Woof University, LLC

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Woof University, LLC

With a commitment to ethical effective techniques, Woof U empowers canines to reach their fullest potential. Both are heavily involved in animal rescue.

Through innovative classes that emphasize fun and bonding, dogs and their owners thrive under the guidance of Woof U's experienced trainers. Woof U is locally owned and operated by Instructors Dawn O'Cain and Kelly Whittington. They have over 40 years combined experience training dogs and modifying problem behaviors. As foster parents for homeless dogs, they have experience with multiple breeds, m

ixes, ages, and personalities. This also gives them first-hand, practical experience living with unwanted behaviors and what really works to change them! Dawn and Kelly are passionate about dogs. Our goal is to improve your relationship with your canine companions, help you have a well-trained pet, and have fun doing it!

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!

Shiesty and Maze are celebrating by ripping up a cardboard box. How are your dogs spending the day?

08/23/2026

Play Between Dogs

Are they playing or are they fighting? Often, it can look and sound the same! They're wrestling, biting, and growling. Should you intervene?

It's normal for dog play to look and sound intense. But it should be enjoyable for both dogs.

If you're unsure, lightly restrain the more intense dog. If the other dog walks away, you know they weren't that into it. End the playtime. If they wait for you to let their friend go, then they were having fun. Let the play go on.

If play becomes too intense, enforce a break in the action. Play can spill over into an argument if the dogs' arousal gets too high and they are no longer taking small breaks. Good play will have lots of little breaks in the action.

To enforce a break in intense play, step in between the dogs and tell them that's enough for now!

08/21/2026

Are you interested in trying dog sports with your best friend? Rodeo Dog is a new beginner friendly dog sport. Come check it out in September!

2080 Talleyho Drive
Aiken, SC 29803

For training or practice opportunity, please call Maria Duthie at 440-669-6023

08/16/2026

"Drop it" - an essential skill!

Puppies are into EVERYTHING! They are exploring and learning about their world. Just like human toddlers, everything in reach will be investigated!

Shiesty came with a special attraction to shoes.

Maze never developed this habit. We managed the environment to make shoes inaccessible in the early days, so she never developed a shoe crush. We can leave shoes anywhere, and they don't even register to Maze as something to interact with.

Shiesty, however, came with this habit already established. So, we have to be much more careful about keeping shoes out of his reach.

He also likes to bring sticks into the house to chew on. Yesterday, he brought a dead lizard inside. ICK - no! :D

We practice "Drop It" daily with his toys so that I can give it back after he lets me have it. When I take something that I can't give back, I always trade him a treat or a toy he can have. That builds trust so that he does not begin to associate people coming near him when he has something he values with the possibility of them taking it. That leads to Resource Guarding which can get ugly quick!

Instead, I want my dogs to voluntarily drop what they have when asked. So, they always get paid when they do. And, it pays off! Shiesty found a razor blade on the floor (thankfully with the plastic cover on) and was happily chewing on it. He just as happily dropped it when I asked. PHEW!

Practice "drop it" daily so you have it when you REALLY need it! "Good boy, Shiesty!"

08/09/2026

Settle and “do nothing”

It’s just as important for dogs to learn how to settle and do nothing as it is for them to learn active skills.

Dawn had surgery recently on her dominant arm. She can’t even lift her arm, much less play a rousing game of tug or fetch!

Her dogs have been perfectly content hanging out with her while she rests.

Our dogs need to learn that sometimes…nothing is happening. Being able to settle, relax, and quietly exist alongside you is an incredibly useful life skill. Like any other behavior, settling is something we can teach, practice, and reinforce.

“Place” on a mat is one of the first skills we teach in our Beginner Basics Course. Their mat becomes a portable resting place where your dog can relax at home, at a friend’s house, or even at your favorite outdoor café!

Because sometimes, the best thing your dog can learn to do is… nothing. 🐶

Dawn will be back in the classroom September 8th. Shiesty and I will be there becauseall of my dogs get in-person classes! If you want to join us, call Seven Oaks Park at 803-772-3336 to secure your spot!

08/02/2026

Housetraining is simple! Simple, but not EASY.

