FAQ's
General Questions
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 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?
For Board & Train and Day School services we will either meet at your home, when the trainer picks up your pup, or at our trainers home if you prefer to drop your pup off. For Day Training and Private Lessons you will either meet at your home, or a pre-determined public location.
Private 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 and recommend a lesson package.
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.
Do Virtual Lessons really work?
Yes they do! We know it can be hard to believe but we have been able to work with clients on everything from fun trick training to reactivity using virtual lessons.
Should we do In Person or Virtual Lessons?
This is a great question, and one that kind of depends on what you are looking to accomplish. It can be very helpful to do the Initial Consultation virtually. Doing the initial session virtually allows us to get into in depth concepts without anyone worrying about an over-excited dogs, and it allows us to record the session so that you will have access to it later and can focus without taking notes. After the initial lesson it is really up to you! We can teach pretty much anything virtually as wel as in person. Virtual works really well for things like separation anxiety, highly fearful dogs, and dogs who are aggressive/reactive to humans entering their home. In person might be a better fit if you feel that you need more hands on coaching. Not sure what the best fit for you is? Schedule a phone consultation with us and we can help you figure it out!
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.
Board & Train
What will my dogs stay look like?
Our Board & Train programs are custom built for each dog, so the specifics of your dogs exact stay will vary. Before your dogs stay you will set a training plan with your trainer that includes specific goals for your dog, and you will discuss their schedule for their Board & Train. Each of our dogs typically get 2-3 formal training sessions during the day, as well as play time and nap breaks throughout the day. They will also go on field trips throughout their stay as determined by your program. Field trip days will not have other focused training sessions. Every dog will receive incidental training throughout every day to reinforce good household manners, and daily exercise is a given!
Is my dog a good fit for a Board & Train?
We are unable to accomodate dogs with separation issues. To attend our Board & Train dogs do not have to be fully crate trained if they are puppies, but able to be crated and separated without panic. They should also be able to be around other dogs. We cannot safely keep dogs completely separated, so are unable to take dogs with reactivity or aggression issues towards other dogs. They should also be cat tolerant (just not cat aggressive), and okay around children. We, of course, don't expect them to be perfect around all of these things, but we do need them to not intend harm. If you aren't sure if your dog fits these criteria, reach out and let's chat about it!
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 highly recommend a three week program (22 days) for your pups first stay with us. Two weeks (15 days) is the minimum we offer for a first stay, but a three week stay will allow us to make the most progress! Follow up stays may be shorter, and we are more than happy to create custom length programs to match with your travel if you will be out of town during your pups stay.Â
Where do I drop my dog off?
You will set drop off and pick up with your trainer during your initial virtual lesson or phone consultation with them. Our trainers may pick your dog up from your home, set a meeting point halfway between you, or invite you to drop your dog off at their home. It all depends on both locations and you and your trainers comfort levels. You will get to discuss the specifics of their location with them during your initial conversation, and may even be able to get a bit of a tour! At the end of your dogs stay, your trainer will bring your dog to your home so that you can have your first follow up lesson and get things started on the right foot right away.
Where will my dog sleep?
During their Board & Train your pup will sleep in a crate on the main floor of the house. They will be monitored throughout the night, and an alternate situation will be figured out if they are in distress.
What can be addressed through a Board & Train?
Board & Trains are a great option for puppies and adolescent dogs who you are looking to work on the basics. They are a great jump start for someone else to do the heavy lifting and get the ball rolling for you. They are also a great option for older dogs to brush up on skills, or expand on things they already know. We can work on basic obedience, a foundation for potty training, socialization, settling skills, advanced obedience, taking skills out and about, 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 very limited and typically book out at least a month in advance. Our Behavior Board & Trains especially will often book out a few months in advance. It is typically recommended to plan pretty far ahead if you would like to tie the Board & Train in with a trip.Â
What is included in the Board & Train price?
