Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question that isn't answered here? Feel free to contact us.
Click here for Frequently asked Questions about our group classes.

What type of training do you do?
We offer pet dog training meaning we that train dogs to be good
family companions. Our classes and private lessons are geared toward
teaching dogs how to behave appropriately at home and in real life
situations. We do not offer specialized training such as competition
obedience training, assistance or therapy dog training, protection dog
training, or gun dog training.

How old should my puppy be to start training?
The sooner the better! If you are interested in private training, we can begin training your puppy as
soon as you bring him/her home. If you want to bring your puppy to a group class, ask your
veterinarian what vaccinations s/he recommends before signing up for class.

What are the benefits of using positive reinforcement training as opposed to traditional
(punishment-based) training methods?
Positive reinforcement training methods are based on animal learning theory and are proven to be just
as effective (or even more so) than traditional methods and can produce more reliable results.
Training a dog with positive methods does not mean you are being mindlessly permissive or too
"soft" with your dog or throwing cookies around hoping to get the right behavior. These methods
are both dog and owner friendly, fun and enjoyable to use, and easy to learn but do set rules and
boundaries for the dog. By choosing to train with pain-free methods you can develop a positive
relationship with your dog built on mutual trust and respect. Dogs want Good Things to keep
happening for them, so when you teach your dog that certain behaviors "work" and get him
rewarded with food, playtime, petting, and attention you can bet he'll keep doing them in the future.

Do you use food rewards in your training?
Yes we do! And anything else that motivates your dog - toys, petting, real-life rewards, cheering,
and praise. Using food in no ways cheapens the relationship you share with your dog and is highly
effective. We recommend using high value healthy treats to reward your dog's good behavior and
help him focus on you and resist distractions. Our favorite treats are Natural Balance food roll, hot
dogs, and cheese.

Can you take my dog and train him for me?
We do not offer "board and train" services at this time. We do offer "Training Walks" where we can
walk/exercise and train your dog in basic manners while you are at work. "Training Walks" are not
appropriate for all dogs or situations and are not meant to address serious behavior issues. We
strongly believe that training enhances the bond between dog and owner and even with our "Training
Walks" it is important that the owner maintain and practice the dog's new skills between sessions.

Should I take private lessons or a group class?
There is no one right answer to this question. If your dog is friendly with other dogs and people and
you want her learn some basic manners and socialize, a group class is an excellent option. In group
classes we don't focus on detailed behavior issues and classes are not appropriate if your dog is
stressed by the presence of strangers or other dogs or is aggressive. If you are experiencing a
specific behavior issue with your dog (i.e. aggression, fear/shyness, housetraining, etc) you are
encouraged to take private sessions where we can focus on addressing your dog's individual issues.
We've had many private session clients move on to take group classes with their dogs after first
doing some basic training at home. If you are unsure if your dog is appropriate for group classes,
please contact us before signing up.

Do you offer a guarantee on your training?
We do not offer guarantees on our training. Many factors contribute to a dog's behavior. Genetics,
breed traits, environment, early socialization, the length of time the problem has been occurring, and
past experiences as well as the owner's commitment, willingness to comply with training
suggestions, and training ability all play a significant role in the successful outcome of the training
program. These are things that we as the trainer cannot control, therefore offering a guarantee or
guaranteeing specific results would be both impossible and unethical. As a member of the
Association of Pet Dog Trainers, we are not permitted to offer guarantees on training per their
Code of Ethics.

We promise to provide you with professional, humane dog training services at all times and do our
best to help you achieve your training goals. We are always available to answer any and all questions
you have between training sessions, via phone or email. Visit our Happy Tails page to read
testimonials from satisfied clients.

We just adopted a dog from a shelter. Do you offer a discount on training?
Yes! We offer a discount on training services for dogs adopted from animal shelters or registered
non-profit rescue organizations in the past year. Just provide us with a copy of your adoption
contract. We have lots of experience working with shelter dogs and are committed to helping these
dogs stay in their new homes.

Where does the training take place?
Private sessions are done in the comfort of your home. This is beneficial because that's where your
dog spends most of his time, is most comfortable, and where most problem behaviors occur.

