FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
After more than 15 years of working with pets and owners professionally, I continue to begin each relationship with a complimentary consultation. I very much believe in the power of a positive rapport between pet owners and their trainer. After all, your pet is part of the family and the learning process should be enjoyable for both of you. Training is no cookie cutter approach - if it was, we would all just watch a video on YouTube and get on with our lives! Like fingerprints, every pet, owner, and situation is different. The process of meeting with a prospective client allows me to build a rapport with all involved in the training process, including your pet so that we can create a personalized training plan specifically tailored to your unique needs. On the flip side, it also allows clients to learn about their unique training process before making a decision to move forward. Again, try looking up how long it takes to train a dog on the internet. - Lisa Lima, ABCDT MSW LCSW
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
When I was 8 years old, I began training my pet dog, Star to do tricks - rollover, speak, and play dead were some of her favorites! When I graduated high school, I started earning my Bachelors in Psychology while also enrolling in Animal Behavior College to study dog training. In late 2007, I began training dogs professionally. I am also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and use my background as I work with Service Dog teams. There is a common saying in the animal training world emphasizing that you are not really training the animal, but the person. It is for this reason why I believe that what I offer clients is so unique and fulfilling. - Lisa Lima, ABCDT MSW LCSW
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
One of the most important things that make our trainers successful is the relationship that they have with their clients. They are here for them as much as they are for their dog. Our clients trust us and they confide in us. My advice for those shopping is not to just look for a professional who knows the "lingo", but to look for a dog trainer who takes the time to understand and get to know you and your dog. It makes all the difference in whether or not you're going to look forward to meeting with them for your next session and how you're going to feel when training your dog.