FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. I've never trained a dog before. How does this work?
A. You will bring your dog to The Pet Coach Studio once a week for an
hour each time. I will work with you and your dog on teaching your
dog specific behaviors (like walking without pulling) that are outlined in
your course, and you will go home with clear, step-by-step instructions
for the homework you are to perform with your dog every day until we
meet again.

Q. Do I have to stay with the dog for the whole hour?
A. Yes. This is an interactive process between you and your dog.

Q. Will you come to my house to work with my dog?
A. In most cases, that's not a good idea. I want to see how your dog
behaves in an unfamiliar environment, and he needs the challenge of
learning to focus outside his own territory. Of course if there is a
specific problem that requires me to see the dog in his own home, we
can discuss that.

Q. Can I leave my dog with you for a couple of weeks and have you
train him?
A. No. The Pet Coach is about helping you build a relationship with
your dog, and that is only possible if the two of you work together.

Q. This is really my son's dog. Can he take the course with the dog
instead of me?
A. As long as your son is over 12 years old and weighs at least 100
pounds, he can. However, a parent must stay with the child the entire
time.

Q. Can my children/spouse/ mother/boyfriend come and watch?
A. Everyone who is involved in the actual handling of the dog should
attend and participate in the class. However, our policy about children
is very strict: No children under twelve are allowed in the Pet
Coach at any time. This is for the safety of both the children and the
dogs.

Q. I adopted two puppies at the same time. Can I bring them both
to class?
A. Every dog must have one adult handler. If you have two puppies,
two people must come to class. There is a small discount in price for
two dogs from the same family.

Q. I don't want to take a four week course. I only want to solve one
problem. Do I have to pay for the whole course anyway?
A. You can take as many or as few one-hour sessions as you like. The
cost for the first session is $75, and $50 per hour thereafter.

Q. I have physical handicaps that prevent me from standing or
walking for a long time, and I don't have much strength in my hands.
Can I still take the class?
A. The Pet Coach building is accessed via a steep walkway across an
uneven gravel surface. People with knee, back or breathing problems
will not be able to safely reach the building without assistance. More
importantly, each lesson consists of at least forty minutes of physical
activity with your dog. Those who have limited mobility will not be able
to complete the exercises required in each lesson.

Q. Why don't you offer classes for puppies and beginner dogs?
A. The high distraction level and general chaos associated with most
beginner dog training classes are not conducive to learning. At The
Pet Coach, we want you to succeed, and your chances of success are
much higher if your pet learns basic skills before going into a class.
Once your pet has mastered a four-week beginner or puppy course,
you are strongly encouraged to enroll him in one of our small
continuing education classes.
Q. My instruction letter says I should bring human grade treats like
chicken or cheese to class for my dog, but he really loves doggie liver
treats. Why can't I use those?
A. We have a very short amount of time in which to teach your dog
some very complicated things under what may be (to him) stressful
circumstances. While he may do back flips for doggie treats at
home,you will quickly see that in class he will barely give them a sniff.
Also, most dog treats are high-fat, high-salt, and high in artificial
ingredients-- which can lead to a sense of fullness in your dog long
before we have finished the learning session. Unless your dog has
allergies or specific digestive problems, it is highly recommended that
you follow our suggestions regarding treats. Remember, the amount
of treats you will actually be giving him is very small, so his overall diet
should not be affected.