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What services do you offer?I offer private sessions, group classes, 1-week board & train or boot camp programs as well as activity services if your pup just needs to expend some energy. My group class is a 6-week program and are available for basic levels or if you just need a refresher. Private sessions are available in single appointments or bundles. The private bundles are personalized so that your dog gets the training level they need.
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What is the difference between the coaching, day-training, and board & train options?"Coaching: This is where I teach you how to work with your dog and how to train them to follow commands in different situations. You will learn different techniques to use while training, what the different learning stages are, and how to use them to teach your dog to do anything. Day-Training: With the day-training option, I work directly with your dog to get a jumpstart on learning different cues as well as taking them to different situations and environments when they are ready. I have the option of puppy pick-up or drop-off and I can work with them at your home, my home, or in other locations if needed. Board & Train: Send your pup to stay at one of Watertown's local boarding facilities or doggy daycares while I train them. Programs are available in 2-week or 4-week intervals where I work with your dog every day to teach them new cues as well as give them mental and physical exercise.
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How old does my dog have to be to attend training?Puppies are always learning and can start training as young as 6-8 weeks old. The only requirement is that puppies attending a group class must have all of their puppy shots (rabies, distemper, kennel-cough) for safety reasons. There is also no maximum age limit. Even old dogs CAN learn new tricks.
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Which program is right for me and my dog?Choosing a program depends on what learning stage your dog is currently at and where you would like to take them in their training. I have different bundles that work with your dog through the basic, intermediate or advanced stages individually as well as bundles that take them all the way from beginning to end. I also have programs for service/therapy/emotional support dog training available after an application and evaluation. As for deciding between coaching, day-training, and board & train will depend on how you believe your training abilities are. If you would like to learn more about your dog and how to teach them, coaching would be right for you. If you believe having me train them would jumpstart their learning and go faster or if your days are a bit hectic and hard to fit training in, then the day-training or board and train options would be better.
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How do I know what learning stage my dog is at?I determine the learning stage of a dog based on what cues they may already know. The most common commands covered are: sit, down, focus, leave-it, stay, come, and heel. Basic: The dog knows none or a few of the commands on cue. Example: Your dog knows how to sit on cue, needs a treat to lay down, and does not know focus or leave-it. Intermediate: Dog knows a few of the commands on cue, but needs work. Example: Your dog may not know focus or leave-it, but they know how to sit and lay down on cue Advanced: Dog should know most of the commands on cue. This is where we take your dogs cues and work them in different situations and with different distractions, so they need to be well-known by your dog.
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What payment methods are accepted?Credit/debit cards (Visa, MC, AmEx, Discover) are accepted both online and in-person. I also accept online payments through PayPal, CashApp, and Wix eGift-Cards. In-person payments of cash are accepted as well as ApplePay and GooglePay through a Square card reader. All couses and sessions must be paid in full at the start of the first session unless other arrangements have been made.
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What area do you service? Is there a mileage charge?My service area for my coaching and day-training sessions include a 60-mile radius of Watertown, SD. There is a mileage charge that covers my cost of driving to and from your location. The mileage charge is added each time I travel. Mileage can be prepaid or paid per trip. 0-15 miles: No mileage charge 16-30 miles: $0.75/mile 31-45 miles: $0.85/mile 46-60 miles: $1.00/mile Example: You live in Castlewood, SD (17 miles away) and purchase the Basic Bundle of 6 sessions and would like me to come to your address for all six sessions. Your cost is $200 for the bundle plus six mileage charges of $0.75/mile or $12.75 per trip. This would bring your total cost to $276.50.
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Is there a training guarantee?My guarantee to you is that if your dog is not to the point we would like them to be according to your training outline by the end of your bundle, despite following all of the training homework, that I will continue lessons at no expense until they are to an acceptable point of the bundle you purchased.
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What is your recheduling and cancellation policy?Rescheduling/Canceling Single sessions: There is an upfront, non-refundable, deposit of $15 when scheduling single sessions. The rest of the payment is due at the start of our session. If the session is rescheduled, the fee will be waived once, then there will be another $15 fee each time it is rescheduled after that. Bundle sessions: Since bundles are paid up front, we can rechedule sessions as long as my scheduling allows it. Please try to give at least 24hrs notice. If you would like to cancel a bundle, any payment amounts for services already provided are non-refundable. If you are unsatisfied with your bundle purchase for any reason, please let me know and we can work something out. I am not able to give any money-back guarantees or refunds at the moment.
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How many dogs are typically in the group class?I allow a maximum of four(4) participants in my group classes. I may also bring in one of my own dogs as a demo dog.
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What vaccinations are required? Does my dog need to be fixed?There are more requirements for group classes than private sessions. Group class participants are required to have proof of current rabies, distemper, and bordetella (kennel-cough) vaccines for safety reasons. The dog does not have to be fixed, but dogs currently in heat are prohibitted as it can be an even bigger distraction for the other dogs. Private sessions only require current rabies and distemper vaccines and dogs do not need to be fixed.
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Do you have to complete the basic program before entering intermediate?No. When you fill out the registration form, I ask what your dog knows ON CUE as well as how long they can remain in the behavior and if they can perform the behavior around distractions. If your dog already knows how to perform behaviors on cue, they do not need to learn them again. If you do sign up for the intermediate or advanced bundles and your answers do not match up, I may contact you to discuss your options or schedule a consultation.
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What do I need to bring to sessions or group class?All you should need is you and your dog in a properly fitted collar or harness and a leash. If you know your dog is particularly picky about treats, please feel free to bring some that you know your dog can not resist, otherwise I do have some treats and toys available to use. I also provide complimentary training clickers if you would like to use one. If you did not submit your paperwork online, you will need a copy of your vaccines and I will have paper copies of the other forms.
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What are your hours? Are you open on holidays?My hours are listed as 9:00am - 9:00pm, 7 days per week, including holidays. I try my best to be available for the people that need me. My schedule can be updated at any time, so I have it listed on my website and strive to keep it as up to date as possible.
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