Gray, Tennessee — The International Association for Business Excellence (IABE) is proud to announce that Dog Just Visited has been named a recipient of the 2026 IABE City Excellence Award. The dog training business, led by certified dog trainer Sandra, was recognized for outstanding performance across Gray, TN, and for the way it helps local families build calmer, happier, better-trained dogs.
Congratulations to Sandra and everyone who has trusted Dog Just Visited with their dog. If you are searching for dog training in Gray, TN, or a trusted dog trainer in the Tri-Cities, this recognition is a strong reason to take a closer look.
Dog Just Visited at a Glance
- Business: Dog Just Visited
- Location: Gray, TN 37615
- Serving: The Tri-Cities area of Tennessee and Virginia
- Phone: 828-242-1936
- Email: sandra@dogjustvisited.com
- Website: dogjustvisited.com
- Services: Basic obedience, off-leash training, and behavior modification, with one-on-one private training
- Booking: Through the contact form and appointment page on the website, which asks for your location, your dog’s breed and age, and the type of training you want
- Payment options: Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay
An Award That Is Earned, Not Given Freely
The IABE City Excellence Award is not handed out casually. Every applicant is evaluated against five core standards: Digital Presence, Customer Reputation, Operational Standing, Industry Tenure, and Professional Integrity. IABE states that only a fraction of the organizations it evaluates meet the bar, and applicants who fall short are not approved. Dog Just Visited met all five standards in the 2026 evaluation period, which places it among the most credible organizations in Gray, Tennessee, confirmed through independent evaluation.
Below is a closer look at what earned this recognition.
Who Is Dog Just Visited?
Dog Just Visited is a professional dog training business in Gray, Tennessee, led by Sandra, a certified dog trainer who serves families across the Tri-Cities in Tennessee and Virginia. The business offers everything from basic obedience to off-leash training, and it specializes in behavior modification delivered through one-on-one private training so that dogs keep what they learn and respond appropriately in real-life situations.
The business describes its mission plainly: to give every dog the time and attention it needs so owners end up with a lifelong, well-trained companion. It also says it offers support for the life of your dog, which is a rare commitment in an industry where many programs end when the last session does.
Why Dog Just Visited Earned City Excellence
Digital Presence: A Website Built Around Real Dog Owners
Choosing a dog trainer starts online, and Dog Just Visited makes that first step easy. Its website is organized around what owners actually need: a services page, an appointment booking page, printable training handouts, a “Pawsitives from Pawrents” page of client feedback, a gallery of happy dogs, an online store with how-to guides, and gift cards for the dog lovers in your life.
The contact form is built to match owners with the right program. It asks where you are located, your dog’s breed, what type of training you want, and whether your dog is a puppy (under a year), an adult (over a year), or a senior (five or older). That detail means every inquiry starts with the information Sandra needs to help. Payment is just as flexible, with credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay accepted.
Customer Reputation: Local Recognition and Happy Clients
Dog Just Visited’s website lists several local honors, including a 2026 “Best of Tennessee” win, a 2026 “Quality Business Awards” win, runner-up finishes in “Best of the Best” in 2025 and 2026, and a 2024 “Best of the Best” win. The business also gives clients a place to share their experiences through its “Pawsitives from Pawrents” page. For a one-trainer operation, that kind of steady local recognition is a sign of consistent, well-regarded work.
Operational Standing: A Real, Working Business
Dog Just Visited is an active, established local business with a real location, a working phone line, a monitored email address, online booking, an online store, gift cards, and multiple ways to pay. It is easy to find, easy to contact, and easy to book, which is exactly what operational standing means.
Industry Tenure: A Sustained Commitment to Dogs and Their People
The business has built a presence in the Tri-Cities over several years, with local recognition listed from 2024 through 2026. That sustained commitment, along with the promise of lifelong support for every dog Sandra trains, shows the kind of stability and dedication IABE looks for in its winners.
Professional Integrity: Credentials, Humane Methods, and Honest Communication
According to the business’s website, Sandra holds certification from the Animal Behavior Institute in Canine Training and Behavior and has completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course and the Training and Handling Aggressive Dogs Course. The site also lists her as an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and notes her participation in the Animal Behavior Society’s Certified Animal Behaviorist program. You can learn more about that kind of professional credentialing at the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
The business says this education lets it offer effective, humane, and customized training strategies for dogs of all breeds, including in-home training for behavior concerns such as aggression, in a way that improves safety and strengthens the relationship between dogs and their owners. Clear qualifications, clear methods, and clear communication are the foundation of professional integrity.
