Frequently Asked Questions

Question

Why only positive force free?

Answer 1

No. We're a force-free training company, which means we never use pain, fear, or intimidation-based tools or methods. We use positive reinforcement and management to teach dogs the behaviours we want.

Answer 2

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) champions this method, based on solid scientific evidence, for all dog training and behavior solutions. Our priority is the safety and contentment of every family member, including your beloved pets.

Answer 3

It depends on the program and your dog's individual needs — our Day Training and Coaching packages run over a set number of weeks, while behaviour consultations are often ongoing. We'll give you a realistic timeline during your free consultation.

Answer 4

We serve Cochrane, Rocky View County, and Calgary, with both in-home visits and group classes at partner venues.

Answer 5

Our Complex Behaviour Consultation is designed specifically for this — we start with a full assessment before recommending a plan. Reach out and we'll help you figure out the right starting point.

Answer 6

The significance lies in mitigating potential behavior problems. Through proactive puppy training and socialization, issues such as resource guarding, jumping, play biting, and fear can be averted. Commencing training at an early stage facilitates smoother adaptation and cultivates desirable behavioral traits.

Answer 7

When puppies arrive in your home, they go through a critical socialization period in their life, followed by a critical fear period. The experience your puppy has in these critical periods with socializing can set the foundation for their behavior in the future. Positive experiences with socialization help with building good responses for your dog, and will allow your dog to feel more calm around other people and puppies.

Answer 8

Yes! We offer virtual/online sessions for families who prefer to train remotely or aren't local to Cochrane, Rocky View County, or Calgary. It's a great option for coaching-style support, troubleshooting, and follow-up sessions. Reach out and we'll help you figure out if virtual training is the right fit for your goals.

Answer 9

Bad experience with other dogs during the critical socialization period could impact the feelings your puppy has for other dogs in the future. Letting puppies “work it out” could potentially set your puppy up for a lifetime of fear and reactivity towards other dogs.During playtime I will intervene anytime a puppy is showing stress signals or bullying other puppies to alleviate the pressures and guarantee a better experience and environment for them to develop their socialization skills. We do this by giving breaks as needed before resuming play, and separating puppies when required.

Answer 10

Dog are creatures of habit and routine and they thrive on predictability. And well, babies throw a wrench in habit and routine not to mention babies and kids are very unpredictable and therefore can be scary! Preparing your dog for the homecoming of your baby can help make the transition easier for your dog. Practicing separation before being separated and getting used to all the new stuff are just a few ways to help your dog with this huge transition.

Answer 11

Day training is an option where the trainer will come to you 4 times a week. The first three days we will work with your dog setting up the foundations they need to work towards the end goal. The fourth day we will show you what your dog learned and how to support the training on the days in between. Ideally this gives your dog training everyday, helping them progress to the goal faster.
‍
- This option is 12 training session in a three week period, thus the higher price. That said, it is the best bang for your buck per hour.‌

Coaching is an option for those who want to put the work of setting the foundation behaviors themselves. Choose between a 4 or 6 week package, will recommend one that will work best for you in the consult. We meet once a week and we will coach you through training behaviors that you will practice and maintain until the following week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have another question?