Frequently Asked Questions
Training Services
Will my dog behave differently at the facility?
Yes and no. It is likely they will be more stressed in this new environment, but their reactions to other dogs and people will be the same.
How long are the sessions?
One hour, unless specified otherwise.
Are there other dogs at the facility?
Yes. The trainers will often bring out their own dogs during sessions to increase distraction levels and work through reactivity issues in a safe, controlled environment.
How should I prepare for a session?
Withhold feeding your dog meals on the day of the session. A hungry dog is much more eager to learn!
I’ve brought my dog in for behavioural issues, why am I doing obedience training?
Curbing problematic behavioural issues begins with establishing strong, clear obedience. How can we expect our dogs to listen to our commands to stop their reactivity, aggression or excessive barking if we don’t hold them accountable for anything else? Practicing obedience exercises ensures your dog knows that you are the leader. So when it comes time to call them out of a potentially dangerous situation, they know to listen.
Can I sign up for a single session?
We only accept single sessions for refreshers and emergency consults for our existing clients. For new clients, our canine behavioural specialists will assess you and your dog’s needs and will recommend the best package to achieve your training goals.
Is safety an issue if my dog has moderate-to-severe aggression?
No, we take all the proper precautions to ensure every dog and person is safe during sessions. This is further outlined in the paperwork sent ahead of the first session.
What kind of training methods do you use?
Our canine behavioural experts are well-versed in every training method. We assess and pair the best methods to fit you and your dog’s specific needs. Our individually-tailored training program addresses your dog’s state of mind and identifies the underlying motivations behind their behaviours to tackle the root of the problem.
Is there a guarantee?
While we can confidently say you will see improvement in our sessions, we cannot fully guarantee that every behaviour will be 100% corrected. No trainer, no matter how skilled can provide this guarantee. There can always be extenuating factors (i.e. genetics, consistency, time) that can affect the effectiveness of training.
What training tools do you use?
Just as our training methods can differ, so too can our use of tools. Our trainers will only enlist the aid of training tools if they believe the dog will benefit and improve with their support. It is also important to note that we only use the most trusted, tried-and-true brands of tools. Training tools we use can include prong collars, E-Collars, slip leads, and muzzles.
E-Collar
Will it hurt my dog?
The e-collar delivers a TENS unit-type muscle stimulation, the same technology used by chiropractors and acupuncture specialists to trigger muscle reflexes. Unlike “shock” collars (the cheap devices you’ll find on Amazon) which produce a sharp, static shock that can be painful at high levels, the e-collar stim isn’t designed to hurt.
Will I have to use it forever?
This depends very much on your dog’s behaviours and lifestyle. If your dog spends a lot of time off-leash and their recall is not as sharp without the tool, our trainers may recommend keeping it on as a safety assurance. But when your dog has been trained with the e-collar correctly to curb problem behaviours, most dogs are able to eventually graduate to verbal commands only.
Will it make my dog more aggressive?
No. More often than not, the stimulation from the e-collar helps to snap your dog out of a highly aroused/alert state of mind, rather than inciting it further. Our trainers will determine the best training approach to ensure your dog’s needs are respected and that the methodology employed is helpful, not harmful.
My dog is nervous, why should I use a corrective tool?
First of all, the e-collar stimulation isn’t just a corrective tool. With proper training, your dog will recognize the stim as a reminder to “stop, look and listen”—just like your teachers in grade school flicking the lights on and off or clapping their hands three times. The stim pulls them out of that anxious state of mind, returning their focus to you.
Which brings us to our second point: e-collars are actually the perfect tool for a nervous dog because they provide a direct line of communication between you and your dog. Nervous and anxious dogs thrive in a highly-structured environment, because it leaves them less room to make decisions. When they know they can default to their owner to guide them through uncertain situations, they’re able to grow their confidence.
Why not use all-positive training?
We certainly don’t discount positive training, however, we recognize that it does not work for every dog. Many dogs—particularly those with reactivity, aggression, and anxiety—do not thrive with purely-positive training because the rewards do not outweigh their motivations. If your dog’s need to react is greater than their interest in receiving a treat or praise, then that tells you a correction is needed.
Board and Train
What if my dog listens more to the trainer than me?
In our back-to-back ‘Go Home’ sessions at the end of your program, our trainers will show you how to maintain your dog’s progress and take over in all training capacities.
What do I need to do before drop off?
Withhold feeding your dog meals on the day of your drop-off. A hungry dog is much more eager to learn!
Will my dog forget me?
Of course not! You will see their little tail wagging when you come to pick them up.
Will my dog regress when she comes home?
With the change of leadership, you may find your dog pushing boundaries and rules ever so slightly to see what they can get away with. As long as you follow the instructions from your ‘Go Home’ sessions, your dog will maintain all their progress and continue to grow.
Do I get updates on my dog? Can I visit?
We completely understand the desire to hear how your pup is doing, but we do not provide updates and we do not allow visits (unless it is an emergency). Our main focus is the dogs. If we offered to take the time to provide frequent updates and schedule visits with all of our board and train clients, it would take much-needed training time away from the dogs.
Is there a guarantee?
While we can confidently say you will see improvement in our sessions, we cannot fully guarantee that every behaviour will be 100% corrected. No trainer, no matter how skilled can provide this guarantee. There can always be extenuating factors (i.e. genetics, consistency, time) that can affect the effectiveness of training.
What training tools do you use?
Just as our training methods can differ, so too can our use of tools. Our trainers will only enlist the aid of training tools if they believe the dog will benefit and improve with their support. It is also important to note that we only use the most trusted, tried-and-true brands of tools. Training tools we use can include prong collars, E-Collars, slip leads, and muzzles.