Frequently Asked Questions

The initial consultation is a deep dive. We spend most of our time talking — going through your dog's full history, what's been happening, and why it makes sense given everything your dog has experienced. A big part of the session is education. We talk through how your dog is communicating, what's driving the behavior, what realistic change looks like for your specific situation, and what lifestyle adjustments can start making a difference right away. We'll also set up some initial exercises before we wrap up. Afterward, you'll receive a full written report covering everything we discussed so you have something real to reference as you move forward.

The honest answer is that it depends on your dog, the behavior, and how much support you want along the way. The Starter Package works well for less complex behaviors and for owners who feel confident once they have a solid foundation and a plan. The Core Package is built for more complex cases where the behavior is deeply rooted and the work requires more time and support. Some owners also just want someone watching closely every step of the way until they reach their goal — and that is exactly what the Core Package is designed for. If you are unsure, start with the initial consultation. We will talk through your situation together and I will give you my honest recommendation from there.

Absolutely. If you decide during or by the end of your initial consultation that you would like to purchase a package, the consultation fee will be deducted from the package price. There is no pressure to decide before we meet — the consultation is a great opportunity to get a feel for the work and figure out together what level of support makes the most sense for your dog.

There is no single answer to this, and anyone who gives you one is oversimplifying. How quickly things progress depends on a lot of factors — the severity of the behavior, how long it has been happening, your dog's learning history, how consistently you are able to practice, and how well management is in place at home. Some dogs make fast gains. Others need more time. What I can promise is that we will always know why we are doing what we are doing, and that the plan will be built around what is actually realistic for your dog and your life.

That depends on where you and your dog are at. Some owners feel confident enough to continue on their own once they have the foundation and the plan in place. Others want continued support as their dog progresses. If you need more sessions, additional follow-up packages and single sessions are available. We will always have an honest conversation about what makes sense for your specific situation before your package ends.

Not much! You will need a device with a camera and a stable internet connection for the video call. Before your session you will also complete a behavior questionnaire that gives me the background I need to hit the ground running. You will also want to have plenty of small, pea-sized treats on hand — more than you think you will need. The most important thing is that they are high value to your dog, meaning something your dog gets really excited about. Every dog is different, so what counts as high value will vary. A clicker is optional but can be an extremely helpful tool in training — if you have one, have it ready, and if you don't we can talk through whether it makes sense for your dog during the consultation. Other than that, just have your dog nearby and be somewhere you can talk comfortably.

No problem at all. Before our first session, just make sure you have safe treats on hand that work for your dog's specific dietary needs. We can absolutely build value around whatever your dog can safely have — with the right approach, safe food can become highly motivating even if it isn't something your dog has gotten excited about before. If you are unsure what to use, we can talk through it during the consultation.

Truly food-unmotivated dogs are actually pretty rare, but it does happen. If your dog has low food motivation there are things we can do — lifestyle and routine changes that help build food drive, or in some cases we work with toys or other rewards depending on what your dog responds to. Either way it is not a dealbreaker and it is something we can work around together.