Private Dog Training with a built-in Jumpstart
Mischief, managed.
End the “Am I doing this right?” spiral.
You’ve read the blogs, bought the gear, and begged your dog to “please just walk like a normal dog today.”
Still: Leash pulling. Barking. Lunging after squirrels.
You’re not failing. You’re just trying to do something really hard… alone.
Enter: The Friend for Life Training Method
Dogs learn best with expert help—but the real magic happens when you learn together. We handle the tricky first reps and teach you the skills, understanding, and confidence to keep the wins coming.
Day one momentum
We lay the foundation for new behavior so you don’t have to start from scratch (or Google “how to stop dog jumping” after 10 p.m.).
Clarity > guesswork
YouTube videos aren’t a training strategy. We’ll give you a personalized plan for faster learning and skills that stick.
Ongoing support
Day training meets hands-on coaching. You’ll learn how your dog thinks and how to keep progress going once we’re gone.
How Friend for Life Training Works
Lay the groundwork
Video series + live kickoff session
You’ll start with our Bite-Size Basics video training series—short, practical videos that deliver real-world wins, so you don’t have to wait to find relief.
Then we’ll meet for your 90-minute kickoff session, where we’ll:
Get to know you and your dog
Talk through what’s working, what’s not, and your training goals
Share some quick wins you can use right away to make life easier
Build a customized training plan that feels doable and grounded in real life
Get expert instruction
Day training + hands-on coaching
This is where we take the leash! While you’re at work (or just catching your breath), we’ll come to your home and work directly with your dog to build their skills, reduce stress behaviors, and get them learning in their real-world environment.
Every training package includes both trainer-led sessions and hands-on coaching sessions where you step in and practice together as a team.
By the time we’re done working together, you’ll understand your dog better and have the tools to keep the momentum going in your everyday life.
Keep it going
Trainer on Retainer
Once we’ve built a foundation with live sessions, we’ll support you virtually with video reviews and ongoing 1-on-1 coaching so we can:
Fine-turn your dog’s progress
Apply your new skills in the wild (aka your actual routines)
Answer your, “Okay, but what do I do when…” questions
Make sure you feel confident and supported, not stuck
Patrice was a godsend for our anxious puppy.
Maeve hardly slept and was constantly getting into trouble. Patrice had such a wonderful technique for getting our puppy to like her crate that was different from all other advice I received. Patrice’s method was the only one that worked! She gave us achievable goals and homework that we were easily able to do outside of training sessions, and helped build the trust bond between us and our puppy.
Friend for Life Training with Patrice was one of the best things we ever did for our family!
We needed help for our adolescent puppy with loose leash walking and overall impulse control. I was so overwhelmed with all the training advice out there and hesitant about how prepared my husband and I would feel to continue with the training. Not only have we seen great progress in Maisey’s behavior, but we’re so much more confident in our toolbox and Maisey’s continued growth. Our friends have commented on how much growth they’ve seen in both our dogs when they come over!
What we work on (together)
The Friend for Life Training Method isn’t about “fixing” your dog. It’s about teamwork.
Basic obedience: sit, down, stay, come when called, wait at the door, settle on a mat, etc.
“Rowdies”: impulse control, jumping on guests, chewing furniture, barking at the wind
Puppy life skills
Leash reactivity
Loose leash walking
Friend for Life Training is perfect if:
You’re busy, but still want to be involved in your dog’s training
You want expert help building good habits and clear guidance on how to keep them going
You want to learn with and understand your dog, not just “fix” behaviors
You want to give your dog a mid-day brain + body workout
It's probably not a fit if:
You’re hoping for a magic fix with no effort (training is a team sport, and you’re a critical part of the team)
Your dog has an extreme fear of strangers (they need to engage with us to learn)
You’re dealing with separation anxiety or fear-based behaviors that require a longer-term plan
There’s ongoing conflict between dogs or people in your household (though we’re happy to refer someone great—just ask!)
What's Included in Our Training Packages?
