Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for choosing Precision K9 Training!

We would be delighted to train with you and your dog. Our approach is centered on providing personalized attention to help you reach your training goals. We take the time to understand what is unique about you and your dog.
Here’s how we can help right now. See below for specific help with:

– Group classes
– New puppy resources
– Behavior issues
– Private Sessions

Our FAQs below have additional info on a variety of topics. If these resources do not answer your question, feel free to reach out and we will be happy to help.

Group classes

Our next session starts April 2nd, 2023. To see specific start dates and times, visit our Group Training Class page here. Visit this page often for up to date information.

Not sure which class to choose?

Learn more about Puppy Kindergarten

Learn more about Basic Obedience

Learn more about Intermediate Obedience

Learn more about Advanced Obedience

Vaccination requirements

Puppies under 4 months old:

distemper/parvo (DHPP) (first round)
bordetella (kennel cough)
negative fecal exam

Puppies and dogs over 4 months old:

distemper/parvo (DHPP)
bordetella (kennel cough)
rabies

Policies for all of our services can be found here.

Group class rules

For group class rules, you can view them here.

What to bring, and what not to bring to group class

Here are a list of things you can and cannot bring to group class.

New puppy resources

The clock is ticking on socialization! Here are our socialization recommendations to help your pup build confidence, and you can also find more information in our information portal, such as potty training, crate training, and puppy development.

Behavior issues

If you are struggling with behavior issues, such as reactivity, aggression, or anxiety, visit our website and click on the GET STARTED button to schedule your free consultation (at our training facility).

Private Sessions

We offer fully customized Private Sessions (in-person). Private sessions are for owners looking to work on or teach specific behaviors, or are not ready, or comfortable being in a group setting. Owners are able to learn alongside their dog, and be a part of the transformation process as we coach and educate you through the sessions. In between the sessions owners are responsible for working on what was covered so that we can continue to advance with each training session.

Private sessions are great for basic to advanced obedience, and can help address behaviors such as: Anxiety, Leash Pulling, Aggression, Fear, Puppy Behavior, Nervousness, Reactivity, Jumping, Nipping, Flight Risks, and much more.

Note: If you are looking for basic obedience, good manners, socialization, etc., and do not have a specific behavioral issue to work on, we encourage you to take a look at our Group Obedience Training.

Learn more about Private Sessions.

Do you offer online training?

At the moment, we do not offer online training. This is something we are considering at some point in the future though. Check back often for updates, if this is something you are interested in.

What training methods do you use?

We use what is called a balanced dog training approach.

Here is an article from Tyler Muto, which explains today’s balanced dog training method.

Here is another article on balanced dog training by Dominik Feichtner.

Do I need a class or Private Sessions?

Group classes are designed to teach and practice general good manners skills. Here are examples of the kinds of skills typically covered in our group classes. Note that each instructor has their own curriculum and may not cover all of these skills in every class. Refer to the specific class description for more info.

Sit
Down
Stay/Wait
Sit for petting/not jumping on people
Leash walking
Come when called
Leave it and drop it
Place (go to bed)
Crate training (puppy classes only)
House training (puppy classes only)
Mouthing (puppy classes only)

Topics not covered at group classes include:

Kids and dogs interactions
Getting along with another dog in your household
Barking, growling, lunging, or other reactivity towards people or dogs
Aggression towards people or dogs
Resource guarding/growling over food, toys, or other objects
Separation anxiety
General anxiety and fearfulness
Counter surfing
Digging
Crate training and house training for adult dogs

For assistance with these topics, Private Session is the best choice.

Which class should I choose?

Click here for help in finding the right class for your dog.

What is the difference between classes and workshops?

Note: At the moment, we do not offer workshops, but that is on our radar for some time in the future.

Classes meet once per week for multiple weeks. Workshops meet one to three times, typically over a weekend, and focus on a specific topic, such as coming when called, and loose leash walking.

How do I register for a class?

Registering for a group class is easy, just head on over to our group training page, find the class you want to register for, and click on the registration button, that’s it. Payment must be made by credit card at the time of registration, unless special arrangement have been made for an alternative payment method.

How long does each class meet?

Classes typically meet one hour per week.

How many dogs are in a class?

Our class and workshop sizes are kept small to ensure quality instruction and individual attention for each student. Most classes and workshops have a maximum of six dogs.

What vaccinations do you require?

