Playful Pups & Performance Training, Inc.

Highly recommend Deborah Lankford with Playful Pups and Performance. She is a very knowledgeable instructor who can teach to a variety of learning styles and backgrounds. All classes are followed up by multiple handouts discussing in detail what skills were taught in class and how to practice with your pup at home. Deborah is highly invested in helping you learn how to communicate with your dog and ensures positive learning environments. I've worked with Deborah with multiple dogs over the years. We've taken puppy obedience all the way through therapy dog training.

Deborah is very knowledgeable and brings real world examples to the class to assist in learning. I like the fact that she does not use slip leads and using positive reinforcement to teach. Also going home with something to refer to each week helps recall what was taught in the session. The location is very accessible and free from lots of traffic since in a strip plaza. This is helpful when doing outside work. Although I did not ask her, she used to certify for Therapy Dogs International which is how I first learned about her. I wish the medical community and other training facilities would catch up to the teachings of Deborah, she is interested in the betterment of the dog and their owners. Examples of this is socializing when you bring the pup home as well as not fixing you dog so you

Deborah is simply the very best trainer I have ever met. I have tried many trainers before but when I met Deborah over 15 years ago, I Knew she was the one. I have taken my two Golden Retrievers there and more recently our mini Doxie. She teaches real world obedience and also helps with major and minor issues. She’s a natural teacher and uses those skills well. I could not recommend her more. In fact I live in Chesapeake and would rather travel to Playful Pups training in Virginia Beach. In summary, try her and you will see what a skilled dog person she is!❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

Deborah is amazing! We have been going here for years! This is our forth pup to be trained here, and they are all outstandingly behaved dogs. We couldn't have hoped to find a better trained!

If you have a puppy, look no further for your trainer than Deborah. She shows you how to teach your puppy to think rather than just learning by rote. She makes it fun. I'd give 10 stars if I could.