TRAINING
Balanced methods that suits both owner and dog.
What do we train?
Search For Specific Behaviors
Behaviors listed show what program offers assistance for that behavior.
FAQ
How do you train dogs?
What is required for my dog to participate?
What type of programs do you offer?
What type of training methods do you offer?
What type of equipment do you use?
What options do I have for payment?
How many dogs are in training at once?
What is the registration process?
What happens after registering?
After Registration
Once your registration, consultation, and payment details are finalized, your training journey officially begins with a seamless preparation process:
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Receive Your Onboarding Package: You will instantly gain access to your digital onboarding materials, including our core training guides, vocabulary cheat sheets, and home setup recommendations.
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Complete Required Forms: You will submit your signed liability waiver, health history questionnaire, and proof of up-to-date vaccinations (Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella) prior to your first session or drop-off date.
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Session & Logistics Confirmation: We will confirm your exact start date, meeting locations (for private sessions), or drop-off times and location details (for Board & Trains).
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Pre-Training Video & Prep Work: Virtual and private clients can begin watching our foundational video library to get a head start on marker timing and handler communication before day one.
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Day One Launch: Whether we connect on Zoom, meet at a local park, or welcome your dog into our home, we dive straight into building clear communication and structured progress from the very first minute.
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Our Registration Process
Getting started with Connective Canine is simple, transparent, and designed to ensure we are the perfect match for you and your dog:
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Submit a Registration Form: Select your desired program on our site and complete the registration form linked directly under that program page.
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Free Consultation: If you haven’t already completed an initial consult, we will schedule a free phone or virtual consultation. This allows us to discuss your specific goals, evaluate your dog’s needs, and confirm that our approach is the right fit before moving forward.
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Payment & Scheduling: Once approved, we will collect payment or finalize your chosen financing/payment plan to lock in your start date.
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Onboarding & Preparation: After registration is finalized, we send over your complete onboarding package. These materials walk you through our core methodology, home preparation, and what to expect throughout your training journey so you feel fully prepared on day one.
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Our Capacity & Commitment to Quality
Because we are a small, dedicated team focused on high-quality, personalized results, we purposefully limit the number of dogs we take on at any given time. This guarantees that every dog and owner in our care receives our undivided focus, individual attention, and a calm, structured environment:
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Private & Virtual Sessions: We schedule a maximum of one private session and one virtual session per day. This ensures we arrive fully focused and never rushed, giving you the time and hands-on coaching you deserve.
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Board & Train Residency: We cap our Board & Train program at no more than 3 dogs at once. Keeping this group small allows us to live alongside each dog, integrate them into our home like our own, and deliver daily, intensive 1-on-1 instruction.
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Standard Boarding: In addition to our training residents, we frequently host up to 5 standard boarding dogs at a time, providing a safe, balanced, and well-managed home environment for overnight stays.
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Our Payment Options
We strive to make professional dog training accessible and straightforward by offering flexible payment solutions tailored to your household:
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Standard Program Payment: For most training programs, full payment is required prior to or on the start date of your first session or drop-off day.
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Third-Party Flexible Financing: We partner with popular pay-over-time services to allow you to split your program total into manageable installments. We accept PayPal Pay in 4, Klarna, Afterpay, and Cherry Financing.
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In-House Payment Plans: If you need a customized arrangement outside of our standard financing partners, we can work directly with you to structure an in-house payment schedule upon request.
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Our Training Equipment
We utilize a wide variety of tools to tailor our approach to each dog's size, temperament, drive, and training goals. Every piece of equipment is introduced with precision, fairness, and safety as the top priority.
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Standard Leashes (4–6 ft): The primary tool for everyday management, teaching foundational heelwork, and maintaining close, safe handler communication.
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Long Leashes (10–30+ ft): Essential for building distance control, proofing recalls, and giving dogs freedom to explore while maintaining safety.
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Slip Collars & Martingale Collars: Gentle directional control tools designed to prevent slipping out of collars while providing clear, subtle feedback during walking mechanics.
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Prong Collars: A highly effective, self-limiting pressure tool that distributes pressure evenly around the neck, eliminating throat strain while providing clear tactile communication for leash-pulling and reactivity.
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E-Collars (Remote Collars): A modern communication tool utilized like a wireless leash to provide subtle, low-level stimulation for total off-leash freedom and long-distance reliability.
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Head Halters: Directional tools fitted around the snout to help redirect high-arousal lunging and manage physical leverage with strong dogs.
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Harnesses: Used primarily for back-clip tracking, long-line exploration, and sport work where forward movement and drive are actively encouraged.
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Place Tethers: Fixed tie-outs used to build spatial boundaries, facilitate calm indoor settling, and reinforce place command duration safely.
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Treat Pouches: Essential equipment for rapid, precise reinforcement delivery during positive shaping and reward marker timing.
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Tug, Ball & Interactive Toys: High-value play motivators utilized to build intense engagement, channel drive, and reward fast, enthusiastic command execution.
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Our Training Methods
At Connective Canine, we believe training should be tailored to the individual dog in front of us rather than forcing every dog into a single, rigid box. We draw from proven behavioral principles to build clear communication, high motivation, and reliable real-world performance.
