FAQ

  • Training is tactile. It’s very difficult to hold a conversation while also creating muscle memory. Consults are meant to be informative and preparatory, so we can start the first in-person session with intention and purpose.

    Additionally, training and novel interactions are very tiring for dogs new to the concept (a huge benefit of training!), so it’s best to keep them rested until needed.

  • The consultation form is a labor of love in itself. This form asks questions that you may not think are relevant, but that may give me insight into the root cause of some of your dog’s issues. I cover all aspects of you and your dog’s life and relationship, so I can craft the most well-informed training plan possible.

CONSULTS

  • Each dog gets 3-4 ‘active’ training sessions during the day (behavioral and obedience), along with 24/7 ‘passive’ training (off-switch, impulse control, door manners). They also get a mix of walks, play, and enrichment throughout the day.

    Depending on the dynamics of the dogs in my care, they will get free time and/or socialization, all while supervised.

    They are in their kennels 3-4 hours at a time, max (less if there is a potty-training puppy).

    They always have access to fresh water and shade throughout the day. During warmer weather we bring out a kiddie pool for them to splash around in.

    They are kenneled for the night around 9-10pm.

  • At my home location with me and other board and trains. They will sleep and spend down time in a properly outfitted crate/kennel.

  • Enough food for your dog’s stay in a sealed, plastic container and any medications. Comfort items and treats are optional.

  • Your dog will be required to spend time in a crate/kennel when unsupervised. That is both for their safety and my sanity and liability. 

    If they are not yet kennel or potty-trained, we will develop the appropriate training plan to accomodate that.

BOARD & TRAINS

  • Not necessarily.

    Before becoming a trainer - and then a mom - I easily drew the same conclusion. However, there are so many factors that go into dog bites and also an enormous lack of public and owner education; not a great combination to make informed decisions!

    It is easy for people that are not in your situation to have dogmatic opinions (and, as a parent, you know how people LOVE to give unsolicted advice). That’s why it is crucial to find a trainer that can support you as a dog owner AND a parent. This is a realm of life you can’t ever understand until experienced first-hand.

    If you are willing to take advice and follow the recommended training program, it is incredibly rare I will recommend rehoming a dog.

  • Absolutely!

    As a mom, I understand how our time becomes the highest value commodity; both in the time we don’t have AND the time we do have.

    This season of life is not forever; it can be the most shocking and challenging experience, but also the most rewarding and memorable days of our lives. We don’t want to waste any of it, wishing it away.

    I have professional training in both canine behavior and learning theory, along with nutrition and health coaching (for humans), so I am able to troubleshoot on both sides of the equation. My goal is to meet you where you are with a training plan that is effective, yet efficient and easy to implement into your busy life.

  • Yes!

    You can sign-up for my class at Colorado Baby where we go over everything you need to know to set everyone up for success when bringing home your new baby to the family dog.

KIDS AND CANINES

  • We have a very limited amount of spots available to offer all we do.

    If we have someone immediately in line to fill your spot, we will issue a refund. Otherwise, we ask that you consider the commitment beforehand.

  • Many reasons, but the main one, is to be informed should any dog in our care fall ill.

  • No reputable trainer can guarantee success. Several factors outside of my control go in to training your dog; the biggest, of which, is you. Owner committment to the training plan is the biggest factor that can make or break the training outcome.

POLICIES

    • Bulldogs

    • Corgis

    • Australian Shepards

    • Australian Cattle Dogs

    • American Shepards

    • Belgian Malinois

    • Rottweilers

    • Dobermans

    • Golden Retrievers

    • Boxers

    • Huskies

    • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

    • Beagles

    • German Shorthaired Pointers

    • Portuguese Water Dogs

    • Labradors

    • German Shepards

    • Anatolian Shepards

    • Great Danes

    • Pitbulls

    • Shelties

      …and all the mixed breeds in between!

  • The answer no one wants to hear; it depends.

    Your dog CAN, in their optimal state, learn:

    • Clicker conditioning and training

    • Basic obedience like:

      • How to heel

      • Walk on a loose leash

      • How to go to place

      • How to wait at doors

    • Fun tricks

    • Agility, advanced obedience…the sky is the limit

    However, a lot of factors go into dog training. This is why the initial consultation is so important. We can get to the root issues quickly, so you waste as little time as possible and jumpstart the learning process.

  • Have you ever done Physical Therapy or gone to the Chiropractor? You know that muscle stimulation machine they use? It’s called a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Unit. That’s what an e-collar is.

    A shock collar would be a bit more like a taser or a cattle prod. These should never be used on dogs (with the exception of means for protection).

    Additonally, shock implies electricity and almost all e-collars currently on the market are waterproof, so utilizing electricity would not even be possible.

  • Dog’s must be at least 6 months old in order to be conditioned to an e-collar.

    I train puppies as young as 8 weeks old.

    I also train dogs well into their double digit years.

    There is no age limit on the benefits of training!

  • I consider myself a balanced trainer, in that, I want to get the dog successfully and reliably trained in the quickest, most effective way possible causing the least amount of stress to the dog.

    This means utilizing all tools available to get the job done and never limiting myself to one way of training if a dog is struggling. 

    I use treats, management, and bubbly voices, but I also use leash pressure and corrections.  This can mean a protocol involving a prong or an e-collar if it’s evident this is the ‘least invasive, minimally aversive’ strategy.  (*All training techniques are always discussed with the client before implementing.)

  • I do! I offer discounts for:

    • Referrals

    • 5-star reviews from clients

    • The Actualized Canine members

    • Package deals

  • I will always answer any questions via text or email within 48 hours. If it is something that can’t be handled within a few back-and-forths, then you likely will need to schedule another lesson via virtual or in-person!

    As much as I want to help, I also have other clients and logisitics of my business I need to tend to and time spent in my inbox can add up!

  • There is nothing I love more than watching an even-tempered dog run off-leash. It’s one of my simplest pleasures.

    At the core of this sentiment, I believe every dog should feel purposeful and given as much freedom as they can handle.

    To get there, I approach training from several angles, addressing enrichment, behavior modification, obedience and command work, physical health, nutrition, environmental influences, and the dog’s relationship with their owner.

    I whole-heartedly believe in my comprehensive method being the best way to create lasting change for the better.

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