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What areas do you service?Both our private training and owner-free adventure trip services area includes: Seattle, Shoreline, Everett, Marysville, Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, and the surrounding area. Areas farther out may potentially be booked for a small additional travel fee. Please contact us for pricing and details. Owner free training walks have a slightly smaller service area that includes: Everett, Marysville, Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Mill Creek, and the surrounding area. Areas farther out may potentially be booked for a small additional travel fee. Please contact us for pricing and details. We also offer virtual training services from the comfort of your own home, no matter where that may be.
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How do I schedule & pay?Each circumstance is unique, and we want to make sure you get the best we have to offer. Start by scheduling a free phone consultation with us here. After you speak with your trainer, we will provide you a link to book and schedule online. If you have other questions, you can contact us here.
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Does training cost more for multiple animals?Nope! Our private lessons are a flat rate regardless of how many animals are involved. In some circumstances, you may get more out of your training by focusing lessons on specific pets, but it entirely depends on what you need help with.
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What if I need to reschedule?Private lessons may be rescheduled with at least 48 hours notice.
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Where will the lesson be?Most private training will take place in the comfort of your own home. For dogs, your neighborhood or nearby parks are also great options. If you live far away or outside our service area, there may be options to meet part way. Owner-free Training Walks are typically in your neighborhood or around your home. Owner-free Adventure Trips are at local hiking trails, beaches, or other natural areas; unless otherwise requested. Our service area includes: Seattle, Shoreline, Everett, Marysville, Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, and the surrounding area. Areas farther out may potentially be booked for a small additional travel fee. Please contact us for pricing and details.
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Do you offer financing?We are proud to offer 0% financing over 4 easy payments through out "Buy Now, Pay Later" providers - Affirm, Klarna, and AfterPay. You can select this option when making a payment. Financing is subject to approval. Check out these helpful links below to see all the terms and conditions of our BNPL providers: https://help.afterpay.com/.../217425866-How-does-Afterpay... https://helpcenter.affirm.com/.../0TO7V000000.../eligibility https://www.klarna.com/.../customer.../who-can-use-klarna/
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Can more than one person attend a lesson?Of course! When possible, we prefer the whole family to be involved, even if you will have different roles in the care of your pet. Consistency is key to training and having everyone attend means everyone can learn directly and there's nothing lost in translation.
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Can my kids attend our lesson?We love for kids to be involved, and definitely welcome them to be a part of the lesson. We want to ensure that everyone involved (both humans and pets) are in a safe and low-stress environment, and are able to focus on the training. If you or your pet find it hard to focus when your kids are involve, it may be best to come without them and pass along the information after the lesson. There may also be certain circumstances where it would be unsafe for children to attend. When in doubt, ask your trainer.
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What should I bring to our lesson?It's great to be prepared! What exactly you need to bring will depend on what type of animal we are working with, and what the lesson goals are. Dogs: - A list of questions you may have, or topics you want to cover. - A way to take notes can be very helpful. - If you have specific video of issues you are having, bring it along. - A hungry dog! Don't starve them, but try not to give them a meal or treats right before your lesson. - Treats! Typically, soft, pea-sized treats work best. It's great to have a high value option (like boiled chicken) for exercises your dog struggles with (such as leash reactivity or recall). - A standard 4'-6' non-retractable leash and non-aversive equipment such as a flat collar, body harness, or head halter. - For certain dogs and circumstances, toys can also be a great training reward; but if your dog can't focus if you have them, it may be best to keep them hidden, or leave them at home. - Water, if training away from your home for an extended period. - A clicker, if you are interested in using one. You can also purchase one directly from your trainer. - Any recent vet records that may be relevant can be sent in advance. Cats: - A list of questions you may have, or topics you want to cover. - A way to take notes can be very helpful. - If you have specific video of issues you are having, bring it along. - Your home environment if often very important to cat behavior; be prepared to show your trainer around your home as needed. - Any recent vet records that may be relevant can be sent in advance.
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What is a clicker and should I use one?A clicker is a small device you press to make a distinct clicking noise. It's a tool you can use to tell your dog "Yes! That's what I wanted!". You initially teach your dog (though cats love clickers too!) that the click means something good. Typically this is done by repetitions of clicking followed immediately be a small treat, but toys can be used as well. Once that association is made and your dog is looking for the treat when they hear the click, you can start to click when they do something you like. For example, if your dog sits instead of jumping on you, click right when it happens and reward them. You can think of the clicker like the button on a camera; you are "capturing a picture" of the behavior you like. Clickers can help train dogs much faster and provide clear communication, but it's certainly not the only way. They do add an additional element to focus on while handling your dog. They are also not beneficial for every dog or situation. Just let us know if you want to use one, if you would prefer not to, or if you have any questions about them.
