Frequently Asked Questions

 

What makes your approach different and more effective?

We will problem solve through state of mind behavioral training. We will teach your dog to relax and to feel more comfortable around challenging stimuli in the environment. We won't just repeat and rehearse commands, we will fundamentally improve your dog's emotional state of mind. We will cultivate new habits, teach relaxation skills and perception modification, train for calmness instead of excitability, and reinforce desired free behavior. We will create an advanced communication system between you and your dog. We will help your dog build confidence around triggers and stimuli, like people, cars, children, dogs, and small animals… and address the underlying issues of excitability, reactivity, insecurity, and anxiety.



What is the difference between behavioral training and obedience training?

Behavioral training involves teaching your dog to relax and not react to overwhelming stimuli in the environment. Obedience training involves teaching your dog to respond to cues or commands, including “sit”, and “down”. Issuing an obedience command is not always a solution for psychological or emotional difficulties, such as anxiety and aggression. An obedient dog, who is not well-behaved, will always need to be told "what to do", rather than making appropriate decisions and choices as an individual, on their own. If your dog struggles with impulsive, anxious, adrenalized behavior, then behavioral training will be incredible for you and your dog. Behavioral training focuses on helping your dog become more emotionally flexible, resilient, and optimistic.



Should I choose the Foundation Program?

After the initial 1.5-Hour Dog Training Lesson, you may choose to complete the Foundation Program; the Foundation Program is a very popular training program! You will receive coaching and direct support throughout the entire process. Depending on your dog’s behaviors, this package-of-4 program can be purchased multiple times... We'll continue to work through the training process, in order to prevent or resolve all of your dog's problematic behaviors.



What are the advantages of training with The Incredible K9?

There are many advantages! You will receive: 1. Private lessons catered to your dog's needs. 2. Experienced handling instruction and demonstrations to establish new expectations and routine. 3. Free training PDFs, which include detailed protocols, instructions, and review. 4. Access to private YouTube videos for you and the family to watch at home. 5. Access to "The Incredible K9: Dog Behavior Solutions & Training Support" private Facebook group. 6. Any necessary training equipment. 7. Phone/text and email support, as needed. 8. Access to our community events. 9. Structured, positive socialization experiences.



How do I learn more about your dog training programs and prices?

You can schedule a time for us to talk over the phone or meet in person! To get started with dog training, you may schedule an appointment here. You may choose between a 10-Minute Phone Call, a 30-Minute Evaluation, or a 1.5-Hour Dog Training Lesson. Most dog owners begin with the 30-Minute Evaluation or the 10-Minute Phone Call. However, whenever you are ready to begin dog training (which could be today!), then you may schedule the 1.5-Hour Dog Training Lesson. You are welcome to schedule this lesson from the start. It is not necessary to begin with the 30-Minute Evaluation or the 10-Minute Phone Call. After the initial 1.5-Hour Dog Training Lesson, you may choose to complete the Foundation Program.



What training tools and equipment will I need?

1. Any treat pouch or fanny pack 2. A regular flat collar 3. A regular 6' leash (not a retractable/flexible leash) 4. Small, high-value, easily edible dog food/treats My favorite products are linked here.



What is the fastest way to get started with dog training?

As soon as you schedule the 1.5-Hour Dog Training Lesson, you can immediately create an account here. I will approve you as a member, and then you'll receive access to instructional videos and training PDFs, which means that you can actually begin training your puppy or adult dog TODAY. Learn about the easiest relaxation technique, proven to benefit any dog, and have a calmer dog this week! Then, during the initial private lesson, training will continue with methods specific to your dog's greatest needs.



Should I schedule the initial 1.5-Hour Dog Training Lesson?

Whenever you are ready to get started with dog training, then you can schedule an appointment here! All dogs begin dog training with the initial 1.5-Hour Dog Training Lesson ($225).



How do we schedule lessons for the Foundation Program?

Lessons are scheduled on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays at Kate’s home in Pleasant Gap, PA. When you purchase the Foundation Program, we will determine a time and day of the week that is available for both of us. For example, Wednesdays: 5:00pm-6:00pm. This “time slot” will be “your time” every Wednesday, from 5:00-6:00pm, for the duration of the training program (6 weeks). This time is your time, whether you choose to use it, or not. Lessons occur rain or shine; we have both indoor and outdoor space to train. If you prefer to book a single lesson instead of reserving a recurring weekly “time slot”, then you may do that online at any time: www.theincrediblek9.com/training



What happens if I don’t use all of my program lessons within the timeline?

The 6-week Foundation Program includes (4) 1-hour lessons. Your “time slot” is reserved on my calendar for 6 weeks. We will plan to complete 4 lessons within those 6 weeks. The 7th week after we begin, your “time slot” will become available for another client. You may lose that predictable weekly time slot, unless you reserve it again for another package of lessons. If you have any remaining, unused lessons, then they may be scheduled at any time and day of the week, as our schedules and availability permit. However, if more than 4 weeks pass after your last completed lesson, then the remaining lessons are forfeited. No exchanges or refunds will be issued.



