Our Philosophy
A Click Above, LLC is a partnership built on passion and excellence. Our combined expertise spans several decades (more than we care to admit!) and across many venues - from agility to obedience to breed and beyond.
We employ positive reinforcement and operant training methods to achieve our impressive results. "Clicker training" is at the heart of this philosophy and enables us to teach everything from basic manners to tricks to complex handling. We believe everything for the dog - and handler - should be fun and enjoyable.
Most of our classes have multiple instructors to ensure each student gets the time and attention needed to build rewarding partnerships that will last a lifetime.
World-Class Training Facility
Our facility has one indoor building with sprint turf footing measuring 100' x 125'. We are able to divide the area to safely hold two concurrent classes with enough room left for crating. The building is fully heated in winter and air conditioned in summer, providing both dogs and handlers the ability to comfortably train year-round.
We also have two outdoor rings on grass - perfect for preparing for outdoor trials. Our front ring is also fully lit for evening training.
Our equipment is the latest available and maintained in top condition. We have complete rings for AKC, UKI and USDAA agility as well as AKC Obedience and Rally-O. We can accomodate Nose Work, Fly Ball and Free Style as well.
Meet our Instructors
We are proud of our instructors who've been atop podiums in nearly every performance arena. Each year our instructors excel at national and regional events, earning the highest honors and titles. We have broad experience across many different breeds and challenges.
Elsie Maylott
Founding Partner, retired
Foundations, Agility, Obedience
Elsie has been involved in dog training for over 20 years. She is a member of the APDT (Association for Pet Dog Trainers) and attends many educational workshops, seminars, and… Read More
Claudia Bates
Partner and Instructor
Foundations, Agility
Claudia is a former technical writer that has been training dogs and people with dogs since 1996. Her dogs have earned titles in tracking, obedience, herding, and agility. She successfully… Read More
Karen Allen
Instructor
Foundations, Obedience
Karen has bred, trained, showed 21 German Shorthaired Pointers since 1977. Her dogs have earned, Conformation Championships, Obedience Championships, Agility Master Championships, RAE?s and Master Rally titles , Hunt test… Read More
Kirsten Anderson
Instructor
Foundations, Agility
Kirsten lives in Catharpin, Virginia and has been a Veterinary Technician for 15 year at Towne Animal Clinic in Leesburg. Kirsten has a couple of border collies, one of whom… Read More
Ashley Anderson
Instructor
Agility
Ashley got her start training dogs at age six, and by age eight, she and her Golden Retriever, Whirly had their first AKC title, a CD from the obedience ring.… Read More
Elizabeth Breyer
Instructor
Foundations, Obedience
Liz Breyer has been training dogs for 30+ years. Starting with Bernese Mountain Dogs and then switching to Golden Retrievers, Liz has trained and titled multiple dogs in both Obedience… Read More
Samantha Burton
Instructor
Sam is a licensed massage therapist for humans and dogs. She became a certified canine fitness trainer (CCFT) in 2020 after becoming more serious with her own dogs fitness.
<… Read More
Patricia Dranchak
Instructor
Agility
Trish's passion for animals started when she was four and fell in love with training and competing with horses as well as caring for all the creatures that came… Read More
Sarah Dyer
Instructor
Sarah got her start in dog sports in 2007 with her dog-reactive Standard Poodle, Faith. It took a lot of work, but Faith earned her novice titles in AKC… Read More
Diann Gastley
Instructor
Foundations, Obedience, Agility
Diann grew up with dogs and became involved with her own dogs when she got her first Jack Russell Terrier, Cayenne, over 10 years ago. She was active with the… Read More
Mary Iannelli
Instructor
Foundations, Agility, Obedience
Mary has always had a dog by her side from a very young age growing up on Cape Cod. Her love for animals has been a large part of her… Read More
Janet Kolakoski
Instructor
I started in obedience training in the early 80's when my employer and mentor, Julie Hogan introduced me into the joy of dog training. Her philosophy was "Dog… Read More
Elaine Maher
Instructor
Foundations, Obedience
Elaine has been training dogs for almost 20 years. She has titled multiple dogs in Obedience, Rally, Agility, Tricks, and Nose Work and has also trained in Field and Barn… Read More
Beth Mathews-Bradshaw
Instructor
Agility
Beth has been training and showing in agility for almost 20 years. She has handled dogs of all sizes from Dobermans to 8-pound toy Manchesters. She currently lives in… Read More
Abigail Tidwell
Instructor
Abby grew up with Golden Retrievers while dog sitting, working as a vet assistant in high school, and helping out with anything dog related; handling dogs since she was a… Read More
Nancy Walkins
Instructor
Foundations, Agility, Obedience
Nancy has been training and competing with dogs since 1984. A native New Englander, Nancy began teaching obedience in Maine in 1987, and eventually agility, when it evolved in the… Read More
Kayla Wieland
Instructor
Foundations, Agility
Kayla began competing with dogs at age 7, doing so in agility, conformation and eventually Junior Showmanship with her Siberian Husky, Timber. She also got into obedience and rally then… Read More