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Primarily Balanced Training: Our core approach is balanced training, which we find to be the most effective and transparent way to communicate with a dog. Think of balanced training like playing a game of "hot and cold." Positive rewards tell the dog when they are "getting warmer" and choosing correctly, while fair, clear interruptions let them know when they are "getting colder." This two-sided system eliminates confusion, giving your dog complete direction and confidence in understanding exactly what is expected.
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Purely Positive Training: We integrate purely positive methods whenever it is best for the dog's mindset and learning style. Positive reinforcement is ideal for building initial engagement, shaping new behaviors, boosting confidence in shy or anxious dogs, and creating enthusiastic drive through food, toys, and praise.
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Koehler & Leadership Methods: In unique cases where a dog shows little to no motivation for traditional rewards—or where severe boundary issues exist—we utilize foundational Kohler and structured leadership techniques. By focusing on spatial pressure, handler movement, and natural pack mechanics, we establish meaningful direction, respect, and focus without relying on motivators the dog finds unrewarding.
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Registration Requirements
Before beginning any training program with Connective Canine, owners must complete a few simple administrative and health steps to ensure a safe, smooth, and effective experience for everyone:
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Age Requirement: Dogs must be at least 12 weeks of age at the start of their program.
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Vaccination Records: Proof of up-to-date vaccinations (Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella) must be submitted prior to the first session or drop-off date.
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Flea, Tick & Parasite Prevention: Dogs participating in-person or in Board & Train programs must be actively on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives, along with a clean fecal exam within the past 6 months.
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Full Payment: Program fees are required upon completion of registration and due before or on the start date, unless an alternate payment plan has been explicitly arranged with your trainer.
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Liability Waiver & Service Agreement: A signed liability waiver and training agreement must be submitted after registration.
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Onboarding Materials: Owners are required to review provided onboarding documents—covering communication tools, home prep, and expectation guidelines—prior to the first session.
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Behavioral Questionnaire & Health History: A brief history form detailing your dog’s dietary needs, medical history, past injuries, or known triggers must be filled out during enrollment.
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COMMUNICATION
We build a clear, two-way language between you and your dog using marker words and deliberate handler body language. By marking exact moments of success or choices that need adjustment, we take the guesswork out of learning so your dog always understands what is expected.
REWARDS
Positive reinforcement drives motivation and creates enthusiasm for learning. We utilize high-value motivators—including food, play, toys, and praise—to reward correct choices, reinforce strong position holds, and build reliable, happy focus across all environments.
CORRECTIONS
Fair, timely interruptions are used to set clear boundaries and extinguish unwanted behaviors once a command is fully understood. We apply balanced, pressure or verbal cues to help dogs disengage from distractions, keeping our communication fair, consistent, and easy to process.
VIRTUAL
Our Virtual Program provides a flexible, highly structured experience built around weekly one-on-one Zoom video calls. Each session is supported by comprehensive written lesson guides, step-by-step video training walkthroughs, and targeted weekly homework assignments designed for self-motivated owners seeking expert guidance or foundational help from anywhere.
PRIVATE
Our Private Program offers hands-on coaching through sessions held at our location, in your home, or within real-world public spaces like Logan Farm Park in Acworth or Downtown Woodstock. Complete with essential training equipment and detailed post-session lesson walkthroughs, this program gives owners direct support to master training and manners side-by-side with a professional.
BOARD & TRAIN
Our Board and Train Program is a residency where your dog lives and learns alongside our personal dogs. Your dog receives round-the-clock instruction, complete with essential training equipment, regular progress updates and videos, a comprehensive training booklet, and detailed post-program private sessions to ensure a seamless transition back into your home.
Tier Based Training
Basic
The foundational entry designed to establish communication, household manners, and a strong relationship between dogs and their owners.
This tier focuses on core commands, leash mechanics, basic impulse control, and managing common everyday home habits to build a reliable base of communication and structure.
Intermediate
The elevated stage designed for dogs to develop solid foundational mechanics whilst being able to perform reliably around real-world distractions and higher arousal levels.
This tier introduces long-distance controls, refined control and self-applied manners, environmental proofing, and proactive management of moderate behavioral challenges like leash reactivity.
advanced
The mastery level built for severe behavior modification, off-leash reliability, and high-drive competitive performance work.
This tier addresses complex behavior issues including fear, anxiety, and aggression, while also developing high-precision control, distance communication, complete conditioning, and specialized foundations for canine sports and working disciplines.
BASIC TRAINING PROGRAMS
VIRTUAL
A flexible, remote training option designed for self-motivated owners looking to build clear communication, foundational commands, and daily household structure under expert guidance from anywhere.
What's Included
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6 one-on-one Zoom sessions
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Access to relevant step-by-step training videos
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Comprehensive post-session lesson walkthroughs
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Direct trainer access for at-home video reviews throughout the program
$450.00
PRIVATE
Hands-on coaching tailored to help you build reliable obedience and manners to navigate everyday environments side-by-side with your dog.
