Frequently Asked Questions

1. Am I the right trainer for you? Are you the right client for me?

Training your dog is a partnership between you and us here at Valdosta K9 Coach. We want you to be familiar with our methods and training philosophy before you decide on a trainer. This information is available on my website and on my Facebook page.

We want you to comfortable with our training methods and techniques because training doesn’t end when your dog comes home. Our clients must be dedicated to short daily practices in order to maintain your dog’s training, as well as, a daily structured walk.

We provide a lot of structure, rules, and boundaries in training your dog, this is how we transform your dog into a calm, well-behaved member of your family. As the leader your dog needs, you must be willing to provide the same structure, rules, and boundaries when your dog comes home. This will show them that the rules that applied here, are the same rules that apply at home.

We know this is a lot of “rules and regulations”, and ultimately this will help you build that relationship you’ve always wanted with your dog. You’ll be able to include your dog in the family fun, and have an amazing dog for the rest of his life!

2. What tools do you use in your dog training?

I have a variety of tools in my “toolbox.” In dog training, there really is no “one-size fits all” approach. Some of the tools I use are: flat buckle collar, slip lead, prong collar, e-collar, Pet Convincer (compressed air used to interrupt unwanted behavior), long-lines, and dog kibble (as food reward). Our goal at Valdosta K9 Coach is to be able to communicate to your dog what it is that we expect from them, and then pass that information on to you. Through the use of these tools, you will have the kind of calm, relaxed, and obedient dog you’ve always wanted!

3. Will the e-collar “shock” your dog?

No, it will not. The e-collars that are used today are incredibly more advanced than just 20 or 30 years ago when the collars were used to shock the dogs into compliance. The e-collar that we use at Valdosta K9 Coach has 100 different levels, and our philosophy is to use the lowest level possible when training your dog. These lowest levels on the e-collar cannot even be felt by most people.With that being said, while we use them for corrections in our training, you can rest assured that we only use the lowest level required to stop the unwanted behavior.

4. Do we use prong collars?

Yes, we do. I know, the prong collar has a tendency to look like some sort of medieval torture device but when it is used correctly, it is actually one of the most humane tools that you can possibly use. When properly placed high on the neck, it requires very little “force” to communicate to your dog on-leash, and unlike a flat buckle collar, it does not put any pressure on the dog’s trachea.

5. Do we offer a guarantee for training?

Because of the many variables that come into play when creating a well-behaved dog, including owner commitment, their consistency, and follow through, it would be impossible to give a 100% guarantee for training. A parent can have a well-behaved child, but there is no guarantee that the child will never misbehave or do anything wrong. With that being said, the training of your dog is a partnership between Valdosta K9 Coach and you. Our clients must be dedicated to following through to maintain their dog’s training after they transition home.

6. Do we offer support after training?

Yes, we understand that even our most dedicated clients can have new issues come up with their dog after the training program. We offer lifetime support after the training is complete as long as you are consistently working with your dog at home.