Frequently Asked Questions

You’re right, professional pet training is an investment, but it’s an investment in the joyful, harmonious life you dream of sharing with your pet. While doing nothing costs nothing upfront, it won’t address existing challenges or prevent future ones from developing. DIY training can be frustrating and often yields inconsistent results. By investing in a certified trainer, you gain access to thousands of hours of experience, extensive knowledge, and proven methods. We’ve already navigated the pitfalls and learned from countless training scenarios, allowing you to bypass trial-and-error and achieve lasting, pawsome results more efficiently.

While the DIY approach to pet training might seem appealing, it often leads to frustration and inconsistent results. Investing in a qualified, certified trainer provides you with immediate access to a wealth of experience gained from working with hundreds of animals. We’ve dedicated ourselves to continuous learning, and we stay up-to-date on the most effective, science-backed techniques, tips, and tricks. This means you skip the guesswork and common pitfalls. By working with a professional positive reinforcement trainer, you get proven strategies that make training easy, fun, and effective, leading to the pawsome results you desire.

The initial consultation session is a deep dive into your pet’s world and your training goals. We'll equip you with simple, effective techniques that often bring immediate relief for pressing issues. We'll chart a personalized and achievable training plan, and then we’ll jump into hands-on training tailored to your pet’s needs. We’ll also talk through any questions you have and make plans for future sessions to ensure a clear path to success.

Follow-up training sessions are designed to build upon your initial progress and ensure lasting success. We’ll begin by checking in on the progress you and your pet have made and addressing any new questions or challenges that have arisen. Then, we’ll dive into hands-on practice of the next steps in your personalized training plan and practice new skills. These sessions are crucial for troubleshooting issues in real-time, reinforcing desired behaviors, and planning for future sessions to keep the momentum going. This ongoing guidance and support is key to achieving and maintaining the behavior changes you’re investing in.

Each package includes an initial consultation and assessment of your pet; personalized training plan; hands-on training; data tracking; feedback and encouragement between sessions; and follow-up sessions to assess your pet’s progress, train next steps and/or skills, address new challenges, and answer questions.

To maximize your investment in your pet’s training and ensure lasting pawsome results, our initial consultation and single sessions are 90 minutes long. During this time, we’ll discuss your pet’s challenges and your training goals, collaboratively chart a personalized training plan, and engage in hands-on training tailored to your needs. Follow-up sessions are 60 minutes long, and they are dedicated to reviewing progress, continuing hands-on practice, addressing any new questions, and ensuring continuous momentum toward your desired outcomes.

For best results and to maximize your investment in your pet’s training, the primary caregiver(s) should be present for both the initial consultation and all subsequent training sessions. This ensures consistency in training methods and helps you build a stronger bond with your pet. We welcome and encourage other members of the household to participate as well, as this further reinforces learned behaviors and creates a unified approach to your pet’s development, leading to more lasting and pawsome results.

To ensure you get the most value and achieve the pawsome results you’re investing in, please prepare for our consultation by:

- Having a clear idea of your desired outcomes so you and your pet can truly live in harmony.

- Committing to actively participate in your pet’s training journey.

- Completing the pre-consultation questionnaire, which helps us tailor your personalized plan.

- Having a variety of high-value treats readily available for your pet during our session, as these are key to our positive reinforcement methods.

The timeline for solving a problem depends on a few key factors, particularly the specific issue your pet is experiencing and your consistent engagement with the training. Every problem comes with its unique set of circumstances. Some, like basic manners and obedience, might show quick progress, while others, such as fear-based behaviors or litter box problems, will likely require more dedicated time. While you’ll often see immediate improvements from techniques implemented after our first session, your diligence in practicing between sessions plays a major role in how quickly we can achieve lasting, pawsome results.

The ideal training package depends on your pet's specific needs and your goals. For preventative training with a new puppy or kitten, the 6-session and 8-session packages with weekly meetings are typically most beneficial for getting your new furry pal off on the right paw. If you're troubleshooting an existing behavior problem or training a specific skill, the number of sessions will vary depending on the complexity of the issue. For instance, issues like jumping can sometimes be resolved relatively quickly, perhaps even with a single session, while more entrenched behaviors such as barking and lunging on leash usually require multiple sessions. Rest assured, you'll generally see progress after every consultation. To help you choose the best investment for your pet's success, we can discuss your goals during a free mini-consultation to determine the optimal level of support for you and your pet.

We use positive reinforcement, the gold standard for pet training. This humane and highly effective method relies on rewarding desired behaviors with things your pet loves – whether it’s treats, praise, play, or affection. By focusing on what we do want your pet to do, rather than punishing what we don’t, training becomes a fun, positive, and empowering experience for everyone. It's truly the method we'd prefer to have used on ourselves, and it consistently leads to lasting, pawsome results and a stronger bond between you and your cherished companion.

Positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding behaviors we want to see more of from your pet. When your pet performs a desired action, we immediately follow it with something they love and value, like treats, praise, play, or petting. This positive association makes your pet more likely to repeat that behavior in the future.

Yes! All animals can learn, regardless of age or history. Our positive reinforcement approach is built on understanding what motivates your pet. We’ll work closely with you to discover those motivators and build effective strategies that make learning fun, rewarding, and transformative.

Yes, absolutely! We specialize in helping pets and their owners overcome long-standing challenges. While we never promise instant “quick-fixes,” we are committed to guiding you through a supportive, step-by-step process focused on changing habits over time. Your investment in consistent, positive reinforcement training will lead to lasting, pawsome results for a harmonious future with your beloved furball.

Yes! While food is a common and powerful motivator, positive reinforcement training is versatile. We’ll work with you to discover what motivates your pet. This could be tastier treats your pet has never had before, a specific toy, tug or fetch, petting, enthusiastic praise, access to favorite activities, or other highly valued rewards. Together we’ll find your pet’s unique currency for learning, so that training can be highly effective and deliver you the pawsome results you’re seeking.

No, you don't have to use treats forever, but we do recommend always reinforcing desired behaviors with something your pet values. Just like most of us wouldn’t continue to work a 40-hour week without ongoing paychecks, your pet will be more likely to do as you ask when they receive a reward for their efforts. As your pet’s new behaviors become more reliable, we’ll guide you on how to fade out constant food rewards and replace them with intermittent reinforcement and/or other rewards like praise, play, or access to other preferred activities. This ensures the learned behaviors remain strong and sustainable, even without endless treats.

Absolutely! Virtual sessions are incredibly effective and offer distinct advantages, often leading to faster and more lasting pawsome results, especially for cats and easily stressed pets. Training virtually allows your pet to learn and practice in their most comfortable and familiar environment – your home – because they are free from the distractions or anxieties that a new person might introduce. This low-stress learning environment is crucial for building confidence and solidifying new behaviors. For you, virtual sessions offer unmatched convenience and flexibility. They also empower you to be the primary trainer, strengthening your bond with your pet as you learn and implement techniques directly, all with expert guidance right at your fingertips.

We offer in-person training in Woodland Heights, Houston Heights, Greater Heights, Lazybrook, Timbergrove, Shady Acres, and Independence Heights. Virtual consultations are available globally.

If you live in Woodland Heights, Houston Heights, Greater Heights, Lazybrook, Timbergrove, Shady Acres, or Independence Heights, we will provide in-home training. Virtual consultations are available everywhere else.