FAQ

How do I arrange a session?

Prior to having a session, you must complete the liability waiver and intake form. You can do both of these steps and pay for lessons on the website. If you prefer to pay in-person, complete the liability waiver and intake form. Once an intake form is received here at PET, then a trainer contacts you for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. During the consultation we will schedule your first lesson.

How do I pay for a session?

You can pay for a lesson on-line using a credit card or in-person using cash. If you are paying in person and would like the package of four lessons at the discounted rate, you must pay for all four lessons during the first session.

What are your policies?

All training is done using positive reinforcement training. We will not use choke, prong, or shock collars. You must sign the liability waiver and complete the training intake form at or prior to your first session. Lesson times are approximately one-hour in length. This allows for about 40-minutes of working with your dog and time for questions and answers. Most dogs attention span is gone by the 40-minute mark.

Why do I need to sign a liability waiver?

We strive to conduct training in as safe a manner as possible. Dogs are their own beings and can be unpredictable. While it is unlikely, it is possible an injury could occur. The liability waiver makes it clear that you are responsible for your dog.

What is the difference between training and behavior consultation?

Training is teaching. We are teaching your dog what certain words mean, sit, stay, come, etc. and to perform those behaviors when asked. Behavior consultation is more like therapy for you dog. It is addressing the emotional state of your dog for things like separation anxiety, aggression, phobias, etc. I serve the role of a therapist and try to determine the cause of the issues and how best to help your dog overcome them. Training, like teaching, occurs in minutes, hours, and days. Behavior modification, like human therapy, often takes months, years, and even the lifetime of your dog.

How many dogs can come to a session and do I pay for each dog separately?

The lesson price is per lesson, not per dog. You are welcome to bring more than one dog to a lesson. There needs to be one adult per dog. Having more than one dog at a session may not be advisable depending on the session, such as dog-dog aggression. Also, having more than one dog at a session may reduce the amount of individual attention shown to each dog and decrease the number of behaviors we can work during a session.

How many sessions does my dog need?

That really depends on what you want for your dog and what you dog needs. If you only want one or two behaviors trained, you may only need on session. If you have a new dog or you want your dog to learn all the important behaviors dogs should know, come, sit, stay, lie down, leave it, give, go lie down, etc. then generally three or four sessions. You and your dog will get out of training what you put into it. Each week we will go over a couple of behaviors. I will teach you to train the behaviors. Then you will spend the week training your dog so they are solid on those behaviors. Your dog’s learning doesn’t come from their one session with me, but rather the many sessions you will have over the week. If you don’t put in the training during the week, then you and your dog may need a few more sessions.

How many behaviors will my dog learn?

As many as you would like to train them.

What should I teach my dog?

At minimum all dogs should reliably respond to their name, come, sit, stay, lie down, go lie down, leave it, give.

What about kids at a session?

Kids are welcome at training sessions. Every kid is different on where they are developmentally. You know what yours is capable of. I’ve worked with some kids who grasp the training concepts and work the dogs better than their parents.