Dog Training in Summerville, SC

Private Training & Group Classes

FAQ:

Where are the classes located? Our classes are mostly held outside at a local park or at a dog friendly store. We will send you the location of the class the day prior. These locations will be mostly in the Summerville area, but some of our classes will venture out to other areas for more exposure for your dog.

What are drop in classes? Drop in classes mean you can pick & choose what class you want to take without a big commitment of time. Come every week, every other week, once a month. No long term commitments.

Do I need to register for a drop in class? Yes, we like for you to register so we know how to prepare for the class and we can let you know of any location changes due to weather. You do not pay when you register. After you attend the class you will be sent a link for payment or you can pay cash at the event.

How much are your classes? For most of our classes you pay $30 for your first 6 classes and then they drop down to $15 after your 6th class. Your first 6 classes don't have to be all in the same genre.

What level are your classes? Our Drop In Classes are for all levels- Beginners to Advanced dogs & handlers. We do this because we are all social learners and we and our dogs will learn from watching and being around all levels of training. If you are a beginner and you only stay within your level then you miss out as a visual learner and having a picture of what you can aspire to. If you are advanced and stay within your group then you don't get to help others who were just like you a few short years ago and you forget how far you have actually come. It also reminds us of how important those basics are.

What are auditing spots? Auditing Spots are available to those who would like to come watch and learn, use the time to sit on the sidelines with your dog while they learn to relax in a crate, spend time with like minded people who love their dogs and drink coffee, or any other number of benefits for signing up for an auditing spot. Only $5

How do I register for an auditing spot? Register for the class and add to the notes you would like to audit.

What are Give Your Dog A Job classes? Events & Classes to help your dog work through the environmental stimuluses' and promotes biological fulfillment. Scent work, Parkour, Treiball/Urban Herding, Rally, CGC - Canine Good Citizen, Herding.

Before some dogs can focus on you and what you are saying they need to learn how to be comfortable and confident in their current surroundings. Giving your dog a job is a proven way to build that confidence and promote neutrality in them so they can focus on you.

What do you mean by reactive dogs? A reactive dog is one that overreacts to various stimuli. For example, when a stranger knocks on the door, a reactive dog might start barking excessively and growling. Reactive dogs are often confused with aggressive dogs, but they are not the same. Although their initial behaviors are similar, their intentions differ.

Reactivity is not a positive trait as it can make life with a dog more difficult than it needs to be, and the dog can make strangers afraid for their safety. It may be difficult with some dogs, but with effort and patience you can make significant progress.

Additional Information

We have so many “Give Your Dog a Job” classes to choose from! In fact, we lead the area in the variety of fun and engaging classes available for dogs and their handlers

Meet the Summerville Dog Training Team

Denise Miller

Crystal Williams

Denise Miller

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER

About Us

We are so glad you're here! There's a lot to see and explore, so don't be shy. And please, hit the FEEDBACK link below to let us know how we can help YOU and your pet be happier and healthier this year. It's our passion!

Sincerely,

Denise Miller

Owner, Instructor, Breeder

Kim DeSio

Crystal Williams

Denise Miller

One of the greatest strengths Kim brings to Mtn Hollow is her ability to teach people just as well as she teaches dogs. She has a gift for helping handlers become clear, consistent, and confident—allowing both ends of the leash to succeed.

At Mtn Hollow, we often talk about the Flower Concept. While the dog is the flower, the handler is the stem. Without a strong stem, the flower cannot fully bloom. She has an incredible ability to strengthen that stem by helping owners understand timing, communication, consistency, and how to build a true partnership with their dogs.

Her success in dog sports reflects not only her skill as a trainer but also her dedication to developing thoughtful, willing teammates. Over the years, she has earned an impressive 42 AKC Rally titles across four different dogs, demonstrating the consistency and versatility of her training.

Accomplishments

42 AKC Rally Titles earned across four dogs, including:
- Rally Championship 2 (RACH2)
- Rally Master 14 (RM12)
- Rally Choice 5 (RC5)
- Rally Advanced Excellent 7 (RAE7)
- Rally Excellent 4 (RE4)
- Rally Advanced 4 (RA4)
- Rally Intermediate 4 (RI4)
- Rally Novice 4 (RN4)
6 Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Titles
7 Trick Dog Titles
4 Fast CAT Titles
5 Dock Diving Titles

National-Level Competition

Her dogs have consistently competed at the highest levels:

Invited to the AKC Rally National Championship every year for the past seven years, with all four of her dogs receiving multiple invitations.
Qualified for Dock Diving Regionals for the past three consecutive years.
Invited to Dock Diving Nationals in 2024, with another invitation anticipated for 2026.

