★ Serving Aiken & Edgefield Counties since 2007

Build trust. Build manners. Build a better dog.

Take the Lead, Inc. offers professional group classes, private lessons, and community pack walks — led by a nationally trained instructor with over 20 years of canine experience.

See Upcoming Classes Meet Your Trainer

20+Years Experience

2007Founded

2Aiken Locations

APDTMember #69004

Puppy in training with Take the Lead, Inc.

Est. 2007 Trusted canine training across Aiken & Edgefield Counties, SC

About Take the Lead, Inc.

Training built on communication, trust, and respect.

Founded in 2007 by head trainer Patricia A. (Pat) Czaikowski, Take the Lead, Inc. helps dogs and their owners build a real relationship — not just a list of commands. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience, Pat has served as a Senior Lead Instructor, a Training Director for a major pet supply chain, and an AKC-sponsored conformation handler.

Every class and private session is designed around the same idea: a well-trained dog is a happier, safer, and more confident member of the family.

✓ Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers (#69004)
✓ AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy & Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
✓ American Red Cross Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
✓ Certified Therapy Dog Handler, Alliance of Therapy Dogs

Read Pat's Full Story

What We Offer

Training for every stage & every goal

Whether you're raising a new puppy or polishing manners on an adult dog, there's a program built around your goals.

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Private Lessons

One-on-one sessions tailored to you and your dog's specific goals, pace, and personality — perfect for focused, faster progress.

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Group Classes

Basic Good Manners and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy classes held at two Aiken locations. Great for socialization alongside real skill-building.

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Temperament Testing

Helping breeders confidently match puppies to the right homes with professional, experience-based temperament evaluations.

Upcoming Sessions

This Season's Class Schedule

Two convenient Aiken locations. Space is limited — reserve your spot early.

16Sep

Basic Good Manners Dog Training

Wednesday mornings, September 16 – October 28, 2026

📍 O'Dell Weeks Center, 1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken, SC

Group Class

16Sep

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Training

Wednesday mornings, September 16 – October 21, 2026

📍 O'Dell Weeks Center, 1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken, SC

Puppy Class

View Full Class Details

Community

Keep practicing together at the Pack Walk

Open to present and past students of Pat's classes — the Pack Walk is a chance to exercise, socialize, and reinforce what you've learned in a real-world setting through downtown Trenton.

Walks are scheduled periodically and announced on our Facebook page and here on the site. All we ask is that dogs are leashed (6 ft. max), vaccinations are current, and everyone respects each other's space.

Pack Walk Details & Policies

Kind Words

What owners are saying

Pat has a gift for reading dogs and people at the same time. Our rescue went from reactive on leash to calm and confident in just a few weeks.

Aiken Class Graduate Basic Good Manners

The S.T.A.R. Puppy class gave us the exact structure we needed. Our puppy passed her test and we finally feel like we know what we're doing!

Edgefield County Client AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy

We love the Pack Walk. It's the best part of our week and it's amazing to see how far our dog has come since class ended.

Trenton Pack Walk Regular Community Program