Puppies under 4 months old:

distemper/parvo (DHPP) (first round)
bordetella (kennel cough)
negative fecal exam

Puppies and dogs over 4 months old:

distemper/parvo (DHPP)
bordetella (kennel cough)
rabies

My puppy has not had all their shots yet. Is it safe to come to class?

We follow the recommendation of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior:

“Puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first de-worming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class. … Enrolling in puppy classes prior to three months of age can be an excellent means of improving training, strengthening the human-animal bond, and socializing puppies in an environment where risk of illness can be minimized.”

Per the AVSAB, we require that puppies have at least their first set of vaccinations for distemper and bordetella before starting class.

We do recommend that you avoid places frequented by dogs with unknown vaccination histories, like public dog parks. Socializing with dogs you know who are vaccinated is fine; small groups and short sessions are best so your pup does not get overwhelmed.

My puppy is driving me crazy. Can you help now?

Yes! Head on over to our information portal. It has some great tips and how-to information that is invaluable.

Private Sessions for puppies are available in-person.

Check out our Canine Enrichment Program.

How do Private Sessions work?

We offer in-person sessions for good manners, and behavior issues. Sessions provide one-on-one interaction with your instructor and are personalized to your training goals.

Good manners and behavior sessions include training time, plus time for questions, along with homework to work on between sessions. Please note that for behavior cases involving a bite history, we may require a six session package minimum.

How do I sign up for Private Sessions?

Go to our website and click on the GET STARTED button. After submitting our questionnaire, you can then schedule a free, no obligation in-person consultation at our training facility so bob can assess your dog, and go over the recommended training plan.

If a consultation is scheduled, we would then schedule your sessions at the end of the consultation.

My dog barks a lot. Can I still come to class?

It depends. If your dog normally barks when excited, but typically is able to calm down and stop barking after a few minutes, then a group class will work just fine.

If your dog typically barks for an extended period of time when excited or when meeting new people and dogs, your dog probably is not ready for a group class environment just yet. Instead, you should schedule a Private Session so we can give you training strategies to help your dog manage their excitement and be calm in new environments.

If your dog barks at people or dogs out of fear (for example, on walks or when people come into your home), your dog probably will feel stressed in a group class environment, and will not get much out of a group class right now. Instead, you should schedule a Private Session so we can work with you and your dog to help them feel less worried around new people and dogs, and to give you training strategies to guide your dog’s behavior.

What if I have to miss a class or drop out? Do you offer makeup classes?

Please carefully consider your schedule and commitment to training before registering for class. Our class and workshop sizes are kept small to ensure quality instruction and individual attention for each student. By registering, you are reserving a space in a specific class day and time for the duration of the class. Due to limited instructor and facility availability, we are unable to offer refunds or makeups for missed classes. Since our small group classes typically have full enrollment, we are unable to transfer registrations to another class.

If your instructor determines that a group class is not a productive learning environment for you and your dog, and recommends that you switch to Private Sessions, we will apply your class payment to the session fee.

What happens if a class or session is cancelled?

While we make every effort to meet our scheduling commitments, on rare occasions we may be forced to cancel a class or session due to severe weather, unsafe conditions, or instructor illness. Class students will be contacted by e-mail and/or phone, and we will schedule a makeup class if possible. If a makeup class is not possible, we will give you a refund or credit for that class night’s fee, whichever you prefer. Private Session students will be contacted by e-mail, text, or phone, and we will reschedule as soon as possible.

How much do classes and Private Sessions cost?

To see our group obedience rates, visit our group obedience training page.

To see our Private Session rates, visit our private session page.

To see our canine enrichment program rates, click here.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept payment by credit card, check, and cash.

When do I have to pay?

When you register for a class or workshop, you are reserving one of a limited number of spaces, so we require full payment at the time of registration. We appreciate your cooperation to help keep our classes small and effective for you.

For Private Sessions, you are reserving one of a limited number of appointments, so we require payment in full at time of scheduling. If scheduling was done over the phone, we will email an invoice for payment. Payment must be paid in full, upon receipt of the invoice. Cancellation with less than 24 hour notice, may result in forfeiture of your payment.

Do you offer a guarantee?

We believe it is unethical to make guarantees about training and behavior results. We are required to “refrain from giving guarantees regarding the outcome of training, because there is no sure way to guarantee the cooperation and performance of all parties involved and because the knowledge of animal behavior is incomplete.”

What we can guarantee is that we will act in a professional, ethical and compassionate manner, and that we will do our best to assist you in reaching your training goals.