FAQ
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD I BEGIN TRAINING MY DOG?
Proactive training is best. Training a puppy or new dog should start as soon as you bring your canine home. It doesn’t matter if your canine is eight weeks or eight years. Prevent behavior problems before they start. Training isn’t merely obedience, teach your new canine companion manners such as no jumping on people, relaxation protocols, waiting through doorways, patience for the food bowl to be placed on the floor, and more.
WHAT LOCATIONS DO YOU SERVE?
Services are available by appointment only. Train Loyal Companions, LLC provides services in the comfort of your home or community in Monroe County, Indiana. Also serving Brown County, Green County, Jackson County, Lawrence County, Marion County, Morgan County, and Owen County. All travels outside of Monroe County will include a travel fee.
IS PRIVATE TRAINING RIGHT FOR ME?
Dogs learn best in their home environment because it is mostly free of outside disruptions and distractions. We often start training services at your home to better build foundation training and help you address and redirect any behavior concerns in the locations they occur. Once your dog has a solid foundation, we will work with you and your dog outside your home and in the community around a variety of distractions. Train Loyal Companions’ individualized training programs focus on aspects specific to your dog rather than waiting for others in a group class. Get 100% personalized attention, dog training, and a customized behavior modification plan for a certified professional dog trainer that set you up for success.
Benefits of private dog training include but are not limited to:
Start at home, a setting your dog can handle the environmental stimulation and therefore can better learn
Private training easily allows an owner and her dog to address training goals that are specific and personally tailored to the owner, the dog, and the home environment
Tailored training to curb embarrassing and annoying hound habits like barking, counter surfing, jumping on people, whining, and begging for attention
Private in-home training can help you excel in group training by developing foundation obedience and manners first
Get homework and training support that is addressed to your specific needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach
Multiple dogs, no problem! In-home training can address multiple pet household issues, too
Learn tools and techniques to address concerning behaviors and modification techniques addressing fear, anxiety, reactivity, and aggression
Flexible scheduling to fit your busy schedule. Plus, the trainer comes to you!
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL IT TAKE? HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BOOK TRAINING SESSIONS?
All dogs are not the same, so we vary our approach based on each dog's personality and temperament. We vary each dog training plan to best suit the family's specific needs and lifestyle. How often we meet for training is completely up to you and very much depends on your overall training goals. The more complex the goals and behavior problem the longer it will take. If you are working on teaching basic manners and obedience, meeting twice a month for six months or more is ideal. Most clients prefer to meet weekly when working on advanced training skills and behavior modification, as this training will typically require a very involved and dedicated training plan. The best part about private in-home training, the schedule is completely customizable!
WHAT DOES THE TRAINING PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
We recommend pet parents be involved in as much of the training process as possible. In training sessions, we will explain the concept or skill, demonstrate it for you, then let you take the leash and coach you through training your dog. You should practice the skills you learn in your sessions as often as possible and incorporate them into your daily life for the best behavioral results. However, if time or lifestyle constraints prevent you from training as much as you want or need, you can book a professional handling session and we will train your pup to work on the goals you list. You will also receive a comprehensive program plan to help you and your family implement the training in your home.
I HAVE MULTIPLE COMPANION ANIMALS. WILL YOU HELP ME WITH MORE THAN ONE PET?
Yes! We charge based on the hour, so we commonly split sessions in half to work with multiple companion animals in one session.
WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING METHODS & EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
Train Loyal Companions, LLC uses only science-based, force-free, positive reinforcement training techniques. We strive to regularly continue our education and use only the most humane and scientifically supported methods. We do not, and will not, use any methods or tools that intentionally cause discomfort, fear, stress, or pain. We do not promote the use of training equipment or techniques using force and pain including shock collars, citronella spray collars, choke chains, or pronged collars. These methods are not only outdated and inhumane but can cause serious physical and emotional harm to your dog and create more behavior issues. If you have used these methods in the past and would like to take a different and more humane approach, reach out for a consult. We are not here to judge, but we are here to educate.
WHAT IS CLICKER TRAINING?
Because it can be difficult to accurately time the treat so that our dogs make the connection between their action and receiving the reward, we can use a secondary reinforcement. Secondary reinforcement is used to bridge the time between the behavior and the delivery of the reward. The most common and effective secondary reinforcements is a marker words, such as “yes” and clickers. We can quickly deliver a well-timed “yes” and a click within a second of our dog performing the desired behavior. This quick and clear message helps dogs learn effectively and quickly! Using a unique, consistent, audible secondary reinforcement, such as a click and “yes”, establishes a very clear message of approval. You should first teach the dog that clicks or “yes” equals good things before you use the secondary reinforcement in training. Clicker training is based on the learning process of classical conditioning.
HOW DO I GET TRAINING SERVICES SCHEDULED?
To begin services, we recommend booking a consultation. Click on the “contact us” button below to tell us about your dog and training goals. You may also email us. Please allow up to three business days for us to review your information and respond with scheduling options.
We are a small business, and every appointment makes a big difference. We look forward to hearing from you!