About Us
Audrey Catt is the owner of True Potential Dog Training LLC. She started True Potential with the goal of helping pet parents recognize that their dog has untapped potential, and that they are capable of much more than they are given credit for. "I've come to notice there is a misconception that once a dog has learned something, there is no chance that the dog can be taught otherwise, such as pulling on the leash or barking at the door. I've seen people over and over again just accept these things as part of who their dog is. It's as if people expect dogs to always pull or bark and no one questions why or how the problem can be fixed. My goal is to help people understand that their dog is more than that. I believe all dogs have the potential to be great dogs, and it is our duty as dog owners to help them be the best dog they are able to be."
Core Values - Be T.R.U.E.
Trust- Trusting someone with the care of your beloved pet is a huge decision. We strive to make sure that your experience with us has as little confusion as possible. We are honest, clear and punctual with our communication, so you are never left in the dark. No question will go unanswered!
Responsibility- We are first and foremost dog people. We're not trainers for the sake of training, we chose this profession because we love dogs, and we love to help improve their lives, (and yours!) That's why it is our promise to treat every dog with as much care and affection as our own pups, regardless of their temperament.
Unity- The process of getting a well trained dog is a team effort. You, your dog, and your trainer are all a team with the same end goal! Our standard is to do whatever it takes to promote understanding and teamwork. We believe in frequent communication and check-ins, even on off days we're always willing to offer advice or encouragement!
Empathy/Encouragement- Dog training can be messy. It has good days and bad days. Sometimes dogs just don't want to listen, and that's ok! The goal is to minimize bad days and to boost control and communication even on bad days. We understand that dogs and people alike can have hiccups occasionally. We're committed to helping dog owners push through the hard times with their dogs, better days are ahead!
My Education
Audrey attended Highland Canine School for Dog Trainers in 2024. She attended the Obedience and Behavior Modification program, which consisted of 12 weeks of studying and hands on work. After graduating with a near perfect score, she proceeded to Highland Canine's main campus and completed a five-month internship there. She got even more hands on experience with different breeds and temperaments, and learned from expert trainers. Every day started and ended with training dogs. While she spent most of her internship working with pet dogs, she also spent some time working with service dogs and police dogs. She also assisted in the behavior modification of an extremely aggressive belgian malinois. Since her internship she has joined the International Association of Canine Professionals. She attended the 2025 educational conference and regularly engages in continual education opportunities they offer.
Our Methods and Why They Work
Dog training is so important to your life with your pup! It can enable you to do things with your dog that you never thought possible. Training is teaching, and just like people, dogs have different ways of learning. That's why it's so important to find a trainer who understands the different methods of teaching, and knows how to apply them to your dog. True Potential Dog Training uses balanced methods, making sure your dog is set up for success by using whichever techniques work best for them. Understanding and being able to teach and apply the four quadrants of learning is crucial to reliable success. Dogs learn through consequences, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Basically- "If I do -action-, then -consequence- happens." Knowing how to reinforce that is gold, and being consistent is just as important. We believe in 100% transparency, so if at any point you have any questions, we'll pause and take the time to talk things over. That's why we offer FREE evaluations, so that we can determine the game plan for your dog and make sure you know exactly what the steps to success are!
Why I Became a Dog Trainer
Everything started in 2015. An 11-year-old girl dragged her mom into Petsmart to look at the hamsters, having no idea a shelter adoption event was going on. There was an 11-month old puppy named Samantha, skin and bones, in a kennel, trembling with fear at being in such a scary new place. Long story short that scared puppy became my first dog, my sweet Sammy. Sammy was too scared to even leave her bed for the first few days after we brought her home. Eventually with patience and all the love we could offer, she came out of her shell. Years passed, Sammy grew confident, (and somewhat spoiled!) and with that some issues started popping up. Chewing up and shredding anything plush, barking and charging at the door every time we came into the house, barking and lunging at dogs and people on our walks. At the time we didn't know what to do, so we did what a lot of people do. We managed it. Fewer walks, no plush toys unless supervised, even turning around and cutting walks short if we saw anyone else out and about. She would sit at the window and stare, waiting to bark at the next person who dared to walk by our house. Treats didn't work, redirecting didn't work, I knew there must be something I was missing. By the time I decided to go to dog training school Sammy was an old lady, but I was still hopeful that I would learn something to help her (and us!) live a little more peacefully. I learned all that and so much more. I learned everything I needed to know to fix Sammy's behavior.
During my internship at Highland Canine we would go weekly to an animal shelter and work with the homeless dogs there. It reminded me of when I would volunteer at my local shelter when I was younger. It helped reignite my passion for shelter dogs, especially ones with behavioral problems. I now know that every dog has a good dog in them, we just need to learn how to bring it out. I plan to use my knowledge to the best of my ability to help shelter dogs and their owners, so that the number of happy endings (like Sammy's) will only go up!
My sweet Sammy,
Modelling for my graduation photos
Is professional training actually necessary?
Yes! Training is teaching, and dogs are smarter than they are given credit for. It is very easy to accidentally teach them bad behaviors, even with the best intentions! That's why it's so important to speak with someone who is an expert in the subject, so that your dog has the best chance and things don't get worse!
I'm interested in learning more, but I'm not ready to sign up yet...
That's ok! We actually love that you care enough to have extra questions. We offer a FREE no-commitment evaluation, where we'll discuss the issues you're having and make a game plan. We always make sure everyone is on the same page before
How do I claim my FREE evaluation?
The first step to claim your evaluation is to schedule a phone call consultation. You can either call or text our number directly saying that you're interested in an evaluation, or you can fill out the form on this website!
Will my dog be fully trained after the program?
In our opinion, there is always something new to learn! Your dog will come out of the program better than before, but there's always another step you can take. Training is a journey not a trip. There is no definitive end goal besides the one you set yourself. So set your expectations high and be proud of the journey you're about to take!
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! We understand that training is an investment, but it's totally worth it! We offer payment plans through Affirm, which will give you lower monthly payments instead of the one bulky sum. We'd love to go over which payment plan would work for you during your evaluation!
Do you offer refunds?
No, we cannot issue a refund for any reason. When you pay, you pay for our services, time, and expertise. We are confident that if you stick to the training you will find it worth it!
Get ready for more of this!
About Us
True Potential Dog Training LLC is a dog training business based in Suffolk, VA dedicated to helping pet owners find harmony with their dogs. We offer affordable and reliable training solutions for any behavior. Contact us today to claim your FREE evaluation and take the first step towards a new and better life with your pup.
