Our Services
Your puppy or dog has the potential to be great-we can help!
Our private lesson, day training, and immersion training programs focus effectively and intensively on your unique dog’s needs, and your individual training goals.
You can expect quick improvements in undesirable behaviors, clearer communication, a better relationship between you and your dog, and reliable learning of new, more desirable behaviors and great manners.
Sure, you know training will take some time and consistent effort. You also know it’ll need to be maintained.
Never fear! We’ll help you figure out specifically how to work training into your schedule, and into your daily activities. We’ll also guide you in settling into a “trained dog lifestyle”, so that you can use it, not lose it!
Puppy Training
Congratulations on your new puppy!
You’ve got big plans together!
Even if you’re currently struggling with house training, crate training, puppy biting with those needle-sharp teeth, jumping up, and the general chaos that puppies often bring…
If you’re having trouble even imagining your future family companion, walking nicely through the neighborhood, hanging out at family sports events, joining you on outings and evenings in, and vacations, we can help you get there!
Our puppy programs help you make the most of your puppy’s critical early learning stages, so that you can enjoy this special time with them, knowing you’re doing all you can to help them grow into the very best possible version of themselves.
To help you get through the early rough bits, and raise them into the fantastic adult companion dog you’ve been dreaming of, we offer three different options that vary in how much direct guidance and support we provide, and how far along that puppy-raising journey we go together.
Puppy Quick Start
Need some help getting through the nipping, jumping, peeing, chewing-everything-busy-ness of your first few months together?
Looking to stop (or avoid!) feeling like you have the “puppy blues”?
Of course the first few weeks with a new puppy are going to be busy!
But you don’t need to write off sleep for the next two months, plan to replace all your carpeting, or invest in truckloads of band-aids!
This program is the puppy support you need, right when things are most hectic.
For owners of puppies up to 16 weeks at start of program, Puppy Quick Start provides a great foundation for a future polite, confident family pet, who also knows how to calm down when you’re ready for quiet time.
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Of course, we’ll help you with crate training, house training, and problems with puppy biting…
Then, we’ll quickly get to the “fun stuff” as we lay the foundations for your future together…
We’ll teach you how to be an engaging and fair teacher for your puppy. Together, we’ll teach your puppy to become a cooperative, happy learner.
We guide you through the critical process of safe and appropriate socialization, and use play to lay a fun, age-appropriate groundwork for future obedience basics like polite leash walking, coming when called, stay, and leave it.
We’ll also help your puppy learn to self-calm and practice impulse control, so they have an “off switch,” as well as good manners at home, right from the beginning.
This program includes:
• Private lessons at your home – right where you probably most need help
• 1 Bonus Real Life Adventure lesson, so you and your puppy can get a taste of what’s possible in the big wide world
• Includes recommended training equipment
• Video and written lesson support materials
• “Trainer-in-your-pocket” VIP support up until your pup reaches 7 months of age
• Lifetime continuing support via our students-only online community
Puppy Right Start
Puppy Right Start is perfect for owners who are looking for help now, as well as after the immediate chaos of “new-puppy-time” settles down a bit.
This program includes all the important foundation work in our Quick Start program, and then levels up with beginning obedience skills and good manners, so you and your puppy can enjoy each other’s company at home & around town.
We use a unique “done with you” tag-team approach to make training easier for you and more effective for your puppy. In addition to private, in-home lessons, it includes four days of Day Training.
Day Training days are perfect for giving your dog’s learning a boost, by having a professional spend exclusive 1 on 1 time with your dog to introduce and practice new skills.
Over 15 years of professional puppy-raising experience allows us to teach your puppy most efficiently and effectively, so you’ll have an easier time when your turn to pick up the leash comes at the end of the day.
We know you’re often learning too, so these Day Training days are perfect for giving your training a little boost by getting your puppy over a learning “hump”, or for giving them a jump start on new skills.
Imagine your puppy:
• walking nicely on a loose leash (no pulling!)
• sitting politely for greetings (no jumping!)
• going to and staying on a bed or cot (so you can turn your back for a moment without wondering what they’ll get into next)
• coming when called, really
• listening to the ever-important “leave it” (because puppies love to pick up everything!)
We’ll teach you some developmentally appropriate, structured games, to make the most of playtime with your pup and support your training efforts.
We’ll also provide strategies and follow-up support, so that you’re prepared to confidently handle all the changes that will come with adolescence and young adulthood.
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This program includes:
• Private lessons at your home and local public spots – convenient, and help right where you can best use it! (most people complete the program in about 5 lessons)
• 4 “Booster” day-training days – scheduled consecutively for intensive help, or spaced between lessons, as you prefer
• 2 Bonus follow-up private lessons, to help your training “stick”, and prepare you and your pup for adolescence
• 1 year “Trainer in your pocket” VIP support (text/voice/email)
• Lifetime access to our students-only online community
• Puppies that complete this program are eligible for our exclusive “touch up training” in-home boarding program
Puppy Best Start (to Finish!)
