How In Home Training Works

We begin with an in home Temperament Test & Evaluation.  That let’s me, as a trainer, get to know you and your dog, what your daily routine is like, and see how your dog responds to my techniques and what methods will deliver the best results.  And it allows you, as the owner, to get to know me and decide if I am a good fit for your family.

Each program is custom designed for you.  We’ll talk with you about your schedule, you family composition, your goals and objectives, and then come up with a plan to meet your needs.  Since we’re working with you one on one, we don’t have to do the same old thing with everyone!

Starting in a familiar, low-distraction environment (your home) makes it easier for you and your dog to acquire the skills in the beginning, and makes it easier to take it out “on the road” later on!

During our private sessions, I will teach you how to train and modify your dog’s behavior. Sessions include a combination of educational information, observation and assessment of your dog, discussion of animal behavior, behavior modification and training techniques as well as direct, hands-on practice opportunities.

Sessions take place in your home or in another place of your choosing such as walks around the neighborhood, local parks, and stores that welcome dogs. Lessons generally last 60 to 90 minutes and the whole family is encouraged to participate. Children under 18 must have a parent present.

The way it works is I don’t train the dog, you train the dog.  I will come to your house once a week, and we’ll work on one or two  behaviors.  Once your dog is performing correctly and you understand how get your dog to perform, it’s up to you to practice during the week.  That way that even if you move, or if you travel… anywhere you go, the dog’s going to listen to you. Rather than, “Great– why does he listen to the trainer, but he doesn’t listen to me?”

When I come back the next week, we review what your dog knows, and work on more behaviors.

But you have to commit to practicing with your dog every day. If you don’t practice with your dog, you won’t get the results..

Practice doesn’t mean tiring drills. Knowing how to easily incorporate your dog’s new skills in your daily routine is a key part of dog training and separates it from trick training.

The purpose of obedience training is not about teaching the dog to do tricks for treats, it’s about living with a well-mannered pet dog that you enjoy taking along wherever you go – coffee at the cafe and off leash at the beach. It’s about having a calm dog that watches for instructions, settles down on cue, walks politely on leash, waits at doors, and comes when called.