Training
Private Lessons and Classes
We offer private lessons and classes with our trainer, Therese Dickinson. Private lessons are scheduled in 30 or 60 minute sessions. Classes run for five weeks unless otherwise noted with the class. See below for more information. Fill out our TRAINING REGISTRATION form to get started.
Ultimutt University Boot Camp
Two-week session runs Monday through Thursday,
07/14 - 07/17 and 07/21 - 07/24
Our Day School training program, Ultimutt University Boot Camp, is a two-week program using positive reinforcement training. Your dog is with us during the day, and they go home with you at night! Skills include Sit, Down, Stay, Come, leash walking, Off, Leave it, Wait, Drop It, and other general manners.
The Day School program is great for puppies as well as adult dogs that need refreshers or help with specific behaviors. We offer both beginner and intermediate levels.
The Boot Camp package includes:
· an initial meeting where we will talk through all the skills/cues we will be working on for beginner training, your goals for doing training, plus any issues you may be having at home.
· 16 training sessions - 2 extended training sessions each day, Monday through Thursday, for 2 weeks,
· their daycare while here on training days
· updates to show progress, and homework to show you what to work on with your dog at home,
· a one-hour private lesson at the end to teach you what your dog has learned, and
· a follow-up lesson one month out for refreshers
The intermediate level reinforces all the basics and adds more of the three D's - Distractions, Distance, and Duration. Some fun activities are added to reinforce the training and provide an introduction to Rally. The AKC Canine Good Citizen testing is also part of the intermediate level.
Pricing starts at $1,295.
To sign up for this program, fill out our ULTIMUTT UNIVERSITY TRAINING REGISTRATION form. If your dog is new to our dog daycare, fill out our DAYCARE APPLICATION as well.
(FULL) Agility - Introduction Group Class #1 - Starting 07/12/25 at 10:15 am
Is your dog highly energetic? Enjoy running and responding to instructions? Get along well with other dogs? If so, agility could be a great fit and good exercise for your dog and you.
Our beginner-friendly intro class focuses on building a strong foundation for future agility training, including basic agility handling techniques, obstacle management, and developing off-leash control and confidence in a fun, team-oriented environment.
Gradual introduction to obstacles like jumps, weave poles, tunnels, A-frame, and other equipment.
Younger dogs can start learning the fundamentals with low jumps, weave poles, and tunnels. To move up to competition level, dogs must be 15 months or older.
Space is limited to 5 handler/dog teams. The cost for this 5-week session is $300
To register, fill out the training registration form below.
New! Agility - Introduction Group Class #2 - Starting 07/12/25 at 11:30 am
(Second Session) Is your dog highly energetic? Enjoy running and responding to instructions? Get along well with other dogs? If so, agility could be a great fit and good exercise for your dog and you.
Our beginner-friendly intro class focuses on building a strong foundation for future agility training, including basic agility handling techniques, obstacle management, and developing off-leash control and confidence in a fun, team-oriented environment.
Gradual introduction to obstacles like jumps, weave poles, tunnels, A-frame, and other equipment.
Younger dogs can start learning the fundamentals with low jumps, weave poles, and tunnels. To move up to competition level, dogs must be 15 months or older.
Space is limited to 5 handler/dog teams. The cost for this 5-week session is $300
To register, fill out the training registration form below.
Beginner Obedience Group Class - Starting 08/16/25 at 09:00 am
A Beginner Obedience class that is good for any age dog! Our classes are small with lots of 1:1 attention and help from our trainer. We offer positive reinforcement training with no e-collars. Basic skills taught are Sit, Down, Come, Stay, and manners like Wait, Leave it, Off, and leash walking. Space is limited to 6 handler/dog teams per session. The cost for this 5-week session is $275.
To register, fill out the training registration form below.
Introduction to Rally Group Classes - Starting 08/16/25 at 10:15 am
Rally is an obedience team sport with you and your dog. Rally includes a range of maneuvers with posted signs to perform with your dog, with the list of skills varying for each course. This differs from traditional obedience competitions, which are more or less the same routine every time.
This class will teach you the fundamentals of Rally to help get started at the Novice level. Classes are limited to 6 handler/dog teams. The cost is $300 for each 5-week session.
Fill out the form to register: https://form.jotform.com/223345424823150
Prerequisite: a beginner obedience class or equivalent training while around other dogs. Dogs must be 6 months or older. Handlers are required to download or purchase a copy of the current AKC Rally Regulations before attending class.
To register, fill out the training registration form below.
Intermediate Obedience Group Classes - Starting 08/16/25 at 11:30 am
The next level adds longer distance, duration, and more distractions to further advance the beginner obedience cues. “Place” is also introduced at the Intermediate level, along with some of the fundamental skills often used in Rally. Our classes are small with lots of 1:1 attention and help from our trainers. We offer positive reinforcement training with no e-collars. Space is limited to 6 handler/dog teams per session. The cost for this 5-week session is $275.
To register, fill out the training registration form below.
AKC Canine Good Citizen - CGC
The Canine Good Citizen program provides a perfect framework for training your dog to become a polite member of society. This is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners. It is designed to help you and your dog be the best you can be – together! The cost of the test is $30. You may file your dog's certification with the AKC for their filing fee.
This is one of the only standardized tests for dogs recognized in the U.S., and many service dog programs require it as a pre-requisite. Some apartments and rentals prefer or require this certification, and some home owners and pet insurance may offer a discount if your dog is certified.
We offer all three levels - CGC, CGC Urban, and CGCA Community Canine Advanced. Contact us to schedule individual lessons or testing.
Tests can be scheduled as one-on-one sessions, or in an individualized group setting. In group settings, each handler/dog team will be tested separately.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are great for dogs that need more 1:1 training. With these, you can work on basic and intermediate skills, manners, Agility, Rally, preparing for the AKC CGC test, specific issues, and to help reactive dogs.
Obedience sessions are $50 for a 1/2-hour and $90 for a 1-hour lesson.
Agility and Rally sessions are $50 for 1/2 hour, a1-hour90 for 1-hour lessons.
To sign up for a private lesson, fill out the training registration form below.
Trainer - Therese Dickinson
Therese is a trainer with over thirty years of experience working with many species of animals. Attending training classes with her dogs was the beginning of a lifelong passion for training dogs and helping their owners achieve their goals with their dogs.
She became a licensed falconer and worked as an animal actor trainer for Universal Studios.
In 2007, Therese opened her dog training facility. She taught puppy classes, basic obedience, rally, trick classes, and therapy dog classes, as well as helping many clients who had dogs with behavioral issues.
After many years of vacationing in Tennessee, Therese and her husband moved from Florida to the mountains in 2019. They now have two dogs, Rat Terriers, Sawyer and Ava.