Joey
Joey is a street dog from Naples, Italy. He was adopted when the owner, Katie, was serving in the Military and volunteering dog training to military families stationed overseas. Joey would destroy crates, doors, and escape all enclosures. He was passed along to 7 homes before he landed on Katie's doorstep for "training". If anyone could help his severe separation anxiety, it would be the local dog trainer. Well, Joey quickly bonded to her senior dog, and the rest is history!
Currently, Joey's nickname is "Slick" because he is sneaky and lazy. Joey is an amazing worker when he wants to. He helps to socialize all the student dogs, wether they are fearful, dominant, or just under socialized. He has an amazing way about them, providing confidence for dogs that are scared, and standing strong to dogs that try to challenge him. He is the perfect example of calm yet assertive. Joey also works as a "tester dog" on Behavior Evaluations for clients and at the County Animal Shelter. He is quite the dog! There is nothing like a semi-feral street dog from Italy. He has successfully completed search and rescue trailing and bed bug detection!
He provides a great distraction while the others are working, and is always happy to help "clean up" dropped treats after class. Everyone loves Joey!!
Currently, Joey's nickname is "Slick" because he is sneaky and lazy. Joey is an amazing worker when he wants to. He helps to socialize all the student dogs, wether they are fearful, dominant, or just under socialized. He has an amazing way about them, providing confidence for dogs that are scared, and standing strong to dogs that try to challenge him. He is the perfect example of calm yet assertive. Joey also works as a "tester dog" on Behavior Evaluations for clients and at the County Animal Shelter. He is quite the dog! There is nothing like a semi-feral street dog from Italy. He has successfully completed search and rescue trailing and bed bug detection!
He provides a great distraction while the others are working, and is always happy to help "clean up" dropped treats after class. Everyone loves Joey!!
Summer
Summer has successfully completed the highest level of training at Appalachian Dog Training LLC, Service Dog, and has been selected for our breeding program. Her genetics, training and temperament will be passed onto her offspring, ensuring healthy, exemplary future service and therapy puppy candidates.
Summer is also a Nationally Certified Therapy Dog, through Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She volunteers at the local rest home, education centers, and for a highly specialized program in our region, the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Western North Carolina serving citizens in time of crisis.
In her time at the Training Center, she is a wild and free instigator, zooming though the fields and play yards. Summer inspires play from every puppy, dog, cat, bunny, you name it. She is always about a good time! Summer loves to learn and continues learning advanced tricks, and Search and Rescue (Trailing). If your puppy or dog needs help socializing, Summer will take him under her paw and change them forever. She is an amazing heart dog, with both people and pets.
Summer is also a Nationally Certified Therapy Dog, through Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She volunteers at the local rest home, education centers, and for a highly specialized program in our region, the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) of Western North Carolina serving citizens in time of crisis.
In her time at the Training Center, she is a wild and free instigator, zooming though the fields and play yards. Summer inspires play from every puppy, dog, cat, bunny, you name it. She is always about a good time! Summer loves to learn and continues learning advanced tricks, and Search and Rescue (Trailing). If your puppy or dog needs help socializing, Summer will take him under her paw and change them forever. She is an amazing heart dog, with both people and pets.
Sasha
Sasha owns our renowned Trainer, Kate. A stunning black shepherd with tan paws, Sasha is always ready to help show the new guys that there's nothing to be afraid of. Even big, black shepherds! Sasha is gentle and kind with the littlest of puppies.
Sasha's main task at Appalachian is to run the yards, providing a realistic distraction to the dogs working and learning. Her "work" allows us to mimic a busy park and teach dogs how to stay focused even in the presence of other dogs.
Sasha experienced a real health challenge with allergies, which her human found is quite a common problem in many breeds. Kate took it upon herself to learn about holistic nutrition, and how to treat a dog from the inside out with proper nutrition. Sasha is virtually symptom free these days and can't thank her human enough for diving into the pet food industry, learning the scary truth about commercial pet foods. Sasha says she saved her life!
Sasha's main task at Appalachian is to run the yards, providing a realistic distraction to the dogs working and learning. Her "work" allows us to mimic a busy park and teach dogs how to stay focused even in the presence of other dogs.
Sasha experienced a real health challenge with allergies, which her human found is quite a common problem in many breeds. Kate took it upon herself to learn about holistic nutrition, and how to treat a dog from the inside out with proper nutrition. Sasha is virtually symptom free these days and can't thank her human enough for diving into the pet food industry, learning the scary truth about commercial pet foods. Sasha says she saved her life!
Vortex
*AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION*APPLY HERE
Vortex is an all black German Shepherd with black paws. He came to our Project Dog! rescue training program from Henderson County Animal Shelter. Vortex completed our Advanced Off Leash Training and proved to be a perfect fit in the pack. He's the class clown and loves to help train his recruits. He runs in the pack with the others when we go on walks to help create a busy and challenging environment, perfect for your dog's training goals!