While her accomplishments are impressive, what truly sets her apart is her passion for helping people. Whether you’re just starting your journey or working toward advanced performance goals, she has a remarkable ability to simplify training, build confidence, and help you develop the relationship you’ve always wanted with your dog.

Crystal Williams

Crystal’s greatest strength isn’t just training dogs—it’s advocating for them and the people who love them.

She believes every dog deserves to be understood before it is judged. A reactive dog isn’t a bad dog. A fearful dog isn’t stubborn. Every behavior has an emotional or physical reason behind it, and Crystal is passionate about helping owners discover the “why” so they can build a better relationship with their dog.

She empowers handlers to become confident advocates for their dogs. Whether that means politely telling someone, “No, my dog doesn’t need to meet you,” or helping someone understand that a large or intimidating-looking dog isn’t automatically dangerous, Crystal teaches people to read body language, recognize what dogs are communicating, and make thoughtful decisions instead of emotional ones.

Just as importantly, she helps owners understand what they are communicating to their own dogs. Clear leadership, structure, and consistency create confident dogs that are mentally prepared for whatever life brings.

One of Crystal’s greatest gifts is her organization. She naturally creates practical schedules, realistic goals, and training plans that owners can actually follow. She meets people where they are and celebrates every success along the way. Her students quickly discover that she isn’t just their instructor—she becomes their biggest cheerleader and support system. She genuinely cares about every dog and every person she works with. I often tell her not to become too emotionally invested… and I’m grateful she doesn’t listen.

I’ve had the privilege of watching Crystal grow as a trainer from the very beginning. She first came to Mtn Hollow as a student, and it didn’t take long for me to recognize that she belonged on our training team. Since then, I’ve watched her confidence bloom alongside her knowledge and experience.

Crystal has a passion for giving dogs meaningful jobs. She believes a dog’s mental exercise should complement its physical exercise because true balance creates healthier, happier dogs. Whether it’s scent work, fitness, trick training, herding, or another dog sport, she has countless creative ways to challenge both the mind and body. Her philosophy is simple: a healthy dog is a happy dog.

Crystal brings an exceptional combination of competitive success, professional education, and a passion for helping both dogs and their handlers succeed. Her experience spans numerous dog sports, evaluations, judging, and real-world canine handling, allowing her to guide students with patience, clarity, and proven methods.

Competition Titles

All titles listed below were earned with her very first sport dog, Calypso, a German Shepherd Dog.

American Kennel Club (AKC)

Obedience

BN (Beginner Novice)

Rally

RN, RA, RE, RM
30 Master points toward RACH

Canine Good Citizen

CGC
CGCA
CGCU

Fast CAT

BCAT
DCAT
FCAT
FCAT2
FCAT3

Coursing Ability

Trick Dog

Fetch

Scent Work

SCN
SCNE
SIN
SINE
SBN

Herding

Herding Instinct Certificate

⸻

United Kennel Club (UKC)

Conformation Champion (CH)
Dock Diving: UJJ, UJJCH
Three-Time Total Dog Award Recipient

⸻

North America Diving Dogs (NADD)

HydroDash

Distance

DS
DM
DMA
DMX
DMX2
DE

Regional Invitational Qualifier

Distance: 2024, 2025, 2026
HydroDash: 2025, 2026

National Invitational Qualifier

Distance: 2024, 2025

⸻

Barn Hunt

RATI
RATN
RATO

⸻

IGP

Professional Qualifications

AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
AKC Fetch Judge
AKC ATT Judge
CPR & First Aid Certified
Current Flight Nanny
Bachelor of Science in Avian Biology, University of Georgia (2007)
Mantrailing Beginner Workshop Certificate (with Calypso)

Calypso’s National Recognition

Crystal’s German Shepherd Dog, Calypso, has earned numerous titles across multiple venues while receiving national recognition for outstanding performance.

National & State Rankings

2025

#19 Open German Shepherd Dog in the Nation
#3 Open Dog in South Carolina

2021

#8 Novice German Shepherd Dog in the Nation
#2 Novice Dog in South Carolina

Crystal’s accomplishments reflect years of dedication, thoughtful training, and a commitment to building dogs that are confident, capable, and joyful in their work. More importantly, she brings that same passion to every student she teaches, helping handlers build clear communication, confidence, and lasting partnerships with their dogs.