What's Included
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6 one-on-one sessions (at our location or in-home)
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Essential training equipment included
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Access to relevant step-by-step training videos
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Detailed post-training lesson walkthroughs
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Direct trainer access for at-home video reviews throughout the program
$900.00
BOARD & TRAIN
An immersive 3-week residency where your dog lives directly in our home, receiving daily personalized training to build a solid foundation in obedience, manners, and impulse control.
What's Included
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3-week home residency
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3 one-on-one follow-up sessions
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Essential training equipment included
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Access to relevant training videos
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Post-training follow-up lesson walkthroughs
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Ongoing trainer access for at-home video reviews
$2,700.00
INTERMEDIATE TRAINING PROGRAMS
VIRTUAL
Designed for dogs and owners looking to master basic foundations and tackle environmental distractions, long-distance commands, and persistent moderate behavioral challenges through remote coaching.
What's Included
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8 one-on-one Zoom sessions
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Access to relevant step-by-step training videos
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Comprehensive post-session lesson walkthroughs
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Direct trainer access for at-home video reviews throughout the program
$600.00
PRIVATE
Hands-on instruction focused on teaching and proofing commands in busy public environments, resolving moderate behavioral challenges, and building reliable self-applied manners side-by-side with your trainer.
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8 one-on-one sessions (at our location, in-home, or high-distraction public spaces)
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Essential training equipment included
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Access to step-by-step training videos
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Detailed post-training lesson walkthroughs
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Direct trainer access for at-home video reviews
$1,200.00
BOARD & TRAIN
An immersive 4-week residency that teaches and proofs your dog's training to real-world reliability, tackling moderate behavior modification, public environmental proofing, and advanced impulse control.
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4-week home residency
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4 one-on-one follow-up sessions
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Complete training equipment package included
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Access to relevant training videos
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Post-training follow-up lesson walkthroughs
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Ongoing trainer access for at-home video reviews
$3,600.00
ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAMS
VIRTUAL
The ultimate remote coaching designed for experienced handlers tackling behavior modification, thorough obedience, or sport foundations with total off-leash control in mind.
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10 one-on-one Zoom sessions
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Access to step-by-step training videos
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Comprehensive post-session lesson walkthroughs
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Direct trainer access for at-home video reviews throughout the program
$750.00
PRIVATE
Intensive, personalized hands-on instruction tailored for serious behavioral issues like aggression, fear, or severe reactivity, as well as high-precision off-leash obedience or sport foundations.
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10 one-on-one sessions (at our location, in-home, or complex public spaces)
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Relevant training equipment included
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Access to step-by-step training videos
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Detailed post-training lesson walkthroughs
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Direct trainer access for at-home video reviews
$1,500.00
BOARD & TRAIN
Our most comprehensive, 6-week immersive residency for total transformation—delivering complete off-leash reliability, deep behavior rehabilitation, and extreme environmental proofing.
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6-week immersive home residency
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6 personalized one-on-one follow-up sessions
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Complete training equipment included
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Access to relevant training videos and our personal training library
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Post-training follow-up lesson walkthroughs
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Ongoing trainer access for at-home video reviews
$5,400.00
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Basic obedience
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Advanced obedience
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Off-leash obedience
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Recall
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Heel & loose-leash walking
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Impulse control
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Distraction proofing
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Environmentals & Socialization
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Door manners
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Greeting manners
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Household manners
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Public manners
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Car manners
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Crate manners
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Meal-time manners
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Calm/settle training
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Reactivity
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Excessive barking
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Resource guarding
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Fear & anxiety
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Aggression-related behaviors
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Destructive behavior
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Potty training
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Crate training
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Manners
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Socialization
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Basic obedience
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Confidence building
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Appropriate play
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Impulse control
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Vet/grooming handling
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Travel & car manners
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Restaurant/patio manners
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Hiking/trail manners
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Dog socialization
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Multi-dog households
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Off-leash reliability
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Real-world obedience
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Reading canine body language
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Communication
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Timing
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Equipment use
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Managing behavior
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Building consistency
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Maintaining training
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Troubleshooting future problems
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How Do We Teach Dogs?
How Do We Train Dogs?
Communication
We establish a language that the dog and owner are fluent and consistent with in order to establish rules, expectations, and understanding.
Communication includes commands, recognition, and positive and negative markers.
Virtual Training
In our Virtual Training programs we offer Basic Obedience in the form of video training lessons, virtual lessons via Zoom, and training plan worksheets.
Tools
To be able to communicate in both direction or correction, we use tools that allow the dog to listen under any situation.
Tools depend on the dog in front of us and the owners physical ability.
Private Training
In our Private Training programs we offer both Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Obedience. Our lessons will take place at our location, your home, or local dog-friendly public locations. Private lessons include equipment and training worksheets.
Rewards
To increase a dog's desire to continue and repeat a behavior we add something rewarding to the dog's training.
Rewards depend on the dog in front of us.
Board & Training
In our Board and Train programs we offer Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Obedience as well as Behavior Modification. Board and Train is held at our location and local public locations. Board and Trains include equipment, follow-up private lessons, and training walk-through videos and worksheets.