FAQs
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General
General
My in-person service area is roughly Worcester County, MA including the city of Worcester and surrounding towns. This area isn’t set in stone, so if you find yourself just outside of it, please feel free to ask as I may still be able to accommodate you.
I also provide virtual client coaching for those outside of my in-person service area.
You are welcome to message me and/or you can request a free, 15-minute discovery call. Head over to my contact form to get in touch.
My rates are as follows, plus applicable taxes.
| Cost | Cost Per Session | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation (90 mins) | $175 | – |
| 4-Session Package | $480 | $120 |
| 8-Session Package | $920 | $115 |
| 12-Session Package | $1,320 | $110 |
| Individual Session | $125 | $125 |
While I endeavor to support you and your dog as much as I can, animal behavior is unpredictable. As such, I can’t guarantee that any assessment, recommendation, training, or other products/services will be effective in meeting your goals.
Absolutely. I want our training sessions to be accessible, safe, and enjoyable for both you and your dog. If you require any accommodations or modifications due to a disability, please let us know when you send your inquiry. I’m more than happy to adapt training plans or communication styles to support you.
Yes! I work with both puppies (up to 16 weeks) and adolescents, as well as adult dogs.
Yes, I’m very happy to work with you and your newly adopted dog.
Please contact me if you believe your dog would be considered aggressive or reactive. It will depend on the severity of the behavior. If I am unable to accommodate you, I can provide referrals to colleagues who are more likely to be able to help.
I currently do not work with cases of separation anxiety, but can offer referrals.
My service agreement includes an emergency medical care rider that authorizes me to seek and obtain veterinary care if your dog becomes ill, injured, or requires urgent medical attention while in my care. Within it, you select permissions for medical decision making and triage, a pre-authorized spending cap, and your preferred vet.
Yes, please message me to request references.
I am a current Pet Training & Behavior Professional member of the Pet Professional Guild.
Services
Services
I offer Day Training and Client Coaching.
Day Training involves me working directly with your dog, with some skill transfer sessions with you so you can learn how to apply what we’ve been working on. This session type works well for those who might not have the time or desire to do a lot of upfront training.
Client Coaching involves you working with your dog while I coach you through the process. This session type is great for those who would like to be more hands-on with the training process.
You can also mix types if that suits your needs better.
The initial consultation is 90 minutes, which provides time for me to get to know you and your dog better.
Yes, I offer support between sessions via email.
I recommend the following for all clients:
- A collar (preferably flat buckle as opposed to quick release)
- ID tags
- Well-fitting H-shaped harness with front and back attachment points
- A 6-foot leash
- A 15- to 20-foot long line leash
Harnesses
H-shaped harnesses allow for greater range of movement and do not put pressure on your dog’s neck. Look for harnesses that have multiple adjustment points so that you can best fit it to your dog. Some harnesses that meet these criteria include the Balance Harness from Blue-9 and the PetSafe Easy Walk 3-in-1 Harness. If you’re not sure what type of harness you have or you need assistance in selecting one, please let me know at our consultation.
Leashes
Have multiple leash options is helpful for different training situations. I have long lines we can use during our sessions, but I do recommend you have one so you can continue to work with your dog on your own.
For in-person sessions, I come to you to train your dog. Depending on your dog’s plan, that might look like training in your house, in your yard , or around your neighborhood. If we decide to work further away (for example, a dog-friendly store), I will ask you to meet me there with your dog.
Regardless if it’s day training or client coaching, here’s what to expect when working with me.
Initial Consultation
These initial consultations are 90-minutes long, allowing me to get to better know you and your dog, review your intake questionnaire, ask follow-up questions, and understand your needs, goals, and priorities. You will also leave your consult with suggestions for management or training that you can implement immediately.
Comprehensive Well-Being Profile
This profile looks at four core areas of animal well-being—physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive—so that we can see where your dog might need additional support.
Personalized Training Plan
Training plans vary in content depending on you and your dog’s needs, but in general they include sections on:
- Management: Practical steps to set your dog up for success and prevent unwanted behaviors.
- Training: Clear, step-by-step training exercises tailored to you and your dog.
- Enrichment: Suggestions for improving your dog’s overall well-being, based off of their Well-Being Profile.
- Behavior Analysis: If we’re working on behavior concerns, your plan will also include a behavior analysis section for identifying the root causes of specific behaviors and mapping them to your goals.
- Resources: Supporting handouts, data-tracking sheets, and other tools to aid your progress.
Support
Between-session support is available for asking questions, troubleshooting, or whatever else you might need help with.