Every Friend for Life Training Package includes…
A personalized training plan built around your dog’s needs, quirks, and real-life routines
Two trainer-led sessions each week: We work directly with your dog to build key skills and get the reps in
Hands-on coaching sessions: This is where you step in for real-life practice, so you always know how to reinforce what your dog learned
Email and text support between sessions to answer questions, celebrate wins, and keep you on track
In-depth video reviews and feedback to fine-tune your training skills as you learn
Trainer on Retainer membership access for ongoing support after your package ends
The first step is a free 15-minute call with your trainer to see if we’re a good fit.
Starter Package
Start here if you want to get a feel for the process before you commit. While our Friend for Life Training packages are a deeper dive and provide the best value, this Starter Package can offer quick relief for your biggest training challenges.
What's included:
- Lifetime access to our Bite-Size Basics video series
- 90-minute kickoff session
- Four (4) in-person coaching sessions
- Email, text + video reviews between sessions
Investment: $1,180
Best Friend Basics
This is the go-to package if you’re feeling stuck with your training or just want to stop yelling “stop that!” every 8 seconds. We’ll help your dog build the skills that make everyday life easier, like polite greetings and not treating the leash like an all-out game of tug. Perfect for new dogs and basic manners or home skills.
What's included:
- Lifetime access to our Bite-Size Basics video series
- 90-minute kickoff session
- Six (6) trainer-led sessions to teach your dog new skills (2 sessions per week)
- Six (6) in-person coaching sessions where you step in to learn (1 per week during trainer-led instruction + 3 additional weeks customized to your schedule)
- Email, text + video reviews between sessions
- 1 month of Trainer on Retainer membership
3 monthly Payments of $995
Best Friend Basics + Premium Sample Behaviors
Here are the behaviors the Friend for Life Training Method is best suited for. Don’t see your trouble spot? Schedule a free call to ask if it’s a good fit.
- Basic obedience (sit, down, stay, etc)
- Jumping/polite greetings
- Come when called
- Pulling on leash
- Off-leash skills
- Door dashing
- Prey drive
- Excessive barking
- Crate training
- Body handling (if uncomfortable or uncooperative)
On-Leash Reactivity
Your dog has a heart of gold. You see it at home, when no one else is around. But in public, it’s all barking, lunging, pulling, and embarrassment that you’re dragging a full-blown chaos monster all over the neighborhood. They’re not “bad,” they’re overwhelmed—and so are you. This package is all about building calm, confidence, and connection so you and your dog feel safe out in the world. Perfect for dogs with big feelings who lunge, bark, and lose their minds at triggers.
What's included:
- Lifetime access to our Bite-Size Basics video series
- 90-minute kickoff session
- Eight (8) trainer-led sessions to teach your dog new skills (2 sessions per week)
- Seven (7) in-person coaching sessions where you step in to learn (1 per week during trainer-led instruction + 3 additional weeks customized to your schedule)
- Email, text + video reviews between sessions
- 1 month of Trainer on Retainer membership
3 Monthly Payments of $1,205
By the end of our 4-week training package, Nash was far more comfortable with people.
Patrice was a huge help with my golden retriever puppy, Nash! He can be a little nervous when meeting new people and she came up with a great solution, building on skills he had some background with. She trained him (and me) to allow greetings to be his choice in a fun and comfortable way for both of us! She worked at his pace and was very understanding of his needs/limits.
I feel very equipped with the right tools to continue training.
I came to Patrice because I was feeling so defeated and frustrated. I had no idea how to handle and support my very reactive 2-year-old dog. From our very first session, Patrice showed so much kindness and empathy; I always knew Jade was in great hands. I learned SO much during our time together, and Jade has made so much progress. I can now walk both of my dogs at the same time on leash and Jade’s reactivity has greatly improved. Patrice has truly changed our lives.
Understand why your dog does what they do—and how to respond in a way that makes both your lives better.
Dogs don’t come with an instruction manual, and training can feel like one more thing you’re stuck figuring out on your own. But you don’t have to be a dog expert to be a great dog parent.
