Liz Thomas, CPDT, pursued a career in professional dog training after obtaining her first Ridgeback, Berkeley, 15 years
ago. In addition to her own all-breed training business that offers private training and house calls, she is the Training
Director at the Old Dominion Animal Health Center in McLean, VA.
Several years ago after conducting classes for rescued Ridgebacks and their owners, Liz founded the popular Rhodesian
Ridgeback Academy as a means to get Ridgeback owners together to have fun while training their hounds. She is committed
to teaching owners to communicate with their dogs primarily through the use of positive reinforcement.
 In 2001, although she did not own or co-own the dam, Liz was named as co-breeder to a litter of 12 puppies bred
by Debbie Welsh of Yandisa Ridgebacks. Liz was instrumental in providing early socialization and environmental enrichment,
and assisted in saving the life of a compromised puppy. As a way of showing her appreciation, and as a way to thank Liz
for her ongoing canine behavioral mentoring, she is credited as co-breeder, and co-owns two from the litter.
Liz lives in Middleburg, Virginia with John and their four Ridgebacks; Simone, Dekembe and her two newest additions...Gisele,
imported from Glenaholm Kennels in South Africa and Mira, from her first home-bred litter. She owns a horse named Solitaire
and used to have time to ride him,but the dogs have long since taken over her life!
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