About Lucky Dog MT
Our Goal
The goal here at Lucky Dog MT is to create a healthy and happy relationship between you and your dog. We want to enhance the bond and relationship to create a lasting, respectful, and loving dog experience. We pride ourselves on teaching proper and effective communication between you and your pet so that you can live happily together!
Our Training Methods
We design our dog training programs so you can learn to train your dog with the help of professional dog trainers and make it the best training experience. We will customize our program to fit your needs!
Our method is tailored to your individual dog's needs. We utilize a scientific approach that includes both Classical and Operant Conditioning. We believe in motivational training that REALLY works!
Commands your dog will reliably learn include: sit, down, heel (walks on your left side with a loose leash, sits when you stop), place (go to your bed, lay down, stay), and come.
Our Credentials
Rebecca began her dog training instruction and education in 2009 with Rick Robins at Robinswood Kennels, Little Egg Harbor NJ. Rick was a local trainer and breeder who was quite accomplished, having been the trainer of choice not just for the locals, but for many celebrities and professional athletes in the region.
From a modest and humble beginning, Rebecca has endeavored to continually expand her knowledge, as well as the instructors she has sought to learn from. She is NePoPo © Gold Certified and E-Collar Certified through world renowned trainers Bart and Michael Bellon. She has attended seminars, workshops, and private trainings throughout the country, as well in Europe, with world-class trainers and instructors.
What sets Rebecca apart is that she has trained well over 1500 dogs and their handlers, and has arguably one of the best client satisfaction rates in the profession, with many becoming lifelong friends.
Rebecca has been invited to train with numerous USA police K9 units, as well as units in Antwerp Belgium, and Aruba. She has also been invited to instruct obedience at various police K9 trainings and seminars. In addition, she holds and instructs her own seminars throughout the country, and holds local protection and obedience demonstrations.
She has obedience trained dogs that have become police K9, including a Belgian Malinois that was a bomb dog at the Statue of Liberty. She has trained multiple service dogs for clients. Rebecca has also successfully competed in PSA dog sport with her Belgian Malinois, Luna.
Our Story
Lucky Dog MT has been based in Absarokee Montana since 2021. It is an evolution of Lucky Dog Pet Services, which Rebecca Sholtis-Weiss started around 2010 in Ocean County NJ. LDPS and Rebecca were a staple in the community, having trained well over 1500 dogs - and that many more handlers - by the time she and her family relocated to Montana in 2021.
In 2009 her lifelong passion for animals led to the decision to leave a promising career in retail, where her motivation, dedication, and skill elevated her to being one of the youngest assistant store managers for Kmart at the age of 19. Brian Weiss, who would become her husband, had recently gotten a beautiful male Doberman from a reputable local breeder and trainer, and she went to work at the facility. Her days consisted of cleaning kennels in the morning, and then learning to train in the afternoon.
Within a year she was managing the facility, and a solid foundation as trainer had been laid. When the opportunity presented itself to begin to train dogs for herself, she took it and never looked back.
The years that ensued were filled with dog after dog, and client after client. Rebecca has travelled all over the country, as well as to Europe, to continue building her knowledge and experience.
Business boomed , and in the 36 months prior to relocating to Montana, at her facility they trained an average of 8 board and trains per month, in addition to day trains, individual lessons, group classes, and full service grooming.
Rebecca has expanded her passion for training to now include horses, and she has been fortunate to have some excellent local trainers take her under their wing and mentor her – she’s well on her way, and is currently breaking colts. She also continues to attend workshops and seminars for both horse and dog training.
Rebecca, along with her husband and 2 boys, is proud to call Montana home and offer her services to the region.