Paws for Applause

Fixed fee of $100 for each two hour training session If the customer wants a package of six private lessons the total would be $500 as I would give one free lesson.

I sit down at the table and talk about the dog and get to know the family. We discuss problems they are having and what they want to accomplish. I find out what the dogs eats, where he sleeps, what toys he has, etc. We then work on the problem areas first and then work on all six basic commands. I always teach Sit, Down, Look at Me, Stay, Recall from a Stay and Leave it if necessary. By the time I leave the pup is ready for a long nap.

I have a BA with a Major in Psychology. Much of my training method is based on Skinnerian psychological principles. I also have my Certification as a Dog Trainer since 2005.

I've always loved dogs. I wanted to be a Vet and studied pre-med for two years. Eventually I joined the Corporate world and got an MBA in Accounting. I always enjoyed training people so with my love of dogs and training it was a natural to become a dog trainer. I completed my Dog Training Certification going on 12 years ago.

I've worked with all types of people from Fishermen to Lawyers and Doctors. I've trained all dogs from all American mixed breeds to purebreeds. All get the same care and attention. I do have a special place in my heart for Rottweilers as I' ve had two of my own and love them dearly. They are the most protective dogs I know and would gladly die for their families.

A family adopted a young male Pit Bull from a rescue. One of the daughters contacted me for training. She called me before our session and with tears in her voice cancelled as her family was ready to give him back to the shelter. She called me a couple of weeks later to reschedule. I met the whole family and the parents were ready to give up. I found out that they had returned him for about an hour and then took him back. We did a lot of talking and training and when I left the family had a renewed faith that he was a keeper. Lovely family with a good dog that needed to know his boundaries. The client left me a wonderful reference on Thumbtack.

I would recommend that you look for a Certified Positive Trainer. There are still trainers that use force to get the dogs to comply. The dog may respond to the training but only to avoid punishment and pain. If I came to your home 100 times your dog will be well trained and wagging his tail when he sees me.

Clients should know what they hope to accomplish with the training. I ask my clients to make a list of what they want to work on. I work on those items first and then do some basic training.