Possum Hollow's Group Lessons and Clinics are a wonderful way for you and your puppy or adult dog to develop a good working relationship and love and respect for you.  You will find that your dog will bond closer to you if you set limits through obedience. During group lessons, Possum Hollow trainers will help you develop your dog into a confident and well-adjusted member of your family.  You will join other dog owners as you learn techniques for training your dog.  Group lessons are designed to teach you (the handler) how to get your dog to obey simple commands.  Through practice at home, you can have the dog you always wanted.

Group Lessons & Clinics are pre-scheduled by Possum Hollow.  We meet once a week for four weeks at the Possum Hollow facility or at pre-arranged locations.  Each meeting lasts approximately one hour.  Check our schedule below for dates and times.  

Classes will not meet if weather is bad.
(call 828-429-6388 to see if we're meeting)

2007 Schedule of Classes

2008 Schedule of Classes
This schedule will be posted later in the fall. 

FEES:  $60 per class for first dog; $50 for each additional dog (includes 4 lessons).  $20 per dog surcharge for aggressive dogs.  Group Lessons are free for Day School Dogs and Home School Dogs.

Need Directions? Click Here!

What's the difference between group clinics and private lessons?  Group clinics are pre-scheduled by Possum Hollow and include up to 15 dogs in a group.  Participants learn from limited individual attention and observation of others in their class.  Private Lessons are arranged by appointment and include only the owner(s) of the dog(s) attending offering more individual attention.  

Private Lessons are on a one-to-one basis and are 1 hour long.  Private Lessons are scheduled individually for maximum flexibility and are held at the Possum Hollow facility.  Lessons typically concentrate on teaching basic manners and pet obedience techniques to the owner.  Commands may include recall, sit, lie down, stay and heel.  Dogs may also be taught to tie out quietly, load into a vehicle, etc.  Owners will be helped with manners problems such as jumping, straining at the leash, etc.  The trainer usually spends the bulk of the lesson time working with your dog demonstrating the proper training technique and then will work with you to help you understand how to continue with practice at home.  Lessons are designed to teach the owner specific techniques for training their dog, however participants must realize that their dog will not be trained when it completes the lessons.  Practice and effort are required by the owner at their home during and after the lesson.  All dogs must be up to date on all vaccinations, have no cough or fleas.

What your dog will learn.  Training is tailored to the needs of the owner.  Standard training typically involves heeling on leash, sit, stay, lie down, recall (come or here), and stop.  Many owners have special needs such as teaching their dogs not to chase other animals or cars, confidence building, stopping problem behaviors, etc.  Some owners are unconcerned about particular commands and just require a well mannered companion.

What to Expect.  It typically takes considerably longer to achieve success when taking lessons (private or group) than when the dog remains with us for in-house training.  The speed with with your dog will learn will be much more dependent upon your commitment to practice and determination at home.  Different dogs learn at different rates.  Older dogs can learn just as well as younger dogs with most things.  However, some commands are best learned early.  Your dog will not learn faster with private lessons as opposed to group clinics.  The primary difference between private lessons and group clinics involves scheduling and possibly socialization for the dog.

FEES:   $35 per hour for first dog; $30 per hour for each additional dog.  Fees are due at the beginning of each lesson.  $10 per hour surcharge for aggressive dogs. 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE DOGGY DAY SCHOOL PAGE!

Doggy Day School is a new concept among dog trainers throughout the nation and it's catching on fast!  Just like elementary school for your children, Doggy Day School is based on the schedule of a daily training program.  Drop your dog off in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon.  During the day we will provide an obedience lesson, conditioning and crate training.  In the evening you get to spend time with your dog and still enjoy the benefits of training.  Many of today's pets are bored, lonely and overweight.  Dogs with weight problems often develop secondary health problems.  Through personal attention, your dog will become a well behaved, healthy and enjoyable pet.  Your dog will be happier and healthier!

