Canine Campus

Jessica M.

2023-09

I take my dog June to Day Camp every Wednesday, and the fact that she is snoring beside me as I type this, is a testament to the fun she has.Before deciding on Canine Campus, I had looked at two other daycare facilities in town, both of which I walked out saying a big "NOPE", but not Canine Campus. The "Camp Divas" that run the show are intelligent, trained and experienced.I also took one of their puppy classes after we added our newest addition, Zeke, and kicked myself for not booking the others, as they had already filled up. I loved the class structure and methods.I've worked in the animal industry for 20 years from clinics to dog walking, and I'm very particular of who gets to hang with my crew, but the women at Canine Campus put my worries aside. They know what they're doing and they do it right! Junie (and I) appreciate you all so much!!

G. H. C.

2023-11

I couldn't reach them on the phone so I drove to the place and saw the property. There were no outside facility/ fenced in areas for day camp dogs to run, potty, or play any outdoor activity. Just a building and a parking spaces with it.No one ever answers the phone directly. I called at different times during the day and on even different days. It only goes to the voicemail. Get a return call with minimum answers to your questions. 'I have to talk to the trainer and I'll get back to you' is what I got all 4 times. When she called me back with an answer I had another question, she had to find out an answer to the new question, and so on. Finally, I asked to speak to an owner/trainer but were not available to take a call. Really?Did more research and found very available, up front, nothing ambiguous, and straightforward trainers. Of course, I took business elsewhere and am so glad I did.

Lauren Smith

2020-05

I am so glad that I found Canine Campus’s training day camp! My 16-month-old puppy, Remy, went to another day camp in town for about nine months, but their play group sizes were getting out of control and he was clearly overwhelmed. (That business’s chaotic response to a recent fire at its boarding kennel pushed me over the edge.) Canine Campus is a small, very professional operation. Heather welcomed us when we arrived this morning and answered all of my questions about how they manage their play groups. When I picked up Remy this evening, he looked contented and happily exhausted. Not overwhelmed at all. I also enjoyed chatting with the young woman at the front desk, and I appreciated being able to take my time getting Remy’s stuff together. At the other place, you (and a bunch of other people) have to wait in the lobby for someone to bring your dog to you. Canine Campus is a very welcome change. We look forward to many happy returns!

Liz Barbour

2023-05

My dogs and I loved Canine Campus when we lived in Cville! One of my dogs attended Day Camp and was so excited to go every week. Deven's training sessions were informative with easy-to-implement advice, and Heather was super helpful with training my dog on a nail-scratch board so that he could file his own nails.You won't be disappointed by Deven & Heather!

Geoff Geise

2021-05

We have been taking our puppy to socialization camp & class for the past month now, and we have been really happy with the process. Deven and Heather, in particular, have been excellent. We have learned more about our puppy and how to train her, and we've learned a lot about puppy play styles, which has been helpful as our puppy meets other puppies and dogs.It's been great to see videos of our puppy from the socialization camp. Whenever we get to the parking lot to drop her off at camp, her tail starts going a mile a minute, and she's super happy to see the staff. Later in the day, we can tell she had a full day of fun, as she naps in the car on the ride home.

Madison Elaine

2022-05

I went to Canine Campus several weeks ago for a puppy socialization class. The class in it of itself was fine, despite there being a bit of tension between the two instructors from time to time. My biggest problem with the class, and the main reason for myrating, is that for the last fifteen minutes of class, and throughout the socialization class itself, the instructors bashed veterinary professionals. They claimed vets don’t know what they’re doing in regards to nutrition and behavior (without showing their own credentials). As an animal professional myself, and someone who’s worked in veterinary medicine, I was absolutely appalled by how these people were speaking about veterinarians. They perpetuated the stereotype that vets don’t know what they’re doing, and that you’re better off doing your own research, to a room full of clients. I was stunned. Veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rates among professions worldwide (not to mention about 75% of vets that kill themselves work with small animals- ie. dogs) and it’s exactly because of things like this. The instructors being animal professionals themselves, I expected a lot better. I am incredibly disappointed and will not be back.

Nina Crawford

2020-05

Devon and Heather are true professionals. What a pleasurable and informative experience. I wholeheartedly recommend them. They have very informative and clever ways of dealing with dog training. I was comfortable with them from the moment they walked in. In one session they were able to address all my concerns. In addition I was able to actually see progress from their suggestions.

