About Todd Valentine
I have been training dogs in this area since 2012. I have trialed and titled dogs in several different sports. Had and ran a working dog club. And trained service dog with several being done through the Navy Seal Foundation.
My background
In 1996 I joined the Marine Corps in high school and went to Paris Island a couple months after graduating. I ended up getting out after an injury and found my way to the Navy. After multiple knee and ankle surgeries I was Honorably discharged in 2005 due to my injuries. I went to work for Blackwater U.S.A. following the military and then on to a couple other companies. With past injuries catching up to me I decided to go back to school and get my bachelors degree followed by my masters in project management. I started training dogs when I went back to school and by the time I graduated I had a good business going and became an accidental entrepreneur, but I have not looked back since. Training dogs has given me a new purpose that most veterans struggle with after service, I still get to teach and make an impact for my clients and their families.
Training journey
Like most trainers I started out purely positive. As I evolved I as a trainer I grew frustrated when trying to solve behavior problems with dogs so I started to learn other methods and how different training tools work. It was amazing to see how we can fix problems and progress through teaching the dog the things we wanted them to do. My personal style of training has evolved quite a bit since those early years and continues to evolve as I continue to learn and master the art of dog training. One trainer I have followed for years is Ivan Balabanov. When you see him work and compete with his dogs it is an amazing site. Ivan announced that he was starting a certification program and was eager to enroll, having taught in the past as much as I wanted to be in his first class I decided to let him iron out his process and enrolled the following year. I invested quite a bit of time and money to learn his concepts and take in as much as I could. I went through the course twice and still review the info as well as new lessons he is continuing to add to his course. Taking his class has renewed the excitement and fun I had in training dogs. To be able to learn from someone who has over 40 years and has been involved in every aspect of dog training has truly made an impact for both me and the families and their dogs.
Why choose us
The most important thing when working with any dog, no matter the age or behavioral problems, is the emotional state of the dog. Is the dog happy? That’s the most important question. We strive to use play to train dogs because it is how they are designed to learn, we can bring that dog up to threshold and still get the dog to perform. It is interactive and as we move through the program the interaction between us and the dog becomes the most valuable reward. The dog likes to do things with us and we like to do things with the dog. We are friends who like playing games together and we both understand that there are rules to the games and in everyday life. The dogs we train always get excited when they see us and that’s the biggest compliment, along with their humans referring their friends to us. No matter when we completed your training if you ever have a problem we are only a phone call away.
We serve most of Hampton Roads including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, as well as neighboring cities and counties in North Carolina. Our services include Private Lessons that can be performed in your home or at our site as well as board and trains. Whether you have a new family pet, behavior modification needs, or need a Service Dog, Emotional Support Dog, or Therapy Dog we should be at the top of your list.
