FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I need to meet the client and their dog to find out the clients goals from training and I need to evaluate the dog to see how long the training will take to reach their goals. Some dogs may have issues that make training more difficult or a dog may have had some training and learns quickly, how can the cost be the same for both clients?
- What types of customers have you worked with?
I give dog owns the skills needed to get their dogs to be loved members of their family and not just a source of stress. This can be done with a behavior modification or they may need to take a obedience class.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
When searching for a dog trainer, one must always ask many questions about the trainers' qualifications. Do not just take their word for it. Make them show you documentation and proof of what they say is true. With that being said, let's talk about enrolling your dog in group classes. Many people are offering group classes for puppies and dogs. They range from 4H clubs to pet stores. What is wrong with this type of training? Everything. Although these people mean well, they do not have the expertise to truly know how to train dogs properly. You must think to yourself, "How can my dog possibly pay attention when there are so many distractions?" What happens when you're working with your dog and another dog is barking and whining? Also if you're heeling your dog and another dog attacks it from behind? These are problems that occur when training at these so-called training classes. What about the handler? How can the handler be taught when there are so many other things going on at the training facility? Take for instance pet stores. You start training with your dog and you see people buying dog food, toys, going to the grooming shop, etc. Totally impossible to pay attention to your dog when you have so many things going on. How can you possibly train with 10-15 other dogs barking and running around? The answer is you can't. Although as I stated, these people have good intentions, but what is best for you and your pet is a one-on-one training program where there are no distractions whatsoever. The puppy or dog must learn what is expected of it before distractions can be introduced. Socialization should come after the dog understands what the word NO means. Once the dog is doing well with the obedience commands, then you can take it to group classes for distractions and socialization. I don't know of any professional trainer who would take his or her dog to a group setting at first to teach the dog obedience. It is just not fair to the dog.