Private lifestyle obedience and/or environmental socialization lessons are often a preferred training choice by many due to the personalized attention which allows a training program to be developed that caters to the dogs individual needs and owners schedule.

These lessons start at the owners home and each lesson plan is based on the dogs progress and future training goals. The dogs progress is directly related to the commitment and time the owner puts into working with their dog between each lesson.

As the dog progresses in its obedience training, the lessons move from the home, to the neighbourhood and then to public access areas that the owner is wanting to include in their lifestyle such as pet stores, shopping areas, cafe’s etc.

After each lesson the owner is sent a detailed e-mail reviewing the training session with suggestions on how it should progress going forward. Once the private lesson program is completed, the dog and owner often join in our weekly environmental socialization group training walks for continued education.

Private lessons start with a consultation and assessment of the dog and the current relationship with the owner to address their immediate concerns, longterm goals and then get them started on their first lesson.  

NOTE: I do not offer board and train.

The fee for the initial consultation is $180 for the session which lasts between 1-1.5 hours

After the initial consultation, additional training sessions are $80 for 1 hour.

Behaviour Modification

Behaviour modification sessions involve a lot of problem solving and working through troubling behaviours such as insecurities, fearfulness, inability to cope with pressure, impulse control, emotional de-escalation and conditioned behaviours from past experiences, to find a solution. Once the dogs emotional triggers are found a modification protocol is set in place to help the dog let go of the boogie-man and become a confident and social dog. Often a series of weekly ( sometimes twice a week) sessions are required to create a consistent environment at home to encourage healthier behaviour choices from the dog.

After an initial consultation all behavioural modification sessions are $80 for 1 hour

Reactive dogs

All work with reactive dogs is done in a private session format beginning at home and an owner needs to be committed to the length of time that may be required to address the behaviour and rehabilitation process. There are no quick fixes to this behaviour and it often requires a lifestyle overhaul of the owner as well as the dog plus a disciplined routine of boundaries and formal obedience. Training tools such as prong collars and e-collars are discussed and at times recommended to achieve the success that is desired. I do not sell e-collars but will recommend a few different brands depending on the dogs behaviour. Reactivity does not mean aggression. Sometimes a dog responds with aggressive displays as an expression of their frustration but are not truly aggressive.

After a series of private sessions these dogs can be integrated into private lifestyle obedience lessons and eventually into our group pack walks to aid in their rehabilitation.

NOTE: I do not work with aggressive dogs with a bite history towards people that was severe enough to require medical attention. There are trainers who work specifically with these challenging dogs…I’m not one of them.

Reactive dog consult $180 for 1-1.5 hours Additional sessions are $80 for 1 hour

Reactive dog success stories

This is Donna and her lovely cattle dog mix Sadie. Donna made the 9 hour drive from MacKenzie BC and 5 week commitment to attend my lifestyle obedience classes combined with private socialization and behavioural modification sessions 2x a week. 5 weeks was not a long time to work with some of Sadies reactivity issues but Donna was such an amazing owner and so committed she has proven that when you focus on a goal with determination you can achieve anything. After just 7 days Sadie improved remarkably with her front door greetings and her walks were now enjoyable! No more pulling, barking, lunging and screaming at the sight of other dogs.

Donna was on the fast track leadership program due to the time constraints and yes this 25 pound girl had a prong collar to assist along the walk as Donna has some mobility issues we needed work with and an e-collar to assist with her impulse control, attention and little reminders of the job she had been asked to do, be it walking politely or as you can see, sit in the middle of a courtyard junction between at a busy golf course and a marketplace. Donna was given all the information and training tools she needed to make the transition back to life in MacKenzie as smooth as possible for Sadie.