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I've trained my dog using a prong collar/choke chain/shock collar/leash corrections/etc... Why change?Because you can, and because there's a better way! Aversive training methods "work" because they are either uncomfortable, or outright painful for your dog. Behavioral science clearly shows that while these methods may work to suppress the behavior in the short term, but they do nothing to resolve the underlying issues or emotions involved. It also doesn't feel good to do. It's our belief that your pets should want to work for you, and you will not get that through aversive punishments. These tactics have also been known to have "behavioral fallout", meaning that they may work for a short duration; but they often lead to frustration, negative associations, and even aggressive reactions. Even the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends not using such methods. I would also ask; if that's what you are doing now, has it worked? We often have clients swear by an outdated aversive method, but are seeking training precisely because their dog doesn't listen to them despite those methods. Force-free methods really do work, build stronger relationships, and feel way better for everyone involved!
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When can I start?For training walks; we do require an initial lesson to meet you pet, and discuss training goals. Many clients also use our owner-free services to supplement training packages between lessons. For adventure trips, no meeting is necessary. Just schedule a free consultation with us and we'll give you a call to discuss the details of the trip. We do still require our typical owner and pet paperwork be completed during the process, just so we have a good understanding of your pet's needs and personality.
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What are Owner-free Training Walks?During our owner free training walks, a trainer will come to your home and work directly with your pet to practice and maintain walking skills, typically while the owner is away. They are also great to provide walks and enrichment for dogs that owners are otherwise unable to walk themselves. Owner-free training walks are NOT a training lesson directly with the owner, and therefor the owner is not allowed to attend these services. A follow up report will be sent to you regarding how your pet did during the service. A private training lesson is required before beginning owner-free training walks. Though dogs are the most common, some clients have us work with their cats as well! Our clients typically use this service as a way to get their dog extra practice with leash skills, reactivity, etc. It's also a great way to get them exercise and a mid-day potty break if you are away for an extended period. There are also clients who use these services for dogs that may not be comfortable around strangers, or who may be too reactive for the average dog walker to safely control.
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What are Owner-free Adventure Trips?Our owner-free adventure trips are the perfect way to wear out your dog, and provide tons of enrichment and mental stimulation. We will pick up your dog and take them to nearby hiking trails or similar natural destinations; and let them run, hike, sniff, and play to their hearts content under the direct supervision of our accredited trainers. When possible, we utilize a long line to ensure safety, but allow freedom your dog won't get with just a leash. Our clients often utilize adventure walks as rigorous weekly/monthly exercise, a great alternative to regular dog-walkers, or special occasions for their favorite canine friend! These walks are entirely owner-free, meaning they will be picked up directly by us. Your trainer will also need access to your home via a lockbox, hidden key, or electronic lock. You will receive a post-adventure report about how it went, along with several pictures. Adventure trips last approximately two hours. Please let us know if you have any strict deadlines. *Owner free adventure trips are available in the following locations: Seattle, Shoreline, Everett, Marysville, Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, and the surrounding area. Areas farther out may potentially be booked for a small additional travel fee. Please contact us for pricing and details.
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What areas do you offer owner-free services?Owner-free Training Walks are available in the following locations: Everett, Marysville, Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Mill Creek, and the surrounding area. Areas farther out may potentially be booked for a small additional travel fee. Please contact us for pricing and details. Even though the service area for this service is slightly smaller than that of our private lessons, we sometimes have availability around other lessons or are able to offer walks in other areas for a small travel fee.
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How do you access my home?That's entirely up to you! Our trainers will not keep a key to your home. You must provide us with either the code to a lockbox, the location of a hidden key at your home, the code to an electronic lock, or some other way to access your dog or cat.
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What do I need to prepare?Please provide poop bags and any necessary (non-aversive) equipment such as a leash, collar, harness, etc... as well as any other necessary equipment such as a jacket, boots, muzzle, etc... if using any. If possible, please provide treats your dog enjoys unless we have otherwise discussed not using them. This is especially important for dogs with allergies or special dietary needs.
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