I'm looking for help with my dog... can you assist me?
For dog owners struggling with their dog’s undesirable behaviours, A BETTER DOG Training Company specializes in providing in-home behaviour evaluation, prevention and modification programs tailored to suit your individual needs.
To determine whether I can assist you, and to give you the opportunity to decide if my services are going to be the right fit for you, I ask that we go through the following three steps
Step 1: Please submit my
Intake Questionairre. It's an online form that takes about 5 minutes or so to complete. The link to the form is also located on the 'Contact' page of the website. Please know that you are NOT obliged to book a session if you submit the Questionairre.
Step 2: After submitting the Intake Questionairre I will contact you to arrange a (free) telephone consultation to learn more about the issue(s) you're experiencing. During the consultation we can also discuss the services I provide and my rates. Please know that you are NOT obliged to book a session if you take the free telephone consultation.
Step 3: Following the phone consultation, if you would like to book an in-person session (or a virtual consultation), we'll need to find a mutually convenient day and time to meet.
I think it's important to note that I work on a session-by-session basis based on YOUR needs. You are NOT required to purchase a block of pre-paid sessions in advance.
When the day and time have been set for the in-person (or virtual) session, I will forward you an invoice to confirm the appointment (the invoice doesn't need to be paid until the day of the session).
If you have any questions about the above-noted, please let me know!
What forms of payment do you accept?
The following forms of payment are accepted:
- Cash
- E-transfer
- Interac (tap or swipe)
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express (pay online, tap or swipe)
Tap or swipe payments are processed using a 'Square' reader (shown below).
There's so much information available about dogs, training and behaviour. How do I tell the good from the bad?
The first thing to understand is that, in most of the world (including here in North America), the dog training/behaviour industry is unregulated. That means ANYONE can set up a business as a training or behaviour 'professional' without any qualifications or experience. Accordingly, there is a lot of misinformation and outdated practices still being recommended and used today.
So who to trust? If you're looking for assistance with your dog you need to do your due diligence and research... you owe it to your dog and yourself.
Some important questions to ask:
- How long in business?
- Business license and insurance?
- Relevent education/background?
- How does the person keep up-to-date with advancements in training/behaviour?
- Which other trainers/behaviourists does the person follow and look to as mentors?
- Does the person have experience with the specific issue you're dealing with?
- What tools and methods will be employed?
- Are there any negative side-effects to the methods being recommended, and if there are, how will they be handled?
- Can you can attend (just to watch) a session or class?
- Can references and testimonials be provided?
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me!
Why is there so much controversy about using punishment with dogs... don't those methods work?
The concept of dog training that we're familiar with today actually got its start a long time ago with the training of dogs for the military, where aversive methods such as coercion, force and punishment were used.
Our knowledge of canine behaviour has come a long way since then (especially in the last 20 years), and despite the significant advancements that have been made, the use of punishment-based techniques in dog training/behaviour remains wide-spread.
In my mind, it's not so much a question of whether or not punishment-based methods can work. Instead, it's an ethical question of, "Why continue to use punishment-based methods when there is ample evidence that non-aversive methods are equally (or more) effective, more humane, and far less risky?"
Generally speaking, punishment-based techniques cause the suppression of problem behaviours through fear of subsequent consequences. While these techniques often give the appearance of being quick and effective solutions, due to the fact that the behaviour is merely being suppressed, the 'solution' often ends up being temporary because the underlying cause of the behaviour has not been addressed. In addition, it is common for these tactics to result in unintended negative behavioural side-effects.
Questions? I would be happy to hear from you.
Are there any breeds that you don't or won't work with?
There's absolutely NO breed bias at A BETTER DOG Training Company... I'm happy to work with your dog no matter what breed!
How much does it cost?
My rates can be dependent on the behaviour issue that you're experiencing (for example, will a behaviour assessment required?) so this is not something I provide pricing on prior to learning about your particular situation.
To determine whether I can assist you, and to give you the opportunity to decide if my services are going to be the right fit for you, I ask that we go through the following three steps:
Step 1: The first step is to submit my
Intake Questionairre. It's an online form that takes about 5 minutes or so to complete. The link to the form is also located on the 'Contact' page of the website. Please know that you are NOT obliged to book a session if you submit the Questionairre.
Step 2: After submitting the Intake Questionairre I will contact you to arrange a (free) telephone consultation to learn more about the issue(s) you're experiencing. During the consultation we can also discuss the services I provide and my rates. Please know that you are NOT obliged to book a session if you take the free telephone consultation.
Step 3: Following the phone consultation, if you would like to book an in-person session (or a virtual consultation), we'll need to find a mutually convenient day and time to meet.
I think it's important to note that I work on a session-by-session basis based on YOUR needs. You are NOT required to purchase a block of pre-paid sessions in advance.
Questions? I would be happy to hear from you.
Do you provide group training or 'puppy' classes?
I focus on assisting people who are experiencing behaviour-related issues with their dogs, and provide private sessions where I work one-on-one with my clients, typically in their home environment or neighbourhood.
That being said, if you are looking for group obedience classes or puppy classes, I might be able to refer you to a person who does provide those services.
Are you accepting bookings and new clients during COVID?
Yes, I am accepting bookings and new clients (both in-person and virtual) during the pandemic, and have had my first COVID vaccination.
In-person bookings are based on the following protocols:
- Because I am a stranger, it's important for your dog to be able to reference my facial expressions when we are introduced. Due to this I will not be wearing a face covering during introduction, so I request that you wear a face covering during this time. Once your dog is able to relax and be at ease with my presence I will put on a face covering.
- Whenever possible, sessions will be outdoors and we will keep appropriate social distancing. If it's not be possible to maintain appropriate social distancing I request that face coverings be worn.
- If time must be spent indoors I request that face coverings be worn, and a door or window be kept ajar for air circulation.
- If you are not comfortable with any of the listed protocols or have any questions please contact me.
Do you provide virtual consultations and sessions?
Yes, virtual consultations and/or sessions can be provided by Zoom, FaceTime or Skype. Please contact me to discuss your needs.
