The Trusted Companion listing logo

The Trusted Companion

McGaheysville, Virginia

5/5· 45 Google reviews

About The Trusted Companion

Brant Weller is a professional dog trainer with years of experience helping dogs and their owners. At The Trusted Companion, he focuses on addressing behavior challenges such as aggression and anxiety. His services also include obedience training on and off leash, scent detection, and tracking. What makes The Trusted Companion different is Brant’s calm and consistent training style. He works closely with each dog and owner to build trust, improve behavior, and support long-term progress. If you’re looking for a reliable dog trainer, contact The Trusted Companion today to learn how we can help you and your dog work better together.

Training & services

Training goals

  • Behavior consultation
  • Crate training
  • House training
    Program details

    Our potty training service teaches dogs reliable bathroom routines using clear cues and positive reinforcement. Ideal for puppies, rescues, and dogs struggling with indoor accidents.

  • Leash training
  • Obedience training
  • Puppy training
    Program details

    Puppy training helps build good habits early through basic obedience, socialization, and behavior guidance. Our puppy training programs focus on leash skills, commands, confidence, and positive learning in a safe setting.

  • Socialization

Behavior support

  • Aggression training
  • Fear and confidence
  • Reactivity training

How training happens

  • Board and train
    Program details

    With dog board and train programs, your dog stays with a professional trainer and receives daily training. This approach helps build obedience, manners, and confidence through consistent routines.

  • In-home training
  • Private training
    Program details

    Our private dog training sessions provide personalized guidance for dogs of all ages. Work directly with a professional trainer to address obedience, behavior issues, and everyday challenges at your dog’s pace.

Dog age

  • Adult dogs
  • Puppies

Training level

  • Beginner training
    Program details

    Basic Dog Training helps dogs learn essential skills like sit, stay, leash walking, and polite behavior at home and in public. Ideal for puppies and adult dogs, this training builds focus, confidence, and clear communication between you and your dog.

Support between sessions

  • Follow-up support Customer-reported
  • Photo updates Customer-reported
  • Refresher training Customer-reported

Assistance and working dogs

  • Police K9 training
  • Protection training

Your dog’s background

  • Rescue dogs

Training approach

  • Positive reinforcement

Additional services

  • Boarding

Other listed services

View 4 additional details
  • Dog Behavior and Specialty Training
    Program details

    Dog behavior and specialty training designed for dogs with reactivity, fear, anxiety, or aggression. We address the root causes of behavior issues using personalized, real-world training.

  • Electronic Collars
  • Marker Training
    Program details

    Marker training uses clear signals like a click or verbal marker to reward good behavior at the right moment. This method improves communication, builds focus, and helps dogs learn faster through positive, consistent feedback.

  • Scent and Working Dog Training
    Program details

    Professional scent and working dog training that builds focus, confidence, and reliability. Ideal for detection work, sport, and task-based roles using structured, reward-based methods.

Confirm current programs and availability directly.

Questions & answers

From Google

What people have asked about this business.

I have a 4 month old chihuahua that is very obedient when just the two of us but when children are around my pup is totally uncontrollable. How long would it take to train him and could my grandson interact on training?

Hi Lori! It depends what options your interested in. Check them out at www.TheTrustedCompanion.com/packages

Community answer · The Trusted Companion · 2025-09-21

Question on Google

Public community answers. Authors are not verified as business representatives; details may have changed.

Customer reviews

Google listing
5
out of 545 Google reviews

Mentioned in reviews

  • Obedience 9
  • Board and train 7
  • Daily videos 6
  • Dog psychology 5
  • Obedient dog 3
  • Anxiety training 2
All 10 topics
  • Calm dogs 2
  • Command following 2
  • Confident dog 2
  • Refresher class 2

Google review topics, not confirmed services.

47 collected reviews

Text reviews first · newest first
Nita Reigle
5/5
Milo, my lab mix, had an 8 week Board and Train with Brant last fall. I took advantage of the free refresher class with Allie last week. I just wanted some feedback on a few issues, such as improving his heeling, helping him with his sound sensitivity, etc. Allie offered great su…Read full reviewClose full review

Milo, my lab mix, had an 8 week Board and Train with Brant last fall. I took advantage of the free refresher class with Allie last week. I just wanted some feedback on a few issues, such as improving his heeling, helping him with his sound sensitivity, etc. Allie offered great suggestions and identified some areas where I was giving him some confusing commands. I implemented one of her suggestions as soon as I got home to help Milo with his fear of gunshots and it was successful! Engaging him in play when he was afraid of the sound, diverted his attention and gave him an association with something more positive. Both Allie and Brant have been so helpful and responsive to my questions. They're the BEST!

JP Family
5/5
We did a full board-and-train with Brant and were so impressed with the results. When a few new issues came up with our dog around other dogs, Brant offered a refresher session and spent a full hour with us, completely free of charge! His dedication, patience, and deep understand…Read full reviewClose full review

We did a full board-and-train with Brant and were so impressed with the results. When a few new issues came up with our dog around other dogs, Brant offered a refresher session and spent a full hour with us, completely free of charge! His dedication, patience, and deep understanding of dogs truly stand out. If we ever get another dog, we will start with Brant from day one. Hands down a great experience. Highly recommend!

Shawn Thompson
5/5
Brant really helped us with our one-year-old dog. Before we started, Brant explained very clearly his training philosophy and what we could expect. We did the three weeks board and train, even though we were a little worried leaving our puppy for so long. However, Brant communica…Read full reviewClose full review

Brant really helped us with our one-year-old dog. Before we started, Brant explained very clearly his training philosophy and what we could expect. We did the three weeks board and train, even though we were a little worried leaving our puppy for so long. However, Brant communicated and shared videos every day of the training, and we could see the interactions and improvement. When we picked up our dog, Brant spent a good amount of time explaining and showing how to continue the training and commands learned. We feel like we have a very solid base now from which to work with and enjoy our canine companion. We also appreciate how Brant is willing to keep helping out if needed. Thank you Trusted Companion!

cate pendlebury
5/5
My 11 month old Labrador retriever, Johnie, spent 3 weeks with Brant during his board and train program. He was a typical lab puppy - full of energy. He often had trouble with basic obedience and leash manners. After completing the program, he’s not only better behaved, but als…Read full reviewClose full review

My 11 month old Labrador retriever, Johnie, spent 3 weeks with Brant during his board and train program. He was a typical lab puppy - full of energy. He often had trouble with basic obedience and leash manners. After completing the program, he’s not only better behaved, but also more focused and responsive to commands—even with distractions. Brant clearly understands how to work with high-energy dogs like Labs, and the structure and consistency Johnie received made a big difference. I also appreciated the regular updates, videos, and the time he took to show me how to continue the training at home.

Kelly Whetzel
5/5
We just got our 10 month old lab back from the 3 week board and train. Allie did a fantastic job of transforming our puppy from a wild, I can what I want dog to a refined gentleman. He now listens to commands all the time instead of when he feels like it. Allie spent a couple hou…Read full reviewClose full review

We just got our 10 month old lab back from the 3 week board and train. Allie did a fantastic job of transforming our puppy from a wild, I can what I want dog to a refined gentleman. He now listens to commands all the time instead of when he feels like it. Allie spent a couple hours with us at the end of our board and train to be sure we understood everything she taught our pup, how to continue his training at home, and made sure there were no questions before she left. I highly recommend both Allie and Brant if you’re looking for a dog trainer. Brant has trained 2 of our previous dogs and his results were just as excellent as Allie’s.

Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.

Explore nearby & related training