Experience
Best In Home Dog Services is a premium dog training & walking service run by Richard Hopkins. His lifelong passion for working with dogs started at an early age, learning from a family tree full of dog trainers. He launched a grassroots dog walking and sitting business in 2010, using every opportunity to train clients' dogs to gain experience. In 2012 he met his mentor, Cathryn Jurewicz, while attending her group training class with his sister and her lab Wrigley. Cathryn has 30+ years of experience including obedience, agility, rally, and CGC courses/evaluations. Richard apprenticed under her for six months, and worked along side her for four years learning every day. Throughout his apprenticeship and after, the primary learning sources were the works of B.F. Skinner, Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor, and Patricia McConnell. After four years it was time for a new challenge, which came in the form of a position as the manager and head dog trainer of a 1,500 sq ft daycare and boarding facility. When it was time for the next step in his career, he took on the role of manager and head dog trainer of a 7,500 sq ft daycare and boarding facility, at times making him responsible for 100+ dogs. After successfully designing and running his own training programs at multiple facilities, it was time to start a new challenge. Best In Home Dog Training launched in 2013, and it evolved into Best In Home Dog Services in April of 2015. Richard has trained, walked, and cared for more dogs than he can estimate, using only positive methods; this has given him extensive experience with dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments (many of them with special behavioral and medical needs).
What we do
Best In Home Dog Services offers premium in home services to enrich the lives of both dogs and their families. Learn how to communicate with the four-legged member of your family through positive dog training lessons. Set up dog walks while you're at work, and come home to a happy and relaxed dog. The mission is to encourage a bond built on love and trust, so your dog is always happy and safe, and you have peace of mind. Schedule an appointment today, your dog will thank you!
How it started
When growing up, everyone in Richard's family had dogs, and they weren't your average family dogs. From wolf hybrids to purebreds from Germany, he had countless reasons to love dogs and the work he did. But his true inspiration and passion for working with dogs came from his rescue Merlin, he is the handsome German Shepherd / Husky mix you will see all over the website. Before he first met Merlin, Richard was told that he was terrified of men, and there was a very good chance he would be attacked if he tried to force the interaction. After learning more about his background, Richard felt like they were brought into each other's lives for a reason, and they were there to help each other. Click on "Merlin's Story" to continue reading and find out how the story ends.
