About Private In-Home Dog Training Lessons
During private, in-home dog training lessons, you and your dog benefit because my attention is completely focused on you and your dog(s). I don't answer my phone, I don't need to turn my attention to other students as in a classroom setting, I won't be watching t.v., and I will devote the hour to you and your canine companion(s). You and your dog will learn in the comfort of your own home and in the rooms that your dog is familiar with and within which you may be having specific problems, so you and your dog will get to practice the appropriate behavior in those same rooms which reinforces appropriate behavior in the home. Many issues with dogs occur in the home environment, so it makes sense that initial training and behavior issues would be addressed in your home. Many times, training also goes 'out on the road' for addressing issues such as dog-dog interactions, dog-stranger interactions, and behaving and walking appropriately outside in the 'Real World.'
All training is tailored around your specific needs after a free ¼ hour consultation with me by telephone. Behaviors such as:
Most straighforward training lessons for skills such as puppy rearing, sit, down, come when called, etc., are one hour in length and are scheduled at your convenience during the week and on week-ends. Lessons for treatment of separation distress/anxiety and aggression may run three hours or longer, as I use a special and very effective constructional shaping method to address these issues that often resolves the issue in two to three meetings. Special arrangements can be made for longer or more frequent lessons if needed and if appropriate for your dog.
I offer a reduced rate of $499.00 for six one-hour long lessons*. This fee must be paid in full at your first lesson in order for the discount to apply. Your lessons will include housetraining; crate training; proper socialization to other people and other dogs; real-life outdoor meet-and-greets. and some may be arranged with my own dogs who are friendly, healthy and vaccinated; mouthing and puppy nipping; jumping; focus and attention; coming when called; stand; wait; walking on a loose leash without pulling; drop items when asked to; and leave items alone when asked to.
Important Note: Most puppy training is straightforward. However, if I meet your puppy and determine that your puppy has a serious behavior issue, skills training may need to be delayed until the behavior issue is addressed. This has not occurred frequently, but it has occurred. If I can't get near the dog, I can't train the dog - so a different methodology must be used first to change your dog's behavior so that I can then train the dog. A short story: In one instance recently, I was called in to train a four-month-of-age puppy, and the owners were unaware when they made the appointment with me that they puppy had a serious aggression problem. The puppy would not let any people near her, not even The Trainer!! The owners did not know that this was a serious problem! I worked with the owners to resolve the behavior issue, which took two lessons. After that behavior issue was resolved, the puppy was able to be trained. Be aware that this occurrence is infrequent, but it can and may occur! Part of what I do when I meet your puppy or dog is assess his or her ability to be trained based on the dog's behavior. The good news is: behavior can be changed!
If this is your first puppy, I will give you a written/typed schedule to enable you to house train your pup quickly and effectively. During your first lesson I will also address any questions you have about house training and crate training so that you can start off your relationship with your new pup on a positive note. I recommend training puppies as soon as possible, within a few days of their entering your home. Most pups enter their new homes at eight to 12 weeks of age. If you start young and you let your pup know that there are rules to be followed in your home from the beginning, you can prevent many bad habits and serious issues from developing later on. Dogs are not children, but similarly to children they thrive on constant supervision early on, consistency, structure, and routine. With pups under six months, you will also receive the 30-page Puppy Primer that I have authored as part of your package for no extra fee.
*Additonal fees may apply depending on your location (see below)
The complete Basic Manners and Skills course for adolescent/adult dogs or for more complex behaviors or problems I offer a package of lessons that is reduced from my normal hourly rate. For a package of six one-hour lessons the fee is $570.00*. This fee must be paid in full at your first lesson in order for the discount to apply with no exceptions.
*Additonal fees may apply depending on your location (see below)
If you choose to pay hourly per lesson, my rate is $99.00 - $115.00 per hour (depending on location and seriousness of issues) in most parts of N.J., N.Y.C., and Staten Island and for straightforward training with dogs. More serious issues may cost more than $99.00 per hour and will depend partly on location as well. Issues such as aggression and behavior modification must be paid in full at the first lesson for three lessons in advance (called a Triad). For more about aggression please see 'Aggression in Dogs' on my menu choices and contact me to discuss my rates and the possibility of success in resolving your dog's issue(s).
