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Training Services

Private Training / Behavioral Consultations              

Private training sessions are customized to fit the needs of you and your dog.  They provide flexiblity for fitting into busy schedules and we can focus on the skills that are most important to you and your dog.  We can work on anything from puppy socialization to basic obedience to behavioral problems.  During the first session we discuss your goals and priorities and we also observe and evaluate any issues that you might be having with your dog.  This will enable us to come up with a customized training plan for accomplishing your goals which will be given to you in written form after the first visit.  During the initial visit we also discuss basic training theory and how dogs learn.  The number of sessions needed will depend on your goals for your dog, the severity of any behavioral problems, and the amount of time you spend working with your dog on a regular basis.  It is our job to teach you the techniques needed to train and effectively communicate with your dog.  It is your job to put the effort in every day to achieve your goals and modify your dog's behavior. 

 Puppy Training

The first 16 weeks of your puppy's life are the most influential time.  Private lessons will get you and your puppy off to a great start so your puppy will grow into a well-mannered adult dog.  Socialization is the most important aspect to puppy training and we will show you how to properly socialize your puppy with other dogs, people, sites, and sounds.  We will teach you how to properly communicate with your puppy and how to prevent and deal with common puppy behaviors like nipping/mouthing, jumping, chewing, barking, and of course, housetraining.  Basic manners such as walking nicely on a leash, sit, down, stay, and come when called will also be covered.

 Basic Training

This can be tailored to each individual and we focus on what is important to you and your dog.  This can include basic manners such as sit, down, stay, and leave it and we can also show you how to teach your dog to walk nicely on leash (heel) and to reliably come when called.  Many adult dogs also have some behavioral problems that we can discuss and develop a plan to remedy.  Chewing and barking are the two biggest reasons adult dogs get surrendered by owners to shelters.  These are normal dog behaviors that are just occurring inappropriately or excessively.  We can show you how to modify and manage these and other common behavioral problems.          

Behavioral Consultations

More severe behavioral problems including aggression (dog to dog and dog to people), separation anxiety, and food/object guarding take a considerable amount of time and effort on the part of the trainer and owner.  These types of issues are often complex and there is no quick fix.  During the initial visit we will discuss the issues extensively and observe and evaluate your dog.  We will also answer your questions and discuss your priorities.  Then we will work together to come up with a plan to improve your dog's behavior.  These types of behavioral problems often require several sessions and we recommend follow-up sessions every few months to help to maintain any progress that has been made.  In some cases, we may refer you to another trainer after the initial consultation. 

Cost :

Initial Consultation (usually 1.5-2 hours):

0-30 miles*:         $110

 

Follow-up Sessions (1 hour):
 
0-30 miles*:          $80

 *There is a fee for travel farther than 30 miles.  Mileage is based on the distance from Plainville, CT to your house.  Contact us for details.

 

Discounts:

- Packages of 5 or more sessions (paid up front) will be 10% off!

- If you have taken  a group class from us in the past year, take $10 off per session!

 

 

Group Classes                                               

 Puppy Preschool    $140 / 7 wks
 
Classes held at Beckett and Associates Veterinary Services, LLC at 1269 Main St. Glastonbury, CT 06062 and also at Wags- A Playcare for Dogs at 648 Oakwood Ave. West Hartford, CT  860-970-3023.
 
 Dogs DO NOT attend the first class.  It is an informational class for the owners and their families only.
 
This 7 week long class is for puppies 8-16 weeks old.  Socialization is THE most important aspect of training a young puppy.  Before your puppy is 16 weeks old he should be exposed to anything and everything that you can expose him to in a positive way.  This class will teach you how to properly socialize your puppy and we will expose him to a variety of people, dogs, objects, and experiences.  The puppies will also have at least 15 minutes of play time in each class and basic skills will be introduced in a fun way.  This includes sit, down, stay, come, loose leash walking, leave it, and drop it.  Housetraining, chewing, nipping, jumping, barking, and other common puppy problems will be addressed.  And, of course, there will be plenty of time to answer any and all of your questions.  During the last class your puppy will have the opportunity to take the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Test.  Passing this test is a good goal to work towards throughout the class and is the first step toward ensuring that your puppy will be a well-mannered canine citizen.
 
Intermediate Skills             $140 / 7 wks
 
**Prerequisite- Puppy Preschool, Basic Skills or other equivalent class (approved by the trainer).  Must have a basic understanding of clicker/marker based positive training**
 
This class is only held at Wags-A Playcare for Dogs at 648 Oakwood Ave. West Hartford, CT  (860) 970-3023.
 
 Dogs DO NOT attend the first class.  It is an informational class for the owners and their families only.
 
This is a 7 week long class that expands on what you and your dog learned in Puppy Preschool or Basic Skills class.  We will start to proof your dog's skills by adding more distractions and distance to their stays, recalls, and loose leash walking.  You will also learn about some fun dog sports and how to teach tricks to make training fun for you and your dog.  We will also discuss the Canine Good Citizen test.
 
 Tricks Class       $120 / 6wks
 
 **Clicker Training experience a plus, but not necessary**
 
 This class is only held at Wags-A Playcare for Dogs at 648 Oakwood Ave. West Hartford, CT  (860) 970-3023.
Please contact us for a schedule of classes.
 
Tricks class is a 6 week long class and your dogs DO attend the first class with you.  You will have lots of FUN with your dog learning how to teach a variety of tricks such as spin, shake, say your sorry, sit pretty, sneeze, crawl, take a bow, and MANY MORE!  You  will also learn a lot about how to shape behavior and get your dog to love training!

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