The Wineglass Ranch

I’ve gone with my wife to a few of her lessons with Victoria, I like that Victoria is honest and genuinely wants to see them improve. She pays attention to the little things, explains what she’s seeing, and isn’t just going to tell you everything looks great when there are things that need to be worked on. You can tell she really cares about getting both the dog and handler where they need to be. Even though I’m not the one doing the lessons, she always makes a point to include me and show me things to watch for or work on when we’re at home. It’s been awesome watching the progress my wife and our dog have made. Victoria definitely knows her stuff, she’s easy to be around, and you can tell she really cares about what she does. We’ve had a great experience with her and I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a dog trainer.

I found Victoria with Wine Glass Ranch after getting my most recent Border Collie. I’ve had working ranch dogs before that knew how and when to jump in and help when needed, but this time I really wanted to learn how to put more of a true trial-style handle on a dog. So I found Victoria! I should probably mention that I have absolutely ZERO experience with sheep and the same amount of experience with sheepdog trials. 🤣 This is completely brand new to both me and my dog, which probably makes things a little more difficult for everyone involved, but for some reason I decided this was the route I wanted to go! I actually reached out to Victoria when my pup was only a few months old to ask if there was anything I should be thinking about or doing before she was old enough to really start working. Victoria was incredibly helpful right from the beginning and gave me some things to think about and work on while we waited. A few months later, when my pup was a little over six months old, we came out for our first instinct test and have been doing regular lessons with her since. Victoria has been incredible from start to finish. She is very clear, honest, and direct, which I appreciate so much. She is also incredibly patient and does a great job explaining not only what she wants me to do, but why we are doing it. When you’re trying to learn how to handle a dog while simultaneously learning how sheep move and react, there is A LOT going on, and she has been great about breaking things down and being patient! I still have a very long way to go, but I’m incredibly confident that with Victoria’s help we’ll get there. This has been such a fun and intriguing new adventure for both me and my dog, and Victoria has made the entire process that much more enjoyable. If you want to get started with your dog and you’re looking for someone who is honest, straightforward, and isn’t just going to tell you fluff or what you want to hear, I absolutely recommend Victoria and Wine Glass Ranch. I’m so glad I found her!

My wife and I bring our dog Leera to Wineglass Ranch for herding practice. We began lessons with Victoria and our dog Pie many years ago. Victoria has been a loyal supporter and an invaluable resource on the sport of sheepdog trials. She also has a well-equipped facility for training and boarding. In addition to private lessons, we've taken part in group classes and workshops. We've found something worthwhile in each of our experiences. Victoria is a committed dog person and a true professional. Her feedback is direct and unvarnished. She is always an advocate looking after the best interests of our dog first. We also care for her dogs, including dental scaling and general maintenance (nail trimming, ear cleaning, bathing, grooming). It says a lot about an owner who insists on regular care for their animals. Her dogs are also well trained and socialized with other well-mannered dogs. While at the ranch, we have observed many instances of client-dog interactions with Victoria from instinct testing to behavioral training. Victoria is generous with her time and helpful in providing critical feedback. Except for dogs with genetic issues or fossilized behaviors that have been allowed to run unchecked by their owners for an extended period of time, Victoria gets the desired results (as any competent dog trainer should) often, within a short window. As any of us who work with dogs know, the real hurdle is not usually the dog but educating the owner(s) in the correct way to manage their dog. Dog husbandry for the vast majority of us is something that we acquire—not through a weekend of YouTube videos, but from years of learning and direct experience. Motivation and social rules of interaction of dogs vary greatly from those of humans. A person's need for physical contact, verbalizations, geo-political views, or personal ambitions play no role with a dog who thrives in the here and now—in reality. This is critical because it is a cornerstone of successful dog training and a pillar of Victoria's approach. Dogs by nature possess a pack mentality and understand hierarchy. Dogs by breed have been bred to exhibit certain behaviors. In short, dogs are 'wired' and will respond and react to the environment in their own way based on their histories and their genetics. This is the reality. And it has to be understood in relation to a person and their dog. The point is that most people don't understand this. They don't get the optimal dog for their circumstances and environment. They don't provide the clear expectations their dog requires. They don't correctly perceive reality or themselves. Subsequently, behavioral problems surface and multiply. We know people who've progressed past the intermediate stage in graduated courses whose dog still can't walk on a leash. Clearly, something in incongruent here. Owning a dog is not for the faint of heart. It requires courage and commitment. To create the best life possible for their dog, an owner needs to understand these realities and embrace them. As a third party, Victoria is in a unique position to offer objective feedback. As a highly experienced trainer, she can offer a quick, effective assessment. She knows how to 'read' a dog. This is an opportunity all can benefit from. Having said that, there are people who are marginally open to assessment. Seriously sensitive to examination and criticism. Unable to face realities without a thick varnish that hides the complications underneath. A situation that bodes poorly for their dogs. Victoria is a straight shooter. She has a great eye for a problem and a nose for its fix. She will call out an issue when she sees it. When fault falls on the owner, as it often can, she will call you out on it. Not just because it's the honest way to do it, but because it is in the best interest of the dog. Some people could find this form of exchange uncomfortable. Most, on the other hand, see it as refreshing and judicious for the betterment of their dog and the opportunities it opens to both dog and owner. Victoria gets our Five-Star Review.