Veteran-owned founder-led training
I’m Zach. Beardy and the Beast K9 Development is veteran-owned and operated in the Richmond area. I am a lifestyle dog trainer: relationship change through psychology and communication, not trick-only classes or big-box courses in unrealistic spaces.
Dogs have been the constant in my life since childhood. My dog Dodger went everywhere with me. That bond is what I work to give every client.
Our training philosophy
I’m sure you’ve noticed many trainers say a lot of the same things and promise certain results. Some of what you’ll see with me may be similar, but I hope you will feel the difference between me and the rest. While basics of obedience are important, and will be covered, I focus on the full development of your dog.
No matter the challenge with your companion, my main goal is to strengthen your relationship through trust, education, and better communication. By teaching you how to speak more clearly to your dog and understand their language through consistent work and structure, we can prevent and eliminate negative behaviors.
Empowering you as an owner to take what I teach you both and use it for a lifetime of love, better living, and the joy of your dog being able to be by your side in all walks of life. By the end of my program, I want you confident enough to keep working with your dog and to help a neighbor when they need it.
I put you and your dog into guided, real situations, answer your questions, and support you for the lifetime of your dog. I introduce methods not only in your home, but in real world situations, so you have a companion you are proud to take with you on all of life’s adventures.
I take pride in building a business based on reliability, trust, honesty, and accountability. I will always show my passion for not only bettering the behavior of your pet, but also giving you and your dogs the confidence and mutual understanding to compliment each other’s lives completely for many years to come.
Building their confidence, eliminating fear and aggression, and providing you with a calm companion that can handle it all. I will be using a variety of tools, methods, and my own skill set to teach you how to take control of any situation, and turn it into a teaching moment that will safeguard against unwanted behavior moving forward.
Deeper dives on training at home, real-world companions, and how programs are built:
