Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started?

The best way to start is to check out the rest of this FAQ page, where your most burning questions are already answered. That way, we can spend our discovery call talking about what matters most.

Once you’ve got the basic info you need, click here to schedule a FREE discovery call. On the discovery call, we’ll learn more about your goals and suggest a training package that suits you and your dog. If you’re ready to start right away, we’ll get you scheduled for your first session, too!

Do you currently offer in-person training?

Yes. We offer group Nose Work and Control Unleashed classes. We also offer in-home private dog training sessions. We update our safety protocols, including mask guidelines, according to CDC and facility recommendations.

Do you offer virtual training?

Yes. We have a virtual Intro to Nose Work course available for anyone who prefers to train at home or can’t find an in-person class that works with their schedule.

What is your training philosophy?

We believe in using humane, force-free methods of training that promote a lasting bond between you and your dog that’s based on respect—not fear. This means we won’t use pain, fear, or intimidation to change your dog’s behavior. Force-free positive reinforcement training is proven to be effective for dogs and makes the process more fun for their people, too. Click here to learn more about our training methods.

Do you offer classes for reactive dogs?

Yes. We’ve had great success using force-free positive reinforcement training to build confidence and social skills in reactive dogs in our Done-For-You Day Training Package.

We also offer a group class called Control Unleashed that allows you to train your dog to slowly adapt to the presence of other dogs, in a controlled, step-by-step manner that is both safe and fun. If you think this might be a good fit for your dog, click here to schedule a discovery call with us.

Do you offer a guarantee?

No. Dogs are individual beings with a personality and free will, much like people. Just like a school can’t guarantee that a student will get straight A’s and admission to an Ivy League college, there is no ethical way to guarantee a specific behavioral outcome for any dog. 

Here’s what we do promise. We’ll give you the training, the tools, and the support you’ll need to be successful. At the end of the day, it’s the time you spend putting our lessons into practice that has the most impact.

What’s your cancellation policy?

Group Classes:

For our group classes, you may cancel your registration for a refund no later than 7 days prior to the start date of class.

Private Day Training:

Consistent training is vital to your dog’s success. Because consistency is so important—and because we want you to see results in a timely manner—we try to stick to our session schedule as closely as possible. This allows us to better achieve your training goals and maximize your investment. It also lets us help other clients who are waiting for their turn to train!

You can reschedule one training session included in your package no later than 72 hours ahead of the scheduled session. However, if you cancel within 72 hours or miss a session, we must charge a $155 cancellation fee since it’s too late for someone else to use that time slot. Of course, we know that unforeseen emergencies can happen! We’ll handle those on a case-by-case basis. 

What’s included in the discovery call?

The free discovery call is an opportunity for us to meet and see if we’d be a good fit. We’ll want to hear more about you, your dog, and your goals—but it isn’t a consulting call. The goal is to get your basic questions answered, and to suggest a training package that suits your needs. 

Why does Private Day Training work better than one on one coaching?

One-on-one coaching is less about training your dog and more about teaching you to be a trainer, which takes time and skill development on your part. Beginning trainers often make common mistakes that can delay your dog’s progress, leaving you frustrated and anxious in the meantime. With Done-For-You Day Training, we do the foundational work for you, so you can focus on loving your dog while we focus on the training. Weekly transfer sessions teach you only what you need to know to keep these behaviors going in real life. This format takes the pressure off and gets you to the end result—enjoying life with a well-behaved dog—more quickly.

Which Private Day Training package should I choose?

It depends on the issue(s) you’re struggling with most. We always recommend focusing on your most important training goal first. 

• If your biggest headache is your dog pulling on leash, we recommend starting with our Loose Leash Walking package. 
• If they bark and lunge at others on walks, start with our On-Leash Reactivity package.
• New puppy? We have two different puppy packages to choose from. The Premium Puppy is the most thorough, focusing on all the most important behaviors for your puppy to learn. 
• If your challenges are more about basic obedience issues like jumping, not coming when called, door dashing, etc., check out our 3- and 4-week basic obedience packages. Depending on the problem, 3 weeks of work can provide resolution. The 4-week package is best if you have several challenging issues. 

Still not sure? Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call and we’ll help you find the best solution for you!

What can I expect from my initial consultation?

Since discovery calls are short, our initial consultation session is all about getting to know you and your dog. We’ll set clear expectations for success, share details on how training will work, and outline our strategy for achieving your goals. Where appropriate, we’ll observe the challenging behaviors you want to change. We’ll also focus heavily on knowledge-building and teach you a management plan that will provide immediate relief, save your sanity, and set your dog up for success.

TL;DR: We’ll lay a strong foundation for training and answer all your questions in the initial consultation. The actual training starts in Session 1 of your training package.

How many sessions do I need?

That’s a tough question to answer without knowing more about you and your dog! We’ll chat about it in our discovery call. But we can tell you up front that you’ll need more than one, which is why we offer specific training packages. Training your dog is like sending them to school; they won’t learn it all on the first day. It takes time and practice for them (and for you) to pick up a new skill and adopt new behavior.

That said, simple obedience is easier than major behavior modification, so it will depend on your dog, your goals, and how much you implement the management and training strategies we provide.

How should I prepare for a private session?

For Day Training sessions, it’s best if your dog is at least a little hungry. Why? We want them motivated to learn! We use yummy food treats to reward your dog for desirable behaviors, and they’ll be a lot more excited if they’re hungry. 

Before transfer sessions (our weekly “handoff” to you), it’s helpful if your dog is exercised beforehand. This way, they’re less likely to be rowdy and more likely to focus on the task at hand: showing off their new skills! (But don’t worry about exercising your dog before standard day training sessions. That’s one of the perks of day training—we’ll tire them out for you!)

*Note: If your dog is wary of strangers, please tell us before we arrive for our initial consultation. This gives us time to plan ahead for a positive first impression.

I want the most effective private training for my dog. How do I get started?

If you have questions or want to chat with us before enrolling, click here to schedule a free 15-minute discovery call.

Otherwise, your first step is to complete the Initial Consult Request Form. A certified trainer will reach out within 1-2 business days to schedule a your initial consultation or ask you for more information if needed. Initial consults run 75 minutes in the comfort of your own home. Cost is $225– if you move forward with a day training package, this fee rolls into the cost of your package. See the list of available packages below:

Where are in-person training sessions held?

Private sessions can be done at your home or in different public settings like parks, depending on what we’re working on.

Our service area includes: Thornton, Brighton, Northglenn, Ft. Lupton, Hudson, Keenesburg, Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, Englewood, Aurora, Centennial, Greenwood Village, and Sheridan as well as select parts of Westminster, Broomfield, Erie, and Arvada for in-person sessions. 

Group class locations