Mahogany Ridge Dog Training and Daycare: Meet Theresa Richmond

Theresa Richmond

Theresa Richmond was born and raised in Lake George, a resort town in up-state New York. One of five children, Theresa grew up in the family business, Mario's Restaurant The restaurant is still family operated today. Her love and understanding of dogs began when she was a young child, surrounded by a variety of purebred and mixed breed dogs. She attended her first obedience class at the age of fourteen with a mixed breed named Mac and began traveling with her Aunt, Jean Pagnotta, to many local and Canadian dog shows and trials shortly thereafter. Since 1982, Theresa has titled her own dogs as well as client dogs in Canada and the U.S. including a number of breed championships, group placements, obedience, and agility titles. Theresa has also collected a number of Canine Good Citizen Awards & Temperament Test Certificates. With her son James' Shetland Sheepdog, who works as a Therapy dog, they visit schools and libraries promoting canine awareness to all she meets!

Theresa's canine education consists of a multitude of seminars, training camps and self study. Theresa received her certification as an agility instructor by Julie Daniels in 1997 and is a follower of the Hatfield/Mah approach to agility. She has attended behavioral seminars by Katherine Houpt at Cornell University as well as training seminars with the late Job Michael Evans. Theresa is forever a student who seeks any information to be gathered.

In 1983, Theresa, along with longtime friends Ellen Bannin and Marty Griffin, established the roots of what would become Mahogany Ridge: ‘Team Training Obedience School', then located in Lake George. In 1991, the growing business became a full-time operation and relocated to its current site in Malta, NY. Mahogany Ridge is situated on five acres of fields and woods and operates a training center, dog daycare and pet supplies retail store. Mahogany Ridge has grown in time to become a progressive, multi-faceted dog care facility.

It was in 1985 that Theresa first attended Jack and Wendy Volhard’s Instructor Training School held in New Hampshire. She adopted the Volhard’s motivational method as her mission at Mahogany Ridge.

With this method she teaches others how to develop and enhance the relationship they have with their dogs. In 1994, Theresa was honored to be selected to join the Volhard teaching staff. She has continued to teach at the annual Volhard training camps, which currently held in Syria, Virginia.

Currently, Mahogany Ridge and its group of instructors offer classes in obedience, agility, fly ball, and freestyle and more as well as private lessons for house manners or for the competitive obedience or agility student. Since its creation, Mahogany Ridge has hosted a variety of training and health-related clinics, seminars and camps, which are now recurring events (schedule). The Doggy Day Care, added in 1994, operates five days a week as a structured and supervised day program for pre-qualified dogs.

Theresa Richmond

In 1999 Theresa launched Kidscamp!, a weeklong day camp for kids and their dog companions. In 2006 it was apparent that kids were returning to camp so TeenCamp! was launched offering dog training and skill building for the teenage audience. In July of 2009 our TeenCamp! was renamed to Blue Ribbon Camp!, which caters to KidsCamp! Alumni of 3 or more camps. In June 2007 Theresa introduced a three-day AdultCamp! This camp was very successful and will continue as an annual fall event at Mahogany Ridge!

Mahogany Ridge also offers a "Board 'n Train" option for clients. Dogs go to live with Theresa for one or more weeks and learn how to behave in a family environment (humans and dogs) while receiving basic obedience training. For those that have specific concerns about their dog's behavior, consultations can be set up.

Most recently, Theresa has developed a series of two-hour workshops. Each week offers a different focus in the areas of obedience, agility, breed ring handling and health and awareness, giving dog owners the opportunity to select the workshop that best meets their needs.

Many individuals, organizations, and schools have recognized Theresa for sharing her knowledge and experience. She has helped many to become successful in their goals, whether it be fixing behavior problems, obedience, agility, or teaching their dogs special skills like running beside a bike! Never hesitant to face a challenge, Theresa reaches into her “bag of tricks” and comes up with the solution.

Students and trainers alike seek Theresa's help and guidance. With her knowledge and skill she leads the way, facing each challenge with confidence. She tailors her training to the individual team, so that a strong bond is formed and the dog and handler work as one. In this way success is achieved and goals are met, whether that goal is of a happy family pet or a competitive team.