What happens during the first 1.5-hour private training session?

We’ll talk through what’s been happening, look at your dog’s behaviour in context, identify the most important things to work on, and start practising strategies you can use right away. Because the session takes place in your home and surrounding environment, we can work with the situations you actually deal with day to day.

What kinds of behaviour can we work on during a private session?

Private training can help with leash pulling, barking, reactivity, jumping, fear, difficulty settling, puppy behaviour, recall, resource guarding, problems around visitors, and many other everyday concerns. You don’t need to know exactly what category your dog’s behaviour falls into before booking. 

Do you train my dog, or do you teach me how to train my dog?

Both. I can demonstrate exercises and work directly with your dog, but I also coach you through the process. The goal isn’t for your dog to behave only when I’m there. You should understand what we’re doing and be able to continue it in everyday life.

Can we work on more than one problem during the session?

Certainly! We can discuss everything you’re concerned about and decide what makes the most sense to prioritize. Many behaviours are connected, so working on one part of your dog’s routine will help improve several concerns at once.

What training methods do you use?

I use positive reinforcemend/reward-based, force-free and science-based training. I focus on teaching useful behaviours, helping dogs feel safer and more capable and changing the environment when necessary. I do not use prong collars, shock or e-collars, leash corrections, intimidation or dominance-based training.

What if my dog doesn’t take treats at all or in certain situations?

That’s very useful information! Dogs who normally enjoy food may stop eating when they’re too stressed, excited and/or overwhelmed. Instead of assuming your dog isn’t food motivated, we can adjust the distance, environment, difficulty or reward, and work at a level where they’re better able to learn.

What if my dog is nervous about you coming into the home?

That’s okay. We can adjust how I arrive and interact based on your dog’s comfort level. We may start outside, use a gate or barrier, give your dog more space, or simply let them observe me without pressure. Your dog does not have to greet or interact with me for us to make progress. For extreme cases, a virtual session is also an alternative you can consider. You know your dog best!

Does everyone in my household need to attend?

Family members or other people who regularly handle your dog are encouraged to participate. It can be especially helpful when different people are responding to the same behaviour in different ways.

Is one private training session enough?

Sometimes one session gives someone exactly the direction they needed, while other behaviours benefit from additional coaching and practice. You can start with the initial session without committing to a package, and we can decide afterward whether any follow-up support would be useful.

Will I know what to practise after the session?

100%! You’ll leave with clear priorities and practical things to work on between sessions. I’d rather give you a manageable plan you can actually use in everyday life than overwhelm you with a huge list of exercises.

Can I contact you if I have questions after our session?

I'm counting on it! Ongoing support is part of helping you apply what we worked on once real life starts happening again. If something comes up that requires more hands-on coaching or becomes a separate behaviour issue, we can decide whether a follow-up session would be helpful. The most practical for me is using WhatsApp messages to stay in touch.