Mahogany Ridge Dog Training and Daycare: Meet Theresa Richmond

Theresa Richmond

Theresa 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's business, Mario's Restaurant, which 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 and began traveling with her Aunt, Jean Pagnotta, to many local and Canadian dog shows and trials shortly thereafter. Over the last 25 years, Theresa has titled her own dogs in Canada and the U.S. with numerous breed champions and group placements as well as obedience and agility titles.

Her 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 seminars with the late Job Michael Evans.

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. Theresa was honored to have been selected to join the Volhard teaching staff in 1994 and has been teaching at annual training camps since.

In 1983, Mahogany Ridge was established as Team Training Obedience School. 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.

Theresa Richmond

Currently, Mahogany Ridge and its group of instructors offer classes in obedience, agility, flyball, freestyle and more as well as private lessons in obedience, agility and breed ring. 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 operates five days a week as a structured and supervised day program for pre-qualified dogs.

In 1999 Theresa launched Kidscamp!, a 5 day camp for kids and their dog companions. In 2006 it was apparent that kids were returning to camp and getting older so TeenCamp! was launched offering dog training and skill building for the teenage audience. In June 2007 Theresa introduced a three day AdultCamp! This camp was very successful and will remain an annual event here at Mahogany Ridge!

Mahogany Ridge also offers a "Board 'n Train" program. Dogs go to live with Theresa for one to three weeks and learn how to behave in a family environment (humans and dogs) while receiving basic obedience. 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.

Dog Of the Month - August 2006

"CASHA"

Born the first of October 2005, Casha has not yet had her first birthday. She is owned by Chris and Dave Harmon of Saratoga Springs. Casha has been attending daycare one day a week since coming to Mahogany Ridge for our board 'n train program. She completed our program with stars and went on to Level 2 obedience class. Chris aspires to attain Casha's Canine Good Citizen this fall and then go on to become a Therapy dog!