Portland, OR
Ursula Pettyjohn
Ursula decided to leave Corporate America and follow her dream of a life working with dogs. Moving from the Seattle area to Olympia, Ursula has pursued that dream with passion becoming one of the preeminent dog trainers in the Puget Sound.
Training Philosophy
Lead Me On’s approach to training is all about clear, positive communication. We are passionate about helping you and your dog communicate better with each other. Whether your end goal is an all-around, well-mannered dog, a competitive champion, or the resolution of serious behavior issues, we can help. By focusing on positive training methods instead of bad behaviors, your dog will trust you and be more inclined to do what you want. When you focus on the undesired behaviors, you become a source of anxiety for your dog. With our training programs, we show you how to properly reward desired behavior and develop a strong friendship with your dog.
Services
Lead Me On offers services ranging from intimate kennels catered to your dog’s social needs, to full-service training using positive methods.
Boarding
- Enriched Boarding
- Bootcamp Board-and-Train
Training
- Private Lessons
- The Pet Dog Program
- The Social Puppy Program
- The Composed Canine Program
- Lead Me On University
Certifications
KPA-CTP, TAGteach Level 1
Specializations
Obedience training, puppy training, reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety
Training Methods
Science-based positive training, clicker training, positive reinforcement
Customer Reviews
Shelly Brown, LVT, Companion Veterinary Hospital: Lead Me On kennel is a Diamond in our community. Ursula Pettyjohn is hands down the best trainer I have worked with. She uses positive science based techniques in a low stress environment. She has personally helped me and several of my clients with specific behavioral issues, from curing OCD behaviors to reducing fear aggression. She has an understanding of dog behavior that has come from years of education and experience. Ursula in my personal and professional opinion is the best trainer and educator for the human dog bond in town.
Kim Martin, DVM, Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital: (Ursula’s) facility provides a unique training style that works for so many people and dogs.. Ursula’s education helps so many people and animals live long happy lives together.. (Her) facility gives pet owners a chance to relax while they are away because they know their companions are loved, stimulated, and cared for. Lead Me On is a quality facility that I recommend to my clients.
Paula Sommerville, President, Companion Veterinary Hospital: Ursula’s approach to boarding and training far exceeds that of alternatives in this region. For this reason, Lead Me On is the only such outfit our hospital endorses and recommends on a daily basis.. We witness professionalism and attention to detail that we have not witness at any other facility purporting to provide the same services.
Michael Kiefer, DVM, Olympia Veterinary Hospital: I am a local veterinarian, practicing in Olympia for 43 years.. and recommend Lead Me On to our clients. Lead Me On provides positive science based training which has been very effective in working with dogs and their owners.. Lead Me On is a unique high quality boarding facility in which the enclosures are tailored to provide each dog a low stress environment by offering various degrees of privacy.
Jessica Ceason: Not only does this boarding kennel provide a safe, clean, professional, trusted environment for dogs separated from their owners, it also facilitates education in the movement toward the ethical treatment of animals. Lead Me On sets a very high standard in the boarding and training industry.
Terra: I just wanted to let you know how thankful I am to you and your staff for taking such great care of Luca. She is very happy, seems completely herself and even a little more playful if that’s possible. I can tell that she hit the boarding jackpot with you. She will surely be looking forward to her future stays! She was not like this after previous boardings, so there is definitely a difference…
Sandra Katzen: When I need to leave my dogs, Lead Me On is the place I take them. I have total admiration and respect for the way Ursula cares for the dogs as well as the training she does with them.. Ursula is an exceptional trainer skilled in the latest techniques of positive training and possessing an uncanny ability to understand what each individual dog needs to learn the most easily.
The Fishers: We can’t say enough about our experience with Ursula’s Kennel. From the minute we met all the great people that work here and saw the beautiful grounds that our dog would be enjoying while we were away we knew we had made the right choice in kennels. Even though this kennel is far from our home we feel it is totally worth the hour drive to drop Rudy off and pick him up. Having our pup here really has added to the enjoyment of our vacations by knowing that he was being so wonderfully taken care of and having fun. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful home-away from home for our pup.
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.