One BIG mistake people make with Housetraining is to give the dog too much freedom too soon. Fido slips off to another room or behind the couch, leaving a mess for mom or dad to find later.

VERY quickly, Fido has found a favorite potty spot. Carpets and rugs are nice - no splash back! Now, they have developed a habit, and habits are hard to break. Housetraining will take much longer.

The solution is simple. Fido is never out of sight until housetrained. Not when you are distracted with work, cooking, or TV. Not while you shower or even go to the bathroom yourself. Then, Fido never has an accident and never develops a habit of soiling the house that you have to break later.

Shiesty has been here almost a full month. He's had 3 total accidents, all because my attention drifted. Hey, we're human! But, he quickly learned to go to the door and scratch to be let outside. He's developed the habit of going outside to potty.

Now, I can relax a little bit. He's crated when I'm not home, but he can be trusted when I am distracted now. He no longer has to be crated while I cook dinner, and I know that when he trots off to another room that he's looking for a toy and not a toilet spot.

It's a bit exhausting to give your full attention to a puppy for a few weeks. It's soooooo worth it, though! Maze has free run of the house while I'm gone, and Shiesty is well on his way.

Free housetraining guide:
https://share.google/j3ifFPBjneyRtjMU6

07/28/2026

Maze and I (Kelly) had a super fun weekend in NC playing Flyball and camping. Shiesty stayed with his foster mom and also had a super fun weekend.

Shiesty will continue his training so that he can join us next time. Some things he needs to learn to be safer traveling include:

* Come when called - in case he slips out the RV door
* Stay - so he doesn't slip out the RV door
* Walk nicely on leash - because campgrounds require leashes
* Listen to mom when there's new and exciting things around - lots of wildlife in the campground!

All of these things are taught in our Beginner Basics class. Shiesty will be attending Dawn's next class because I love the benefits of a structured class, even though I am teaching him these things already at home. All my dogs go to class to learn how to behave around other dogs and people.

Maze has been attending classes since she was 11 weeks old! She can go anywhere dogs are allowed because she has experience! Shiesty has some catching up to do, but it's never too late!

If you would like to have a go-anywhere dog like Maze, start with the Beginner Basics Course starting August 6 at Tri-City Leisure Center. Enroll at woofuniversity.com/book-online

07/21/2026

Kelly is pleased to introduce the newest member of her family, First Round Draft Pick "Shiesty" 👏 🎊 🎉

Shiesty is approximately 7mo. He is said to be a Chihuahua x Shih Tzu. DNA test to be done later. Shiesty's original mom's health was declining, so she turned him in to rescue.

He's been here 2 weeks. He's already asking to go out to potty. He sleeps all night in his crate. He is learning skills so that he can be as smart as Maze someday! Maze says he will never be as smart as her, but maybe close ;)

New puppies are a lot of work. Maze likes to sleep in. Shiesty is up and ready with the roosters. Maze is reliable in the house. Shiesty must be watched constantly so he doesn't develop any bad habits. He came here with a shoe fe**sh, but we are stopping that right away! No shoes have been harmed 👞 👟 🥿 👡

Most importantly, he and Maze get along brilliantly. I keep a watchful eye and step in the moment it looks like either of them is getting overwhelmed so that it stays that way. Sometimes being a dog parent is like being a referee!

07/19/2026

Is walking your dog on leash a struggle? Does your dog pretend you don't exist when you call them? Are you embarrassed to have anyone over because your dog is out of control? 🤔

🐾 Beginner Basics Dog Training Class 🐾

**Last chance for summer—and it's INDOORS with A/C!** ❄️

Whether you're starting with a new puppy or brushing up on the basics with an older dog, we'll help you build the skills for a calmer, more enjoyable life together.

In this 6-week class, you'll learn how to communicate clearly with your dog, while your dog learns to focus and respond, even with distractions.

📅 Thursdays, August 6 – September 10
🕡 6:30 PM
🗺️ Tri-City Leisure Center in West Columbia

Reserve your spot today at woofuniversity.com/book-online

Address

485 Brooks Avenue
West Columbia, SC
29169

Telephone

(803) 356-7468

Website

http://www.woofuniversity.com/

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