Why privates lessons
Private training can be scheduled as an individual session on campus or at your home. Private training can be scheduled in conjunction with a group class or as a part of A Good K9 Camp experience. If you have a new puppy or dog that needs a bit of one-on-one work in your own home, we can help you set up puppy-proofing and a training schedule so that you start off on the right paw!

All sessions are $65/hour plus travel expense if we come to your home.
You can save 10% or more by getting sessions in packs of five.
Simply call 828-677-3221 to talk to us personally.
Email us to ask specific questions.

Private lessons are important for the dog that cannot focus among distractions. It means so much to set a dog up to win ... in a winning environment that nurtures learning rather than intimidation, fear and frustration.

Training is all about teaching a communication system. Training dogs and puppies is so rewarding because you are enriching and saving lives. If dogs and humans cannot communicate, it’s always the dog that loses. The dog tries to find ways to communicate with his owner and ends up losing and being put in the back yard or in a shelter. Perhaps he is jumping up on people or pulling on the leash. Maybe the dog starts to dig in the back yard or barks/growls when people approach and intimidate him. While genetic problems are out there, it’s most likely just a lack of training, proper socialization and consistent communication.

Our Dog Training Philosophy

Our Dog Training Philosophy
Dog training can loosely be grouped into two main categories: reward-based and correction-based. Reward-based can be split even further into lure-reward and clicker training. Clicker training, with the use of lure-reward when it is needed, is what we try to practice. In sport and cross training classes, we review shaping with a behavior marker as a primary means of teaching tricks and new behaviors. As a result, the depth of fun, confidence and relationship built is above what the average person can imagine.

We are not a permissive training group, just a positive one. We typically do not use force, yelling, squirt bottles to get rid of problem behaviors because of the other unwanted behaviors that pop up in their place (among other reasons). Instead, we use our main tool, the human brain, to find ways to prevent the dog from practicing the behavior and rewarding itself (called management), while teaching the dog an alternative behavior.

Your relationship with your dog is so important to us that we try to coach you with a toolbox filled with proven training practices that are not necessarily a hybrid of reward-based and tradition-based methods. A mixture of those two methods does not equal the science of up-to-date positive approaches to dog training. Research will show that the inconsistency of a household using a mixture of training methods is actually the least effective way to train a dog, and the dog will show it when the requested behavior isn't understood. Don't loose your patience, simply call us for a private lesson!

Our Promise to You!
In all private or group lessons, our primary goal at A Good Dog’s Life is to give you, the dog’s real trainer, the tools to build communication, respect and trust. All three things placed between you and your dog equals a solid relationship. We will show you how to understand your dog, how to teach your dog to understand you and how to fit training into your every day life.

Nothing we teach will harm your dog or the relationship you have with your dog. You have the right to leave a class or private session if you feel any trainer is doing something that will harm your dog in any way.

Our methods are based on the scientific principles of learning theory. However, we are always willing to use other techniques, as long as they are both effective and humane.

The ideas behind learning theory are not tough to understand. If you reward your dog for doing something, he will repeat the behavior.  If there is no reward, the behavior will go away.  Period.

It's important to understand that you are actually training your dog every instant you are with him, but you don't often use that to your advantage. If you don't pay attention to what you are teaching your dog, you could end up training your dog to jump on you, whine for attention, and run away when called!

You can use treats, toys, and all of the fun things in life to get your dog to want to listen to you.  But if you're a good dog trainer, you aren't bribing your dog and you don't have to use treats forever. Eventually, you can reward your dog randomly and praise often, and the dog will still respond.

The great thing is, once you understand the principles of learning theory, you can start applying them to a lot of different aspects of your life – like training your kids to clean their rooms, motivating employees, and even modifying your spouse's behavior. That is why the first class of our Basic Manners Program is dedicated to teaching people mechanical skills and important training concepts that will help your dog live a good life.

Ending Thoughts

What does training your dog mean for you? What does it look like?

What does training mean to your dog? If s/he were to draw a picture, what would it look like?

My hope is that you realize you may need to modify your own behavior before the dog's behavior improves. Wow ... couldn't that apply to any relationship?

Believe it or not, dog training isn’t tough, it's actually fun!
Let us help you teach your dog what you want. Let us help you choose good motivation and a communication system that is consistent for the whole family. Your dog will show you what he needs from you to live a happy life, and when you start looking for it and understand it ... life is good and your dog will be well on his way to living a good dog’s life.