Vortex is a flashy shepherd and loves the water, running wild and, well, doing what he wants to do when he wants to do it. I think he is actually a black husky! He is a goof and we sure do love his spirit!
Vortex is an all black German Shepherd with black paws. He came to our Project Dog! rescue training program from Henderson County Animal Shelter. Vortex completed our Advanced Off Leash Training and proved to be a perfect fit in the pack. He's the class clown and loves to help train his recruits. He runs in the pack with the others when we go on walks to help create a busy and challenging environment, perfect for your dog's training goals!
Vortex is a flashy shepherd and loves the water, running wild and, well, doing what he wants to do when he wants to do it. I think he is actually a black husky! He is a goof and we sure do love his spirit!
Ringo
*AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION*APPLY HERE
Ringo the Chihuahua came through our Project Dog! rescue program. He was in puppy jail for running feral. His chihuahua girlfriend was quickly adopted, but Ringo was too fearful for adoption. We saw a lot of potential in the little guy and though he deserved a chance. Well, Ringo proved us right!
Ringo is available for adoption to an approved home. You can apply by filing an adoption application. For now, he is an amazing helper with dogs big and small. He really helps fearful dogs come out of their shell and trust him. We love rescues helping rescues!!
Ringo is off leash trained, crate trained and is great with dogs, cats, and the pony. He loves other animals and would always want to have an animal friend.
Ringo the Chihuahua came through our Project Dog! rescue program. He was in puppy jail for running feral. His chihuahua girlfriend was quickly adopted, but Ringo was too fearful for adoption. We saw a lot of potential in the little guy and though he deserved a chance. Well, Ringo proved us right!
Ringo is available for adoption to an approved home. You can apply by filing an adoption application. For now, he is an amazing helper with dogs big and small. He really helps fearful dogs come out of their shell and trust him. We love rescues helping rescues!!
Ringo is off leash trained, crate trained and is great with dogs, cats, and the pony. He loves other animals and would always want to have an animal friend.
Teddy Bear
Teddy Bear is a cutie pie of a pony! He is a 4 year old gelding, very friendly, smart and of course mischievous! Teddy Bear is a wonderful addition to the Appalachian family as he can help show our client, therapy and service dogs that ponies are friendly and nothing to be scared of.
We searched wide and far for such a perfect little pony that would enjoy the dogs and even become bonded to them. Teddy loves going on pony walks, eating nicker treats, and grazing. He is great on a lead and even trained to ride, although I say he's a little short for that!
We searched wide and far for such a perfect little pony that would enjoy the dogs and even become bonded to them. Teddy loves going on pony walks, eating nicker treats, and grazing. He is great on a lead and even trained to ride, although I say he's a little short for that!
Zeus & Molly
A beautiful pair of friendly little goats accompany Teddy Bear in friendship, grazing and trouble. Molly is the beautiful white/cream goat just 1 year old. She always comes up to us for a pet and a hopeful treat. Zeus has pretty striping and highlights on his legs. He is friendly too, but certainly more will to head butt you if you don't quickly produce a treat! This bonded pair adds a lot of life and love to our training program.
Ziggy
Ziggy the cat was adopted by Summer from Henderson County Animal Shelter. Summer picked Ziggy out for her 1st birthday present and they still are the best of friends! Ziggy is very helpful in class and provides a nice distraction for dogs practicing their obedience training.
Ziggy loves dogs, dog treats, and even the giant bunnies! Zig is very social with dogs and helps to teach them that cats are not scary, but that the are always in charge of dogs. Cats rule and dogs drool, right Ziggy?
Ziggy loves dogs, dog treats, and even the giant bunnies! Zig is very social with dogs and helps to teach them that cats are not scary, but that the are always in charge of dogs. Cats rule and dogs drool, right Ziggy?
Barley & Hopps
Barley & Hops are Flemish Giant Rabbits. They are just 3 months old in this picture. As you can see they love Ziggy and Joey. Flemish Giants take 12-14 months to grow to full size. They are currently 12lbs each. They have been upgraded to a bigger enclosure 3 times and soon will be getting a section of our barn for them to run, hop and play.
We selected Barley & Hops for their gentle temperament and big size which does help them navigate the training center safely. Barley & Hops help out by just being them cute selves. Dogs that do not exhibit predatory drive may be able to interact with them directly and all dogs gain valuable experience by working on their training commands outside of their enclosure.
We selected Barley & Hops for their gentle temperament and big size which does help them navigate the training center safely. Barley & Hops help out by just being them cute selves. Dogs that do not exhibit predatory drive may be able to interact with them directly and all dogs gain valuable experience by working on their training commands outside of their enclosure.