In-Home Consultations and Training
- Teaching you how to manage and modify your dog's behaviors
- About 80% of our cases deal with aggression and anxiety, but we always welcome general training or obedience.
- All client information is kept strictly confidential
- We offer two ways to train your dog:
- (Owner Train Program) Heather comes into your home and coaches you through the process of training
- (Trainer Train Program) Heather does the training directly
- The hourly fees are the same for either program. Training requires excellent timing, understanding of learning theory, and a deep understanding of the microexpressions of canine body language. Depending on your skill set, Heather may start the training on your dog so it will be eaiser for you. This can then be a more affordable option. We then have at least one session to teach you how to do the training as well. You will still need to change your behavior and use the same techniques and cues to get the same results. This option is considered on a case-by-case basis.
General Information about our training:
- Creative, science-based, force-free techniques are used for training and behavior modification. We find what motivates your companion and use it for training. Click here for our training philosophy.
- Every dog displays their current behavior because it is works. You will learn how to cultivate appropriate alternative behaviors that serve the same function, rather than suppressing what you don't want through punishment.
- We want your dog to learn how to think, rather than simply reacting. They soon become an eager participant in their own training and start looking to you for information about how to respond.
- It is our nature to tell our dogs what behaviors we do not like. Instead, we will move past that and help you identify what behavior you want, and give you the tools to teach that behavior.
- Sometimes euthanasia or re-homing will be advised on the first visit. If keeping your dog is a safe option, then we will perform a Functional Assessment and Intervention Desgin (FAID) in the first visit. This will help you set your training goals, make a plan that works for you, and identify alternative behaviors that you can train.
Making the first appointment:
We encourage you go to your veterinarian for a complete physical work-up (including bloodwork). A large number of behavior problems can be attributed to a medical problem so we want to ensure we are working with a healthy animal. We will work with your vet to find the appropriate solutions for your companion.
We encourage you go to your veterinarian for a complete physical work-up (including bloodwork). A large number of behavior problems can be attributed to a medical problem so we want to ensure we are working with a healthy animal. We will work with your vet to find the appropriate solutions for your companion.
We also encourage the whole family to be present for the sessions. It gives us a complete picture and everyone can be as consistent as possible in the home.
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For details about the sessions, please click on the following behavior that you are experiencing:
Reactive Behaviors (aggression, fear, anxiety, or arousal)
No reactive behaviors but need training, teach tricks, or having housetraining problems.
Separation Anxiety