Private Training In And Around Your Home
Q: My dog has a hard time warming up to strangers. I’m worried and stressed. Can you help?
A: Almost certainly! Many of the dogs we work with have fear and anxiety issues. They might be uncomfortable around new people. Or they may display on-leash reactivity—barking and lunching at people and other dogs. Our in-home private training is especially well suited for fearful and reactive pups. We create a personalized training plan for your pup and meet your dog where s/he is at so we can make the fastest progress possible.
Q: What techniques do you use for “dogs with issues”?
A: We train using humane, science-based, results-driven positive reinforcement principles. These include — for dogs who are fearful — desensitization and counter conditioning techniques (behavior modification). To keep everyone safe as we go, we always start with good management.
Q: Do you train dogs who love everyone but have no manners?
A: You bet! We use science-based, results-driven, positive reinforcement principles to train dogs at every stage of life. From puppies to adolescents to seniors.
We offer a specialized program for puppies. We’ll tackle all the puppy things from socialization to potty training, puppy biting to alone-time training. We’ll teach your pup polite behaviors so you’re all speaking the same language and you can enjoy one another to the hilltop and back.
Q: How early can I start training my puppy?
A: Puppies can begin learning basic obedience skills at around 8 weeks (socialization should begin earlier, even before you’ve taken your puppy home).
Vaccinations are important to keep your puppy safe as he begins to explore the world around him. Consult your vet about keeping your little one protected. Here too is the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s position paper on puppy socialization and vaccinations.
Q: My dog is a senior. Can he still be trained?
A: Absolutely! If your dog can perceive stimuli, and respond to them, your dog can learn just as well as pups. Some of our oldest guys and gals knock our pants off, they’re so smart.
Q: Do I need to buy fancy equipment for training?
A: Not really. The basics are yummy treats, a treat pouch and a comfortable collar or harness. Depending on the particulars, we may also recommend puzzle toys, say, or an appropriate-sized crate. If you’re not in desperate need of something, we advise clients to wait until after the consult to purchase equipment, as we can advise what’ll work best for training.
Q: What is your training philosophy?
A: We train using the science-based principles of positive reinforcement, operant conditioning, classical conditioning, desensitization and counter conditioning. That’s a mouthful, I know. Let’s reduce it to results-driven, force-free, humane techniques that don’t cause fear or pain in dogs, now or later.
Q: How does day tutoring work?
A: We do much of the training for you, while you’re working or engaged in other activities. Day tutoring is a good option for folks who are super scheduled and don’t have the time or bandwidth to dedicate to weekly training sessions.
Please note: The day tutoring option works well for manners training. It’s not always the best fit for dogs with fear or anxiety. Not sure what you need? The discovery call and the consult are good opportunities for us to learn about the issues, hear what your priorities are and guide you onto the best path.
Q: If I select the Tutor Option, will I still have to work with my dog?
A: Short answer is yes. While we’ll do much of the training upfront for you, we’ll still have to show you what your dog has learned so you can reinforce the same behaviors. We’ll also need to show you management strategies to stop your dog from rehearsing the old behaviors. In-person “transfer sessions” can be scheduled toward the end of a session or can occur as a stand-alone session several weeks into training.
Q: Is there an extra travel fee?
A: No, not if you live within our grid, which covers much of Austin. See map here. If you live outside our grid, we can offer remote training or a combination of remote training and in-person sessions depending on your location and our availability.
Q: Do you have another training principle?
A: We want everyone to be safe and have fun!
Q: I’m still fuzzy on what my dog needs?
A: Let’s jump on a free 15-minute Discovery Call.
Training In The Home. Where Life Happens