Pup Presents

We are taking orders for personalized Pup Presents until November 28th. These packages range from $50 - $200 and are personalized just for your pup. Send us your email address and we will send the 2 minute survey to get to know your pup. Within 48 hours of completing the survey you will be sent an invoice.

Email us

Sugar Grove, Virginia

About Appalachian Canine Coaching

Appalachian Canine Coaching was started by Casi McKinnon in 2019. ACC offers a positive reinforcement, relationship based training that works with each dog as an individual. At Appalachian Canine Coaching we want each coaching experience to be positive for both you and your dog. We like to assess each dog and their individual needs and then coach you on what ways we think your dog will learn the best. It is our passion to coach you and your dog in a way to build your relationship and help you both better understand one another.

ABOUT

About the Trainers

Levi McKinnon

Levi McKinnon’s love for dogs started at 5 years old with his first black Labrador Retriever, Marshall. As he grew up his interest and love for dogs continued, he has always seen them as mans best friend. Currently, Levi is a full time student at New River Community College to obtain an associates degree in Instrumentation and Control Automation. His interest in dog training was sparked after meeting Casi. When Casi and Levi met in 2020 Levi had a terror lab puppy named Elly. Levi decided to put Elly through a basic obedience class and saw what reward dog training can be. Now he is working along side Casi with all board & train clients and group classes. He is also growing his knowledge through classes with the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and Absolute Dogs.

Levi’s training goal is to become a certified dog trainer as well. He also plans to train Elly to pass the Canine Good Citizen test, this Spring. Levi has a special place in his heart for Labrador Retrievers.

Casi McKinnon

Casi McKinnon is the owner of Appalachian Canine Coaching, she started the business in 2019. She grew up on a dairy farm in Sugar Grove, VA, helping her family with day-to-day labor and animal care. At 10 years old, she began pet sitting for family friends and has enjoyed it ever since. She attended Virginia Tech and received a bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science. Her farm experience and education lead her to her full-time job with the USDA as a farm loan officer. During high school and college, she worked with multiple veterinarians as a vet-assistant. This gave her a stronger background in animal health. After training with her dog, Leena, she grew a strong passion in positive/relationship training. After graduating college, she attended Animal Behavior College online and participated in an internship with two excellent trainers for 18 hours. Then completed 9 hours of volunteer work and received her training certification. All of these experiences and her passion for animals lead her to create ACC.

Casi is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and continues her education through Absolute Dogs Training Academy. She loves working with rescues and helping people better understand their dog. One day she hopes to train dogs for rescues and clients full time. She has a special place in her heart for pit mixes.

SERVICES AND FEES

10% of all proceeds go toward an animal in need.

Puppy Development

Puppy development is offered in group & board and train setting. It is focused on socializing, desensitizing, and learning with your new family member. This ideal for dogs less than 6 months of age.

socializing knowledge
desensitizing your dog to strange noises and different environments
crate training
name
introduction to boundary
jumping
nipping
recall

Beginner Obedience

This is offered in all 3 settings. This program can be customized to address your pets needs in a private or boarding setting. This is a great start and good for a low to medium energy level dog with low to medium level distractions

Learning my name
Meaning of Yes and No
Sit
Come
Down
Stay
Touch/Target Training
Settle/Place cue
Walk on leash
Calmness
Focus and brain games
Emergency Come

Intermediate Obedience
Canine Good Citizen

This is offered in all 3 settings. This program is the next level up for medium to high level distractions

Leave it/Impulse Control
Watch/Attention cue
Heel/Loose leash walking
Drop/Give
Stay out of site
Generalizing beginner cues in public and around other animals
Greet people and dogs
Walking through a crowd

Focus Coaching

This is offered in private setting only.

Focus coaching focuses on 3 main training needs. You tell us 3 main things (from the list of beginning obedience) you would like your dog to learn such as walking on leash, recall, and down. We help you focus and achieve those goals with your dog.

2 lessons, with one additional free as needed

$250

Behavioral Consultation

Do none of the above meet you and your dogs needs? Does your dog have unique behavioral issues that you need help with?

We offer a 1 to 2 hour behavioral consultation to meet with you and discuss your needs and goals.

At the end of the consultation we will start you on a coaching plan or refer you to a more specialized trainer.

Consultation: $75.00

Behavioral Lessons: $100 per lesson

Group Coaching

Available online and in person

These classes are only offered if there are at least 5 dog/person teams interested. Once a group is formed we will decide on a common area to hold classes.

This is a 6 week program, meeting once a week for about an hour.

Online Obedience: $55

Beginner Obedience Coaching: $115|

CGC Intermediate Obedience Coaching/CGC: $125

Private Coaching

This is a one-on-one coaching experience. We will focus on specific issues in the house with your dog. The coach will come to your home so they can focus in on your dogs environment.

Travel costs are added onto the price below if you are further than 30 miles away.

5 lessons: $500 (1 hour lessons)

Board-and-Train

The dog will stay in a kennel at the McKinnon home for a two-to-three week period based on client requests and pets progress. Board-and-train is offered with puppy, beginner, intermediate, and focus coaching.

CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE

Puppy Development: $

Basic Obedience: $

Intermediate Obedience/CGC: $

Beginner & Intermediate: $