At Mtn Hollow, we believe great instructors never stop learning, and Crystal is the perfect example of that philosophy. Her dedication to dogs, commitment to education, and unwavering support of her students make her an invaluable part of our team. Whether you’re looking for guidance with a family companion or pursuing performance sports, Crystal will help you and your dog become the best team you can be.

Michele Griffin

Crystal Williams

My passion is helping people better understand their dogs — focusing on connection, communication, and meeting a dog’s needs, rather than simply expecting obedience and compliance. I truly believe that when we begin to understand why a behavior is happening, our entire perspective can change. Often, that understanding alone can make a meaningful difference. Instead of asking, “How do we stop this behavior?” I encourage people to ask, “What is my dog trying to communicate?” For me, it’s always about connection over correction.

I began working with dogs in 2000 and have experience in dog daycare, veterinary care, shelter and sanctuary work. In addition to being a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, CPDT-KA, I am a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator and a Certified Family Dog Mediator, FDM. In 2025, I traveled to India to study free-living dogs, or “streeties,” in several regions throughout the country — an experience that further shaped my understanding of canine behavior, adaptability, and communication.

I am committed to lifelong learning and curiosity by regularly attending conferences, workshops, and taking continuing education courses. The science of dog behavior has advanced immensely . How dogs communicate through their body language, what their natural behaviors mean or are used to accomplish, their learning history, the environment they have been exposed to, their genetics and who they are individually, all account for the dog in front of you. When we as humans understand our individual dog, we can better support them.

Through my years working in shelters and sanctuary settings, I have seen far too many dogs surrendered simply because they were misunderstood — because their communication and body language went unheard or unrecognized. My goal is to support both the human and the dog with compassion, empathy, and practical guidance. I would love the opportunity to help coach and strengthen the relationship between you and your dog.

Dog Training in Summerville, SC

What is the best age to train a dog?

dog are never to young o

What Is the Best Age to Train a Dog?

People often ask, “Is my dog too old to learn?”

The answer is no.

Dogs can continue learning throughout their entire lives. In fact, adult and older dogs can sometimes be easier to teach than puppies because they often have a longer attention span and are better able to focus.

That doesn’t mean you should wait to start training. Starting young teaches a puppy how to learn. They begin learning how to communicate with you, work through problems, pay attention, and understand that their choices have meaning.

Puppies may have shorter attention spans, so their lessons should be brief and appropriate for their age. As they mature, their ability to concentrate and work for longer periods usually improves.

So when is the best time to start training?

Today.

Whether your dog is 10 weeks old, 10 months old, or 10 years old, learning can continue.

Age does not put a limit on learning. Training simply changes to meet the dog in front of you.

r old to learn.

What is the best way to train a dog?

Train the dog in front of you. unders

The best way to train a dog is to make learning clear, consistent, fair, and appropriate for the dog in front of you.

There is no single method that works exactly the same for every dog. Some dogs are very sensitive and respond to the smallest change in your voice or body language. Others are more confident, distracted, or persistent and may need clearer boundaries and more structure.

Good training starts with communication. The dog needs to understand:

What you want
When they are doing it correctly
When they are making the wrong choice
How to find the right answer
When the exercise is finished

Reward the behaviors you want to see more often, prevent unwanted behaviors from being repeatedly practiced, and use consequences that are fair and understandable when needed. Training should never be about anger, intimidation, or overpowering a dog.

Just as important, pay attention to the dog's state of mind. A dog that is overwhelmed, frightened, frustrated, or overly excited may not be in the best state to learn. Sometimes the first lesson is not “sit” or “heel.” It is learning how to become calm enough to think.

The goal of training is not simply to teach commands. It is to build communication between the dog and handler so the dog understands what is expected and the handler learns how to guide the dog.

The best training method is the one that gives the individual dog the clearest path to success.

Or, in one sentence:

Train the dog in front of you—not the dog a book, video, or training philosophy says you should have.tand the learner and build on that

What is the first thing you should train your puppy?

Add an answer to this item.

That learning is fun.

Before worrying about perfect sits, downs, stays, or leash walking, teach your puppy that interacting with you is enjoyable and rewarding.

Training should feel like a game. Short sessions, lots of success, movement, praise, food, toys, and opportunities to figure things out help build a puppy that wants to participate.

