Frequently asked
The questions every owner asks before they call. If yours isn’t here, contact us and we’ll answer it personally.
Top of FAQ list
There are two ways to motivate a dog, pain or pleasure, and we use the pleasure approach. We advocate using humane methods for training your best friend, and Scott talks through training choices with the owner before using any approach outside the normal positive-reinforcement plan. That science-backed standard is how we run every program from Puppy Kindergarten through Specialized Training.
It depends on the program and the dog. Group classes run a flat fee per session series. Private In-Home Lessons and Specialized Training are quoted per case after a free intake call so we can match the program to the work. Text or call (530) 318-9436 to get on the calendar.
Group classes (Basic Obedience, Puppy Kindergarten, Advanced Obedience, Recall Classes) move at a set pace with other dogs as deliberate distractions. Private In-Home Lessons run at your dog's pace in the environment they actually live in. Reactive dogs and dogs with separation anxiety usually start private; foundation skills work great in group.
Group classes run their published length (4 weeks for Puppy Kindergarten, 6 weeks for Basic Obedience). Specialized Training is 21 days at our home. Behavior modification work (separation anxiety, reactivity) takes longer because we are rewiring habits. Most dogs see measurable progress in 3 weeks; full reliability comes with practice.
Yes, and that is the whole point. Training transfers when the owner runs the protocol. We hand off carefully on pickup day or at the end of every private lesson, and homework between sessions is what locks the behavior in. Your dog learns to listen to the cue and the reinforcement, not to one specific person.
We work private. Reactive dogs, dog-aggression cases, and rescues still in decompression are not a fit for group classes. They need sub-threshold work in the environment they live in. The free intake call screens for it. Most reactive cases start with Private In-Home Lessons or Specialized Training.
Yes. We work with all breeds. The methodology is breed-agnostic. Individual differences within a breed are bigger than differences between breeds. Whether your dog is a working line or a couch line, the same principles apply: positive reinforcement, clear cues, and consistent practice.
Bring high-value treats (your dog's favorites, broken into pea-sized pieces), a 6-foot leash and flat collar or harness, and proof of vaccinations. Skip a meal or feed lightly so your dog is motivated. We send the address, parking notes, and any program-specific prep when we confirm your spot.
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