Ilse Cleeves

2023-05

The folks here truly love dogs as if they were their children. More expensive than others in town, but for good reason. Our dog runs in delighted on his daycare days!

amy bucchi

2021-05

Wow! This is the absolute most amazing place for fur babies (dogs).My girl Tally is 10mo old today, she is a Havanese, and has been going since 3mo. She went through puppy training and socialization and now goes twice a week to hang out with her friends.I can’t get her out of the car quick enough and she is pawing at the door to get in!She absolutely loves Heather, Mary and Courtney! They give 💯 attention to every dog. They pair them appropriately based on the dog itself, finding the right fit. And it’s not about running them to get them tired, they give them appropriate breaks and make sure they are living their best lives!I can’t imagine a more wonderful experience!If you are considering taking your 🐶 there, stop considering and do it!!#❤️CanineCampus

Copper K

2022-05

Canine campus cured my dogs car sickness.My dog used to be so afraid of the car and get so anxious and sick. He would whine and drool everywhere! I tried meds, desensitization everything. He started going to canine campus’s day camp once a week and suddenly no more dool! And no more running away from the car as soon as he hears the doors unlocked. No he runs towards the car because he is that excited to go to dog day camp. He was never this way with his old day camp. It’s amazing. (I do so wish they had live feed cams though I loved getting to watch him play at his old day camp though!)

Abby Farson Pratt

2019-05

Deven is an absolute genius with dogs: Her positive, science-based approach has helped us tremendously with our own dogs and our foster dogs. Her staff is also fantastic. We have attended multiple classes at Canine Campus and always leave with great tactics and approaches that help our high-energy, anxious, intelligent German shepherds. We recommend her classes to everyone we know with dogs. If you're looking for a dog trainer in Charlottesville, look no further than Canine Campus!

Zach Hoeppner

2020-05

Canine Campus changed my life! Deven and her staff are brilliant, professional practitioners of science-based, compassionate training techniques. I have taken many classes here and always learned something new and meaningful. They emphasize engaging our pooches in active dialogue through fun and games. They helped me and my pooch establish our training setup with activities that built confidence, focus and engagement in both the handler and the pooch. They taught me how to reinforce meaningful behaviors such as attention, calmness, and dynamic recalls (come when called). Deven and her staff truly understand canine behavior and have helped me live a fun and playful life with my dog.

Jane Lawton

2018-05

When I first moved to Cville I took my rescue, "project" dog to Deven to see if she thought my very timid little girl was ready for training. It was obvious from that first meeting that Deven "got" Maisie. We've been training at CC ever since. Between training and Deven's suggestions for working with Maisie at home I have a transformed dog. Yes, she's still timid, but she has a happy dog life that is more than I had believed could happen for her. I cannot recommend Canine Campus too highly.

A _MB

2020-05

My pup goes here for daycare and always has the best time/seems so happy at the end of they day. They are all super nice and trustworthy people and I feel completely comfortable leaving him there even though he’s small. It costs more than some other daycares but I think it’s worth it.

ManicTypist

2020-05

Saw one of the staff hit my dog instead of engaging in positive correcting technique (i.e. turning away from excited jumping). Confronted management about it, all I got were excuses.They talk a good game but don't walk the walk - wouldn't trust them again.Edited to respond to owner comment, below:This was a while back (a few years), but it's always stuck with me and bothered me. Your employee used positive punishment (shoving her ring into the dog's face, forcefully, to push him down) rather than turning away. When we talked in the parking lot about it, you (and it might have been someone else - I'm using the general "you" here) justified it on the grounds that she was nervous/unable to deal with that because of... an injured back? Pregnancy? On that I'm unclear but I lean towards the injury.It wasn't a good excuse. Prior to this, we'd had good experiences, but that left us with a very sour taste. If this was an exception, and we were the first and last to have this happen - that's truly great. That means it was a one-off problem and no one else has had this experience. But it was our experience, and yes, I'm positive it was here.

Clare Rannigan

2019-05

My, now 9 year old Vizsla, gained the skills, focus and obedience to warrant the admiration she has enjoyed over the years in big part because of Deven's positive and encouraging training methods. Many people have asked who trained her and, while tempted to say "I did!" I always fess up and admit it was Deven.

Felicia Mazur

2022-05

Best puppy socialization class I've ever attended. I love Devon's instruction and practical explanations. Very highly recommend.

Rob VanLier

2023-11

Great place to get you and your pet on the same track!

Cameron Hicks

2018-05

Fun puppy socialization class! We learned a lot of useful principles for dog training.

Sammy Green-Marshall

2021-05

My puppy,(boareas) loved it. We learned a lot, and we had fun.

Irene Volenick

2022-05

Great Trainers. Wish there were more class openings.

Celeste Baldino

2020-05

Awesome place for everything from puppy socialization to advanced training!!

CAROL WISE

2020-05

The owner seemed very smart yet she has issues with certain clients.

Genevieve Brackins

2018-05

Wonderful place, amazing work.

Greg Morgoglione

2020-05

Excellent puppy class!

Celeste Freeman

2017-05

Good training