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General
What is the best service for my dog?
That really depends on what you are looking for! For most clients we recommend Private Lessons above all else. Especially if you are training on a budget. Private Lessons allow us to really focus one on one with you and directly address your most pressing concerns. This will give you the skills to continue working with your dog, as well as give you a personalized experience. If you aren't sure where to start, schedule a phone consutlation with us and we can help!
Do you offer a guarantee?
We do not offer guarantee's on our training. Dogs are living beings and are often unpredictable. We guarantee that we will do our best for you and your dog, and set you up with the best possible tools that we can, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee your dogs behavior.
What area do you service?
We service the greater Austin area. Each of our trainers has their own service area based on their location, as we do not have a central location for our team. Travel fees ($20) may apply depending on your location and trainer. We will do our best to pair you with a trainer who's service area you are within to avoid travel fees where possible. ​
What if I have more than one dog?
No problem! We are happy to work with all of them, which is often necessary for multi-pet households. We charge a $25 multi-pet fee per appointment.
What tools do you use?
We are force free trainers (also referred to as positive reinforcement trainers). This means we do not use pain, intimidation or fear to teach our dogs anything. So what do we use? Lots of treats! We will also use toys for dogs who find them reinforcing. We use leashes, long lines, flat collars, martingale collars (for safety, not correcting), front clip harnesses and back clip harnesses.
Where do we meet?
We will meet wherever you like! We do not have a location, and we really prefer to work with you in your environment. Often we will start working with you in your home and neighborhood, and then branch out to local parks and other locations depending on your goals.
Do you offer pet sitting or boarding?
We are currently not taking new pet sitting clients. Some of our trainers do offer Board & Train services in their homes and may offer limited In Home Boarding services, at their discretion.
Lessons
Where do we meet our trainer?
Your trainer will meet you at your home! We do not have a location and prefer to work with you in the environment where you will be working with your dog every day. We usually start working with you in your home and neighborhood, branching out to local parks and other locations depending on your goals.
How many lessons do we need?
This is a question that we really can't answer until we get some one on one time with you and your dog, and it's an answer that may change as we go through our training journey together. The biggest factor in how long your dogs training will take is you and if you do the homework, as well as how your dog responds to the training. Your dog may learn very quickly, they might get stuck on something. We really have no way of knowing for sure, but we will often be able to give you an estimate of sessions after your initial session.
Do you offer a guarantee?
We do not offer guarantee's on our training. Dogs are living beings and are often unpredictable. We guarantee that we will do our best for you and your dog, and set you up with the best possible tools that we can, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee your dogs behavior.
What is the difference between Private Lessons & Behavior Consulting?
Private Lessons are geared towards teaching you and your dog new skills to navigate life together, such as loose leash walking or recall. Behavior Consulting focuses on getting to the root of more complex behavioral issues such as fear, aggression or anxiety related issues.
Should we do In Person or Virtual Lessons?
That depends! We have seen the benefits of both. Doing the Initial Lesson virtually allows us to get to the in-depth concepts that we will need to cover without the distraction of a new person in your home. For some behaviors such as highly fearful dogs, and dogs who are aggressive or reactive to humans entering their home, we recommend starting virtually. While we may plan to switch to In Person Lessons at some point, starting virtually will allow us to make a plan and be prepared for when we do come in person.
What can be addressed through Private Lessons?
Through Private Lessons we can address pretty much any issues you are having. We do not take severe aggression or separation anxiety cases, but everything else we can tackle in Private Lessons.
What happens when the weather is bad?
In the case of inclement weather we will either adjust our lesson plan to work on indoor skills (whether that is in your house or working inside a store depending on your goals), or we may reschedule to a time with better weather. The final decision will be between you and your trainer on a case by case basis.
Day Training
Is my dog a good fit for Day Training?
Most dogs are a great fit for Day Training! It can be a helpful way to boost your dog's training, or give them some structured enrichment while you're working or busy. Next time you have to take a day trip out of town or attend an event, don't stress about your dog. You will come home to a happy pup who has been mentally and physically stimulated while you were away!
Where does my dog go?
It depends on your goals for your dog, your location, and where your dog is at in their training journey. We may work in your home or neighborhood, a nearby park, or a pet friendly store or patio.
Do you offer a guarantee?
We do not offer guarantee's on our training. Dogs are living beings and are often unpredictable. We guarantee that we will do our best for you and your dog, and set you up with the best possible tools that we can, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee your dogs behavior.
How many dogs do you take at a time?
If we are going out in public for a Day Training session we only take one dog at a time. If you would like us to work with more than one dog in the home we can split time between them, add additional time, or schedule them tandem sessions each with a dedicated trainer.
How do I keep up with their training?
Your trainer will take video while working with your dog during their session and edit it into a short video going over what they are doing. This way you can keep up with their training and rewatch it whenever you need a reference.
What can be addressed through Day Training?
Day Training can be used to work on most behaviors from puppy skills, leash reactivity, muzzle training, basic manners, recall, and so much more.
Do I have to do lessons with Day Training?
