Snorkle’s Way wants you to have fun with your dog!

Our Services

We specialize in creating individualized programs for you and your dog, so that you get the most out of your training. We provide a unique opportunity to train with very few distractions on our 84-acre property, which includes forested hiking trails, as well as generous open spaces.

We offer the following in private and group sessions:

Basic Obedience (On-Leash and Off-Leash)

Enrichment/Relationship Building Sessions

New Dog Acclimation

Puppy Primers

Tune-Ups

Trick Training/Canine Fitness

Sunday Fundays

Backyard Agility

BASIC OBEDIENCE PROGRAMs:

I Can be a Good Dog – This private instruction, obedience class will set you and your dog up for success. Does your dog dash through open doors, steal food from countertops, jump on people when greeting them, doesn’t come when called? In this class you will learn how to train your dog basic skills such as sit, down, stay, come when called, greeting people politely and loose leash walking. You’ll learn how to create calmness and have your dog settle using the placebed. During these sessions I will work one-on-one with you and your dog to achieve your training goals!

With private training, clients are responsible for practicing training in between sessions and serve as the primary handlers. The SIX lessons are scheduled approximately 7 to 14 days apart and are 45 to 60 minutes long and includes training gear - Sidekick Leash or training collar, long line and placebed.

Off-Leash Freedom – Yes, you can achieve off-leash freedom without board and train prices! This program builds on the I Can be a Good Dog program and layers in an Ecollar once a basic training foundation had been developed. The program covers everything taught in the basic obedience program and then adds in the Ecollar for the start of off leash freedom on hikes and fun adventures!

With private training, clients are responsible for practicing training in between sessions and serve as the primary handlers. The TEN lessons are scheduled approximately 7 to 14 days apart and are 45 to 60 minutes long and includes training gear – remote/ecollar system, Sidekick Leash or training collar, long line and placebed.

***If you have already been through basic obedience package or taken basic obedience training elsewhere and you would like to layer in the Ecollar I do offer a SIX session program (includes all the of training gear provided in the Off-Leash Freedom program).

Puppy Jump-Start (Five Months and under) – The joy of puppyhood can be overwhelming even for the most prepared owners. In this program we discuss the basics of raising a healthy and happy puppy. Topics covered: potty-training, chewing, play biting, preparing for vet visits, crate training, beginning leash skills, beginning obedience and socializing your puppy. With this program you and your puppy will receive private one-on-one attention - private training clients are responsible for practicing training in between sessions and serve as the primary handlers. The FOUR lessons are scheduled approximately 7 to 14 days apart and are 45 to 60 minutes long and includes a long line leash. ** Puppy Program graduates are eligible for a discount on future adult dog programs. Puppies need to have their 2nd round of vaccines to be eligible for this program.

MY DOG AND I NEED A TUNE UP!

Have you been through one of our programs, or trained somewhere else and just need a tune-up? This program meets for two sessions, and we address whatever you and your dog may be struggling over – custom made for you! This program meets twice for 45 to 60 minutes.

YOU GOT A NEW DOG, NOW WHAT?

Two -- one and half hour sessions (one at our facility and one in your home) on how to properly welcome your new dog into your home. A new dog enters a house looking for rules, and when he doesn’t have any, he will make up his own – usually ones that you won’t want to deal with after they have been imprinted on the dog. We will cover things like proper way to set up rules and boundaries through leadership and intent, not dominance and intimidation, we’ll discuss different obedience training methods available to you, talk about potty training and crate training. We’ll discuss how to provide enrichment that exercises the brain and the body. This is a great introduction for you and your new dog to get started off on the right foot, and on a positive path to developing a strong and committed relationship. Must live within an 18-mile radius of Walkersville, MD. A 5% will be given to all our other classes offered if you use this program.

ENRICHMENT/RELATIONSHIP BUILDING PROGRAM

This is a fancy name for having fun with your dog, building confidence and enjoying all the neat and exciting things you can do together! So many activities that we can do in this class – such as challenging your dog’s brain by learning new tricks through trick training, channeling your dog’s naturally ability to sniff out things through nosework, exercising their body through backyard agility and canine fitness, and making use of our 3-to-4-mile private trail system on our 84-acre wooded property! You and your dog must have completed a basic obedience/manners class either through Snorkle’s Way or another facility (if through another facility, you will need to pass an evaluation/consult $50 to take part in this program). This program meets in six session increments and is tailored to the individual team. It is for 60 minutes, and we meet weekly/bi-weekly or monthly.

