FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My training sessions are $175 per session. Follow-up sessions are one hour, while the first session is 1.5 hours at no additional cost. The extra time allows me to evaluate your dog’s behavior, understand your goals, answer your questions, and begin hands-on training right away. I offer private in-home dog training and, when appropriate, real-world training in neighborhoods, parks, and public areas. I do not require packages or long-term commitments. Clients pay after each session, and we continue only as needed based on the dog’s progress and the family’s goals. My focus is on meaningful, lasting improvement in behavior, confidence, cooperation, and everyday life—not temporary fixes.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
My process starts with a detailed evaluation of your dog’s behavior, daily routine, environment, and training goals. The first session is 1.5 hours so I have enough time to understand what is happening and begin hands-on work right away. From there, I create a customized training plan based on your dog’s individual needs. Depending on the case, we may work on aggression, reactivity, anxiety, resource guarding, obedience, socialization, confidence, or household behavior. Training usually begins at your home and in your neighborhood, where I can see the behavior in the environment where it actually happens. As your dog progresses, we can also work in public areas for real-world practice when appropriate. Throughout the process, I coach you so you understand what to do between sessions and how to maintain the progress. We adjust the plan as needed based on your dog’s response and development.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated from Tarheel Canine Training School, where I received professional education in dog training, obedience, behavior, and working with challenging dogs. I am also a certified police dog trainer. After graduation, I continued building hands-on experience working with dogs with aggression, reactivity, anxiety, resource guarding, and other difficult behavior issues. My training and experience now form the foundation of my work with Dog Principal, where I specialize in private in-home dog training and behavior modification for families throughout the DMV area.