Overnight Training means that your dog comes to stay with us so we can work with it daily.  This is the most effective type of training and usually produces the most satisfactory results in the shortest amount of time.  Complete Training is on a monthly basis.  Most dogs require 1-2 months.  Some require more.  We usually ask that you don't visit your dog for the first couple of weeks so they will learn to focus on the trainer and we can proudly show you what they have accomplished when you visit.  After that initial period, you are welcome to visit your dog as often as you wish.  We do ask that you only visit when we are at home for security and safety reasons.  

What your dog will learn.  Training is tailored to the needs of the owner.  Standard training typically involves heeling on leash, sit, stay, lie down, recall (come or here), wait to go through doors and stop.  Many owners have special needs such as teaching their dogs not to chase other animals or cars, confidence building, stopping problem behaviors, etc.  Some owners are unconcerned about particular commands and just require a well mannered companion.  (Photo below:  Terry Goen's Taz waiting to come out of her kennel.)

Housing and Care.  Your dog will be housed in the same location as the Day School dogs.  Dogs will be housed in outdoor kennels or barn kennels and will be fed a diet of high quality dry dog food and one glucosamine dog biscuit daily.  Owners may bring special dog food for their dogs but should note that fees remain the same.  All dogs must be on a regular program to control fleas, ticks and heartworms, have been vaccinated against kennel cough (Bordatella) and be up to date with all shots and deworming.  If your dog requires a vet visit for regular shots, deworming, grooming or for an emergency or other medical issue, Possum Hollow will provide transportation to and from Rutherford Veterinary Hospital.  All veterinary expenses are the responsibility of the owner.  Any additional expenses involved in caring for the dog will be at the owner's expense.

What to Expect.  It usually takes at least two months to get your dog trained.  Different dogs learn at different rates.  Your trainer will be in regular contact with you to assess the needs and provide estimates regarding the amount of time required to achieve the goals you desire.

Overnight Training Options.  Possum Hollow offers overnight training on a daily or monthly schedule.  Monthly schedules are typically for dogs that have not been trained.  Daily schedules are typically for dogs that are already well started in the training process and need a refresher or for dogs whose owners cannot leave them for a full month.  

About Refresher Training.  Like any other learning process, dog obedience sometimes requires refresher training.  Owners get busy and can't practice with their dogs, new situations arise that were not expected causing the dog to act differently, owners forget what they need to do to get the behavior they desire.  If you find that your dog is beginning to forget what it learned at Possum Hollow you can return it to us for Refresher Training.  Many owners like to take advantage of this opportunity to bring their dogs for refreshers while they are away on vacation.  

FEES:   Fees include full board and training.
Monthly Fee = $350/month for first dog; $325/month for each additional dog.  
$50/month surcharge for aggressive dogs.
Daily Fee = $15/day.  $10/day surcharge for aggressive dogs.

How Home Schooling Works.  When your dog is enrolled in Doggy Home School it is assigned a personal professional trainer just as if it were attending the Day School.  Your trainer will come to your house on a regularly scheduled basis.  While at your home, your trainer will work with your dog and provide the same quality training, exercise and care it would receive at the Day School.  The difference is your dog doesn't leave it's home.

Scheduling Options for Home Schooling.  You may select from a 5-day week, 3-day week or 2-day week schedule.  Times will be arranged with your personal trainer.  If  you and your trainer are comfortable with your situation and needs, you can arrange for the trainer to provide  home schooling for your dog while you are at work!

House Calls are usually arranged on a one-time basis to deal with specific behavioral problems.  For example, a dog that is climbing a fence, tearing up the newspaper on the front lawn, racing out the gate to the backyard, etc.  Sorry, we do not do house calls for digging holes other than those for escape.

HOME SCHOOL FEES:  
5-Day Week = $475/month + $0.50 mile for first dog; $450/month for each additional dog.  
3-Day Week = $425/month + $0.50 mile for first dog; $400/month for each additional dog.
2-Day Week = $375/month + $0.50 mile for first dog; $350/month for each additional dog.

$50 per dog per month surcharge for aggressive dogs.

HOUSE CALL FEES:  
$35 trip fee + $35 per hour (within Rutherford County).  
For residents outside of Rutherford County, add $0.30 per mile.
$20 per trip surcharge for aggressive dogs.  

