Contact us for all of your training needs. We offer group classes as well as individual assistance.
NOTE: There are now TWO (2) locations in Aiken for our Dog Training Classes!
Contact us for all of your training needs. We offer group classes as well as individual assistance.
NOTE: There are now TWO (2) locations in Aiken for our Dog Training Classes!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Classes at ODell Weeks Center
1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken, SC
BASIC GOOD MANNERS DOG TRAINING
will be held on
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
from October 1 - November 12, 2025
AKC STAR PUPPY TRAINING
will be held on
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
from October 1 - November 5, 2025
Click on the "Classes" page for additional information.
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
from October 1 - November 5, 2025
Click on the "Classes" page for additional information.
Classes at Herbal Solutions
Centre South Plaza, 722 Silver Bluff Road, Aiken, SC
Centre South Plaza, 722 Silver Bluff Road, Aiken, SC
AKC STAR Puppy Training
will be held on
will be held on
TUESDAY MORNINGS
from March 18 - April 29, 2025
from March 18 - April 29, 2025
BASIC GOOD MANNERS DOG TRAINING
will be held on
Tuesday Mornings
from March 18 - April 29, 2025
Click on the "Classes" page for additional information.
Click on the "Classes" page for additional information.
PACK WALK
Our Pack Walks are scheduled periodically.
Please watch this site and check
our Facebook page for updates.
We Meet at the corner of Barnwell Avenue and
Laurens Street and we will
walk the town from there.
Easy parallel parking on Barnwell.
When walking your dog, please remember to maintain
the recommended CDC distance between you and others.
The Pack Walk will be cancelled if it is raining that day.
Please check our "Pack Walk" page for additional information.
Our Pack Walks are scheduled periodically.
Please watch this site and check
our Facebook page for updates.
We Meet at the corner of Barnwell Avenue and
Laurens Street and we will
walk the town from there.
Easy parallel parking on Barnwell.
When walking your dog, please remember to maintain
the recommended CDC distance between you and others.
The Pack Walk will be cancelled if it is raining that day.
Please check our "Pack Walk" page for additional information.
Take the Lead, Inc. will help you socialize your dog and teach him/her basic commands and skills. Together, you will develop a relationship based on communication, trust, and respect.
About Us
Take the Lead, Inc. was formed in 2007 by our head trainer, Patricia A. (Pat) Czaikowski.
Pat has more than 20 years experience as a canine trainer. She served as Senior Lead Instructor for a canine obedience training school in West Grove, PA, where she worked for 10 years for Virginia (Ginny) Dorsman. Ginny was certified by the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI). Pat specializes in puppy behavior, and is qualified and experienced in temperament testing of puppies. She served as Training Director for a major pet supply chain headquartered in Wilmington, DE, where her duties included planning and organizing the canine training program, and training instructors and assistants. She has experience as a handler in AKC Sponsored Dog Conformation Shows. Pat currently works as a handler with her Therapy Dog (Ch Folklore's Fantasy Tour CD, BN, GN, RE, CGCA), "Holden", who is certified with the Aliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).
Pat's professional training includes:
- American Red Cross Pet First Aid, Chadds Ford, PA
- Mary Thompson Tracking Seminar, Fair Hill, MD
- Clicker Training Seminar, Newark, DE
- Patricia McConnell Animal Behavior, Mebane, NC
- Trish King Canine Aggression, Mebane, NC
- Canine Massage Seminar, West Chester, PA
- American Red Cross Pet First Aid, Bethlehem, PA
- APDT Educational Conference, King of Prussia, PA
- Hannah Branigan Seminar "Beyond FUNdamentals", Columbia, SC
- Denise Fenzi Seminar "Handler's Choice for Obedience", Columbia, SC
Pat's professional certifications include:
- American Red Cross Pet First Aid and CPR
- American Kennel Club, S.T.A.R Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, and Community Good Citizen Evaluator
- Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers, #69004
Serving South Carolina's Aiken and Edgefield Counties.
Services
Take the Lead, Inc. provides a variety of services, including: