Frequently Asked Questions

Our In-Home Behavior Modification Program is ideal if your dog:

• Jumps up at people
• Steals food
• Barks excessively
• Is destructive around the home
• Rushes through doors
• Shows aggression towards people or other dogs
• Suffers from separation anxiety
• Displays any other unwanted behaviors

Most behavior problems can be addressed during a single two-hour in-home session, followed by a few weeks of simple homework.

Our Group Obedience & Agility Classes are ideal if your dog behaves well at home but pulls on the leash, becomes over-excited outdoors, has a strong chase instinct, needs better focus around distractions, or would benefit from improved confidence, obedience and self-control.

If you're unsure which program is best, simply give us a call and we'll happily point you in the right direction.

Yes. We have the experience to evaluate a dog, ascertain what is needed to correct the unwanted behavior, and then train both humans and dogs. If you do need additional training for those problems, there's no additional charge.

Over the past 30 years we have successfully trained and rehabilitated more than 30,000 dogs. Most behavior problems can be resolved during a single visit, provided owners follow the simple homework program afterwards. Only a very small percentage of dogs require a second visit.

Don't just take our word for it. Take a look at our reviews and ask members of our Pawfection community about their own experiences.

Think of it as one solution rather than one visit.

Our experience allows us to identify problems quickly and show you exactly how to resolve them.

Most families only require one or two visits, but your support doesn't end when we leave. We're always available if you need advice or reassurance. So think of it more as just one affordable price to solve your dog's problems, with as much ongoing support as you need included.

Every trainer works differently. Unfortunately, some trainers lack the experience to resolve problems quickly, while others may encourage unnecessary lessons for financial reasons.

Our philosophy is different. We teach you how to understand and train your own dog rather than creating long-term dependence on weekly sessions.

To put it into perspective, specialist working dogs can often be trained to detect explosives or narcotics in around ten sessions. That's why we believe many pet behavior problems simply don't require months of weekly appointments.

Our goal is to give you the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to continue training long after we've gone.

It can certainly seem that way, but lasting success depends on teamwork. We provide the knowledge, experience and foundation. You provide the consistency.

Think of it like building a house. We supply the bricks and build the walls. Your homework is the mortar that holds everything together. Complete just a few weeks of consistent practice and you'll build habits that can last a lifetime.

Your homework is the key to long-term success. Dogs learn through repetition and consistency. Practicing what you've been shown for just a few minutes each day helps create permanent behavior changes.

If nothing is practiced after the session, your dog is likely to return to old habits. We'll provide the instruction manual; you simply need to follow it.

We believe exceptional dog training shouldn't only be available to those with large budgets. Although our qualifications and experience would justify significantly higher fees, we've deliberately kept our prices affordable because our mission is to help as many families as possible.

That means more dogs stay in loving homes, more owners receive professional help when they need it, and more people benefit from our experience.

We also offer interest-free payment options for up to six months for those who prefer to spread the cost. Our business has grown through veterinary referrals, personal recommendations, television, radio and community involvement, not high-pressure sales or aggressive advertising.

No. Your quoted price covers all of the dogs living in your household during the same visit.

Our goal is to restore balance throughout your entire pack. If only one dog is trained while the others continue unwanted behaviors, they're far more likely to encourage the rehabilitated dog back into old habits. Homes with more than three dogs may simply require a little more time.

In most cases, no. Dogs behave differently when they're away from their familiar home environment, which means many of the behaviors you want corrected simply don't occur.

Just as importantly, owners need to learn alongside their dog. If someone else trains your dog without teaching you how to maintain those behaviors, long-term success becomes much more difficult.

Some board and train facilities also rely heavily on electronic collars or other aversive techniques. Combined with the stress of an unfamiliar environment, this can be overwhelming for the majority of dogs.

Our philosophy is simple: train the dog, train the owner, and solve the problem where it actually happens.

Absolutely. Unfortunately, the hourly rate is $500,000, and we can't guarantee success!

Seriously though, we train the whole family. Dogs learn much faster when everyone uses the same commands, rules and techniques, so involving the entire household is one of the keys to lasting success.

Every dog is different, so every training plan is individually tailored. We use modern, humane training methods based on more than 30 years of professional experience.

Depending on the dog and the exercise, we may use praise, toys, food rewards only where appropriate, motivation, clear communication and leadership.

We do not believe in causing pain, physically dominating dogs, or causing them to fear their owners. You'll never see us using methods that damage the relationship between you and your dog. Our aim is to build confidence, trust and clear communication while achieving reliable results.

Not necessarily. Every dog is different. Different personalities, motivations, confidence levels and behavioral triggers require different solutions. What works perfectly for one dog may be ineffective, or even make another dog's behavior worse.

After assessing your dog, we'll design a training program specifically for them, based on over 30 years of professional experience and internationally recognized qualifications. That personalized approach is one of the reasons we're able to achieve such consistently successful results.

Yes. In fact, many dogs benefit from both programs.

The in-home behavior session addresses unwanted behaviors in the environment where they occur, while our Group Obedience & Agility classes develop focus, confidence, reliability and self-control around real-life distractions.

For dogs with aggression issues, the in-home session must always be completed first for everyone's safety.

Ideally, both. Our in-home puppy consultation teaches you how to raise your puppy correctly from day one, helping prevent problems before they develop.

Our Group Obedience & Agility classes then provide confidence building, controlled socialization, obedience and plenty of fun.

Investing in training during your puppy's first year gives you the best chance of enjoying a happy, confident and well-mannered companion for years to come.

Puppies can usually begin one week after receiving their second set of vaccinations. If you're unsure whether your puppy is ready, simply contact us and we'll be happy to advise.

As early as possible. Many owners even book before bringing their puppy home.

The session teaches you what to expect during each stage of development, how to avoid common mistakes and how to build good habits from the very beginning.

No. Behavior problems that occur inside your home need to be addressed where they happen.

Issues such as aggression, resource guarding, jumping, barking, door rushing and destructive behavior are usually linked to communication, leadership and household routines, not obedience exercises.

That's entirely up to you and your goals. A single six-week course provides an excellent foundation in obedience, leash manners and introductory agility.

Many owners continue because they enjoy the classes, while others work towards advanced obedience, AKC titles, or simply want an exceptionally well-trained family dog.

Yes. Our classes run continuously, and new handlers can join at any point. Every dog works at its own level, so nobody is held back or left behind.

Our classes are active, practical and fun. Rather than standing in one place, you'll work through obedience exercises combined with agility equipment that teaches dogs to think, focus and remain under control while enjoying themselves.

Because we train outdoors, your dog learns to work around genuine distractions rather than in an artificial indoor environment.

Our goal is to produce dogs that are calm, reliable and enjoyable to live with. We focus on practical skills that owners use every day, including:

• Reliable recall
• Loose leash walking
• Emergency stops
• Focus around distractions
• Confidence building
• Impulse control

We also offer preparation for AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC), AKC Advanced CGC and AKC Urban CGC.

Please bring:

• Your dog
• A flat collar
• A fixed six-foot leash
• Water and your dog's bowl if possible
• Plenty of enthusiasm

We'll provide the smiles.

We'll happily work with whatever equipment your dog currently uses, but you may see that equipment you currently have can cause problems you were previously unaware of.

Our goal is to teach you the handling skills that allow many dogs to progress without relying on management equipment long term.

Around 10 to 15 minutes each day. Most exercises can simply be incorporated into your daily walk, making training enjoyable while strengthening the bond between you and your dog.

Class sizes vary. If attendance is high, we divide dogs into smaller instructor-led groups to ensure everyone receives plenty of individual attention and practical training time.

Classes normally last one hour, although sessions may be shortened during extreme heat for the safety of both dogs and handlers.

Adult dogs should be up to date with their routine vaccinations and flea and tick prevention. Rabies tags must be worn in accordance with local regulations.

Puppies should have received at least their first two vaccinations before joining group classes.

Yes. Dogs experience different environments every day, so training in different weather conditions is valuable.

Classes will only be cancelled in genuinely dangerous conditions such as lightning, hurricanes or tornado warnings.

Because that's where life happens. Your dog doesn't live inside a training hall.

Training around genuine distractions creates dogs that listen in everyday situations, not just in quiet indoor environments.

Yes. If you wish to train both dogs during the same class, you'll need one handler for each dog. Our secure holding area also allows one dog to rest while the other is training.

No. We actually encourage the whole family to become involved.

Consistency between family members helps your dog learn faster, so everyone is welcome to participate.

Yes. We offer structured Therapy and Service Dog programs with high training standards.

Please visit our Therapy & Service Dog page for full details about training, testing and program requirements.