Common Questions
FAQ’s
Obedience Training vs. Behavior Mod.?
Obedience training teaches a dog to obey cues (i.e. sit, down, etc.). Behavior modification provides a form of intervention and changes behavior over time so that it is more manageable.Dog Language: First I'll learn to sit on command, then I'll use this skill instead f jumping up on people.
Why Enroll my dog in an Obedience Class?
Obedience training is one of the best things you can do for you and your dog. It is the foundation to solving just about any problem and it enriches the relationship that you have with your dog.Dog Language: This is where my training begins!
What are the Benefits of Petsitting?
Petsitting in your home eliminates stress for your animals and allows them to keep their usual routine which is important for training and behavior management. Petsitting minimizes the affects of separation anxiety and your pet will be more willing to relax and sleep. You will feel secure because your animal is safe in its home environment.Dog Language: Ahhh. I can keep to the same schedule while mom and dad are gone.
What is your Payment Policy?
- We have a pre-pay/post date policy for vacation petsitting clients paying by check. Payment is due prior to your trip. When you call to schedule pet sitting visits, please have a calendar handy so that we can schedule the exact number of visits you will need. At that time, you will be given the total amount due, and we request that you leave a payment when we come to pick up the key prior to your trip. However, you may post date the check to the last day of the scheduled visit, as your check will not be deposited until after the last visit is complete.
- For Petsitting clients paying by cash, payment is due on the day that we come to pick up the keys.
- Payment for monthly scheduled dog walks can be given to the dog walkers on a weekly or monthly basis depending on the preference of the dog owner.
- For training and behavior modification packages, 50% of the payment is due after the first session and the remaining 50% will be evenly distribuited throughout the remainder of the sessions.
- Single sessions should be paid for after each session.
- Payment policies for shelter clients vary upon the payment practices of the institution. Payment plans will be discussed during the consultation.
Dog Language: Payments are due after services are rendered.
What is your Cancellation Policy?
Should you need to cancel your holiday pet sitting, please do so 10 days in advance. Any cancellations less than 10 days from the first pet-sitting day will be billed for half of the pet-sitting invoice. Holidays include: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, Memorial Day Weekend, July 4th, and Labor Day Weekend.
Should you need to make a cancellation for obedience training or behavior modification please do so 24 hrs from the class time.
Dog Language: Please cancel well in advance to avoid added fees.
What is a Clicker?
A clicker is a tool that “marks” a specific behavior. When the click is followed by a reward (ex. a food treat) it increases the likelihood that the specific behavior will happen again. So we click and treat those behaviors we want to see more of.
Dog Language: Oh! That’s what my guardian wanted me to do.
What is Operant Conditioning?
Operant Conditioning is a form of training (coined by Comparative Psychologist B.F. Skinner) that relies on presenting or removing stimuli to increase or decrease the frequency of a specific behavior.
Dog Language: This is how I learn what my guardian likes and does not like.
What is Positive Reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement is a type of conditioning/training where something pleasant is given to a subject (dog/human etc.) after a desired behavior is displayed, thus increasing the frequency in which that particular behavior is displayed.
Example of Positive Reinforcement: You ask your dog to sit and he does. You then give him a piece of bacon. Your dog is more likely so sit more quickly next time you ask him to.
Dog Language: If I do what my guardian wants then I get a tasty treat. I’m going to do that again.