A converted warehouse on a historic Hill Country ranch serves as the home base for this Boerne facility, which opened in late 2020 and began hosting AKC-sanctioned trials the following spring. Owner Rene Fitch-Keif has competed in AKC obedience since age 15, starting with an Irish Setter before moving into agility and breeding English Cocker Spaniels. Her daughter Shelby Fitch, who began agility training at five and later competed nationally, launched the facility's first classes and now builds courses on site.
Top Dog Training Center describes its training philosophy as stress- and force-free, framing most behavioral problems as responses to stress or over-arousal rather than defiance. According to their site, instruction relies on operant conditioning and positive reinforcement. The class lineup runs from Puppy Kindergarten (aligned with AKC STAR Puppy) through Canine Good Citizen prep, then branches into competition tracks: agility from foundation through masters level, obedience at Novice, Open, and Utility levels, rally, and conformation handling.
One unusual offering is Happy Ratters, an urban-style vermin hunting class taught by instructor Melinda Invergo, who owns and trains the rats used in the program. The facility also hosts AKC agility, rally, obedience, and FAST CAT trials in partnership with regional breed and sport clubs.