Training That Fits the Dog in Front of You
Every dog is different, and Dog Just Visited is built around that fact. According to the business, its services include:
Basic obedience. The foundation every dog needs: listening, following cues, and being a pleasure to live with.
Off-leash training. For owners who want the freedom of a dog that responds reliably, even without a leash. The website highlights an “Off Leash in Control” program.
Behavior modification. Targeted, one-on-one private training for specific challenges such as aggression, anxiety, and excessive barking. The business explains that the goal is to help dogs develop positive behaviors, which improves their well-being and strengthens the bond with their owner.
Customized plans. Training plans are tailored to a dog’s breed, age, and temperament, whether the dog is a puppy, an adult, or a senior.
The business says its private, one-on-one approach is designed so that your dog retains commands and responds appropriately regardless of the situation. That is the difference between a dog that behaves in a training session and a dog that behaves at the front door, on a walk, and around guests.
Support That Lasts the Life of Your Dog
Many training programs end after a set number of sessions. Dog Just Visited says it offers support for the life of your dog. For owners, that means a trainer who stays in your corner as your dog grows from a puppy to an adult to a senior, and as new challenges come up along the way. It also means a relationship built on trust, which is what every dog owner wants when they bring someone into their home.
Training Tools for Owners, Too
Good training does not stop when the trainer leaves. Dog Just Visited’s website offers printable training guides and an online store with how-to guides, so owners can keep practicing between sessions. It also offers gift cards, which make a thoughtful present for a new puppy parent or a friend struggling with a rowdy rescue.
Why Families in Gray and the Tri-Cities Choose Dog Just Visited
Dog owners in Gray, Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, and the surrounding Tri-Cities communities have plenty of options. What sets Dog Just Visited apart is the combination of credentials, private one-on-one attention, and a promise of ongoing support. If your dog needs help with obedience, off-leash reliability, or a more serious behavior concern, here is how to get started:
- Visit the website at dogjustvisited.com to explore services and book an appointment.
- Fill out the contact form with your location, your dog’s breed and age, and the type of training you are looking for.
- Call 828-242-1936 or email sandra@dogjustvisited.com with your questions.
- Choose a payment option that works for you, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit cards, and Afterpay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Just Visited
Where is Dog Just Visited located?
The business is in Gray, Tennessee 37615, and serves the Tri-Cities area of Tennessee and Virginia.
What services does Dog Just Visited offer?
Basic obedience, off-leash training, and behavior modification, all with one-on-one private training.
Can Dog Just Visited help with aggression, anxiety, or excessive barking?
According to the business, behavior modification training is designed to address challenges like aggression, anxiety, and excessive barking. Contact Sandra to talk about your dog’s specific situation.
What kinds of dogs does Dog Just Visited train?
Dogs of all breeds and ages, from puppies to adults to seniors, with plans customized to breed, age, and temperament.
What credentials does the trainer hold?
According to the website, Sandra holds a certification in Canine Training and Behavior from the Animal Behavior Institute, has completed advanced aggression courses, and is listed as an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant.
What payment methods are accepted?
Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay.
How do I book an appointment?
Use the contact form and appointment page on the website, call 828-242-1936, or email sandra@dogjustvisited.com.
Why This Recognition Matters
Trusting someone with your dog is a big decision. You want a trainer who is qualified, patient, and honest, and one who will still be there when your dog needs help again. An independent evaluation of a business’s digital presence, customer reputation, operational standing, industry tenure, and professional integrity gives dog owners one more reliable reference point. For Dog Just Visited, the City Excellence Award confirms what local families already know: this is a business that takes dogs and their people seriously.
Congratulations again to Sandra and the entire Dog Just Visited family on earning the 2026 IABE City Excellence Award.
Learn More
Read the full recipient profile for Dog Just Visited on the IABE website, visit the business at dogjustvisited.com, or learn more about the International Association for Business Excellence on the IABE homepage and its About Us page.
Is your business operating at this standard? The IABE Excellence Award is open for application at no cost, and you can apply for consideration here.
