A Word on Fees

When I started dog training, my fees were low because I did not have a lot of experience and wanted business (think about that when you are deciding on whom to choose as a trainer). Now that I do have the experience, I don't need to do that.

I am not the least expensive trainer, so if you are basing your decision solely on money, I'm not the one you want. But please do continue reading.

Fees for classes are accessed through the Services page. You can access my fees for private lessons or the combination of private lessons and group classes by clicking the area you live in in the left column. I do travel to areas are not listed there, but we need to make special arrangements.

I CAN offer you a wealth of experience and training. How does this help you? It actually saves you money in the long run. Here's how. You call me and tell me about you and your dog, and I say that it's going to take X-number of lessons. You call another trainer and he says he can do it in one lesson. Wow, he sounds like a good deal, so you hire him. Except after the one lesson, you are not satisfied and your dog still has the same problem -- or worse.

Let's take barking as an example. If your dog has a barking issue, you need to find out the reason for barking and THEN work on the solution. So you hire a trainer who says to put a shock collar or spray collar on your dog. Your dog may stop barking, BUT then the problem manifests itself in other ways -- your dog now may begin self-mutilation, i.e., chewing his paw until it bleeds. Or getting sick. Or peeing and pooping in the house. Or destroying furniture. Or trying to escape. So now you have a BIGGER problem because you choose a trainer based on the fee rather than on experience -- and it now costs you a lot more money because you have vet bills or have to replace furniture.

Many trainers work with the problem you call about (barking), but that problem many times is only a SYMPTOM of the actual problem (separation anxiety). They are more interested in getting your money than giving you solutions that actually work. News flash -- there are NO quick fixes with behavior issues. However, the solutions for many behavior "problems" may be a lot easier than you think they are.

I do want to help you and your dog. I have been training and working with dogs and dog behavior problems for 16 years and am the only trainer in Los Angeles who is certified by three dog training organizations, and I go to many, many seminars to expand my knowledge about dogs, dog behavior, and training. Please take a look at my Resume to see my education and experience.

What does this mean to you? That I have a lot of tools to work with which means I can offer you multiple effective solutions for each issue rather than one -- and generally in the shortest time possible. With each seminar I go to, each book or article I read, each email group I belong to, I learn something to help you and your dog. I spend an average of two hours every day learning about dogs -- honest! I will never know it all. Any trainer that says he does is not telling you the truth. Any trainer who doesn't go to seminars or read articles or books to keep current in his field is a fool. I let you know what seminars I attend by putting them on my Website.

But I know that you are still concerned with fees, so look in the left column and click on your area. You will be pleasantly surprised. Then call me at 1-877-7-DOGGIE.

When you call me, we will talk so we can determine what type of training will be best for you and your dog. Expect to spend about 15-30 minutes on the phone.

There are generally three areas that people call me about --

• Obedience Training (Sit, Down, Come, etc.)
• Nuisance behaviors (jumping, stealing, etc.)
• Behavior issues (housetraining or potty training, separation anxiety, fear, aggression, etc.)

Sometimes these areas overlap. Sometimes the issue you're calling about turns out to be something entirely different. I will give you my assessment of the best course of action for you and your dog. Sometimes your dog can be helped by taking a class; sometimes more is needed and we need to do at least one private lesson. If there is a behavior issue, I will probably send you one or more questionnaires to fill out before our first meeting. The questionnaires will take you 1-3 hours to fill out, and I will look them over when we meet.

I'm looking forward to speaking with you, so please do call me 1-877-7-DOGGIE.

Refunds for Classes or Combinations of One Private Session and Group Classes

Classes are limited to ten dogs, and to ensure your spot in the class, it is prepaid. The majority of my classes are full, and I have had to add additional classes to meet the demand. If the class is not full and you ask to transfer to a class at a different time or request a refund in time to fill your space, you may do that. If the class is full and you request a refund but there is not sufficient time to fill your space, refunds may be given at my discretion. There are no refunds given after the first day of class.

Making up a Class

If you miss a class, you may make it up when it is offered again. However, everyone must be present for the first class. You may not make the first class up. If you know in advance that you will be missing the first class, then we can schedule a private session where you will get your own private lecture on what we cover in the first lesson. There usually is time left over to work on some other issues.

Refunds for Private Sessions

During our phone conversation, I outline the program and payment options. At our first lesson, I verify with you what program and payment option you choose, and there will be a written agreement which we both sign. The agreement states that there are no refunds.

Canceling a Private Session

With the six-hour program, you may have two cancellations after the first session. Any cancellation must be 48 hours in advance. If the cancellation is less than 48 hours or if there are more than two cancellations, you forfeit that lesson.