When puppies learn early that working with you is fun, they also learn:

to pay attention to you
to try new things
to recover from mistakes
to problem-solve
to enjoy training rather than avoid it

You are not just teaching behaviors. You are teaching your puppy how to learn.

That foundation can influence every lesson that comes afterward.

The first goal of puppy training isn’t obedience. It’s creating a dog that loves learning with you.

Yes. In fact, you should be an important part of your dog’s training. A professional trainer can teach your dog new skills, but ultimately you are the person living with your dog every day. That means one of the most important parts of training is teaching you how to communicate clearly with your dog. At Mtn Hollow, we believe clarity is often the missing piece of the puzzle. Think of training like a flower. The behaviors your dog learns—sit, down, stay, recall, leash walking—are the petals. Clarity between the dog and handler is the stem holding everything up. You can have beautiful petals, but if the stem is weak, eventually the flower wilts. That is one of the limitations of relying entirely on a Board & Train. Board & Train can be a wonderful tool. Your dog can receive concentrated training, structure, exposure, and lots of repetition. It can also be a great option while you're traveling or on vacation. But when your dog comes home, the dog learned—did the handler? If the communica

Add an answer to this item.

How do you punish a puppy?

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With a puppy, punishment should be less about making something unpleasant happen and more about redirection, boundaries, and consequences they can understand.

Puppies are learning about the world. When they make the wrong choice, they often need us to show them what the right choice looks like.

If your puppy is chewing the furniture, redirect them to something appropriate to chew. If they are jumping for attention, remove the attention and reward them when four feet are on the floor. If they are getting too wild during play, calmly end the game for a moment and give them an opportunity to settle.

That is a consequence without creating fear or conflict.

Good puppy training includes:

Interrupting unwanted behavior before it becomes a habit
Redirecting the puppy toward an appropriate behavior
Setting boundaries so they understand what is and is not allowed
Managing the environment so they aren't constantly practicing the wrong choices
Rewarding the correct choice when they make it

Boundaries are important. Puppies need freedom, but they also need structure. Too much freedom too soon often leads to behaviors we later have to undo.

The goal isn't to make a puppy afraid of making a mistake. It is to teach them, “That choice doesn't work, but this one does.”

Clear boundaries and thoughtful redirection help a puppy learn how to make better decisions while keeping training fair, calm, and understandable.

How long does it take to train a puppy?

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How Long Does It Take to Train a Puppy?

Training a puppy doesn’t require hours of work every day.

A few short training sessions throughout the day, combined with clear boundaries and consistency, can make puppy training very doable.

Young puppies have short attention spans, so training for just a few minutes at a time is often more productive than one long session. You can also build training into everyday life—before meals, going through doors, putting on the leash, getting in and out of the car, or settling in the house.

The biggest progress usually comes from what happens between the training sessions.

If your puppy has clear boundaries, appropriate freedom, and consistent expectations, they are learning all day long—not just when you have treats in your hand.

Some behaviors can be learned quickly, while reliability takes more time and repetition. Puppies also go through developmental stages, so training is not always a straight line.

A few short sessions a day, good management, and proper boundaries can build a very well-trained puppy over time.

The goal is not to rush the process. It is to create good habits early and keep building on them.

Dog Training in Summerville, SC

Private Training & Group Classes

Additional Information

Request Pricing and Schedule Information

Request Pricing and Schedule Information

Mtn Hollow

Meet the Summerville Dog Training Team

Denise Miller

Crystal Williams

Denise Miller

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER

About Us

Kim DeSio

Crystal Williams

Denise Miller

Accomplishments

National-Level Competition

Crystal Williams

Crystal Williams

Crystal Williams

Michele Griffin

Crystal Williams

Crystal Williams

Dog Training in Summerville, SC

What Is the Best Age to Train a Dog?

How Long Does It Take to Train a Puppy?

Dog Training in Summerville, SC

Private Training & Group Classes

Additional Information

Request Pricing and Schedule Information

Request Pricing and Schedule Information

Mtn Hollow

Meet the Summerville Dog Training Team

Denise Miller

Crystal Williams

Denise Miller

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER

About Us

Kim DeSio

Crystal Williams

Denise Miller

Accomplishments

National-Level Competition

Crystal Williams

Crystal Williams

Crystal Williams

Michele Griffin

Crystal Williams

Crystal Williams

Dog Training in Summerville, SC

What Is the Best Age to Train a Dog?

How Long Does It Take to Train a Puppy?

Help Improve Mtn Hollow