Dairydell Canine
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Dairydell Canine is a dog training and boarding facility in Petaluma, California, United States. It was founded by trainer and author Camilla Gray-Nelson and operates on a former dairy ranch in Sonoma County. The business has been the subject of coverage in regional newspapers and magazines, as well as television segments and industry awards related to Gray-Nelson's dog-training work.
Background
Location and setting
Dairydell Canine is located at 2575 Old Adobe Road in eastern Petaluma, on land that previously operated as a family dairy farm. As the dairy operations were phased out, the property was converted into a dedicated dog-training and boarding facility. The site includes an indoor boarding barn, a covered training arena, outdoor exercise areas, a saltwater pool for dogs, and open ranchland used for supervised activities.
History
The name "Dairydell" was originally used by Gray-Nelson as a kennel name for her American Kennel Club (AKC) breeding activities before being adopted for the training business. She began offering dog-training services in the late 1980s, initially through house-call lessons, and later expanded to a purpose-built facility on the ranch. A profile in North Bay Biz magazine in 2011 noted that the business had grown significantly through the late 2000s, including during the 2008–2009 economic downturn.
In 2011, readers of the Petaluma Argus-Courier named Dairydell the "Best Kennel" in a local readers' poll.
Founder
Camilla Gray-Nelson
Camilla Gray-Nelson grew up on a dairy farm in Petaluma and has described learning animal behavior and non-verbal handling skills through work with livestock and farm dogs. Before working full-time in dog training, she held a consumer-affairs role in the U.S. federal government and later worked in the wine industry. She is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and has spoken at IACP conferences and other events for professional and women's organizations.
Gray-Nelson has been profiled in regional outlets including the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, North Bay Biz magazine, and Petaluma-area newspapers for her work at Dairydell and for her focus on women as primary dog caregivers. She has also appeared on local television segments discussing dog training and behavior.
Lipstick and the Leash
In 2012, Gray-Nelson published Lipstick and the Leash: Dog Training a Woman's Way, a training book aimed at women dog owners. The book presents her views on leadership, body language, and calm authority as applied to dog training. It received several industry awards, including recognition from the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA), a USA Best Book Award in an animal/pets category, and a Living Now book award for nature/animals.
Training philosophy
Gray-Nelson describes Dairydell's approach as a "nature-based" method that emphasizes non-verbal leadership and calm control rather than relying primarily on food rewards or physical force. In interviews with the Press Democrat and other outlets, she has framed the method around observing how animals establish rank and boundaries within groups and applying those principles to dog-owner interactions.
Under the "Dog Training a Woman's Way" name, Dairydell has marketed training programs and educational materials that specifically address common challenges faced by women as primary dog handlers.
Services
Training
Dairydell offers several types of dog-training services:
- Board-and-train programmes, in which dogs stay at the facility for multi-week training stays
- Day-training programmes that do not involve overnight boarding
- Group obedience classes for basic and advanced skills
- Puppy consultations and early-training sessions
- Behaviour-modification services, including programmes for leash reactivity and other specific issues
The facility has also offered specialised classes such as scent-work activities and preparation for therapy-dog work.
In addition to training, Dairydell provides boarding and day-care for dogs. Dogs are grouped by size and play style and participate in structured rotations of play, rest, and training sessions where applicable. The ranch includes fenced outdoor areas and a saltwater pool used for supervised swimming. Grooming services, including de-shedding packages, are also offered.
Staff
| Name | Role and background |
|---|---|
| Camilla Gray-Nelson | Founder and head trainer; dog trainer since the late 1980s; author and speaker |
| Lesley Zoromski | Trainer at Dairydell since the early 2000s; previously worked as a schoolteacher |
Reception and coverage
Media coverage
Dairydell and Gray-Nelson have been featured in several regional media outlets. North Bay Biz ran a profile describing the development of the ranch-based business. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat published an article focusing on Gray-Nelson's emphasis on women as dog handlers. Petaluma-area publications including Sonoma Family Life magazine have also covered the facility.
Gray-Nelson has appeared on television segments including KRON-TV in San Francisco, KGO-TV's View from the Bay, where she demonstrated training techniques, and KMOV-TV in St. Louis.
Reviews and public response
On Yelp, Dairydell has received predominantly positive feedback, with reviewers frequently citing improvements in leash reactivity and general obedience following board-and-train programmes. Some reviewers have raised concerns about cost and have noted that staff do not remain on-site overnight in the boarding areas.
A 2025 discussion thread on the Reddit community r/Marin included several users recommending Dairydell as a boarding option.
Ratings and affiliations
Dairydell Canine holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Gray-Nelson is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has contributed to its publication Safe Hands.
See also
- Dog training
- Animal behaviour
- International Association of Canine Professionals
- Petaluma, California
- Sonoma County, California
References
External links
Category:Dog training
Category:Companies based in California
Category:Petaluma, California
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