Confidence Building 101

Do you have a dog that loses focus when other dogs are around? Is he slightly reactive to other dogs when on leash? Does he have a hard time relaxing on walks? Are you afraid to take him on a hike? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, joining a group class probably makes your stomach turn at the very thought…

In Confidence Building 101, we work on focus, building trust and basic obedience with the goal of creating a more confident dog who will eventually be able to behave himself in a public setting. This is a four session program.

Sunday Fundays

6 sessions for $175 or $35 per session

Sunday Fundays start with a short hike to burn off some excess energy, and then we play around on some canine fitness and agility equipment, followed by some relationship-building through games and tricks. Sunday Funday dates will be posted on our Facebook page. You can attend any dates you like. You just have to let us know that you are attending prior to the actual date. Sessions are usually an hour and a half long.

*You and your dog must be able to traverse uneven ground through the woods*

Treats, Tricks and Happiness Group Style

Join us for this ultra-fun class where you will learn the building blocks of trick training, as well as some of the basic FUNdamentals of backyard agility through positive reinforcement with treats, praise and toys. Some of the tricks we work on include jumping through a hoop, picking up a dumbbell, bow, roll over, and more! We will also explore the beginning of obstacles such as the teeter totter, jumps, and pause-table!

You will also learn how to obtain your first Do More with Your Dog trick title with our very own certified instructor. Dates will be published on our Facebook page.

NEW SESSION TO START SOON, EMAIL OR CALL FOR SCHEDULING.

Trick Training Workshops

$75 per workshop

Join us for a two-hour workshop where you will learn the building blocks of trick training through positive reinforcement with treats, praise and toys. You’ll also go home with a few handy tricks that you and your dog can show off at your parties!

You will learn how to obtain your first Do More with Your Dog trick title with our very own certified instructor. Dates will be published on our Facebook page.

**Prices are subject to change at any time.

about us

Core Belief - Adaptive Training

I believe that the right training tool is any humane tool that helps you and your dog build a positive partnership...

Mission Statement - Build Dog/Owner Partnerships

I believe that all “good” behavior starts with a strong relationship. Programs like Sunday Funday and Tricks, Treats and Happiness help to build and strengthen your bond with your dog through interactive play.

A brindle pit bull named Snorkle with an underbite and a lust for life changed my world forever. Through Snorkle, I was introduced to the world of dog training and eventually left my corporate job to run Snorkle’s Way full-time in 2017. I’ve been involved with dog training for over 7 years in one form or another. I believes in bonding and connecting with your dog through basic obedience training and my specialty is as a trick dog trainer.

My dogs and I participate in a few dog sports such as Toss and Fetch, Rally Obedience, and the Retriever Games. We also participate in many different activities such as volunteering with an humane education program in Baltimore City schools called Project Mickey, making dog therapy visits to nursing homes, promoting products on live TV through QVC, and starring in Chewy.com commercials!

I am a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, a CGC Evaluator and Fit Dog Instructor with the AKC; and a Canine Conditioning and Fitness Coach and certified “trick dog” trainer and evaluator through Do More With Your Dog. I have volunteered with several animal-related organizations such as Bella’s Bully Buddies serving as a basic obedience trainer for their foster dog program and served as a Board Member and Secretary of B-More Dog – a Baltimore-based organization that promotes widespread access to veterinary care for all pet owners; judging dogs by their actions, rather than appearance or labels; and provides children with knowledge and resources to be responsible pet owners and how to be kind to animals.

***Check out Scuddlebutt’s starring role in Chewy’s newest commercial, shot at Universal Studios in February 2020! Scuddlebutt is BUSTER!***

ABOUT SNORKLE

Snorkle, was my husband's and my dog who passed away suddenly in January 2015, she is the inspiration for "Snorkle's Way". She taught us that every dog is an individual and each dog learns differently. She had a huge personality, and she lived life to the fullest! Snorkle was the reason that I got involved with training, became an advocate for Pit Bulls, and educated people on the dangers of Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and why it doesn't work. Because of Snorkle I have made life long friends through training, advocating and promoting dog rescue, both on a local and national level. Snorkle holds a special place in my heart and is missed tremendously.