You do not have to do lessons with Day Training. They can be a great complement to each other, especially if you are looking to teach new skills or tackle problem behaviors, but we do not require them.
What happens when the weather is bad?
In the case of inclement weather we will either adjust our lesson plan to work on indoor skills (whether that is in your house or working inside a store depending on your goals), or we may reschedule to a time with better weather. The final decision will be between you and your trainer on a case by case basis. Decompression Walks will be cancelled during extreme weather.
Board & TRain
What will my dogs stay look like?
Board & Trains are held in your trainer's home, so their day looks a lot like what it might look like at home with the added bonus of daily training sessions geared toward your goals, enrichment activities, structured play with other dogs including training in group settings when possible, incidental training throughout the day to reinforce good household manners, and public training outings when applicable. They will also get plenty of opportunities for play with toys, gnawing on chews, couch cuddles, or whatever their favorite activities are! You will receive regular updates and photos throughout their stay.
Is my dog a good fit for a Board & Train?
Many dogs do well boarding in trainers homes, but there are a few things we are unable to accommodate. We are unable to accommodate dogs with severe separation issues. They do not have to be fully crate trained if they are puppies, but otherwise must be able to be crated and separated without panic overnight and during rest periods throughout the day. While we are happy to accommodate dogs who prefer to only be around humans, they should also be able to be somewhat around other dogs in the same household with barriers such as crates, gates and doors without causing overt stress.
Do you offer a guarantee?
We do not offer guarantee's on our training. Dogs are living beings and are often unpredictable. We guarantee that we will do our best for you and your dog, and set you up with the best possible tools that we can, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee your dogs behavior.
How long should my dog stay?
For the most effective Board & Train experience we recommend a minimum of two weeks for your dog's first stay with us. Follow up stays may be shorter, and we are more than happy to create custom length programs to match with your travel dates if you will be out of town.
Where do I drop my dog off?
Board & Trains are held in your trainer's home. You and your trainer will discuss their location, drop off and pick up times, and scheduling follow up lessons during your Phone Consultation or Trial Day.
Where will my dog sleep?
Boarding dogs are kept in a wire or hard sided crate during rest periods and overnight. We try to give each dog as much space as possible and utilize large and extra large crates often. We will never put your dog in a crate that they cannot fully sit up and stretch out in.
What can be addressed through a Board & Train?
Board & Trains are a great option for puppies, adolescent and adult dogs who are looking to work on the basics, or continue maintaining their training while you're away. While your dog will learn a lot while with us, we like to think of Board & Trains as a jump start for new skills and behaviors. It's important to understand that in order for these new skills to last, you must continue maintaining them once your dog is back home. We can work on basic manners, a foundation for potty training, crate training, puppy socialization, recall, basic reactivity, loose leash walking, and more! Board & Trains are not a good fit for aggression issues or separation anxiety.
When should my dog stay?
While it can be great to get a Board & Train done while you are out of town, you do not have to be going on a trip to utilize this service! If you are heading out of town, please know that we will do our best to accommodate any trip dates you have coming up, however our Board & Train spots are limited and can book out at in advance, especially in the summer and holidays. It is typically recommended to plan ahead if you would like to tie a Board & Train in with a trip.
What is included in the Board & Train price?
Included in the daily rate for your dog's stay is daily training sessions, regular photo and text updates, videos of your dog learning in action, follow up instructional information including videos and handouts relevant to your dog, and one follow up lesson per week of your dog's stay to transfer all of their new skills to your home. Transfer lessons should be used within 8 weeks of the completion of your dog's Board & Train.
How many dogs stay at a time?
Most of our trainers have a maximum of 2 - 4 dogs staying with them at a time. Having a smaller capacity ensures that each dog gets the individual attention they need while they are with us.
Classes & Workshops
What is the difference between classes and workshops?
Classes meet once a week for a multi-week series that builds on the skills over the course of the class. Workshops meet only once to allow you to explore something new with your dog before making a bigger time and financial commitment, or just to brush up on your skills and get some practice with distractions.
What happens when weather is bad?
In the case of inclement weather classes will be cancelled and rescheduled for another date. If you have already paid for your class and it is cancelled we can transfer your payment to the new date, or refund your payment.
What should I bring with me to class?
When coming to a class or workshop, be sure to bring PLENTY of your dogs favorite treats, a water bottle for you and your pup, a portable water bowl, and your dog on a 3-6 foot leash in either a harness or flat collar. We do not allow prong collars, choke chains, or e-collars in our classes. If you are unable to stand for the duration of the class (usually an hour), a collapsible chair is recommended. For some classes and workshops we will recommend specific additional supplies. You will be informed of those recommendations prior to the class.
Where are classes and workshops held?
Since we do not have a facility, most of our classes are either held in a public space such as a park or at the trainer's private residence.
Do you offer a guarantee?
We do not offer guarantee's on our training. Dogs are living beings and are often unpredictable. We guarantee that we will do our best for you and your dog, and set you up with the best possible tools that we can, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee your dogs behavior.
Why are there no classes from June - September?
Since we do not have access to an air conditioned space our classes go on hiatus for the summer.