Included in the daily rate for your dogs stay is daily training and exercise, field trips (when approrpriate), accomodation in our trainers home, regular photo and video updates, follow up instructional information (including videos and written instructions), and follow up lessons to transfer all of their new skills to your home. (Transfer lessons should be used within 6 months of your Board & Trains completion)
How many dogs stay at a time?
We only accept one dog at a time into our Board & Train program. This allows us to truly focus on your dogs training and give them the absolute best. It also means our spots are very limited!
Adventure Mornings
Is my dog a good fit for Adventure Mornings?
Most dogs are a great fit for Day Training! We are not able to take extreme aggression cases, but Adventure Mornings are open to pretty much everything else.
Where does my dog go?
It depends on your goals for your dog, and where your dog is at in their training journey. Most mornings will start with a long line walk in a park or other nature space. After the walk your pup and their trainer may continue to relax at the park and practice setling and watching the world, or they might head to a nearby store to do some shopping! Sometime in the morning they may practice their settling skills at a patio as well. Whatever the morning looks like it will be catered around your dogs needs and skills.
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?
We only take one dog at a time on Adventure Mornings.
How do I know what my dog is doing during their morning?
During the morning your trainer will take as much video as they can of the training they are doing. (Sometimes this is tricky if we are out in public, but we do our best). After your weeks sessions they will edit the highlights together, record a voiceover explaining things, and send it over to you at the end of the week. This will also be accompanied by a written report of the training done that week, and links to instructional videos for any new skills learned.
What can be addressed through Adventure Mornings?
Adventure Mornings are designed and ideal for puppies and adolescents. This is a great way to work on your puppies socializtion, as well as helping your teenage pup get out in the world and practice their skills in new settings. Mild reactivity is also suitable for this program, however more extreme cases or aggression cases are not a good fit.
What if I have to reschedule?
We do our best to be flexible with reschedules, but it does depend on if we have another program booked following yours how much flexibility we have. We will do our best to accomodate reschedules but may need to move rescheduled sessions to a different time and day. If we find you are rescheduling sessions regularly, your program will be terminated. In that event you will be refunded for any unused sessions (which does not include any sessions that were rescheduled).
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 or work in a space we know is covered, 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.
Puppy School
Is my dog a good fit for Puppy School?
Puppy School is primarily for puppies aged 8 weeks to 8 months. If your pup is over 8 months we recommend looking at our Day Training programs instead.
Do I need to be home for pick up and drop off?
Nope! As long as you are comfortable and have arranged entry and exit with your trainer you are welcome to be at the office or out running errands during drop off and pick up. Whether you are home or not your trainer will text with you to communicate timing to make sure you know where your puppy is.
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 puppies do you take at a time?
We only take one puppy at a time into Puppy School.
How do I know what my puppy is doing during Puppy School?
Each day your puppy attends school your trainer will take video of their play time and training. At the end of the day they will edit together the highlights, voice over the video with explanations of the training, and send it to you by the Saturday of that week for you to review at home.
What can be addressed through Puppy School?
Puppy School is designed to address the general puppy woes. We will work on potty training, crate training, the ability to settle, socialization, and start on basic obedience skills. We can also add any specific goals that you have.
What if I have to reschedule?
We do our best to be flexible with reschedules, but it does depend on if we have another program booked following yours how much flexibility we have. We will do our best to accomodate reschedules but may need to move rescheduled sessions to a different time and day. If we find you are rescheduling sessions regularly, your program will be terminated. In that event you will be refunded for any unused sessions (which does not include any sessions that were rescheduled).
What happens if the weather is bad?
In the case of inclement weather, we spend a lot more of our day inside! We are still able to do play time and training time, but we will get to cut loose a little less. Field trips on rainy days will likely be to nearby stores so that we all stay dry, and we will probably spend a little more time than usual on puzzle toys and practicing our settling skills. Unless it is unsafe to drive, weather will not cancel Puppy School.