We’ll handle the hard part, coach you through the important part, and give you all the tools you need to build a better life together.
Not seeing a package to fit your needs? Schedule a free discovery call and let’s chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does The Friend for Life Training Method 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 Friend for Life Training, we do the foundational work for you, so you can focus on loving your dog while we focus on the training. Weekly coaching 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.
Why do the packages cost so much?
We believe in delivering lasting results and in setting you and your dog up for lifelong success. Changing behavior patterns takes time, repetition, and skill, which we provide in our training packages. We visit your dog multiple times each week to give them the practice they need to internalize new skills, and we also have a weekly coaching sessions with you to make sure you can keep up with your dog’s improvements. On top of that, we don’t want to say goodbye as soon as things are going well! We include additional coaching sessions + our Trainer on Retainer membership after the day training is complete to ensure your dog’s new manners stick and to work out any challenges that might pop up.
In short: we’re doing the hard part for you so you can skip to the good part—an enjoyable relationship with your delightful dog! We have payment plans available if you need to break up the cost over several months.
What is your cancellation policy?
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 the full session 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.
Can I be involved in the training sessions?
The Friend for Life Training Method takes the guesswork out of training because we jumpstart it for you! The goal is to make training as efficient and effective as possible. We find that a working session between just the trainer and dog, without distraction from the owner, is most effective for your dog’s learning process.
However, you can watch the training sessions if you wish. The trainer will focus entirely on your dog, though; they won’t be able to answer questions or explain what they are doing. All of the information you need will be communicated during our weekly coaching sessions, when we’ll answer your questions and teach you everything you need to know. Make no mistake—you are an important part of your dog’s continued success. We need your involvement in the weekly coaching sessions to really make the training stick!
Which 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 challenges are more about basic obedience issues like learning sit, down, stay, coming when called, door dashing, etc. we recommend starting with our Best Friend Basics package.
- If your biggest headache is more complex like adolescent rowdies, leash pulling, prey drive issues, etc., check out our Best Friend Premium package.
- If they bark and lunge at others on walks, start with our On-Leash Reactivity package.
Still not sure? Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call and we’ll help you find the best solution for you!
Can I get away with less expensive training options?
We often see people wanting to find the cheapest way to get training results. And hey, we get it—who doesn’t want to save some money? The Friend for Life Training Method is not a cheap fix; it’s an investment in quality of life for you and your dog.
After over a decade of training experience, we truly believe that Friend for Life Training is the most efficient and effective way to reach your training goals. We’ve seen so many clients struggle to become trainers during one-on-one coaching—and while some of them have gotten results, we’ve found a better way that helps dogs learn faster with less stress on their humans. (Also, you get what you pay for. If you’d found success in free online videos or low-cost options, you wouldn’t be here!)
I want the most effective 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. We start with a call to move forward with any package to answer any questions and help guide you to the package most appropriate for your training goals.
If you decide we're the right fit, we'll get scheduled for the package and collect payment on the call. Payment plans in 2 or 3 month installments are available if needed. You'll get set up in our system, receive access to our Bite-Size Basics video series, and get info about how to prepare for our kickoff session.
Kickoff sessions run ~90 minutes in the comfort of your home. We’ll meet you and your dog in person, suggest a training plan based on your goals, and cover the steps you can take to start shifting your dog’s behavior right away. If we've got time, we'll even start an easy training game or two.
Also included with your package is Bite-Size Basics, a short video training series. These short training videos will kickstart the knowledge and tools you need for long-term success, including:
- Why your dog does what they do
- How dogs learn
- How you affect your dog’s behavior (even if you don’t realize it)
- Core strategies to start changing your dog’s behavior today
Peace, not perfection.
Ready to go from a titanium leash and a white-knuckle death grip to enjoyable walks with your best friend?
Patrice serves North Denver, Thornton, Brighton, Northglenn, and select parts of Westminster, Broomfield and Erie.
