TRAINING
What is the earliest availability? How do I book?
If you have received a proposal/quote/estimate, you will find all the links you need there; If you have not, please request for one. The links reveal the calendar for each type of Class; that is also how you book.
How long is each class?
All reservations are for 90 minutes, but the Class can run 60-120 minutes. I almost never check the time (unless I absolutely have to be somewhere, in which case I may set an alarm on my cellphone) and keep going until the goals for that session are met or as long as the dog is responsive to training.
Please do not schedule anything immediately after the class in case we start late or run long.
How long between classes?
Classes can be booked at least 7 days apart, but there is no rush. As long as you are doing your homework and keeping in touch (remember, once you’re a client, you can contact me 24/7), the next one can be scheduled even months later. The only reason I try to keep to a cadence of 1-2 weeks is so that you don’t lose momentum or interest; however, if you are committed to training, the cadence shouldn’t matter much.
Is my dog too young/old to train?
Puppies can/should start training at 8 weeks. At that age, even if some puppies may still be wobbly or lack focus, we can still teach them their name, “come”, and begin Socialization i.e. get them used to being touched (eyes, ears, mouth, paws, etc.) to prepare them for grooming or visits to the vet.
It is not true that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. The reason it is sometimes more challenging to train an older dog is not actually because they can’t learn new things, rather, it’s because there are old habits that need to be “unlearned”.
Sometimes people bring a pup home at 2 months but don’t start training till the pup is 5 or 6 months (or even older!), and even at that young age, there could already be a number of old habits that the dog would need to unlearn first.
Do you offer Board and Train?
The short answer is…no.
Dog training is about establishing a healthy relationship between the Trainer and Dog. If I train your dog, the bond will be between us, not between you. For this reason (and also because you don’t know how others will treat your dog when you’re not around), I not only do not offer it, I do not recommend it.
What is Groundwork? Is it absolutely necessary?
Yes.
Groundwork is when I explain many things: Why we train (goals), How dogs learn (process), Establishing Leadership (relationship), Reward and punishment (communication). It is imperative that I explain these prior to our first training session so we’re all on the same page, but I don’t need to explain these in person. For this reason, Groundwork is offered via Zoom. That way, you pay only half-price (and I don’t have to wear pants!…kidding!) .
PAYMENTS
How do I pay?
Venmo, Apple Pay, Zelle, Cash app – because these have no fees.
Credit cards and PayPal have fees; I accept them, but I will pass those fees on to you.
Sorry, no checks or cash.
Do I have to pay for a Package in full?
No.
You can pay per Class but will not be entitled to any discounts.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes.
Those who pay for a Package in full receive up to a 20% discount.
Those who pay at least 4 weeks in advance receive an additional 5% discount.
Are payments refundable?
Payments may be refunded if you change your mind within 48 hours from Invoice date. Beyond that point, payments are absolutely non-refundable but may be used as a Credit for future services within 365 days. Terms and conditions apply.
Do you sell Gift Cards?
Yes. Gift Cards can be purchased here.
MISCELLANEOUS
What is your guarantee that my dog will learn?
For basic obedience training (Family Pup/Family Dog), your dog will learn on the spot. Will your dog retain it though? That’s up to you. Consistency is key.
My dogs are ages 9, 11, and 14 (as of 04/01/2022) and we continue to train. Training does not end when our Class ends. It is lifelong. Training is a lifestyle.
For behavior management, before we begin, we will discuss your training challenges and the corresponding plan of attack to achieve our training goals. Success will depend on various factors i.e. how long these behaviors have been going on, dog’s level of anxiety, dog’s environment, consistency, etc.