Virtual sessions take place regardless of where you are and allow us to get right to business for the fully allotted time! Those sessions can also be recorded so you don't have to worry about remembering instructions and you can always go back and review. On rare occasions, clients living on the south and east sides of Chicago, from the South Loop to Calumet Heights may request an in-person session.
Our methods are science- and evidence-based and reflect the most up-to-date practices. The animal training and behavior world continues to make discoveries about animals and our relationships with them. We subscribe to the tenets of positive reinforcement training, which is rooted in operant conditioning and learning. An easy translation is "reward-based training": we reinforce the behaviors we want to see from our dogs with the expectation that they will increase.
The field of animal training applies the psychological principles of learning theory to teach new and/or change current behaviors. These methods, along with empathy, compassion, and respect, are repeatedly shown to get the effective results. We focus on the good things your dog does. Dogs trained with positive reinforcement methods are better learners and experience greater welfare overall. We also continue our education via conferences, classes, and seminars to keep up with current ideas and practices.
When choosing a program or method, you should ask one simple question: Will this make my dog happy? In 2021, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior issued a position statement paper on the benefits of rewards-based training and recommended that only rewards-based methods be used in all dog training, including behavior problem-solving. A great list of science-based resources can be found here.
After your initial consultation, over a few or several weeks, we’ll work together as a team to improve or change your dog’s behavior and teach new behaviors. Based on your dog’s prior history, your family’s situation, and the dog’s daily environment, we create a training and enrichment plan that can be implemented quickly and effectively. Following the plan means outcomes will align with your goals. Which coaching package to choose should depend on your goals. If you or your dog are seeking relief for one issue, you may not need more than 1 or 3 sessions.
Larger packages are typically selected if you are new to training and want a rock-solid foundation or if your goals include behavior modification along with some basic training. The bigger the feelings your dog has, the bigger the package you will most likely choose. At the same time, you might have the skills necessary to handle your dog and just need a bit of coaching. These details are usually discussed at the end of our consultation.
During our consulting sessions, we'll have a chance to discuss your dog’s behavior and work on training skills if needed. You’ll learn about the science behind the behavior and the methods. Questions, concerns and communication are welcome.
Think about how much money you spend at the barbershop or hair salon. How long do the results of that visit last? Hiring a private dog trainer gives you tools and skills that will last the lifetime of your dog--and can be used with the next dog...or cat...or guinea pig...or goldfish.
We could also simply say that you get what you pay for but instead will tell you we aren’t here to offer you a quick cheap fix. Your dog isn't broken. Many behaviors your dog is displaying are, after all, normal dog behaviors that your dog may have been rehearsing for quite some time. They may be your dog's way of coping with their emotions. Often we are working to change your dog’s emotional response and that takes longer than traditional obedience or manners training. Puppies learn best in short sessions over time. You are choosing us because you want quality and you’re ready to commit to your dog. We are about addressing your dog’s needs, changing relationships, and helping you work toward your goals in small achievable steps. You aren't just paying for our time together. We work behind the scenes formulating training plans, consulting with colleagues, and answering texts and emails between sessions. You're also paying for our expertise, guidance, and support.
Our services are valuable, and we charge a competitive rate, especially for private training. Dog training and even behavior consulting is an unregulated industry. As such, people can say and charge as much or as little as they like. Cynthia is certified by Karen Pryor Academy and continues her education by regularly attending conferences and seminars. The recommendations, personalized plans, and coaching you receive will always reflect the most up-to-date best practices and ideals. Some spots may be offered on a sliding scale for those truly in need. We also offer occasional classes, keeping the class size small, so you can get the feel of a private session without the private session price.
If you want to teach your dog to sit, we can do that. Our style is a little different though and goes beyond the traditional obedience and manners training you’re accustomed to seeing or may have already attended classes for. Your dog probably knows how to sit, lie down or even stay. And if they don’t, these common behaviors are easily incorporated into our training plans.
We’ll spend more time focusing on unique foundation behaviors so you can get to the good part: living your best life with your well-behaved dog. We work according to your goals and provide you with a plan to get there. If you’re interested in formal, competition-style obedience training, we can recommend other positive reinforcement trainers in the area or online who offer formal obedience classes.
Remote virtual sessions allow us to help even more dogs during the day as they reduce travel times and free up our schedule. With modern technology, we can be more flexible when it comes to scheduling and between-session feedback. Plus, we can help anyone, anywhere!
When we offer online classes we keep them small so you get the feel of a private session without paying the private session price!
Meeting remotely for training or coaching sessions means we're able to record and discuss behaviors for follow-up. It allows for stronger collaboration. You and your dog can work in real time without the added stress of having a new person in the environment. Some dogs are more reactive to strangers in their homes and we want to spend your valuable time focused on your goals. If you need help with Zoom, we can walk you through the process. If you have a spouse, partner, children, or roommates who are also handling the dog, they can be invited to join in as well!
All training and coaching packages are prepaid, non-refundable, and non-transferable. Because our services are private, space is limited so we cannot easily accommodate scheduling changes. We also want what's best for your dog: commitment and consistency.
Should you use tools such as prong or electronic collars while working with us, please know this will diminish the effectiveness of the training you have hired us to implement. Ours is a force-free program where we abide by the principles of positive reinforcement. Therefore, we do use or recommend aversive training methods or tools in our programs or classes. There are more modern solutions available. We have other tools at our disposal and will not teach you how to punish or correct your dog.
In 2021, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior issued a position statement paper on the benefits of rewards-based training and recommended that only rewards-based methods be used in all dog training, including behavior problem-solving.
See our recommendations for gear and more here.
I’d like to start by asking, doesn’t your dog deserve treats for the rest of their life? But no, you won’t need to use food to reward your dog for a specific behavior with no end in sight. We’re working on new behaviors, and new behaviors need reinforcement if they’re ever going to be repeated. Eventually behaviors are placed on cue, proofed and we fade the food. "Treats" are something humans associate with rewards and something special. We’re not bribing our dogs. We’re increasing the chances of ensuring behaviors we prefer will be routinely offered by our dog. Reinforcement drives behavior and we use food as reinforcement.
Training treats need to be small (think pea-sized or even smaller for a small dog) and preferably soft. Some of our favorite, foods to use are hot dogs (which can be quartered lengthwise and then sliced into over 100 reinforcing pieces), string cheese, FreshPet, Ziwi, Real Meat (food not treats). And if your dog thinks blueberries or jicama slaps, then use them!
