Why should I train my dog?
What methods do you use?
Why can't I housetrain my puppy?
At what age should I begin training my puppy?
Is there an extra charge for a second dog?
How long will it take to train my dog?
Can you help with an aggressive dog?
Do you guarantee results?
Q: Why should I train my dog?
A: Training opens the line of communication between you and your dog and teaches what's expected of them. Think of it as learning a new language that you both understand. It establishes trust and creates and bond between the two of you.
And in practical terms it protects your shoes, floors, furniture, garden and your sanity!
Q: What methods do you use?
A: We use positive motivation and positive reinforcement and gentle correction where appropriate. Some of the best trainers including Cesar Milan agree that all-positive training without any correction is an ineffective marketing gimmick. We do not believe in the use of verbal/physical abuse or shock collars.
Q: Why can't I housetrain my puppy?
A: Assuming your puppy is in good health, one of the most common mistakes is the lack of a strict regiment. Puppies need a schedule and supervision. Housetraining requires patience, consistency and boundaries. We've helped many frustrated pet parents over the years with their puppies and rescues.
Q: At what age should I begin training my puppy?
A: We recommend starting between 6-8 weeks and will adjust our training sessions to be mindful of their short attention spans. The important thing to bear in mind is that your dog starts learning from the moment they enter your home. Make sure they are learning the right things!
Q: Is there an extra charge for a second dog?
A: There is no extra charge to teach them together but we will require you to be present. There needs to be one human for each dog. In fact, we encourage everyone in the household to be a part of our efforts!
Q: How long will it take to train my dog?
A: Again, this is not a question that is the same for everyone. Different dogs learn differently, just like children. This is why we start off with a health and behavioral assessment and the customize our methods accordingly. On average, basic obedience requires at least 3 sessions.
Q: Can you help with an aggressive dog?
A: We certainly hope so, we understand the enormous challenge and risk associated with a dog's aggressive behavior. However these cases are highly nuanced, can involve health issues as well as behavior and are outside the scope of this FAQ so we ask that you contact us and let us advise and consult on a one-on-one basis.
Q: Do you guarantee results?
A: We offer lifetime support but we do not guarantee results. Any trainer that does is not only doing you a disservice but has violated the American Pet Dog Trainer Association's (APDT) code of ethics which states: "Members refrain from giving guarantees regarding the outcome of training, because there is no sure way to guarantee the cooperation and performance of all parties involved and because the knowledge of animal behavior is incomplete."
Be sure to click here and check out our latest blog post by Alpha's behavioral experts.







