We offer a range of services to help you achieve the results you’re after. Not sure what you need, or what it costs? We can explain what services are right for you and tell you more about our fees.
Aggressive and Fearful Dogs
How long does it take to train an aggressive (or fearful) dog to be normal?
The time it takes to train an aggressive or fearful dog varies widely. It depends on the dog’s history (how long he’s been practicing the behavior), the dog’s genetics, previous training, and the severity of the case. At least three months are required to start making good progress and begin to see lasting results. Habits take a long time to develop and teach. Both you and your dog will rewire your relationship and your household. It’s not easy and it’s not quick.
Can you train my dog to be normal?
Yes and no. Your dog is normal. Fear and aggression are normal in any animal. Because fear and aggression are natural behaviors for dogs, they are always options for your dog. However, most dogs learn to control those impulses and communicate in a way that is not harmful. The behavior can be modified and shaped while the underlying fear is addressed. Part of owning a reactive dog is being willing to rebuild confidence and skills. Yes, you can walk your dog down the street, have visitors over, and enjoy life with a dog without worrying.
How much will it cost?
Evaluations are $150 and take 2 hours, where ALL household members MUST be present. At this time, depending on your specific situation, and your dog’s needs and history, we will determine future lesson pricing, which will be billed between $75-100/hr.
What methods do you use?
I use science-based methods that have been shown to have great results for you and your dog. I focus on building your relationship through communication. Dogs don’t speak the same language as humans, so we often need to work on understanding each other. I build your dog’s confidence and decision-making ability so that he or she is able to cope better.
Basic Obedience and Manners
For all your obedience needs, from sit, come, and stay to leash walking in a crowded park and behaving during family dinner. Weekly or biweekly sessions at your home focus on your specific needs. Each dog and family is unique. Individualized training plans ensure that ALL your concerns and needs are met in the locations that they need to be.
Therapy Dogs
What is a therapy dog? What is a Service Dog?
Therapy
dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such
as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. From working with a child
who is learning to read to visiting a senior in assisted living,
therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the
lives of other people.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs.
Service dogs are dogs who are specially trained to perform specific
tasks to help a person who has a disability. An example of a service
dog is a dog who guides an owner who is blind, or a dog who assists
someone with a disability. Service dogs stay with their person and
have special access privileges in public places such as on planes,
restaurants, etc. Therapy dogs do not have the same special access as
service dogs. It is unethical to attempt to pass off a therapy dog as
a service dog for purposes such as flying on a plane or being
admitted to a
restaurant.
Source: http://www.akc.org/dog-owners/training/akc-therapy-dog-program/
What kind of training does it take?
Your dog needs to have, or learn, excellent manners around all humans. In a strange environment, she must walk politely on a leash without pulling, sit, down, come on cue, and leave food/medications alone. And a few tricks are always good to put a smile on someone’s face.
What dog makes a good therapy dog?
Therapy dogs need to have a calm and gentle disposition. They must be good around other dogs, calm when strangers pet them all over, and not startled by things such as strange noises, smells, and medical equipment.
Source: https://www.therapydogs.com/join-therapy-dogs/
My experience in therapy dog training
I have trained multiple dogs from the shelter life, to the good life of a spoiled therapy dog, including two of my personal dogs. In fact, training my childhood dog as a therapy dog was my introduction to dog training.