*My fixed rate service area (where the rates quoted above apply) is 15 miles from Iselin, New Jersey, 08830. Mileage charges are $15 additional for each additional 20 miles from Iselin, New Jersey.
Issues such as house training, mouthing, nippiness, or crate training may require only one lesson. Each dog and owner are unique as are most peoples' lifestyles and the time they can spend training their dog vary, so it is difficult to say exactly how long a behavior may take to resolve or to train. Please feel free to call or e-mail me for further details.
The fee for serious behavior issues addressed by the hour is higher because of the extra amount of work and follow-up correspondence involved that is required to modify these problems. Evaluations, handouts and instructions are customized and imparted to you promptly for each individual case.
All packages must be completed within 12 weeks. All Triads must be completed within six weeks. No refunds can be issued after this time period. This policy ensures the highest rate of success for you and your dog. Every lesson is built upon previous lessons and consistency and daily practice are crucial to any dog training program. You will be required to sign a compliance contract that states that it is your responsibility to work and practice with the dog between training lessons. This contract is imperative to ensure the success of your and your dog's training program. People often inquire about guarantees. What I can guarantee is that I can and will efficiently coach you on the proper training techniques and management of your dog(s), but practicing and training your dog to fluency between lessons and after lessons end is up to you.
*Serious Aggression Cases:
For serious aggression cases, in the past I have used a counter conditioning and desensitization method. However, based on the earlier research of Israel Goldiamond (behavioral psychologist), I have been instructed in, have learned, and am utilizing a more effective shaping method that significantly reduces or eliminates aggression (or fear, or separation distress, or resource guarding) in a relatively short amount of time. To utilize this shaping approach, you must set aside three hours at one lesson (perhaps four hours) in order for the approach to work. Usually no more than two meetings are needed using this approach and method, and sometimes the issue is resolved in one meeting! Because I'm asking you to put aside a large chunk of time, I have significantly reduced my hourly fee for those owners or shelter staff that would like to utilize this very effective method. When you call me about aggression cases, or any of the behavioral issues mentioned above, please remember to ask me about the constructional shaping method. I prefer this method to counter conditioning and desensitization and feel that it works more effectively and much more quickly. However, you always have the option to use counter conditioning and desensitization if that's the method with which you feel most comfortable.
Please also note that for aggression cases it is critical that you practice the constructional shaping method that I will show you in three- or four-hour sessions, or the counter conditioning/desensitization program that you will request and receive from me. If I see evidence that the work is not being done, if you do not follow up with me when required (within one week of any meeting with me), and/or you cancel more than one lesson I have the right to terminate you as my student with no refund. Aggression is a very serious issue, as are other behavioral issues, and commitment and dedication are imperative for everyone's safety and for any degree of success in modifying behavior.
Having been a student myself, a teacher in both public school and college settings, and currently a student of Animal Science at Rutgers University for a second undergraduate degree that I am attaining, I realize fully that owners and their dogs are also students under my guidance as their teacher and coach. What I have learned is that if I attend classes, study the material, practice the exercises, and do my homework, I get good grades. The same is true for you and your dog. If your commitment to working with your dog between lessons is below average your dog's skills and behavior will be below average as well. I cannot emphasize how important compliance, consistency and repetition are in any training program for a human or an animal.
Cancellations
While I understand that very occasionally unforeseen events may occur, if you intend to cancel a lesson you must call me 24 - 48 hours prior to your lesson or you will be charged for that lesson according to the policies I informed you about over the phone, and informed you again about after you scheduled your appointment. I schedule dog training lessons and dog behavior appointments throughout N.J., Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, and schedule them based on location and the time that I need to travel to get to each location on time. I ask that you please give me the courtesy of 24 - 48 hours so that I can try and adjust my schedule accordingly and so that neither I or my clients will be inconvenienced.
There is no smoking during lessons or in the presence of the trainer. Thank you!
Contact Us:
(646) 265-8743 (cell); 732-603-5054
Serving Manhattan Dog Owners & NJ Dog Owners, Staten Island Dog Owners
info@ny-njdogtrainer.com