After the initial consultation, for Day Training you are welcome to attend or participant in each session, although you’re not obligated to. I do insist on skill transfer sessions so that you can see what I’ve been working on and learn how to continue or maintain your dog’s skills. We can discuss how many transfer sessions you’d like to do.
For Client Coaching, you will be doing the bulk of the training why I guide you though your plan—so by default you will need to attend every session!
You’re welcome to book individual sessions after an initial package is complete.
Training & Methods
Training & Methods
I use force-free, evidence-based methods focused on positive reinforcement and environmental arrangement.
I do not use choke chains, prong collars, electric shocks, or other such aversive tools.
Socialization is the process of introducing your puppy to the human world, with all its different people, animals, surfaces, sounds, smells, objects, and places. It involves positive experiences with new things in which your puppy leads the way, with you there to support them.
It also includes cooperative care, happy vet and groomer visits, and just watching the world without interacting with it.
It doesn’t mean forcing your puppy to interact with every person or dog they meet, or making them interact with things they find scary. They need to learn at their own pace, and our job is to keep them safe and secure while they figure things out.
There is something called the critical socialization period, which occurs up until about 16 weeks (~4 months) of age where a puppy’s sociability outweighs fear, making it the best time to introduce them to new things. “Incomplete or improper socialization during this important time can increase the risk of behavioral problems later in life including fear, avoidance, and/or aggression” (AVSAB Position Statement On Puppy Socialization).
I can help with socialization and the foundations of positive training, so you can give your puppy the best start possible.
During the first 3-4 months of life, a puppy’s sociability outweighs fear, making it the best time to introduce them to new people, animals, and experiences. “Incomplete or improper socialization during this important time can increase the risk of behavioral problems later in life including fear, avoidance, and/or aggression” (AVSAB Position Statement On Puppy Socialization).
Generally, yes, as long as you take appropriate care and get your puppy started on their vaccines.
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior states that, “in general, puppies can start socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class”.
Avoiding areas where dogs frequent, such as dog parks, and carrying your puppy or putting them in a cart or stroller in high-traffic areas (like stores), reduces the risk of infectious diseases.
Remedial socialization is socialization for dogs who may have missed being socialized during the critical period, who were undersocialized, or socialized poorly. They often exhibit fearful, anxious, or aggressive behaviors.
Working on remedial socialization is usually a combination of changing your dog’s feelings about what they find stressful, alongside building skills that will help them navigate difficult situations.
By reading their body language and understanding how stressed dogs behave. The goal is for your dog to never be stressed during training.
We’ll discuss what sort of things your dog likes best, and if you’re not sure, we can find out! It’s best to find several reinforcers of various values so that we have options during our training sessions.
Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, and an indication for me to reassess my approach and make changes that will help the learner. Dogs are never punished for not getting it “right”.
Policies
Policies
For in-person sessions:
- If the weather presents a hazard (e.g. heavy rain or wind, thunderstorm, snowstorm) that prevents me from safely traveling to our session’s meeting point, we can either do the session virtually or rescheduled free of charge.
- If it’s snowed, please attempt to clear a path to your house before your session. If you are not able to do so, you must let me know that day by 8am and we can either hold the session virtually, or you can reschedule free of charge. If I arrive for your session and I’m not able to park safely or reach your entrance, your session will be forfeited and no refund issued.
To keep all dogs safe, please provide the following documentation from your veterinarian before our first session:
Puppies (Up to 16 Weeks)
- Wellness Exam: Proof of a first wellness check.
- Vaccinations: Proof that the puppy vaccination series has started (DHPP and any additional vet-recommended vaccines).
- Fecal Screen: Proof of a negative intestinal parasite screen.
- If positive: A note from your vet confirming the puppy is actively under treatment and that the parasite is not transmissible to humans.
Dogs (16 Weeks & Older)
- Wellness Exam: Proof of an exam completed within the last 12 months.
- Vaccinations: Proof of up-to-date vaccinations (Rabies, DHPP, and any additional vet-recommended vaccines).
For In-Person Sessions:
I recommend (but don’t require) a fecal screen in the last 12 months (or as-needed if your puppy or dog is experiencing abnormal stool).
Once you’ve booked a date for a session, that session is non-refundable. However, you can reschedule that session for free if you or your dog is unwell, or you have an unforeseen emergency.
If, after our initial consultation and before you book any sessions, you would prefer not to continue, you’ll receive a full refund minus the cost of the initial consultation.
If you or your dog is unwell, please notify me as soon as possible and we’ll reschedule your session for no charge. If I turn up to a session and find that you or your dog is unwell, I have the right to cancel the session without a refund.
If I’m unwell, I will let you know as far in advance as possible and we’ll reschedule your session free of charge.
