Full Service Dog Consultant

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Big bouncy Labs! These dogs can be mouthy, rough, and way too energetic. It takes a combination of training, exercise (and lots of it!), and maturation for these guys to settle down.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Make sure you can meet the trainer before you hire him/her. You can get a good feeling of someone over the phone or e-mail...but it might be totally different in person. That's why I offer the in-person consult. I want you to be totally confident and comfortable hiring me.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. I offer a complimentary consultation, during which I will come to your home to meet you and your dog, and take a behavior history to find out everything I need to know. I've found it's easier to do that in person than over the phone or e-mail, although I will get some basic info that way:

Your name
Dog's name
Dog's age, sex, and breed
Outline of what's going on (a problem behavior or just need basic training, etc.)

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Seeing the relief in my clients' eyes! When they realize they can change their dog's behavior without hurting them or ruining their relationship that is huge! With the trickier dogs, I love seeing the light bulb turn on in the dog's face. It's almost like magic.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. You are my priority. I do this full time-- I don't have a "day job" that can take away my attention from you and your dog. I take you all home with me, mentally, and don't forget about you when I'm not there. While this is my profession, it's not a job.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I had a crazy dog. I worked hard and got lots of help figuring out her issues, and it inspired me to help others with what I had learned. Behavior is fluid--not solid. We can always create some change, no matter how small.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I regularly attend workshops and seminars with the greatest trainers around. Most recently (July 2010), I helped organize and attended a 3-day intensive workshop taught by Terry Ryan.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. For private lessons, you can purchase the lessons one at a time, for $60/hour. If it looks like you'll need more than a few lessons, a discount is offered for purchasing 4 lessons at a time. The package of 4 lessons costs $220, paid up front, and then you can schedule the lessons as you like.

More Than A Walk (MTAW) sessions are $25 individually, although occasionally I offer a discount of 40% off the first session (watch my Twitter/Facebook for these). Most clients go ahead and buy the package of 5 sessions, for $100, making each session just $20.

For MTAW, I do have a referral program--refer a friend and you BOTH get a free session. Hey, I believe in positive reinforcement for people, too! To get the freebie, you have to be an existing customer, and your friend can't get both the freebie & the 40% off coupon (pick the freebie!).

Please contact me for the fee schedule for house sitting.