Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most common questions we get from potential clients who are signing up for a program. If you have a question you cannot find here feel free to contact us.

General Information

AM I THE RIGHT DOG TRAINER FOR YOU? ARE YOU THE RIGHT CLIENT FOR ME?

Like any professional relationship, compatibility is essential for long-term success. In choosing a dog trainer, owners and professionals must be on the same page and have the same understanding and expectations regarding methods, tools, results, and trainer and owner involvement.

When hiring us, you must be willing and ready to spend time on homework throughout the day. You will be asked not only to find time for some formal training sessions daily, but you may be asked to slow down your routine and change the way you interact with your dog. If you are looking to improve your dog's behavior, that change starts with you.

A total commitment is the only way to achieve and maintain success. What does this mean in regards to dog training? In recent decades, some dog trainers have successfully made their way to the TV screen. While many of them are fantastic trainers and dog handlers, unfortunately, television programming runs on a rigorous time-schedule. Television editing portrays the dog training process as a singular event. This couldn't be farther from the truth. The dog training process is a series of many formal sessions and real-world lessons that build off of one another like the bricks of a skyscraper. We refer to this as incremental learning, and this is how habits are formed and how behaviors become the most reliable long-term. The best dog trainers spend the most time on the small, individual steps of creating new behaviors. This is why commitment is so important. There are no quick fixes in behavior modification, and there is no teaching a new behavior overnight. Learning is a process, and we must be committed to seeing our dogs and ourselves through this process.

A note on methods: I am a balanced dog trainer. This means that we use rewards to motivate and teach your dog new behaviors and practice and maintain wanted behaviors. When your dog fully understands a behavior and the expectation but the dog repeatedly chooses not to do what is asked, we decide if correction is necessary to get the dog back on track. A correction can be verbal, spatial, the removal of a reward, or a form of physical touch. The correction depends on how well the dog understands the expectations, how well the dog knows the behavior, and how important is it that your dog reliably performs that behavior in a real-world situation. In most cases, we use corrections on dogs that are more advanced in training. However, we will also correct some behaviors right away that may be dangerous to the dog, people, or property. When we work to change a behavior, we always teach the dog what it is we want them to do instead so that we can create a new pattern of behavior.

WHEN SHOULD I SEEK HELP FROM A PROFESSIONAL PET DOG TRAINER?

The best time to contact a professional pet dog trainer is before the problems start. Of course, this is often not the case. But it is highly recommended that owners seek help as early as possible before the dog develops worsening habits by repeatedly practicing unwanted behaviors. The sooner we start working on the problem, the less time it takes to fix the problem, the easier it is and the less money you have to spend. If you are considering working with a professional dog trainer, the best time is NOW!

DO YOU WORK WITH AGGRESSIVE DOGS?

Yes. Very often fear, frustration, high arousal, and prey drive are confused with aggression. Aggression is not a personality or inherent trait, but rather a behavioral response to perceived internal or external conflict. Simply put, aggressive behavior is a symptom of a deeper-rooted problem.

While I will work with dogs with bite histories and have had great success with many cases involving aggression, there are some cases that are too extreme to work through effectively in our small-scale training program. However, that does not mean I can’t offer some help with private coaching and in-home guidance. We can always make improvements and I can also refer clients to other trainers that are more set-up for safe handling of aggressive dogs.

Training plans and options are decided on a case-by-case basis. Please fill out our Sign Up Form to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.

DO YOU TRAIN OR WORK WITH SERVICE DOGS?

Dogs Decoded does not do any training for service dogs, therapy dogs, seeing eye dogs, or emotional support dogs. This training is very technical and specific, and most qualified service dogs begin training and socialization at just a few weeks old.

WHAT TYPES OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT? 

You can pay with a check, or major credit card (Visa, Master Card, and Discover). Payments must be made in full before programs begin.

Clients that pay with a Credit or Debit card may be charged a transaction fee. 

Dogs Decoded does not accept cash.

ARE THERE SALES TAXES?

In the state of Minnesota, a sales tax is required for any daycare or boarding services and retail products, but private training and remote coaching services are not subject to sales taxes.

DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS FOR TWO DOGS?

When you pay for a private lesson(s) you are paying for time. You may choose to use that time however you wish. In some cases, “sibling” sharing programs work out just fine, while in others it is best if they work in separate training programs. It really depends on the dogs as individuals and the issues we are working on. We will suggest what we think is best, but it is up to you as the owner to decide if you want your dogs to share a private lesson program or pay for separate lessons. Depending on your decision, results may vary.

DO I HAVE TO BUY TRAINING TOOLS FROM YOU?

Owners are welcome to shop through stores and the internet for training tools or accessories if they choose. However, most clients choose to purchase items from us for the convenience and the assurance that they are not purchasing a knock-off brand or lower quality items.

DO YOU HAVE A GUARANTEE?

No. The success of any training program truly lies in the hands of those who work and live with the dog long term. Training a dog never ends. There will always be changes and challenges that owners encounter. It is our job to teach you how to work through present training obstacles and give you the tools to tackle obstacles in the future.

Private Lesson Programs

HOW LONG ARE PRIVATE SESSIONS?

Private lessons do not have a time limit but usually last around 90 minutes.

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL A SESSION?

If clients cancel a session, the session will be rescheduled if there is an opening available. If openings are not available, an additional week will be added to the program.

Outside of COVID-related reasons, there is a limit of 2 weeks add to any program due to last-minute cancellations.

If a session is canceled by Dog Decoded, it will be rescheduled if opens are available or an additional week will be added to your training program.

SHOULD I CANCEL IF MY DOG IS SICK OR GETS INJURED?

Yes. If you feel your dog is not 100% healthy you should let us know and we will skip the session and add on an additional week to your program.

WHAT IF I HAVE TO STOP MY TRAINING PROGRAM?

If expended circumstances force you to cancel your program please let us know as soon as possible. Your program payment is good for 1 year. This means, for example, if you pay in the month of October, you have until October of the following year before you have to purchase another program. 

DO YOU REQUIRE THE USE OF TOOLS ON EVERY CLIENT DOG IN YOUR PRIVATE LESSONS? 

No one is required to use any training equipment, however, the success of a training program depends on your skill as a handler. Tools make handling easier. Some tools are highly recommended and will greatly affect the long-term success of your program. 

If you are interested in becoming a client, please visit our Contact Page  If you have any other questions, please email me at info@dogsdecodedmn.com.