CANINE BEHAVIOR CONSULTATION
Consultation Services for Problem Dogs
(All Breeds)

What do we have to offer?  Through years of handling dogs of all breeds and ages coming from a large variety of environments, we have come to realize that our clients occasionally need advice for specific problems afflicting their canine pets.  We are not veterinarians and strongly encourage anyone with a specific pet problem to first contact their vet for advice on possible physical problems causing the unwanted behavior.  The Canine Behavior Consultation service that we offer is nothing more than a great deal of experience and knowledgeable observation techniques.  We do not advertise ourselves as "doctors" of any type but are quite willing to help those who need advice in dealing with specific problems as much as we can.

How does a Behavior Consultation service work?  Consultation involves observation of the pet, gathering of historical information that may contribute to the dog's unwanted behavior, and suggestions for combating the problem at hand.   Your consultation visit will be similar to what you would expect if you took your dog to a "doggy psychiatrist."  The fee you pay is for the time we spend with you and/or your dog.  Sometimes we will work with your dog directly (hands-on) and sometimes we will provide you with insight into your dog's behavior and suggestions for modification of that behavior without physically handling your dog.  Consultation does not provide obedience training or any other training.  It is a method of searching for a cause and then suggesting a method for changing an unwanted behavior.  Occasionally we will recommend obedience training or behavior management training as a possible solution to a specific problem.  We accept all breeds and ages of dogs.  Dogs that are aggressive must be handled by the owner.

FEE: $35 per session (sessions are typically 1 hour).

If your dog has a problem that you can't handle, contact us and make an appointment for a consultation.  We may be able to help you.

Vicki Hughes
info@possumhollowfarms.com 
828-429-6388

 
"Friends"

 MEET OUR STAFF

Vicki Hughes
Owner/Trainer

Vicki has been training dogs since she was a child beginning with her own dogs.  She began professional training as an adult and has worked with a variety of breeds both large and small.  She teaches several canine classes offered by Isothermal Community College and occasionally provides special presentations to local and out of state organizations.  Vicki specializes in training dogs for working with livestock and competes with her own dogs in sheep and cattle herding.  She has a B.S. in Science Education and taught Biology at East Rutherford High School before opening Possum Hollow.  Vicki works primarily with group clinics and dogs brought for herding training but assists the other trainers as needed.

Samantha Garmon
Trainer/Manager

Samantha began working with Possum Hollow in 2005.  She is especially good with young dogs and difficult dogs but has worked with all ages, sizes and temperaments. She also works with herding dogs in the early stages.  She is a very competent and thorough trainer working extra hard to keep in touch with her clients throughout the training process.  Sam is our Day School Manager keeping up with schedules, helping to make decisions and working with new trainers.   Samantha is available for all of our services.  When she's not working dogs, Sam works as a Registered Nurse. 

Robin has been training dogs since childhood and is especially good with larger breeds.  She has trained many dogs both large and small and is a very successful and competent trainer.  Her specialty is working with beginning herding dogs.  Robin assists with obedience classes offered by Isothermal Community College and works with participants in the monthly herding clinics.  She competes with her Border Collies in sheepdog competitions.  Robin  is available for private lessons, training and summer day school.  When she's not working dogs, Robin teaches mathematics at East Rutherford High School.   

Desi has been with Possum Hollow since 2006 and is excellent with larger dogs.  She is a strong trainer and has a nice ability to read her dogs.  Desi works with all sizes and breeds equally well.  She is a friendly and enjoyable teacher and works well with her clients and their dogs.  When she's not working dogs, Desi is a full-time mom and is a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Joe Hughes
Trainer / Kennel Caregiver

Joe, Vicki's spouse, is the man around the house at Possum Hollow.  In addition to training dogs, Joe carries the responsibility for the care of the Border Collies and Anatolian Shepherds.  He is our "go-to" guy when fences need mending, feed needs carrying, and wood needs cutting.  He is a gentle but firm handler and does very well with bigger dogs.  When Joe is not working dogs and handling the emergencies at the Day School, he is a cattleman raising Registered Polled Herefords.