Pups to Pooches Dog Training & Behavior Consulting

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Introduction: We are a Peachtree Corners based business based just north and east of the Atlanta perimeter. We have been training dogs for over 12 years. At Pups to Pooches Dog Training and Behavior Solutions, we are Certified Professional Dog Trainers and Behavior Consultants (CPDT-KA, CDBC) with over 12 years of experience. We hold national (CCPDT) as well as international certification (IAABC) at the highest level. We not only know how to train and get behavior but how to modify behavior as well. Do you own dog who struggles with any of the following: Aggression issues? Reactivity on or off lead? Separation Anxiety? Generalized Anxiety? Noise anxiety? Jumping on people? Pulling on lead? The list could be endless....Whether you own a new puppy, new rescue dog from the shelter, or a dog who struggles with some of the above listed issues, we are equipped with the knowledge, education, and hands on experience to help you and your dog. At Pups to Pooches Dog Training, we offer in-home private lessons, puppy training and socialization, behavior consultations as well as behavior modification for simple and for complex behavioral issues (including aggression in its various forms), group classes (puppy kindergarten, basic manners, specialized classes and workshops both in person and online), as well as AKC S.T.A.R Puppy and Canine Good Citizen evaluation. All classes are taught on the grounds of Pet Med Plus Veterinary Clinic. In addition to being a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant, Ann is also a retired Certified Teaching Professional for French and ESOL. She has 26 years of experience teaching elementary school French in the public school system as well as plenty of experience working with children who have special needs. This makes her a perfect fit for families raising children and dogs together. Meet Kaya: Kaya Forstall, CCDT, CPDT-KA. Kaya grew up in metro Atlanta and graduated from Elon University with a degree in Psychology. She spent almost 9 years as a Zookeeper caring for and training a variety of animals including gorillas, bobcats, porcupines, and parrots to name a few. In early 2020, Kaya graduated from CATCH Canine Trainer's Academy (CCDT) with Ann as her mentor and is now also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) after having passed a rigorous exam and accumulating 300 hours of hands on training with dogs. Kaya values the importance of continuing education. In early 2021, she completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course taught by world renowned Aggression Specialist, Michael Shikashio, CDBC. Kaya routinely participates in a variety of conferences and webinars in order to stay up to date on the most current positive reinforcement strategies. Her dedication to ongoing education in the field of dog training and behavior is what equips Kaya to best guild and support you and your pawfect pups along your training journey . When she is not working with dogs and their people, Kaya enjoys spending quality time with her family and significant other. Visiting wineries and dabbling in everything Disney are just a few of Kaya's favorite things. Meet Anna: We are honored to welcome Anna Robertson, CCDT to our team as a part-time certified dog trainer, working in Auburn, GA and surrounding areas which include: much of Lawrenceville, Dacula, Buford, and Bethlehem, GA. We are thrilled that Anna will be bringing R+ game based and force free dog training to these areas in which this is really hard to come by! Anna graduated a year ago from CATCH Canine Trainers Academy with an A average after being our mentee for several months. She is also a full-time student who is majoring in Business Management in which she is also maintaining an A average. Anna has been training and working with dogs in one capacity or another since the young age of 8 years old! She competes with her 2 dogs, Dizzy and Lucy in agility. We are so excited about the talent and experience that Anna brings to our team! For Anna's complete bio and photos, go to the About The Team page on our website. A bit more about Ann: Head trainer, Ann Lewis, is a graduate of Catch Canine Trainers Academy. She has met all of the requirements of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in order to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed. In addition, she holds the IAABC title of CDBC (Certified Dog Behavior Consultant) which is only awarded after hundreds of hours of experience in the field of canine behavior, hundreds of hours of course work, and finally upon passing a rigorous application/testing process. Fewer than 300 trainers and behavior consultants worldwide hold this credential and it is one we are especially proud of. In October, 2020 Ann completed the Aggression In Dogs Master Course taught by world renowned Aggression Specialist, Michael Shikashio. Most recently, Ann added an additional certification to her credentials: FDM stands for Certified Family Dog Mediator. This certification is unique in that it applies the L.E.G.S. model in both training and behavior modification. L.E.G.S. stands for: Learning-Environment-Genetics-Self and is the brainchild of Kim Brophey, CDBC and Applied Ethologist. All of these areas are important to consider when working with our canine companions. In 2018, Ann earned an additional certification as a Certified Pro Dog Trainer (PDT)from Absolute Dogs, based in the UK. Absolute Dogs is owned by Dr. Tom Mitchell, renowned Veterinary Behaviorist and Lauren Langman, one of the worlds top agility competitors. For more information on Absolute Dogs and Concept Training, visit Absolute Dogs online. This particular certification sets her apart from other trainers in that this is a new, cutting edge approach to training dogs that is not only relationship based but game based as well. It uses simple and fun 3 minute games to shape personality and to turn dog-human struggles into strengths. This training goes way beyond "sit" and "stay". This type of training is a true GAME CHANGER which produces real life results all through using games! On a personal note: I enjoy working with animals, especially dogs. I enjoy watching them learn and grow as we teach them new skills and as we teach them how to make good choices. Our methods are reward based and force free. I enjoy working with people as well as with dogs. I taught elementary school age children for 26 years and am recently retired. When it comes to kids and dogs, I love that "Ah-Ha" moment when they "get" what it is you are trying to teach them and why. And, that "Ah-Ha" moment sometimes happens with adults as well which is especially rewarding. It is rewarding to help humans build healthier relationships with their dogs. This lies at the very heart of being successful with training our dogs.

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Hired 49 times

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3 employees

12 years in business

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Customers rated this pro highly for responsiveness, professionalism, and work quality.

