Are you interested in Private Lesson Training for your dog, but want to know more? Let me share some commonly asked questions and answers, so you can decide if Private Dog Training is for you!

1. Are private lessons effective?

Yes! We create a fully customized training plan for each lesson to set you and your dog up for success. This custom plan enables you to reach your training goals quickly and efficiently. Then, as long as you do the homework each week and practice with your dog at home, you’ll accomplish your training goals by the end of the training package.

2. How much homework is there?

On average, we ask you to invest 30-60 minutes per day into your dog’s training. This can be broken down into multiple training sessions, each anywhere from 2-10 minutes long, to knock out the homework from each week’s lesson. We usually give you 3-5 things to work on so that the homework is doable and challenging, but not overwhelming. We know you have a life outside of training your dog, so we leave some wiggle room for bad days, busy days and sick days.

3. What happens if I don’t do the homework?

If you’re not able to do the homework, then we can just pick up where we left off in training. We will encourage you to do your homework, and try to problem solve why you weren’t able to do it, but we’re not going to shame you for not doing it. We know sometimes life gets in the way. That said, 99% of our clients have no problem doing the homework assigned. Training is a great way to bond with your dog, and you’ll see progress from week to week, so you’ll be surprised at how much you really enjoy doing those training sessions with your dog. Most of our clients go above & beyond and exceed our training goals for each week. We love seeing such dedicated dog owners!

4. Can I train more than one dog?

Yes! You’re welcome to include as many dogs as you like in the training. But keep in mind, the more dogs, the more time you’ll need for training. Usually our Gold package is best for multi-dog households. It gives us 10 hours of training to work through each behavior with each dog. Initially, we’ll train one dog at a time and swap out dogs during the lesson. Then, when they’re ready, we’ll merge the dogs into one session and work with them together. It’s fun to see how packs evolve thanks to training. You’ll have a well-behaved household in no time!

5. When is payment due?

The deposit for lessons is due upfront to book training. The deposit is $200. Then, the balance is due for the lesson package at the start of the first lesson. We ask for payment upfront, so that we don’t have to chase payments and to make sure all parties are equally committed.

6. Which payments forms do you accept?

We prefer checks, but also accept Zelle and credit/debit cards. Because we are charged a fee by the credit card transaction company, we include a small card fee on your balance due for card payment. Because our trainers work remotely, we do not accept cash.

7. What if I want to upgrade to a larger package?

If you purchase the Bronze Package, for example, and want to upgrade to the Gold Package, you need to do that no later than the start of lesson two. After that, you are not eligible to upgrade. We do this because we need to know how many lessons to plan for in our lesson planning, but we do know that sometimes after the first lesson you realize how much fun you had or how much your dog learned, or maybe you add more training goals to your list, so upgrading is an option – it just has to be done by lesson two. When you upgrade, you only pay the difference between the smaller package and the larger package.

8. What should I bring to my first dog training lesson?

Your trainer will tell you what to bring in advance, but typically you’ll want to bring:

  • Kibble or treats as a training reward (at least 3 cups!).
    • Make sure your kibble is at least the size of your pinkie, no smaller. And if you’re bringing treats, small, non-crumbly treats are best!
  • A leash or slip lead
    • If you don’t have a slip lead, don’t worry! We are picky about which ones we like, and we have extras on hand that you can purchase.
  • A treat pouch
    • Same as above! If you don’t have one, don’t worry. We’ll hook you up!
  • A hungry dog!
    • Do not feed your dog the day of the lesson (or the night prior, for morning lessons). A hungry dog is a motivated dog. A motivated dog is easier to train! We use food as a reward for training, so the hungrier the better!

9. What other equipment will I need to buy?

Your trainer will let you know if there’s anything else you need. We have everything on hand – the brands we like and the sizes you need – so that you don’t have to buy anything online or go in-store to purchase something. What equipment you’ll need depends on your dog and your training goals, but for an adult dog it typically includes:

  • Slip lead
  • Treat pouch
  • Training collar
  • E-collar
  • Tab leash
  • Place Bed

That’s it! We keep it simple. Any new sport or activity requires gear. Dog training is no different. Once you have what you need, you’ll be set for life!

10. How often are lessons?

We like to do weekly lessons. The exact day and time is flexible to fit your schedule. Every other week is fine too, but weekly is better!

11. Where are lessons held?

The location depends on the client. Want to train in your home? We can do that. Want to train in the trainer’s home? We can do that too. We can also train in a public location if you want or need to work on distractions or have specific training goals in mind. The beauty with private dog training is that it’s completely customizable!

As you can see, our training is not a one-size-fits-all. Everything we do, especially with private dog training lessons, is customized. We cater our training to fit your wants, needs and training goals.

The first step is a consultation. If you’re interested and want to learn more, please email Amy at info@valork9academy.com.