FAQ’s and Policies

What training services do you offer?

I offer home coaching sessions and walk+trains where I teach you how to teach your dog. If you prefer to work independently or have an especially busy schedule, I also offer private walk + trains, which is a neighborhood walk, nearby adventure, or home session where I work with your dog on pre-established training goals and behaviors. We’re working towards the same goals!

What is your training philosophy?

I believe in helping you achieve goals that create a better life for you and your dog. We’re going to focus on behaviors and skills that benefit your dog. Every training plan is customized; no two dogs are the same! However, every dog can learn through the same methods. We will use positive reinforcement and force-free training in all our sessions.

What about being the Alpha?

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about dogs; this is the biggest myth of all. This term comes from a poorly designed study that was found to be inaccurate. Dogs are not competing with us for the top spot; they are scavengers learning how to gain the resources they need for survival. They’re not trying to assert dominance; dogs are repeating behaviors that have likely worked in the past to help them gain food and a sense of security. My goal is to help your dog learn to repeat behaviors that are good for them.‍ ‍

Training with It’s Not Magic should be fun, for you and your dog!

This means that we will not use any aversive training methods or tools in our sessions and I will not encourage the use of said methods. This includes equipment/materials like:

Prong Collars
E-collars/Shock Collars
Bark Collars/Citronella Spray
Spray Bottles
ScatMats
Invisible Fencing
Penny Cans
Head Collars
Grot Collars
Slip leads
Choke chains/Training Collars
High Frequency sounds/ Pet Remotes
Anything the dog finds aversive/unpleasant

Methods and equipment like these are unnecessary and inhumane. Clients who have used these methods in the past will not be shamed, but instead educated and commended for choosing positive reinforcement and a force-free way to train. We will follow LIMA guidelines (least intrusive, minimally aversive) and Dr. Susan Friedman’s Behavior Hierarchy. There is a lot of information about dog training circulating in the world, from social media to neighborhood chats. I will support rather than belittle you and make sure you have a clear understanding of the training plan we create together.

Training Methods

Vaccinations

All clients must provide proof of up-to-date vaccination on veterinary letterhead prior to their first in-person session. Puppies must be at least eight weeks old and have received their first round of shots at least two weeks prior to their first in-person appointment. All puppies over the age of 4 months need proof of Rabies vaccine before an in-person session. Until a puppy is at least 7 days out from their rabies vaccine, they are not protected.

Calling in Sick

If your dog is experiencing any symptoms of being medically unwell (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, etc.) or they had a stressful experience they are recovering from, rescheduling is highly encouraged!

If your dog experiences any medical symptoms, please contact your vet and give me an update on their symptoms. When your dog is feeling better and/or has been appropriately treated for their medical issue, we can resume our in-person sessions. In some cases, proof of veterinary clearance may be required.

COVID-19

Any clients who have been exposed to someone with COVID must follow current CDC guidelines on next steps. Sessions will be adapted to be virtual or postponed until client tests negative.

Payments

Acceptable forms of payment are Paypal, Zelle, Venmo, Cash, or Check. Packages must be paid in full once services begin.

Please let me know if you have a tight budget; we can discuss the best way forward for you and your dog.

If you have opted for “pay-per” sessions, your payment schedule is more flexible, and can be on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.

Cancellations and Refunds

Sessions in package-form are nonrefundable. If you decide to cancel your appointments after purchasing a package, all unused sessions will be kept on file for later use if you decide to resume. If it has been a significant amount of time since we worked together, an additional payment and/or a reassessment may be required.

Rescheduling

If something unexpected comes up, I am happy to reschedule. It is often a much more productive choice to reschedule, as I want to do my best to ensure that the session is productive, informative, and encouraging for both you and your dog. Rescheduling your appointment within less than 24 hours is subject to a $50 rescheduling fee. Payment for a pay-per session is expected to be sent within 48 hours of the postponement.

Policies

Service Area

I serve the East Bay Area, including Oakland, Piedmont, Emeryville, South Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, and Castro Valley. I am based in Oakland.

If you are outside of my service area, we can do our sessions virtually. If you don’t want to work virtually, I am happy to provide referrals for other qualified trainers more local to you who may be better able to address your needs.

Can You Help with My Dog?

Every dog has the capability of learning through positive reinforcement and force-free training methods. No breed or breed mix requires punishment in order to learn. I do not discriminate based on breed, age, or characteristics. Wherever possible, I will take you on as a client and compose a customized training plan for you and your dog.

However, there are some cases I will refer out to more specialized professionals. These include Certified Behavior Consultants, Veterinary Behaviorists, or Certified Separation Anxiety Training Professionals.

It is my ethical responsibility as a certified dog professional to refer out your dog if I do not feel confident in an effective training plan. I like to consider every case individually, so it is always worth completing a behavior form to see if we’ll be a good fit. If we determine that I’m not the best fit for your dog’s case, I’m happy to provide referrals to other qualified trainers with more expertise to help with your dog’s individual needs.