What happens if I need to cancel or “skip” a Foundation Program lesson?

We are all too busy, too sick, or traveling, at times! That’s life, and it’s completely understandable! If you do not intend to use a lesson (for example, you may know that next week you’ll be out of town, or just too busy with work) then please let me know as soon as possible. Please email, call, or text, as soon as you know that you will be skipping a lesson. I also may have conflicts that arise with lessons, and I will notify you if I need to skip a week’s lesson, as well. Lessons do not need to occur every single week, there is extra time built into the timeline for “skipped weeks”: 4 lessons within 6 weeks.



What are options for making smaller payments?

1. The Foundation Program can be split into 2 payments. Please request this option if you prefer this option. 2. You could also purchase single lessons (instead of a program), and proceed at a pace that you desire.



How many lessons does it take until I start to see results?

This can be different for every dog! Results are based on many factors, including a dog's genetics, complexity of behaviors, desire to eat food (we will train with a lot of food!), training consistency, time commitment, skill with the techniques, etc. I have worked with dogs who made significant changes after the first lesson! I have also worked with dogs who were incredibly complex and difficult, and it took about four lessons until results felt really obvious with steady, consistant, daily improvement. We will work together, for as long as you desire, to achieve the results that are possible! You will receive coaching and direct support throughout the entire process.



Nothing has worked for my dog. Can you help?

I train with a system developed by Mark McCabe: Training Between the Ears (TBTE). TBTE resolves significant and complex behavioral problems, like these: 1. A Rottweiler that was trained to "sit" still wanted to go fight another dog (growling, hackles up, etc). The dog could not be trusted to make its own decision. The dog would sit, but was still stressed. If you corrected the dog for growling, the dog became more and more stressed. This was an emotional problem... the dog had negative thoughts and emotions about other dogs. 2. A Hound mix that was trained to "down" was still very anxious during car rides (heavy salivation, whining, panting, etc). The dog was lying down, but clearly still anxious in the car. The "down" position did not improve the dog's emotional capacity to handle stress in the car. This anxiety was an emotional problem. 3. A German Shepherd that was trained to "place" still struggled with reactivity (in the house, car, yard, etc). If the dog was free within a space, and not kept on "place", then it would still look out a window or through a fence, and it would still bark at dogs, neighbors, bikes, etc. The dog could also still hear dogs, neighbors, car doors, gun shots, etc. This reactivity was an emotional problem. The dog had a high startle response and was always "on edge". These are just a few of the dogs, and situations, that influenced me to train with the TBTE system. So, if you have tried everything, and nothing has worked, then I promoise you, this training system will be different. Instead of focusing on obedience commands, we will resolve behavioral (emotional) problems, first.



Do you train puppies?

Yes! These are common puppy-related issues that we can resolve: 1. Jumping 2. Counter surfing 3. Mouthing, biting 4. Stealing shoes, socks, towels, etc 5. Playing too rough with an older dog 6. Excessive energy, inability to relax 7. Crate training, house training 8. Pulling on the leash 9. Barking



Do you train aggressive dogs?

Yes! I work with all behavioral problems. These are examples of more complex, yet still very common issues that we can resolve: 1. Reactivity, leash aggression 2. Aggression toward dogs, guests, kids, cats, livestock, etc 3. Separation anxiety, confinement anxiety (crate), car anxiety 4. Thunderstorm phobia, sound sensitivity (gun shots, fireworks, etc) 5. Difficulty with guest arrival (growling, barking, charging toward, etc) 6. Difficulty with touch (grooming, nail trimming, guests, vet, etc) 7. Resource guarding 8. Socialization 9. Prey drive



Do my dog's vaccines need to be up-to-date?

Yes. Prior to the 30-Minute Evaluation or 1.5-Hour Dog Training Lesson, the contract and up-to-date vaccination records will need to be submitted online. We require all dogs to be vaccinated, and up-to-date, against Rabies and Distemper/Parvo (Distemper/Parvo is commonly listed as DA2PP, DH2PP, DA2PPC, or DAPP). These are routine vaccinations. Proof of vaccinations (copy of vet bill will suffice) may be attached to the contract, or emailed to me as an attachment (especially if the file is too big to attach to the contract). You can take a photo of your vet bill with your cell phone and attach that photo to the contract (or email that photo), as long as the vet bill can still easily be read.



I am having trouble logging in to the Members Only Area for lesson details. What should I do?

Be sure to check your spam or junk folders, and the social or promotions tab, for any login confirmation or reset link. Option 1: Change password: https://support.wix.com/en/article/unable-to-sign-in-to-your-wix-account-forgot-password Option 2: Clear cache and check cookies: https://support.wix.com/en/article/unable-to-sign-in-to-your-wix-account-after-resetting-password Option 3: Use a difference browser: Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc. Other tips: https://support.wix.com/en/managing-your-account/sign-in-issues