In Home Obedience Training
Listed below are some of my popular services including puppy consultations, dog training, and preparing dogs for a new baby in the home. I work with all breeds of dogs - toys and giants alike!
Puppies
While dogs under 4 months of age are too young for training, I do provide puppy consultations that help owners provide a good start for their new puppy during the critical first 4 months of development. Topics include age-specific socialization needs, house training (house breaking) procedures, curbing play biting, proper crating, and more.
Dog Training
Dog training (teaching commands) can start as early as 4 months of age, or any time in a healthy dog's life. Training is the best way to establish a healthy relationship with your pet (demo videos here). The sooner you start, the more years you'll have to enjoy a rewarding life together based on mutual respect.
An initial session typically lasts 2 hours. The first 30 minutes is used for a family interview, assessment of your dog, and discussion of any desired goals. This information helps me to better understand you and your pet, so I may tailor all sessions to be as helpful as possible. The remaining 90 minutes of this first session is used for teaching and training. Follow up visits can be scheduled at your convenience and are 90 minutes in length.
The time needed to reach obedience goals depends on both your dog's personality, and your own ability to work regularly with your pet(s). Most owners have a good idea of how quickly training will progress after 1 or 2 sessions. The more you practice training with your dog between my visits, the faster he/she will learn.
As a dog learns commands, it's a matter of continued building on an initial foundation. This means a dog cannot learn advanced commands until dog and owner are proficient with prerequisite commands.
- Basic Training
On-leash commands including; leash manners (no pulling on leash), sit, down, come and stay.
- Intermediate Training
Building on basic training above, this level adds the following on-leash commands; heel (with automatic sit), commands at distance and in motion, and a placemat command (dog stays on a mat indefinitely until released). - Advanced Training
Building on intermediate training above, this level teaches all previous commands off-leash, offset commands and a finish.
Baby Preparation
One common concern for owners is preparing their dog(s) for a new baby in the home. While many dogs do fine with a new baby, it can be a dramatic change for some that may lead to problems. Preparation can help with this adjustment by clarifying a dog's role in the family, and providing owners ways to focus their dog's interaction in the new family dynamic. Because some obedience work is recommended as part of this process, I ask owners to please call at least 3 months prior to their due date.
Need Something Else?
Please contact me for additional information, or to inquire about any other service not listed.