If you have special requirements, or if for some reason you are unable to train your dog yourself – perhaps you’re just too busy? – we can train your dog for you.
This service is 100% customized to your needs and priced on a “per behaviour-basis” (rather than on an hourly rate). The quoted price includes regular “hand-over” sessions and a limited guarantee – you only pay the full price if the dog has truly learned the behaviour!
How does it work?
The trainer will work with the dog for between 30 minutes – 2 hours, 3-5 times a week, either in the dog’s home, in the vicinity of the dog’s home or in such other areas as are deemed appropriate for the behaviour being trained.
You will not be required to transport the dog anywhere, but the trainer may pick up and drop off the dog from a pet sitter /doggie day care rather than from home.
Who is the Trainer?
The trainer is Lisbeth Plant, who is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPACTP).
What training methods are used?
The trainer will use Positive Reinforcement training, which is part of established learning science (‘operant conditioning’). The method builds up a desire in the animal to perform the behaviour. Positive reinforcement means that you reward the behaviours that you want and remove any rewards associated with the behaviours that you wish to extinguish. There is no punishment involved in this training. Punishment has been found to obstruct learning, reduce reliability and interfere with the human-animal bond.
How much does it cost?
Before a binding quote can be given, the trainer will require an in-depth Evaluation Meeting with the client’s family and the dog. There is no charge for this meeting, which is necessary in order that the trainer may be able to get to know the dog and estimate the training time required, as well as discuss the project in detail.
Typical quotes are:
| Come When Called (outdoors, in the face of distractions) |
$150 – $500 |
| Down (lie down & stay, from a distance and in the face of distractions) |
$100 – $500 |
| Leave It (do not take dropped food, or food off the table, without permission) |
$100 – $350 |
| Name Game (give attention to owner, in the face of distractions) |
$50 – $250 |
| Polite Walking (walking on leash without pulling, in the face of distractions) |
$200 – $750 |
| Settle (go to bed, inc when the doorbell rings) |
$200 – $750 |
| Sit (sit nicely next to owner when greeting visitors; not jumping up) |
$100 – $500 |
| Wait (not rushing out open doors etc) |
$100 – $500 |
| Other / Behaviour Modification | Quotes upon request. |
The significant range in estimated cost reflects the difference in age, personality, previous training, etc between different dogs. For example, a dog with a history of unsuccessful past training, particularly if aversive training methods have been used will have a “baggage” will make training to a reliable standard more complicated and time-consuming. At the opposite end of the scale we may have a young puppy with little or no training.
Weekly handover sessions will transfer the new behaviours from the trainer to the owner and ensure that the owner can see that progress is being made.
What is the payment schedule?
50% of the cost is payable at the time that the Day Training Contract is signed, and the remainder is payable when each behaviour’s Half-Way Point is reached. The Half-Way Point is defined as a level of performance of the behaviour where the dog reliably performs to a standard approximately half-way towards the final goal, and will be more specifically defined in the Day Training Contract.
How long does it take?
Again, this depends on the dog and its background in training. A day training project can consist of anything from a single, simple behaviour that can be taught in less than a handful of training sessions, to a series of complicated behaviours, or behaviour modifications, that may require several months.
What is required from the owner?
1. Be committed to the training process.
2. Be available for the hand-over sessions, at the times agreed.
3. Make the dog available to the trainer at the times agreed.
What is the “Limited Guarantee”?
The limited guarantee means that the owner only pays the full price of the behaviour if the dog has truly learned the behaviour and performs it for the owner as defined in the contract.
Once the final handover session has been completed, there can be no guarantee as to the dog’s continued behaviour, simply because the trainer cannot guarantee that the owner will follow the instructions given. If the owner does not follow the instructions given, the dog may well quickly start performing at a sub-standard level, or even stop performing the behaviour completely.
Contact us for a free, no-strings-attached private in-home meeting, to find out if a Day Training Programme is right for you and your dog!
E-mail info@cowichancanine.ca or telephone 250-743-7648 or 250-732-5415.
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