My dog has bitten a person OR is aggressive toward people or other dogs. Can you help me?
We do work with some aggressive dogs, but not all aggressive dogs. We have to consider many
factors when deciding to accept an aggression case including severity of the aggression, how long
the behavior has gone on, if children are involved, and the owner's level of commitment. We do not
take aggression lightly and expect owners to work hard and follow strict management and training
plans in order to keep everyone safe. During a behavior consultation for an aggressive dog, we will
discuss your risks, your dog's prognosis, and available options. Most of all, we want you to
understand that although in some cases aggressive behavior may be modified, it can never be "cured"
and you will have to be 100% committed to managing and training your dog. If we accept your
case, due to safety and liability reasons we will require you to purchase a minimum of 2 additional
sessions so that we can measure and evaluate your dog's progress over a period of time. If your dog
is behaving aggressively, please call us and we'll determine if we can help you.

Why is socializing my puppy so important?
See the above question! Between 3 and 16 weeks of age is considered to be a "window of
opportunity" in your puppy's life. Exposing your puppy to new people, other dogs, new places, and
novel situations will help her to grow into a friendly, social adult dog. The more you expose your
puppy to, the less likely she is to develop aggressive or fearful responses to new or novel experiences
as an adult. Many behavior problems in adult dogs could have been made less severe or all together
avoided by properly socializing the dog as a puppy. Once this window of opportunity has closed,
attempts at socializing your dog are much more difficult. Anything your dog hasn't been socialized
to (such as being approached and petted by strangers, meeting other dogs, going to vet, etc) will
automatically fall into the "unsafe" or "dangerous" category. It is well worth the effort to get your
puppy out and socialize her now. This goes triple if you have a breed known for being aloof,
reactive, shy, or aggressive.

What is a Temperament Test?
A Temperament Test, or Behavior Evaluation, is a valuable tool used by some animal shelters and
rescues to determine if a dog is a safe candidate for adoption. Whether you are considering adopting
a dog from a shelter, rescue group, animal control facility, or even buying a puppy from a breeder,
having a professional trainer evaluate and temperament test the dog or puppy can save you a lot of
potential headaches and even heartbreak down the road. A temperament test is an objective way to
look a dog's behavior and determine if a particular dog would make a safe, friendly companion in
your home and with your family. The temperament test we use is very detailed and looks at how
social the dog is, if he can be handled safely, and determines if the dog is likely to guard food,
chewies, toys, and other valuable items, among other important things. While no one can ever
guarantee how any dog might react in any situation 100% of the time, temperament testing a dog will
help you to make a rational, informed decision about adoption.

What towns/communities do you serve?
We offer positive dog training and behavior services throughout Beaver County Pennsylvania. If you
live in or near any of these Beaver County communities, we will travel to your home at no extra
charge:
Beaver                New Galilee          North Sewickley      Hookstown     Aliquippa        Freedom
Beaver Falls         Rochester            Fombell                   Midland          Hopewell        Economy
Chippewa            Industry              Monaca                   Ohioville         Ambridge
Darlington           New Brighton       Center                    Shippingport    Raccoon Twp

In-home training is available to people in the following areas, however we'll add a reasonable travel
fee, depending on distance, to compensate for our additional travel time and expense.

In Lawrence County:
New Castle         Ellwood City       Neshannock             New Wilmington      Volant
Wampum           Mt. Jackson         Pulaski                    Plain Grove              Bessemer
Mahoning Twp Union Twp           Little Beaver             North Beaver

In Columbiana County, OH:
East Palestine       Columbiana         Lisbon                      Leetonia             Washingtonville
Rogers                Negley                East Liverpool

Western and southern Butler county (Slippery Rock, Prospect, Zelienople, Cranberry Township,
Seven Fields, Mars)

Portions of Allegheny county (Moon Township, Coraopolis, Robinson Township).

If you are unsure if you live in our travel area, please contact us.

How much does your training cost?
Click here to see our current rates for in-home training services.


	Pawsitive Results Dog Training *"Where dogs and their people learn together"* Serving Beaver County, Pennsylvania & surrounding areas (724) 847-0577

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