BlackDog Behavior and Training, LLC Puts Delaware Dog Training on the Map With Grand Opening of Their Force-Free Training Facility
WILMINGTON, DE, October 22, 2023 – BlackDog Behavior and Training, LLC, a force-free training and behavior consulting company serving all of Delaware and parts of the surrounding tri-state area, will host the grand opening of their new training facility on Sunday, October 22nd from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at 207 Boxwood Rd, Wilmington DE 19804.
The event is open to the public, will highlight BlackDog’s overall expansion, promote the release of new programs and services, and underscore the company’s commitment to supporting the people and dogs in their community. In celebration of other small business owners, BlackDog will be joined by Riverfront Pets selling dog gear and other goodies, The Barkery by M providing handcrafted dog treats, the Garman Group, and catering by Nick’s Pizza. Attendees will also be able to enter a raffle of goodie baskets, and purchase or pre-order newly released BlackDog merchandise. As the contract training company for Humane Animal Partners since 2021, BlackDog’s grand opening will have adoptable dogs onsite to mingle and find their future adopters.
BlackDog was founded in 2021 with the goal of being a safety net for their community—supporting longtime pet parents, new adopters, and local animal welfare organizations alike. They aim to promote community wellbeing through responsible dog guardianship, increased access to owner education and resources, and humane training techniques. Owner Becca Stern (CPDT-KA, SBA, FFCP) brings over a decade of experience in high-intake shelter operations, and weaves this depth of experience to BlackDog’s mission. BlackDog’s team believes that behavioral support (whether through hands-on-training, owner counseling calls, or otherwise), should be accessible to anyone who needs it, and the company strives to remove barriers based on finance, status, creed, orientation, or other biases.
The training company acts as an extension of local animal welfare organizations through a robust effort in pet retention (keeping animals in their homes by providing access to behavioral resources), post-adoption support, and consulting on best practices with their shelter partners. With the launch of their brand new training facility, BlackDog’s reach is now even greater. Adding a brick and mortar location will provide a central meeting place for clients previously outside of their geographic service area for in-home training. New programming includes group classes, workshops, socialization programs, play-yard rental, owner education classes, future boarding and board & train, and much more, providing an array of more affordable alternatives in addition to private (in-home and virtual) training services.
Dog training is an unregulated industry, meaning that anyone can own and operate a training company, without education or certification through an accredited source. Often, this overlaps with the use of training rooted in scientifically disproven techniques utilizing punishment, outdated “dominance” theory, and tools which cause the dog discomfort. Throughout Delaware and the tri-state area, there is a crucial need for more access to and education around the importance of a positive reinforcement approach, and hiring certified professionals. Through their judgment-free, compassionate approach, evidence-based training techniques, and emphasis on continuing education for their team, BlackDog is putting Delaware on the map and bringing it up to the par with modern practices throughout the dog training industry.
Says Juliana DeWillems (KPA CTP, CDBC - owner of JW Dog Training in Washington, DC, a leader in the industry, and faculty at Karen Pryor Academy, one of the leading accredited organizations for trainer education and certifications) “With her background, Becca brings such a unique and refreshing perspective to her company and her team. We are so excited to see our colleagues at BlackDog bringing more access to positive reinforcement training in their community, and continuing to promote gold standards in our field.”
BlackDog’s trajectory was made possible thanks to their clients, friends, family, the Delaware Division of Revenue EDGE Grant, and shelter/rescue partners. To learn more about BlackDog’s services please visit https://www.blackdogbt.com/.
About BlackDog
BlackDog prioritizes a healthy quality of life for its clients, utilizing techniques based on decades of behavioral science and new evidence supported by peer-reviewed studies in the field. BlackDog’s team promotes this mindset in their hands-on approach, and coaches dog guardians to employ positive reinforcement techniques in their daily lives with their dogs. BlackDog is here to change the narrative around dog training, husbandry, and overall welfare - educating away from misconceptions rooted in inaccurate and outdated methods, and erasing the focus on training based on dominance, punishment, and pain. Instead, the company’s practices center on an overriding philosophy of compassion, treating living beings with respect, and leading without fear. BlackDog’s programs include private in-home training, virtual training, shelter consulting, and group classes, workshops, socialization programs, and more at their facility. BlackDog welcomes all ages, breeds, sizes, and backgrounds, and strives to create an open, judgment free space for dog guardians to access the support they need. Learn more at https://www.blackdogbt.com/.
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