy Socialization:
- Puppy Socialization: The Book: A comprehensive guide to puppy socialization, featuring photographs and videos. (Price not listed)
All multi-session training packages include access to the client area of the website, which features over 50 instructional videos.
Certifications
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Specializations
Behavior modification for fearful and aggressive dogs, puppy socialization, adolescent dog training, impulse control, leash walking, come when called, door manners, training in dog-friendly public locations
Training Methods
Positive reinforcement, Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA), clicker training, biofeedback techniques (TAB and RP)
Customer Reviews
'Wow and wow again! We've had the best, most stress-less day we've had in a very long while. Thank you so much for giving us the tools to help Wally relax. We've practiced several times during the day. He is a quick learner...We can not thank you enough for your guidance and expertise and we look forward to our next session. On a side note, as I type this, Wally is sound asleep on the couch - not begging for my attention as he used to do.'
Social Media Links
Media Appearances
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
