How do I get started?
Dog training is incredibly personal. There are so many different ways we live with and work with our dogs. Training is not only an investment in money, but also in time and working on yourself as a person and your dog. For that reason, before working with me I would highly recommend getting familiar with my approach and services to see if I am the right trainer for you. I am not for everyone and that's okay!
I am not a traditional obedience orientated dog trainer. While I can help you and your dog work on obedience, that is most likely not going to be the focus of our working together. I do what is referred to in the dog training industry as relationship based behavior modification. Meaning I am focusing on the relationship you have with your dog and how our relationship affects behavior. My goal is to help people develop awareness and build a better understanding of their dogs, themselves and how to build a mutually beneficial relationship where they are relevant to their dog.
When working with people and their dogs, I will be working on relationship building, relevance, communication, interactions, fulfilling the dog's needs, emotional regulation as well as skill and behavior building (loose leash walking, recall, manners, handling and examination, socialization, obedience, etc.).
There are several ways that you can get started working with me.
First, I would recommend looking over my services, FAQs and videos that go over my approach. This should give you a feel for if I am the right trainer for you or not.
If after looking over this information you are intersted in working with me, I would recommend doing an Introductory Session. I sometimes offer Free Group Introductory Sessions via Zoom, so please check the schedule for that.
In a private Introductory Session, I go over my approach to working with dogs and how that would apply to you and your dog. I ask you questions to get to know you and your dog, answer questions you have, and can give you an idea about how I would work with you moving forward. I can also answer questions on services, etc. at that session. It is a good session to learn more about my approach, how I would help you and if I am the right trainer for you.
Another way to get started working with me is through my Virtual Coaching Program. Through this program I would send you videos that go over my approach and from there we would have a conversation about you and your dog and how my approach could apply to you. We also would jump into helping you and your dog work on skills and and behaviors. This works by sending each other audio and written messages, training hand outs and videos to work together to reach goals.
If you would like, I can also send you a replay of a Free Group Introductory Session.
You can also check out more information on this page, check out my Facebook and Instagram page under Northwoods Canine Connection where I post information as well.
I also offer a free two week trial on my online membership, which allows you to watch training videos and check out training posts to get more familiar with my approach and get training tips.
Once you do an Introductory Session or Coaching Program, you should have a better feel on where to go from there. If you are looking for a one on one approach, we can get that scheduled together. If you are looking for a group session approach, I would start with either my online foundations class or my Life Skills Meet Up, which is a foundation session.
Please look into what services I offer, my availability, what vaccines we require, etc. before setting up a session with me.