Live a Happier Life with Your Furry Friend
Certified
balanced trainers you can trust
Since 2005
helping families nationwide
Lifetime Support
to keep training on track
National Network
of local trainers near you
Free Evaluation
to start your dog’s training
How It Works
We offer a wide range of dog training programs designed to fit your goals, whether you need board and train, private lessons, puppy training, or group classes. Each program is led by certified trainers, with flexible scheduling and lifetime support after graduation.
Free Evaluation
We assess your dog’s needs and create a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle.
Customized Training Plan
Certified trainers guide you and your dog through proven, positive methods for behavior improvement.
Hands-On Training
Choose from in-home, mobile, or facility-based programs designed for lasting results.
Ongoing Support
Receive tools, guidance, and follow-ups to maintain progress and reinforce skills at home.
Our Dog Training Programs
and Services
Meet Your Dog Trainers
Every dog trainer on the The Dog Wizard Ashland team is extensively trained and experienced in balanced training techniques that address a range of behavioral issues to help your dog reach their full potential.
Amanda Davis
Owner
Amanda is the proud owner of The Dog Wizard Ashland and Lexington and has been professionally training dogs since 2006 after graduating from Animal Behavior College. She is also a proud member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. Her passion for dogs began in childhood and has only grown stronger over the years. From the moment she started training, she knew she had found her calling – helping dogs and their owners live happier, more balanced lives together.
With nearly two decades of experience, Amanda has worked with dogs of all breeds, ages, and temperaments. Her calm, confident approach and deep understanding of canine behavior make her not just a skilled trainer, but a true advocate for every dog she meets.
Outside of training, Amanda is a devoted wife to her husband Joshua and proud mom to two beautiful girls, Selah and Miah. Family, both human and canine, is at the heart of everything she does and it shows in the care and dedication she brings to every dog that walks through her doors.
Hannah Wirzfeld
Dog Trainer
Hannah Wirzfeld is the Lead Trainer at The Dog Wizard Ashland, KY. She has 4 years of experience working with dogs and holds an Advanced Trainer certification through The Dog Wizard. She is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners build stronger relationships, and specializes in reliable, real-world obedience with a focus on off-leash freedom. Her approach is built on clear communication, trust, and confidence, which gives clients the tools to enjoy life with their dogs at home and on every adventure. Known for her supportive, personalized approach, Hannah loves helping dogs and their people reach goals they once thought were out of reach. The results last, and the bonds she helps build extend well beyond the training sessions.
Outside of training, Hannah shares her life with two rescue dogs, Remy and Posie. They remind her of how much potential every dog has when given the right guidance. Whether they’re hiking local trails or exploring new places together, they show the freedom and partnership she works to help every client achieve. Her favorite breed is the pit bull, because they’re always willing to protect, learn, and comfort you, and no matter what, they’re along for the ride. When she isn’t with her dogs, Hannah enjoys time with friends and family and loves learning about reptiles and going to reptile shows. Her collection currently stands at 14 animals: a bearded dragon, a blue-tongued skink, a uromastyx, three snakes, two leachie geckos, a chameleon, two dart frogs, and three spiders. She plans to keep adding to it.
William Deatherage
Trainer
William Deatherage is a veteran dog training and behavior specialist serving Ashland, Kentucky, bringing 16 years of dedicated experience to solving complex behavioral cases, large-breed rehabilitation, and advanced obedience.
Certifications & Education
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Starmark Academy (2011): Certified Training and Behavior Specialist.
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Nash Academy of Animal Arts (2012): Comprehensive education in professional animal care and handling.
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The Dog Wizard Academy (2026): Certified Dog Wizard Experienced Trainer.
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Ongoing Education: National educational focus with plans to expand into advanced canine nutrition.
Specialized Expertise & Training Philosophy
William has spent over a decade traveling the United States to study canine behavior, specializing in a niche most trainers shy away from: large, high-risk, and aggressive dogs. He finds true purpose in handling dogs that others view as unmanageable, transforming serious behavioral liabilities into safe, confident, and reliable companions.
His favorite breed is the Dutch Shepherd, admiring their unique blend of intelligence, power, and drive. William believes that with proper stimulation and clear structure, even the most intense breeds and severe cases can achieve the ultimate balance of protection, capability, and family loyalty.
Beyond the Leash
When he isn’t rehabilitating reactive or aggressive dogs, William spends time with his family, playing horror games with his son, building computers, writing software, and exploring new technologies.
See What Other Dog Owners are Saying
About The Dog Wizard Ashland
Our dog training goes beyond basic commands like Sit, Come, and Down. Our approach focuses on helping your dog make better choices and respond to you instead of their impulses.
We cover all the essential obedience commands you need to communicate effectively with your dog. But more importantly, we teach your dog to stay engaged and follow through with these commands, even in the most distracting environments.
Our goal is to enhance your dog’s understanding of obedience, making it a natural part of their behavior, not just a few tricks they perform when they feel like it.
Why Choose The Dog Wizard
Magical Methodologies
All of our trainers use balanced training techniques that are proven to be effective in and out of the classroom.
Everywhere Dogs Are
With over 100 locations — the majority of them being mobile — we have the ability to bring balanced dog training right to you.
Trained to Transform
Our knowledgeable trainers complete a rigorous dog training curriculum through The Dog Wizard Academy that teaches them methods that truly work
A Lifetime of Support
Those who complete our obedience programs have access to indefinite group class training support.
