Question 1

Are you currently accepting new clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes! New clients are welcome!

Question 2

Do you offer puppy classes or other groups classes?

Accepted Answer

At this time, no.

Possibly in the future, but there are none currently on the horizon.

If you are looking for puppy socialization options, reach out and we'll see if other clients are looking for the same!

Question 3

Why do you emphasize the importance of puppy training?

Accepted Answer

It is far easier to get a puppy started off the right way than it is to let them develop unwanted habits and then try to get rid of those engrained habits later.

Question 4

What is the difference between "Coaching/Private" and "Day Training"

Accepted Answer

Coaching/Private training is your typical training session with a trainer, a client, and their dog. The person is being taught how to train their dog in real time. Often these clients gain a better understanding of the training process due to the one-on-one time spent with the trainer coaching them and answering questions. These clients may feel more confident in their ability to train on their own between sessions and so might see steady improvements in desired behaviour. Success is highly dependent on clients doing their homework multiple times a week. Coaching tends to be less expensive compared to Day training.

Day Training is where the trainer has one-on-one training time with the dog only for several visits (anywhere from 2-5 in a single week), and then provides a single transfer session each week that the client attends. Rather than teach the client how to train their dog, the trainer does all the training and then hands over the completed skill to the client. While there is some homework, it is rehearsal of learned skills only. Day Training can be beneficial for clients who are too busy to devote the full lesson time to training or find the physical and often repetitive nature of training to be too much. The dog typically picks up on the basics of skills faster working with the trainer, however some clients can find it difficult to feel confident in training on their own. Day Training is ideal for busy families and working professionals, as well as for quicker solutions to some "problem" behaviours. Because Day Training involves more sessions per week, it will be the more expensive option.

Currently I offer both Coaching/Private Training sessions and Day Training.

There is no right or wrong way to train. Select the training type that works best for your current lifestyle and needs.  What is most important is that training does happen.

Question 5

What's your stance on vaccines for dogs?

Accepted Answer

My insurance coverage requires that any dog I work with must have up to date Rabies and DHPP  (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus), age appropriate. These cover the most communicable diseases that I could potentially carry from one clients house to another, including Parvo, which can be deadly to some puppies.

I will work with clients whose puppy has only had their first round of shots, as Rabies cannot be given until 12 - 16 weeks (usually with their second vet visit). I will also work with a litter of puppies that is too young to have had any shots, so long as mum has her vaccines, with precautions in place so I do not introduce anything to the unprotected puppies.

Question 6

Do you work with dogs that have aggression/severe reactivity?

Accepted Answer

At this time I am choosing not to accept dogs with true aggression or severe reactivity struggles. It's outside my realm of expertise. However, I can often help with short term management solutions and get you connected with a better suited trainer who offers online options. 
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There are also many instances of misunderstood dogs being mislabeled as aggressive or reactive, which I may be able to help with. 
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Call or email and we can set up a time to discuss your situation.

Question 7

What kind of trainer are you?

Accepted Answer

I am what is called a Positive Reinforcement trainer. Depending on the personality of the dog and the goal of training, this can mean using treats, toys, praise and affection, or any combination thereof for training. Not all dogs are motivated by the same things.....but most of them do really like treats.

My training certification is through two courses that use positive reinforcement as their only means of training. You may see or hear the term "Crossover Trainer", which means a trainer that previously used some version of aversive training that has since switched to positive reinforcement training. I am a crossover trainer.  I have seen for myself the difference in learning and bonding that happens with dogs who are treated positively throughout their training, compared to those who have experienced fear or discomfort. I have also seen a difference in the speed and exuberance the dogs learn with.

I have membership through the Canadian Association of Pet Dog Trainers (CAPDT) which supports a Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach to behavior modification and training. Below are a few quotes from the CAPDT Statement on the Humane Hierarchy and LIMA. The full Statement is linked at the bottom.

"Positive reinforcement should be the first line of teaching, training, and behavior change program considered, and should be applied consistently. Positive reinforcement is associated with the lowest incidence of aggression, attention seeking, avoidance, and fear in learners."

"LIMA does not justify the use of punishment in lieu of other effective interventions and strategies. In the vast majority of cases, desired behavior change can be affected by focusing on the animal's environment, physical well-being, and operant and classical interventions such as differential
reinforcement of an alternative behavior, desensitization, and counter-conditioning."

"We focus on reinforcing desired behaviors, and always ask the question, “What do you want the animal to do?” Relying on punishment in training does not answer this question, and therefore offers no acceptable behavior for the animal to learn to replace the unwanted behavior. These LIMA guidelines do not justify the use of strongly aversive methods and tools including, but not limited to, the use of electronic shock collars, choke, or prong collars in lieu of other effective positive reinforcement
interventions and strategies."

LIMA and the Humane Hierarchy (1).pdf - Google Drive

Question 8

Do you train only pet dogs?

Accepted Answer

Although the majority of my clients are pet dogs, I also provide training for working livestock guardian breeds.

At this time I am not able to offer any specific training for companion service animals or other specialty trained jobs. If this is something you need assistance with let me know and I can connect you with trainers in your target area.

Question 9

Do you offer any grooming services?

Accepted Answer

The sort answer is no. I am not a dog groomer.

I can help with simple things like teaching you how to trim your dogs nails and watching for and removing matted hair before it causes problems. There are exercises we can start with every puppy that will make grooming much easier over time such as tolerance and cooperation for baths, trimmers, blowers, etc.

If your dog is cooperative with having their feet handled but you don't want to trim their feet yourself, I can assist in that circumstance.

If your adult dog struggles at the groomer we can create a training plan to gradually make those visits easier, safer, and more comfortable for the dog and the groomer. For dogs that already have issues with the grooming process this can be a slow process but improvement is usually possible.

I  do provide all my own grooming (nails and fur) for several livestock guardian dogs that know me well. Because these working dogs are groomed in the field while they are working, they often require several visits each for a successful groom. I am hypothetically available for this service if your dog is friendly with strangers and you feel like paying for several hours of my time.

Question 10

What is your service area? Do you have a fee for travel time?

Accepted Answer

The Regular Service Area (no mileage fee for service) is within 25 km of Swan River. This includes Swan River, Minitonas, Bowsman, and Kenville areas.

The Extended Service Area includes the remainder of the Swan River Valley (including Benito, Durban, Cowan, Lenswood, etc). The Extended Service Area is subject to a mileage fee of $0.73/km on any travel over 50 km, round trip, for each visit.

The mileage fee will be invoiced separately when clients are self-booking. If mileage is known at the time of initial booking, and booking is done by Puppy Business, it may be included within the same invoice.

Question 11

Do you offer online training?

Accepted Answer

I  do, though it is not available on my website at this time. If online training is of interest to you, reach out for a free phone or video call to discuss if I can help you.

I do prefer in-person if possible. Training is faster when I can show you instead of just describing it to you! I'm still in the process of creating some things that would benefit online learners, such as a video library.

Question 12

Do you offer any discounts for Foster Dogs?

Accepted Answer

I do! If you are fostering through the Swan Valley Animal Protection League, reach out to them to take advantage of our training partnership. Training needs to be approved through the SVAPL before booking, unless you wish to pay out of pocket.

Fostering with another group?  Reach out to see what I can offer.

Already adopted through SVAPL? Discount option coming soon!

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Frequently Asked Questions