In this exclusive program, we’re your training partner, from puppyhood to adulthood. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy your dream dog at home, around town, and doing all the outdoor activities you love, whether your dog-goals include hiking, boating, camping, or beach time.
You get faster results, better reliability, and an easier time following up and maintaining your pup’s training. You’ll also get our most comprehensive level of lifetime support and exclusive access to alumni benefits.
This program has two phases.
We take a “big picture” approach, and teach the right things, at the best time developmentally for your puppy.
While your puppy is young, we teach puppy foundation (Head Start) and beginner-level (on-leash) skills in a set of about 5 private lessons. You and your puppy will bond as you learn the foundations together, with all the support and guidance you need.
Once your puppy is developmentally ready (usually between 6 and 12 months), they’ll come to us for 10 days of immersion (board and train) training.
Our professional trainers will relieve you of some of the training time and effort, as we polish their skills in public and around bigger distractions, and jump start their progress to off-leash freedom.
After the immersion training stay, this program comes with unlimited transfer follow-up lessons, although most of our students achieve their desired outcome in 3-4 lessons.
You’ll enjoy our most comprehensive lifetime support, so you can rest easy, knowing even if things get a little off-track as they grow (hello, teenager!) we’ll be there for you as your puppy matures to adulthood.
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This program includes:
• Unlimited private lessons at your home and local public spots – convenient, and where you can best use the help!
• 10 days Immersion Training (pups go home for the weekend)
• Our most comprehensive puppy program support, to help ensure the long term success of your investment and make sure the training “sticks”
• Lifetime in-person support
• Lifetime “Trainer in your pocket” VIP support (text/voice/email)
• Lifetime access to our students-only online community
• Includes all recommended equipment ($400 value)
• BONUS: 3 days’ free “touch up training” in our exclusive in-home boarding program. Your puppy will have access and preferred rates to our students-only in-home boarding even while they are going through training, so you don’t have to worry about losing all your progress if you take a trip. (subject to availability)
Older Puppies / Adult Dog Training
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I often hear: “Our dog is pretty good, but…”
Are you struggling with minor behavior issues, such as jumping up, pulling on the leash, nuisance barking, rushing the door, or a general inability to settle down?
Or maybe things are going great (lucky you!), and you want to make sure you’re getting everything right with your young dog or your new-to-you dog so things KEEP going great.
Either way, you want your dog to listen to you, even when they might prefer to do something else.
For most dogs, these things are totally achieveable, with training.
Our Life Skills for dogs programs combine obedience, relaxation skills, and two-way communication, to help your dog (and you!) navigate the world we share.
When your dog has Life Skills, you can both enjoy each other’s company more, more of the time.
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We offer three different programs, with varying levels of direct help, guidance, and support. More direct help means less work for you, and results in better reliability, in more situations and around a wider variety of distractions.
All our private training programs focus 100% on your individual training goals, and are adjusted to your dog’s individual temperament and needs.
All our programs are outcome-based (rather than number of lessons), so if you need an extra lesson or two to complete your program, that’s never a problem.
All our programs come with long-term support.
Life Skills – Lite
For puppies and dogs over 20 weeks
This program is perfect for owners who are willing to put in the work, would like quick results, and want their dogs to become enjoyable companions in and around home.
We’ll focus on your dog’s calm state of mind, and help you to establish the structure and rules your dog needs to be happy, confident, and well-behaved.
Together, we’ll teach your dog basic on-leash obedience skills and good manners, to help you both navigate everyday life in and around your home.
Imagine your dog:
Walking nicely on a loose leash around your neighborhood, staying at your side when you stop to chat with a friend.
Coming when you call (instead of heading in the opposite direction!)
Going to / staying on a cot or bed, when you need your dog out from underfoot or have guests who aren’t interested in furry snuggles
Choosing good manners for home and out in public, like sitting politely for greetings, leaving counters (and socks, and your favorite shoes!) alone, and exiting doors calmly
This program includes:
• Private lessons at your home – right where you can most use the help! (most people complete this program in about 4 lessons)
• 1 Bonus Real Life Adventure lesson at a local public spot, so you and your dog can practice what you’ve learned in the world beyond your yard!
• Video and written lesson support materials
• 6 months’ in-person and “Trainer-in-your-pocket” VIP text/email support, with 1 bonus in-person refresher lesson
• Lifetime continuing support via our students-only online community
Life Skills for Dogs
For puppies and dogs over 20 weeks
If you’re looking for great reliability at home (where most dogs don’t wear a leash, right?!) and you and your dog want to be able to enjoy off leash freedom for hikes and play, and still know your dog will come back when you call them, our Life Skills program is a great choice.
This program covers all the basic obedience and manners included in our Lite program, and then some!
