There are many questions that need to be answered when looking for the right dog trainer. Here are our answers to some common ones.
You're welcome to
contact us for more information or with any other questions you may have.
Scroll down for questions
relating particularly to Homestay Training.
What is a good age to start training? Is my dog too young/too old?
From
the very beginning our children are observing and learning from the world, whether we intend it or not. However, there is an age that
is too young for school or anything more than potty training and how to put a spoon in his mouth. Likewise, as we grow older, we are
always capable of learning new tasks, it just may take us a little longer to get the hang of it. It's the same for dogs. The only
difference is that these stages of development occur in weeks and months, rather than months and years.
Likewise, your puppy
is learning from the very beginning. But a great age to start school (training) is 4 months. At this time your puppy is still
young enough that a new education is readily absorbed, but old enough to retain what he's learning and progress at a good pace. 4
months is the minimum requirement for our Homestay and Private Lessons. Our Puppy Starter is designed to help you out with your younger
puppy.
No dog is too old for training. However, though an older dog can learn just as well as a pup, understand that it takes
more time for the new material to become habitual. That is, he may figure sit out in a few training sessions, but the concept of sitting
every time you ask and waiting to get up until you tell him he can will take longer to sink in. After all, for the past 3, 6
or even 10 years he's pretty much been doing things at his pace, not yours. This is a hard habit to overcome. Training an older dog
also includes untraining old habits. Though we will still finish your older dog's training in the same time frame, you will need to
be patient as you continue working with him to gradually help his new training become second nature.
Will my dog still
be playful after training?
Of course! What good is it to work hard to train your dog if you can't have fun with him afterward?
Training is simply a way to learn how to communicate effectively with your dog. A good trainer will not find it necessary to break
your dog's spirit and suck out all the playfulness. Just as with ourselves and our children, there must be a time for work and focus,
but equally important is a time to let loose and have fun.
Will I need more training at the end of a training program?
Our
training programs will not only teach you what you need to know to have your dog trained, but how to maintain that training for
life. Training is a lifestyle, not an extracurricular activity. We work hard to ensure that you're comfortable taking on the role
as your dog's leader and understand the fundamental concepts of dealing with general dog behavior for the life of your dog. Any additional
training you may choose to do later would likely be for additional opportunities such as therapy dog training, rally, flyball or agility. We
are also happy to answer questions by phone or e-mail any time after your training is completed.
Is it really
necessary to spend money on dog training?
Training is an investment for life. Think of it as a formal education, like college.
Only this education isn't to get a good job, but just to have a good life. Training is the greatest gift you can give your dog! Think
of how much more enjoyable your dog's life would be if he wasn't getting in trouble all the time, able to spend more time in the house,
or go out on walks.
Some people can't afford not to spend money on training. How much money do you want to spend on chewed couches,
shoes, moulding, dry wall and air conditioner cables? How about replacing carpet beacuse it's covered in dog pee? Is it
worth it not being able to have friends over because your dog growls, barks or jumps all over them? How much would you spend just
to have a dog that you could really enjoy having around? There are many reasons why people find training a very worth while investment.
Whatever
your concerns are with your dog, or even if you're still in the dog adoption planning phase, deeply explore training as an option
and you'll discover all that it can offer!
Why are there no prices listed?
All of our programs include at least one lesson
in your home. Depending on your location, the price may vary to cover travel time and expenses for the trainer. There are also
some customizable options that can be added to your training program. Please contact us with your information (especially your city) and
we would be happy to provide you with an accurate quote.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, personal
checks, cashier's checks and credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Credit cards are processed
online using a secure online system by Google. A Google Checkout account is needed to process your card. Setup is easy, free
and secure and can be done at time of payment. Utilizing this service also gives you the option of making payments from home simply
by accessing a web link.
FAQs about Homestay Training
Will my dog listen to me when he comes home?
The short answer is "yes." But in reality that
depends on you. You don't have to be the one training your dog to have your dog's respect, just like you don't have to home-school
your children to be a great parent. The important thing is that you take on the role as leader and be confident and consistent in
your actions. We will teach you in two private lessons how to take over the authoritative role that we will have taught your dog to
follow. The steps are relatively simple, but must be followed carefully. As long as you are committed to following through with what
your dog has learned on a daily basis, your dog will easily and happily listen to you! Most people report that within 2-3 days following
the training they had their dog's full attention and respect.
Will I be able to visit my dog?
Absolutely! You are more than
welcome to come by! The dogs always love to see their mommies and daddies. We only ask that visits to be limited to two during the
3 week period and no more than 30 minutes in length so as not to interfere with the training for all of the dogs in our care. Also,
in some cases, a visit causes a great deal of added stress to the dog. Seeing you leave (again!) can be hard. If this is the
case for your dog, we would ask that you refrain from visiting for your dog's sake. We want to keep his stay as stress-free as possible.
What
do I need to bring for my dog?
We take care of all of your dog's needs while in training with us. All we need from you is proof
of current vaccinations (Parvo combo, Bordetella and Rabies) and confirmation that your dog will be current on flea control throughout
his stay. We require that all dogs be treated with a monthly topical flea control product. The ones we accept are Frontline Top Spot,
Frontline Plus, Advantage, K9 Advantix, Program and veterinary prescribed products. You may bring your dog's own food if
you like. We don't charge a fee to feed your dog his own food. Also, many dogs like it if you bring a small item from home that smells
strongly of you, like an old smelly shirt (something you wouldn't mind being chewed!).
Can I schedule a check-in date
in advance?
Of course! We're happy to set up a date for you several months in advance if needed. A deposit locks in your spot and you're
set to go. This is a great option if you're planning a vacation, going away on a honeymoon, remodeling, moving or just need your dog
cared for for a while. However, though we do our best to give you the date reserved, changes in our schedule may move your dog's enrollment
by a week or two.