FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Due to our training schedule, we are frequently away from the office. You can get quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about our services and methods:
SERVICES | GROUP CLASSES | PRIVATE LESSONS | TRAINING METHODS
SERVICES
Q: Is a group class right for my dog?
Regular group classes at 4Paws University are best for generally friendly dogs who are reasonably comfortable in new places and with strange dogs and people.
Reactive, fearful or aggressive dogs can be disruptive to the learning environment of others but, more importantly, their disruptive behaviors are a message to us that they are having a difficult time and that they need some assistance and maybe even an entirely different arrangement. Fortuately, 4Paws University offers custom training programs for these dogs.
Q: How much do you charge?
Our pricing reflects over 10 years of experience and continuing education, as well as our professional memberships and certifications, resulting in practical training programs you can implement at home, with the fastest and longest-lasting results possible.
GROUP CLASSES are $195.00 for six (6) lessons.
PRIVATE LESSONS start at $225.00 for an initial consultation (via phone) and first lesson. Pricing for additional lessons is determined based on individual training needs.
Q: Do you give discounts for dogs adopted from shelters/rescues?
We offer a reduced rate private lesson for dogs adopted from registered (501(c)(3)) shelters/rescues within 30 days of adoption. The discount does not apply to group classes or additional private lessons.
This lesson is held at our training center and is designed to prevent common problems that might jeopardize the dog's success in his/her new home.
Q: Can you train my dog for me?
Yes! If you are not interested in learning the training process (not everyone enjoys this aspect of dog ownership) or have limited time during the week for training but still want a well-behaved dog, we can come to your home and train your dog. We then meet with you to teach you how to maintain your dog's new obedience skills.
This can also be great for dogs who require a complex behavior modification to overcome some forms of fear or aggression. Learn more.
Q: Will you help me train my dog to be a service dog?
We do not offer training for service dogs. However, our Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Manners classes do lay the foundation for good behavior that all service dogs need.
Training a service dog is not a task for beginning dog owners and not all dogs have the temperament necessary for such work. However, if you think you're up for the challenge, we recommend the book Teamwork, which is a guide for owners looking to train their own dogs.
Q: Do you guarantee results?
The success of any training program involves three factors: The trainer, the dog owner and the dog. A trainer cannot make guarantees on factors outside of their control, including the compliance of the dog owner and the dog's overall temperament.
As members of the Certification Council For Professional Dog Trainers and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, we are committed to performing our services within the Code of Ethics of those organizations. Consistent with those codes, we may not give guarantees regarding the outcome of training.
We do, however, guarantee that our training program will be customized to your dog's needs, based on the latest in animal training and behavior science, and that we will not use or recommend aversive methods or equipment.
Q: Will you take my dog/find him another home?
Our services are limited to training and behavior consultation services that keep dogs in their homes. If a dog owner is considering relinquishment of their dog, we can offer evaluation and consultation to help in that decision.
GROUP CLASSES
Q: Should I enroll my puppy in Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Obedience Course?
In general, puppies 16 weeks of age and under should enroll in Puppy Kindergarten, which focuses on socialization and preventative exercises to promote good behavior.
Puppies over 16 weeks have entered adolescence and need to start their training for good leash manners and attention around distractions to prevent problem behaviors from developing as they become more independent.
Q: How many dogs are in each class?
We limit our classes to no more than 6 dogs. This ensures that all students are given the individual attention they need when practicing class exercises.
Q: Can I observe a class before signing up?
Yes! We encourage and welcome people to observe our classes!
Please first contact us to let us know if you would like to observe so we can make arrangements. Please leave your dog at home.
Q: Will my dog be fully trained at the end of the course?
At the end of the 6-week course you will have learned the exercises necessary to train your dog at home and in different environments, which is when the real training takes place.
If you are starting with a puppy, you should anticipate that the training process will take approximately two years while your puppy matures into an adult. If you have an adult dog (over 3 years), it will likely take far less time to get the results you want, since you won't have to wait for your dog to mature.
Q: Can my family attend classes with me?
We encourage the participation of all family members, especially those who have a role in the care and training of the dog. This includes family members outside the home.
Q: Can my son/daughter do the training?
Depending on the age of your child, they may be able to actively participate in the class. We require all minor handlers be physically capable of managing and restraining the dog.
If you're unsure of whether or not your child is ready to take on the role of dog trainer, consider whether they are capable of doing the dishes after dinner without assistance. If not, then your child is not yet ready for a role in training your dog. Once you have worked on training exercises with your dog, your child can participate by giving training cues (Sit, down, etc.) and rewarding the dog while supervised by an adult.
Q: Do you have classes for _______________?
All of our current class offerings are listed on our website. We do not offer other specialty classes at this time.
Q: Do you have classes in my area?
All classes are held at our Training and Behavior Center. We do not offer classes in other locations at this time. We are easily accessible off I-80 at a quiet, safe location. It's not perfect for everyone, but our students choose us for our experience and knowledge, not just for convenience!
METHODS
Our unique programs focus on positive reinforcement -- not force, pain or intimidation. We want your dog to respond to YOU, not to special training collars or equipment. Positive reinforcement training has been used for decades to train wild animal species for entertainment, military service, and to change aggressive behaviors. If it works on a Tiger, it can work on Poodles and Pit Bulls, alike!
Q: Do you use treats in your training?
Yes. Reward-based training creates well-behaved dogs that are eager to comply. 4Paws University educates dog owners how to use food as a reward, and not as a bribe, to prevent dependence on treats, and how to use the dog's meals as training rewards, rather than simply giving it away for free twice a day. It is not the tool, itself, that causes problems, but how that tool is implemented.
For more, read Training with Food
Q: Do you use dog psychology?
Our methods are based in the science of how dogs learn (classical and operant conditioning), how dogs behave in their natural environment (ethology), how the brain affects behavior (neuropsychology), and the behavioral characteristics of individual breeds.
"Dog psychology" has no standard or definition, leaving it to each individual's interpretation as to methodology and philosophy. It is not an indication of knowledge or experience and is simply the latest catchphrase among some trainers who are trying to emulate a reality tv show.
Q: Will you suggest I just ignore bad behavior?
We would never instruct owners to ignore behaviors that will cause harm to dogs, property or people. Instead, we outsmart the dog, using strategies that prevent bad behaviors from happening.
When dogs exhibit attention-seeking behavior, those behaviors which are rewarded by attention (even when the owner believes they are using punishment), we will teach dog owners how to withdraw or withhold the kinds of attention that might inadvertently reward the dog's whining, barking, nipping or other unwanted behavior. This, however, is not the same as simply ignoring bad behavior.
Q: Do you use shock collars?
No. Our training methods focus on teaching your dog to respond to you, not special equipment. Reliance on aversive collars often creates dogs who are only responsive when wearing this equipment.
Further, aversive training methods and equipment have repeatedly been shown to increase stress and anxiety in dogs, which is the leading cause of problem behaviors, including fear and aggression.
Q: Do you train stubborn or dominant breeds, like Pit Bulls and Dobermans?
All breeds of dogs have their individual challenges, but they all learn the same, from Pit Bulls to Poodles and Dachshunds to Dobermans. Our experience in working with a wide variety of breeds allows us to tailor training programs to suit the individual.
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