We use a unique “done with you” tag-team approach. In addition to private, in-home lessons, we do a chunk of the teaching FOR you with four days of Day Training, where you leave your dog with us for the day.
Day Training days are perfect for giving your dog’s learning a boost, by having a professional spend exclusive 1 on 1 time with your dog to introduce and practice new skills.
Then, when we hand the leash back to you, your dog will already have a good idea of what’s expected, and we’ll be able to give you insight into their learning process, so your practice time will be much more productive.
You’ll love it when your dog:
Walks nicely on a loose leash, staying at your side when you stop to chat with a friend-you’ll be so proud when they compliment your dog’s good manners!
Comes when you call (instead of heading in the opposite direction!)
Goes to and stays on a cot or bed, when you need your dog out from underfoot or have guests who aren’t interested in furry snuggles
Chooses good manners for home and out in public, like sitting politely for greetings, leaving counters (and socks, and your favorite shoes!) alone, entering and exiting the car calmly. No more feeling like you’re constantly saying “No! Stop that!”
Can enjoy freedom off-leash, and you know they won’t just run off. Off-leash skill focuses mainly on “come” and “let’s go”, two essentials that make off-leash hikes, beach trips, and other outdoor adventures relaxing and enjoyable.
Life Skills for Dogs comes with plenty of support, so that you can rest easy, knowing we’ll be here for you and your dog if you ever have questions or need help.
This program includes:
• Private lessons at your home and local public spots – convenient, and help right where you can best use it! (most people complete this program in 4-5 lessons)
• 4 ‘booster’ day-training days – your dog’s exclusive 1-on-1 time with our trainer
• Includes all recommended equipment, including professional quality remote training collar system ($400 value)
• 1 year in-person support
• Lifetime ‘Trainer in Your Pocket’ VIP text/email support
• Lifetime access to our students-only online community
• Dogs that complete this program are eligible for our exclusive “touch up training” in-home boarding program
Life Skills – Elite
For puppies and dogs over 20 weeks
Our elite program is perfect for owners who want the very best for their dog, and a little less work for themselves.
With our “jump start” immersion training, you’ll have the convenience and effectiveness of a pro doing the “heavy lifting” of the early training for you, so you get faster results, better reliability, and an easier time following up and maintaining your dog’s training.
Imagine your dog included in your family’s activities and adventures, a joy to have along because they’re so well behaved. This program offers you off-leash reliability with more precision, in more situations, as well as great behavior for the times you do have to use a leash.
You’ll enjoy unlimited follow up lessons, and our most comprehensive support guarantee.
Skills include:
Walking by your side on a loose leash (“heel”), sit, down, place, stay, come (every time!), and good manners for home and around town–no jumping, no counter-surfing, polite manners around doorways, polite greetings, handling for the vet and groomer.
After your dog’s immersion training stay, our Life Skills Elite program comes with unlimited transfer follow-up lessons, although most of our students achieve their desired outcome in 3-4 lessons.
This program includes:
• Unlimited private lessons at your home and local public spots – convenient, and where you can best use the help!
• 15 days Immersion Training (we have a brief hand-off lesson each Friday, and dogs go home for the weekend)
• Our most comprehensive program support, to help ensure the long term success of your investment and make sure the training “sticks”
* Lifetime in-person support
* Lifetime “Trainer in your pocket” VIP support (text/voice/email)
* Lifetime access to our students-only online community
• Includes all recommended equipment, including professional quality remote training collar system ($400 value)
• BONUS: 3 days’ free “touch up training” in our exclusive in-home boarding program. ($750 value)
,A Note About Behavior Solutions
When creating solutions to dogs’ more serious problem behaviors, such as aggression, fear, or anxiety, we take an individualized, whole-dog approach. Instead of playing “whack-a-mole” by addressing single, sometimes quirky, behaviors, we look at underlying causes of those behaviors, and work to change the dog’s mindset and learned responses.
Very often, going through the process of training for obedience changes the dog’s mindset and character so favorably and deeply, that problems melt away. In certain other cases, we may add other techniques, tools, and approaches, to provide a complete approach. Please don’t be fooled by promises you may see of a miracle cure or quick fix! If a dog has had a long time to rehearse and develop serious problem behaviors, there is no such thing as an overnight turnaround.
Group Classes
Real Life group practice
(Open to students who have completed a private lesson program) Practice your skills in real-world scenarios, in a controlled group setting. We offer this class as a fun way to maintain and polish the training you and your dog have worked hard for.
Other group classes:
- Fundamentals Obedience: AKC on-leash Novice skills: 6-week class. Currently not offered, but you may CLICK HERE for more information.
- Specialty topic clinics, available to graduates of our private training programs. Topics vary, and may include adding the remote collar for off-leash skills, mastering the recall, teaching a formal retrieve, or advanced obedience skills. These clinics are typically 2-3 sessions and are announced about a month ahead of time.
