© Complete K9 Training 2011 FAQs Frequently Asked Questions Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions. Please contact us for more information or with your specific questions or concerns. We’re happy to help! Or Call 714-OH-DOGGY! (714.643.6449) Where exactly are you? It’s a secret! Haha! Ok, seriously, address is given out to appointment holders only. This is for our own privacy, as we work out of our home and are unable to accommodate walk-ins. If you're wondering where we are in comparison to you, we're in Anaheim, near Brookhurst and Lincoln. We are a short drive from the 91 and 5 freeways, and not too far from the 22 and 57.     What is a good age to start training? Is my dog too young or too old? Your puppy is learning from the very beginning. But a great age to start 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 (16 weeks) is the minimum requirement for our Homestay program. If you make a reservation for your puppy to start when old enough, we’ll happily give you some pointers to get through the intermittent weeks. We do on occasion take dogs younger than 16 weeks. This is on a case by case basis, and an evaluation of your dog is required.   No dog is too old for training. Many owners have told us they came to us when other trainers refused to work with their older dog. Sometimes these dogs are as young as 2 years. This is sad! It's never too late! 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 he's released 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 un-training 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. We have trained many senior dogs with great success and they hold a special place in our hearts!     What forms of payment do you accept? We greatly appreciate cash and checks for payment. We do also accept major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Credit cards are processed online using an easy and secure online system by Google. A Google Checkout account is needed to process your card. Setup is easy, free and safe. Utilizing this service also gives you the option of making payments from home or from from your smart phone! Is it really necessary to invest in a program like Homestay? Training is the greatest gift you can give your dog! 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. 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, hang out with your visitors, 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, molding, dry wall and air conditioner cables? How about replacing carpet because it's soaked with dog pee? We have had owners report thousands of dollars worth in damages prior to seeking out training!   Moreover, wouldn’t it be worth it to have your dog around and well-behaved when guests come over? Wouldn’t it be great to come home to find your house in one piece and free of pee and poo? Wouldn’t you like to take your dog on more walks? Your dog wants to be where the action is. He or she wants to go places! Training will bring both you and your dog more joy. There are many reasons why people find training a very worth while investment. We do our best to keep our costs as low as we can. On the other hand, we don’t train dozens or over a 100 dogs at a time like some board-and-train kennel facilities. We have a personal connection with only up to 6 clients at a time. We’re not the cheapest, and we’re certainly not the most expensive. But we WILL give you the biggest bang for your buck! Do I need to come in for a consultation first? We love to have the opportunity to meet with you and your dog, as well as show off, before your dog comes in for training! Consultations on site are free. If you prefer to have one at your home, a travel fee will apply. But in most cases, a consultation is not mandatory. If you feel comfortable leaving your dog with us based on phone or e-mail conversations, we’re flattered and are just as eager to get started as you are! There are some situations where a consultation is required. This usually includes dogs with aggression towards people. We just need to make sure we’re compatible. Though we do accept most aggression cases, there are a rare few that are not safe for us to take on. We may also request a consultation if your dog has severe anxiety or is younger than the usual starting age of 16 weeks. What do I need for my dog? For obvious health reasons, we require proof of current vaccinations (Parvo combo, Bordetella and Rabies) and confirmation that your dog will be current on flea control throughout his or her stay. We accept vet-approved monthly flea control products only. Some common ones are Frontline Plus, Advantage, K9 Advantix and Sentinel. Cheap products like Hartz, BioSpot and Adams are not recommended or accepted. We have Frontline Plus available for $20.00 if your dog needs it. We also need you to bring your dog’s own food to avoid tummy problems and diarrhea. No one likes diarrhea! Please bring more than enough for the 2 week stay as they often eat a little extra with all the activities. Having you provide your dog’s own food is also one of the many ways we can keep our training costs so low. As for bedding, toys, crates, dishes, etc., don’t worry. We have it all taken care of. You’re welcome to leave personal items, but we don’t recommend that you do. They don’t always make it home! One nice thing you can bring for your dog is your scent. You can make a scented lovey by keeping an old shirt or rag in bed with you or in your hamper for a few days. Make sure it’s something you don’t mind being chewed!   Will I be able to visit my dog? We won’t tell you that you’re not allowed to visit your dog during the 2 weeks stay, however, it is discouraged. Part of what makes the Homestay so successful is that your dog is immersed in a structured and consistent environment with no distracting events. A visit from you could upset that balance. After all, they have to see you leave again, and that can be stressful. Especially for a more emotional or anxious dog. In some cases, we can even lose a couple days of good training time. Will my dog listen to me when he comes home? The short answer is "yes." But in reality that depends on you. As long as you continue to maintain the training and enforce your rules and boundaries at home, your dog will learn very quickly to respect you as the new leader. We will teach you in your private lesson 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 consistently. Most people report that within 2-3 days following Homestay they have their dog's full attention and respect.      Can I schedule a check-in date in advance? Of course! We're happy to set up a date for you several weeks or months in advance. 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, planning to remodel or move, or scheduling a surgery or other event for yourself. People make reservations for many reasons. Will my dog still be playful after training? Yes! We want to help your dog be better, not break his or her spirit. Training is simply a way to learn how to communicate effectively with your dog. You will see that there must be a time for work and focus, but equally important is a time to let loose and have fun.     Will my dog need more training after completing the Homestay program? Nope! Our Homestay program provides comprehensive training for both you and your dog. 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. If you need help later on, we are always happy to answer questions by phone or e-mail at no charge for the life of your dog. You’re also welcome to bring your dog in for a free lesson at any time. Even years later! And you can purchase additional lessons if you’d like at a discounted rate. Bottom line is, we’ll take care of you! Without nickel and diming you along the way. We’re real people, just like you, and we love what we do. We know how important it is to work with a company you can trust. Home  |  Dog Training  |  Meet the Trainers  |  Photo Tour  |  Real Stories  |  FAQs  |  Contact Us