Our Approach
Teach your dog how to be.
Not what to do.
Have you ever felt frustrated by your dog’s behavior? Have you ever said to yourself, “I wish I could enjoy walks with my dog”? Have you been embarrassed by how your dog acts when your guests come over? You’re not alone.
Many of the problem behaviors that dogs exhibit stem from overexcitement and a misunderstanding between human and dog. For that reason, we focus on creating calm in a dog’s mind. For that reason, our techniques are also calm. We use gentle guidance with the leash as well as quiet communication with body language to help get our dogs thinking and making the correct choices on their own.
If you commit to the program, you will no longer have to manage your dog’s every movement because you will have taught your dog the expectations of how to be.
Whether you are dealing with behavioral challenges, or are training a puppy who still has a lifetime of growth ahead of them it can be intimidating to finish your training program and feel like you are all alone.
That is why we offer follow-up support!
We are here to answer your questions via talk, text or email whenever they come up. You will also be invited to our Pack Walks, free group classes that take place several times a month to practice the skills you learned in your program.
When you work with The Zen Dog Den, we are your teammates for however long you need us.
Ready to get started? Contact us for details.
Q&A
How do I build the right relationship with my dog?
Dogs are pack animals who are hardwired to look for leadership. This will involve some structure in the home to get your dog to understand that the humans of the home are their leaders. This is not because we don’t love and adore our dogs, this is because we want to show them love and affection in a way that builds respect, not confusion.
What if I want to use treats and verbal commands?
Check out some of our In-home training programs which include verbal commands like “Come” and “Leave-it.” While we offer verbal commands in a few of our programs, we are not obedience style trainers. The reason we opt not to use many verbal commands and treats is because those things can create excitement in a dog’s brain and we prefer to teach calm. However, once you lay the foundation for a calm dog, you are welcome to layer in verbal commands at your discretion!
Credentials
Voted #1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster Newspaper’s 2023 Reader’s Choice Awards
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Active Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals
Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist (CPCN) on Staff
Reading Dogs’ Emotional State Certification- K9 Lifeline
Teach, Calm and Guide Workshop Graduates- K9 Lifeline & Transform My Dog
Safe Socialization Workshop Graduates- K9 Lifeline
Dog Bite Case Legal Consultant
Unleash The Possibilities:
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What our clients say
“We decided to get a puppy in Oct. 2022… At 9 weeks old he came alive and full of chewing, biting, misbehavior, trying to take charge! It was awful. A friend recommended Cherisse Feddock, owner of The Zen Dog Den. Best decision/money ever spent. We became a client and I have been getting the best training. I say this with a smile b/c it us the humans that need the training. Cherisse has been there every step of the way and I can’t say enough good about her as a person and her fabulous knowledge of dogs and humans. Parker is 9 months old and a fabulous dog, loving and sweet and willing to please. [After Michele experienced an injury] Cherisse was on it.
She took Parker home with her to continue a board and train. I can not say enough about when he came back to us he was a different dog and for the better. We have hired Cherisse to walk Parker during [recovery]. Once you become a client you become part of The Zen Dog Den Pack. Her and her well-trained and knowledgeable staff are amazing. You are able to come to Pack walk on Sats for the lifetime of your dog once you are clients. Thank you Cherrise. Best experience ever.”
~ Michele (with Parker)
“The Zen Dog Den has been such a support to us! We highly recommend them. Karly is such a quick and thorough communicator. Kelcy, our trainer, is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. We did the Puppy Preschool after quickly realizing we needed support with our little “land shark”. Between teething, tugging on the leash, and the possibility of our Mabel reaching upwards of 70lbs we knew it was important for us to take her training seriously and that we (though having owned dogs and raised puppies when we were younger) needed more knowledge and help.
Kelcy was exactly everything we hoped for in a trainer (and continues to be). She is straightforward and supportive, she’s quick to answer our questions, and when Mabel returned from Puppy Preschool she had more calm and so much less pulling on her leash. She had mastered being in a seated observation state and was far more comfortable with noises like vacuums and trash trucks. We are so grateful to Kelcy for her expansive knowledge and support of us as we learned and continue to learn to give Mabel the calm and lovely life we want her to have! To the whole Zen Dog Den team, keep up the good work!”
~ Jamie (with Mabel)
The Pack
Tips, tricks, events,
and updates from our team!
#1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster
The Zen Dog Den has been honored with the title of #1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster, as recognized by Lancaster Newspaper Online's 2023 Reader's Choice Awards. This recognition fills us with immense pride and gratitude. A Journey Fueled by Passion At the core of our...
Unleashing the Power of Understanding: Cherisse Feddock’s Journey to Canine Behavior Expertise
Unleashing the Power of Understanding: Cherisse Feddock's Journey to Canine Behavior ExpertiseIn the world of dog training, there are those who simply teach the basics, and then there are those who delve deep into dog psychology, understanding their instincts and...
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Connect
Phone: 1 (877) ZEN-DOGG
Email: cherisse@thezendogden.com
Cherisse, Sarah & Amy are all
Certified Dog Trainers and Behavioral Experts
as well as Members of the
International Association of Canine Professionals