Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

At what age should I begin training my puppy?
I have an adult dog. Is it too late to change bad behavior?
How long does the training process take?
Where does the training take place?
I have more than one dog. Can I have them both trained at the same time?
What are your fees and how long do the sessions last?

This is Buck, my sweet black Cocker, who has since crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge where he now runs pain-free and can swim all day with no more ear infections!

Q: At what age should I begin training my puppy?

A: Puppies start learning from birth! Housetraining will begin as soon as you bring your new pup home. Young puppies have short attention spans but are capable of learning simple obedience commands such as 'sit', 'down', and 'stay' as early as 7-8 weeks. Behaviorists refer to "critical periods" in a dog's life which are times when experience will have a greater influence on development than at other times. The pup's first critical period takes place between 3 and 16 weeks of age. Before the pup leaves the litter, he is learning social skills from mom and his littermates, after that it is crucial that he begin to form bonds with the humans in his life.

Most veterinarians oppose exposing a puppy to group classes prior to the completion of all vaccinations, which means you miss out on training during this very crucial learning period. That is the reason in-home puppy training is so important! Since the training will take place in your own home, there is no need to wait until he has had his complete series of immunizations to protect him from contracting a disease from another dog and yet you are taking advantage of this all-important stage of development. Behaviors learned at this tender age will have an impact on your dog for the rest of his life. It's much easier to establish good behavior than alleviate unwanted behavior!

Q: I have an adult dog. Is it too late to change bad behavior?

A: No dog is ever too old to learn. When inappropriate behaviors have been allowed to continue, however, it takes time, patience and persistence to counter-condition the dog and communicate with him what it is that you expect.

Q: How long does the training process last?

A: Learning, for all of us, is a lifetime process. At our first meeting, I will do an evaluation of your dog and discuss with you what goals you have for his training. Each situation is different, but you are free to stop the lessons as soon as you are comfortable with the progress your dog has made. Many people find that they get to a basic obedience level and then decide to add sessions for new behaviors that may crop up. Be aware, however, that it takes from 3-6 months for learning to move from short-term to long-term memory, so it is important that the owner continue being consistent with expecting good behaviors once your dog knows what you want!

Q: Where does the training take place?

A: Currently, I am teaching classes at Bed, Bath N' Bonz, just south of Tyler. Please email me or call them directly for more information (903.894.9333). Additionally, I do in-home training and will come to your house for individual sessions. Not all dogs do do well in group classes and will learn best in their own environment where we can control the amount of distraction that they are exposed to.

Q: I have more than one dog. Can I have them trained at the same time?

A: It can be a little tricky, but it is possible to train more than one dog at the same time. The sessions are the same length of time, about 45 minutes, and we switch dogs, with me demonstrating with one dog while the owner works with the other dog. For two dogs in the same household, the per session fee is the same.
Q: What are your fees and how long do the sessions last?

A: Individual private in-home sessions are $45 each and last about 45 minutes.I am also doing group classes at Bed, Bath N' Bonz and those classes are $125 for six weeks.

Have more questions? Feel free to use our "Contact" page and send me an e-mail!

Cici's Canine Coaching

Dog Training for Pet Dogs and their People!