Training
I use positive reinforcement and force free methods to build your dog's confidence and show them the behavior we want to see from them when presented with a choice on how to act.
Private Training Sessions
I offer Private Training that is completely customized to your dog and your goals. Our first session will be a consultation where I learn more about your dog and what you’re hoping to get out of training. I’ll then write a training plan with steps that work toward what you hope to accomplish.
We’ll take it session by session, building new cues and behaviors to give your dog the foundations needed to succeed. This could range from teaching basic manners to behavior adjustment therapy and every combination in between.
Handouts will be given for each new thing we teach your dog so you can easily continue practicing after I leave. Homework will be assigned after each session so that you and your dog can keep working towards fluency in your everyday lives. We’ll recap how it’s been going in each subsequent session and talk through areas your dog may be stuck before moving on to what’s next.
There are no packages or prearranged criteria; lessons are tailored to you and your dog. I will continue meeting with you until you feel you can take it from there on.
Private Training
Service Area & Extended Service Area
$145 per 60-minute Session
Board & Train
+$50 per Dog per Day
Add training on to any boarding or sitting visit. This is a great way for your dog to learn something new, work towards correcting an unwanted behavior or get a refresher on things they've gotten rusty with. All dogs in my care get regular exercise and attention, but training adds an extra level of mental stimulation your dog will enjoy during their visit.
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I will send you home with worksheets outlining what we worked on so you can continue to practice at home. I strongly recommend that you book at least one private training session after your dog's stay so we can practice what they learned in the context of your home, with you. This provides a better environment to demonstrate learned behavior as they'll likely be too excited to see you when you pick them up to show off new skills.
Visits in my extended service area will be subject to a $25 travel surcharge.
Training Possibilities
Each training plan is customized for your dog after our initial consultation. I'll build a set of cues and behaviors that move towards your goals. Here are just a few examples:
The Basics:
Do you have a new puppy or rescue? Or does your dog simply need a refresher on the basics? I will work with your dog to polish those skills. My very large yard also gives me a good canvas to work on recall skills.
Target Training:
Target training commands such as "Go To Place" or "Touch My Hand" are great basics to know that will help your dog later with behavior training like staying out from underfoot while you cook, not rushing the door when you have guests or used for leash reactivity.
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Agility Training (Board & Train Only):
Agility is a fun way for your dog to exercise both physically and mentally. This is not training at a competitive level, just for extra fun while staying with me. I use V-method shaping to train weave poles, so depending on the length of your visit, we may not get to 100% but we'll have loads of fun doing what we can!
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Leash Manners:
Let's work together to make walking your dog more fun, starting with no more pulling. We'll work on not pulling, a heel command, freeze, wait and release commands. Dogs in my care always get regular walks. Adding Leash Manners to a visit is a great way to get additional mini-walks. I usually do four additional 15 minute walks per day where we just work on goal behavior and always aim to end on a good note. I will send instructions home with you so you can continue to reinforce what was learned. I never use choke chains, prong collars or shock collars. I use a martingale harness with a double connection leash.
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Reactive or Frustrated Dog Counter Conditioning:
Does your dog pull, bark, lunge or rear when they see something on a walk? I will work with your dog to start changing that behavior. I start by learning where your dog's threshold is, how close they can get before showing signs of overexcitement. We start working at that distance and only move closer when your dog is comfortable. Leash Manners are a must before moving on to Counter Conditioning. The goal is to have your dog see a trigger then make the choice to look at us rather than reacting. I use "jackpot treats" and vocal markers to let your dog know when they've made the right choice. I may start with a clicker, but work towards only using my voice as I know it can be difficult to coordinate a leash, a treat and a clicker in the heat of the moment. As with Leash Manners, consistency is imperative to mastering Counter Conditioning and Desensitization. I will send instructions home with you so you can keep up the momentum. This type of training will take multiple sessions.
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Our family feels extremely fortunate to have Liz as our trainer...
Our family feels extremely fortunate to have Liz as our dog trainer for our 13 month old pitbull mix named Takoda. Takoda is a very energetic boy with a lot of reactivity while on leash towards dogs and people. From day one meeting Liz, her professionalism and understanding of what Takoda needs has shined through. Liz did an initial meet and greet and did a very accurate assessment of Takoda and her initial thoughts on what she was as seeing. We love that she uses positive reinforcement training and discussed the direction we wanted the training to go. We currently use Liz for private lessons and training walks. Liz always comes prepared with our weekly lessons and her communication about how to apply the lessons is very fluid and smooth. I really appreciate her print outs so as to be able to go back and read and reinforce at anytime lessons past and present. She returns calls and messages very promptly and always has a suggestion or idea if we have a concern about anything related to Takoda. Liz absolutely goes that extra mile in helping us and Takoda. And it shows with how Takoda has progressed. It’s a journey but in our few months with Liz, Takoda is absolutely learning to be calm and patient on leash and has learned so many commands, it’s absolutely amazing to watch and be apart of the transformation we’re seeing in Takoda. Takoda and our family adore Liz and without hesitation would recommend her for anything you would need for your dog.
- Takoda's Parents, Corey & Laura
Liz guided us through things we needed help with...
We got our puppy, Diesel, on a whim (I know, I know). We love him so much, but we were totally unprepared for all the things he would need (who would have guessed). We watched a lot of YouTube videos on puppies and it was all so overwhelming with conflicting information in every other video. Enter Liz! She has been a fantastic guide for us. Helping us understand where we were going wrong with potty training (thank goodness) and helping us understand socialization. Liz guided us through things we needed help with and things we didn’t even think of. The homework Liz gave us didn’t feel like work, it felt like a structured way to have fun and get to know D better. That was a big change from us kind of winging it with stuff we found online and poor D getting as confused as we were getting by our lack of direction. We highly recommend Liz for anyone with a new puppy. She clearly knows dogs well and can help brand new fur parents give their babies the best start. She’s also a genuine and kind person and we enjoyed hanging out with her during her visits. Thanks Liz!!
- Diesel's Mom, Anika
I cannot find enough words about Liz and the impact she has had...
I cannot find enough words to say about Liz and the impact she has had on Quinn. In addition to our board and train, we have hired Liz for private 1:1 sessions with our 2-year-old GSD who struggles with reactivity. In addition to the training sessions themselves, she has provided detailed instructions on how to continue with/implement the tools into our daily life together. Her knowledge, patience and kindness won our hearts (Quinn's included) and I now consider Liz a friend.
- Quinn's Mom, Dyan
Cancellation Policy
Lessons need to be paid for in full at or before the time of the session.
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Refunds will be given if the request is received 48 hours in advance of the start of the session, otherwise 50% of the total paid will be refunded if the session is not rescheduled.
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If the session needs to be rescheduled due to inclement weather, notice and available dates for rescheduling will be provided within 4 hours of the start of the session.
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Please be sure to disclose any aggressive tendencies that your dog may have prior to registering. I reserve the right to end training if significant danger is presented by dogs in the session.