Excellent 4.9

27 reviews

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Linda t.

Jun 7, 2016

Hired on Thumbtack

Ann has done a great job training both me and my reactive Boston. I was doing a lot wrong and now she's turned me to be in the dominant position and it has really settled my dog down. Sometimes the fault is not always the dog but the owner.

Dog Training

Greta M.

Sep 19, 2016

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Anne responded to us very quickly and came to our home to help us train our dog. After she left I felt much more cofident! She wrote up a summary for us to focus on the training we needed most, she gave us very specialized attention.

Pups to Pooches Dog Training & Behavior Consulting's reply

thank you so much, Greta!

Dog Training

Terrie S.

Jun 24, 2018

Hired on Thumbtack

Ann has been working with us and out 4 month old German Shepherd female puppy. The initial training session consisted of very easy but effective tasks for us to establish a foundation for interactive training. We gave found Ann to be very focused and a joy to work with. She also has provided walking & training when my spouse was out of town for business. Ann took the time initially to assess our dog and then created a plan to bring all of us along for the training journey so that we have a well trained, confident and happy dog. Would highly encourage anyone that has a need (or even if you don't think you do) to meet with Ann. Terrie Sullivan

Details: 1 dog • 0 - 6 months old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • Private dog training lessons • Puppy training • Leash pulling • Biting • The dog trainer travels to me

Dog Training

Dawn D.

Dec 28, 2015

Ann Lewis, of Pups to Pooches, is one of the best dog trainers I've ever worked with. She is very knowledgeable about breed temperaments and what motivates individual animals. She is a great person to work with, especially if you have kids and a new dog or puppy because she will work with the entire family and teach kids how to interact with your new pup so there are no conflicts. I can't recommend Pups to Pooches highly enough. I plan to continue doing routine maintenance work to keep my dog challenged.

Deborah K.

Sep 25, 2017

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No dog behaviors change overnight, but Ann gave us a great plan of action and we have already seen some improvement and less anxiety in our rescue pup.

Dog Training

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Ann Lewis

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Currently, prices are as follows: 245.00 for Classes: Puppy Kindergarten, Beginning Life Skills, and more 185.00 hourly rate PACKAGE PRICING: 765.00 for purchase of package of 5 training sessions (dogs older than 5 months) 1,145.00 for purchase of our package of 8 training sessions 1545.00 for purchase of our package of 12 training sessions ESPECIALLY FOR PUPPIES UNDER 6 MONTHS AND FOR NEW SHELTER ADOPTIONS: 665.00 for Puppy Package of 5 one hour training sessions (first session is longer) 985 for Puppy Package of 8 one hour training sessions (first session is a bit longer) 295.00 for Behavior Consultations (275.00 virtual) 245.00 for New Puppy Consultation (225.00 virtual) Training sessions last 1 hour. Behavior Consultations last 90 minutes. Any appointments located beyond a 10 mile radius from us: Add 2 dollars per mile (round trip)for additional travel. When purchasing packages, these are non-refundable and non-transferable. We have a 48 hour cancellation / re-schedule policy. We can also create a package customized to your dog's specific training needs. We also have a variety of virtual options (which cost less than when we drive to you) as well as in-person group classes. In fact, our group classes were listed by Expertise.com among the top 9 best dog training classes for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 in the Atlanta metro area!
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
This totally depends on what the client is looking for and what the animal needs. For puppies, we offer Puppy Kindergarten OR a 3-5 week "Puppy Package" in which we address everything "puppy" from socialization to housebreaking to puppy biting /mouthing to training some basic skills. From there, most customers on board with a "Puppy Package" will continue on for a second package of focusing on much more training. Those who stay with us remain at the price they come in with permanently even when our prices go up and may also receive more discounts by referring a friend. For owners who have dogs who need behavioral issues addressed, we begin with a Behavior Consultation. This may last from 1.5 up to 2 hours as we take information and observe the dog in order to get to the root of the problem(s). From here, we can then put together a Behavior Modification plan which includes management, training of specific skills needed, and behavioral modification (usually using desensitization and classical counter-conditioning techniques). Going forward, these clients may be on board with us anywhere from 6 sessions to several months depending on the nature and scope of the issues at hand. In general, I promote the concept that really, one is never "done" with training. It is a life long adventure and learning journey for you and your dog. So many owners think that if they just attend 1 class or have a few private lessons that they are "done"....that some how the dog will just then be "trained" when, in fact, they have only just begun the training process. I like to promote training as actually a life style after classes and going forward. Training is so so much more than "sit", "down", "stay", etc. Training a dog can be really fun, inspiring, and totally transformational if you embrace the journey and commit to the best for you and your dog.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Most importantly, I have full accreditation through the IAABC as a CDBC: Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Fewer than 300. persons worldwide hold that full certification as it requires 100s of hands on hours working with complex behavioral struggles as well as a rigorous application process which includes no multiple choice but rather short answer and essays detailing real life case studies as well as studies presented by the IAABC for the purposes of showing in detail how these would be addressed from start to finish. It also requires a thorough knowledge of canine learning theory. Secondly, I have fulfilled all the requirements of the Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers in order to become a fully Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed: CPDT-KA. In addition, I am a graduate of CATCH Canine Trainers Academy based in and licensed by the state of New Jersey. Upon graduating, I earned the title CCDT: CATCH Certified Dog Trainer. Both of these certifications required apprenticeship with a reputable trainer here in Atlanta, hundreds of hours working hands on with dogs and their owners as well as regular volunteer work at local animal shelters. The final requirement of each certifying body was to pass exams: 1 standardized and 2 written finals. In order to maintain my professional certification, I am required to regularly attend seminars and workshops in order to earn Continuing Education Credits (just like a certified school teacher).