New Dog Training Academy Opens In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Alexandria is without a doubt one of the more dog-friendly cities across the U.S., and another new dog-related business opening is something to bark about.

Wholistic Hound Academy, has opened at 18 Roth Street, offering a unique approach to dog training. Owners dive into the world of dog training. Staff help owners develop the best training techniques to prevent some of the problems that often lead to dogs being abandoned at the shelters. The training also avoids methods and equipment such as choke chains, prong collars and shock collars, which owner Sandy Modell believes are not needed.

Wholistic Hound will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, Oct. 14 from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend for exciting dog demonstrations including "dancing with your dog," games, vendors, Q&A and more. Mayor Allison Silberberg and City Council members will attend for the ribbon cutting. A raffle to benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) will also be held.

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Modell opened the 5,000-square-foot facility in June. She formerly ran the DASH bus system for 29 years, while working in dog training on the side for 20 years. Sandy developed her program of group dog training classes that she taught through the City of Alexandria Recreation Department for 16 years and gave private lessons for over 20 years.

“The Academy is a longtime dream of mine," said Modell, "It is extremely rewarding and uplifting to open a facility right here in Alexandria, where we help people learn how to train and do more with their dogs using positive methods, and to witness the transformation in their relationship and bond with their dogs.”

She is a certified professional dog trainer, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator, a member of the Pet Professional Guild, and on the list of national Truly Dog-Friendly Trainers. She had been named to Alexandria’s Living Legends for her work in improving public transportation for DASH.

Find out more about the new dog training school here.

Image via Pixabay