Where does the training take place?
In the best interest of successful training, we conduct our services on a private level and in the client's home, but a rare group class has been known to happen. We are located in Tulare and are currently serving Tulare, Kings, Fresno, and Kern counties of Central California.
What services do you offer?
We encourage our clients when embarking on a training venture to approach it holistically. That is, to get an education about the dog in conjunction with an education for the dog. There are three aspects we consider in assisting you in training your dog to be the most perfect companion he can be: Dog Sense, Manners, and Problem Solving.
Dog Sense: This is actually a mini psychology course on dog behavior and interaction. Knowing what's going on inside a dog's head will make your training application much more understandable which, in turn, will make training easier.
Manners: These are the actual behaviors which will be taught to your dog. First there are the basics: Come, Sit, Down, and Place *. Second, it encompasses those three nuisances we all hate: Jumping on People, Leash-Pulling, and Door-Dashing (i.e., barging through a door without permission).
* Typically we use Place instead of Stay for a pet dog. Stay is more appropriate for a competition dog, and actually means "freeze". If you leave the dog in a Sit-Stay, he is not allowed to recline, and vice-versa for a Down-Stay. Place references location only, not body position. The dog in a Place can sit, lie down, or do pirouettes, as long as he does it in the "place" you indicate.
Problem Solving: Common behavior problems are always a manifestation of a greater problem. If you've effectively eliminated one problem, you may have found you've create a new and different one in its place. This aspect of training will help you learn the four causes of common behavior problems (i.e., digging, chewing, and barking), and how to determine the cause of the problem first and then what to do for resolution.
We've spent many many years perfecting an approach to training which is both comprehensive and thorough. We are widely known for our unique approach and success, demonstrated by our clients' enhanced owner/dog relationships. We suggest you visit our Gallery and its successor, our Office, where you will find photos and testimonials of our clients who've subscribed to this program.
In addition to the Dog Sense, Manners, and Behavior Problems, a comprehensive program will be specifically designed for you, catering to your own personal needs and concerns. The new puppy owner might have puppy biting and/or housebreaking issues; whereas, the adult-dog owner may have an interest in dog nutrition. The innovative dog-owner may have a desire to teach a parlor trick like "high-five" or the infamous "get daddy a beer." This program is designed to be flexible and has been client-dubbed as "the biggest bang for your buck."
Note: Strong issues like aggression and phobias are behavior problems that will not be addressed in a comprehensive program. Issues such as these would be addressed in separate counseling sessions.
So is that all you offer?
Heck no. Should you have a behavior problem ranging from nuisance to serious, we also provide counseling services to modify problem behavior on an as-needed, hourly basis.
Otherwise, we offer some form of that which was mentioned above as a training program in itself (Dog Sense, Manners, or Problem Solving). If just the basics is more suitable for you, we offer a Basic Behaviors program. If you need a little more in the way of manners we can add on. We will help you select a program or service suitable to your own training needs and goals.
How old should my dog be to start his training?
It's our philosophy that training should begin the moment the puppy or dog becomes a member of your family, whether he's 6 weeks or 6 decades (in dog years, of course), but
especially if you've acquired a pup that is less than 8 weeks old.
especially if you've acquired a pup that is less than 8 weeks old.
When a dog becomes a new member of your household, he's often minding his P's and Q's for awhile, learning your house rules before he tests them. Don't be fooled. Given time, little (or big) nuisances are bound to come out.
Why have I heard a dog has to be 6 months old to start training?
This is a misconception that likely results from the vaccination requirement for public group classes. This requirement is for your own puppy's protection. Puppy vaccinations and rabies are completed around 4 - 6 months. When those have been completed, your pup is safe for training in public locations. (And by the way, if you take your dog outside your home at all, you should consider including bordetella vaccinations along with your dog's annual boosters for prevention of kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease susceptible and transmitted by all canines, including coyotes.)
In-home training poses a very minimal health risk to your pup. It's one we think is worth taking in order to have a jump-start on training at an early age. Puppies are learning machines. If you wait till yours is 6 months old, you'll have lost some very valuable training time, and provided a breeding ground for bad habits. It's never too late to start training...just a more opportune time (like before the couch gets ripped up).
Who trains my dog?
You do. First, you will observe the no-force manipulation process as demonstrated by your behavior counselor. You, then, will take over and will be coached on your training techniques as you apply them to your dog. Then between these coached sessions you will work on your own. This is far more effective than having someone else train your dog for you (and lots less expensive).
How long will training take?
You will select the program or service that is right for you. A session can last from 1 hour to 4 or more. A raining program can last from 5 weeks to 10 weeks. Most counseling sessions for a specific behavior problem will last from 1 to 2 hours.
As far as your dog goes, his training should continue for the rest of his life. This will maintain a happy and mentally healthy dog, and one that is more likely to be problem-free. Practically speaking, on average, you can accomplish reasonabily reliable basic behaviors in 2 months. The more you work with your dog, the more reliable the behaviors become. We don't, unfortunately, have a magical training wand. Lackadaisical training will result in unreliable behaviors. We strive for success and will make training fun for both you and your dog because nobody has a good time when it's a chore.
What are your hours?
Since we do not offer cookie-cutter training (that is, a training program that is one-size-fits-all) neither do we have standard business hours, per se. Conditionally, we work 24/5. Monday through Friday at any hour it takes to make a comprehensive program fit into your schedule. If midnight works for you, it works for us. (Remember, it's but once a week on a short-term basis.) We aren't quite this flexible with anything other than a comprehensive program but we are dedicated to serving your needs. Weekends can be made available, but folks listen, if we're working 24/5 we're going to charge time-and-a-half and double-time for the coveted weekend just like any working stiff. But if it's the weekend you need and you're willing to pay the overtime, we'll sacrifice our weekends.
So what's this going to cost me?
There are a number of program options to choose from, one to suit most any pet-dog owner's budget, time, and training goals.
The cost is personalized, determined by 1) your needs, 2) the trainability of your dog, and 3) the distance you are from our location in Tulare (remember, this is delivered right to your door, saving you gas and travel time). Trainability cannot be determined without an on-site evaluation of your dog which can vary greatly from one dog to another. If we are evaluating more than one of your dogs you will see what we mean. Consequently, this is why prices are not posted and cannot be determined prior to an evaluation.
On the other hand, the cost of the evaluation is only determined by your location. This can easily be procured with a email exchange or a phone call as found on our Contact Us page. The actual scheduling of the evaluation, however, must be done in real time (actual conversation via phone).
What happens in the evaluation?
First, your behavior counselor will spend a short amount of time working with each dog you'd like evaluated. What we're looking for is 1) how easily your dog allows a stranger, your behavior counselor, to manipulate him without the use of force, and 2) how quickly he catches on to something your behavior counselor will attempt to teach him. (It is not to determine how intelligent your dog is. You already know he's brilliant.) The easier your dog is to manipulate and/or quicker he catches on, the less you'll pay for this type of training.
Second, we will inquire and discuss with you your training needs and goals.
Now we're in a much better position to offer you some recommendations and training options. And, having determined the trainability, we can now calculate those prices you've been asking about. Remember, this is personalized, to both you and your dog. We don't do cookie cutter training. You get to choose the training you want.
Now, how do I get the ball rolling?
We invite you to e-mail us from the Contact Us page if you have additional questions. When you're ready, call us to schedule a 1-2 hour evaluation in your home. (559) 687-8000.
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last scooped on: 3/9/08
