Fees

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If you’re looking for the least expensive rates, please save yourself time because we’re not.

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Our fees reflect the 20+years of training, education, and knowledge of Caryl Wolff, who was the first dog trainer to be certified by five dog trainer organizations as well as being an award-winning author.   If you haven’t already, please look at her extensive Resume’.

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The first in-home 1.5-hour lesson is $325. Subsequent 1-hour lessons are $225/hour or a package of three 1.5-hour lessons for $800 for clients within our service area which is Sunset to Venice Blvd. and Beverly Glen to the beach. There is a surcharge for lessons outside our service area. You receive written instructions, a free copy of my books if applicable, and telephone or email support.

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What kind of training do we do in private lessons?

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We work on obedience, manners, and behavior modification for adult dogs.   For puppies, we work on puppy issues such as chewing and biting, potty training, socialization, and setting the foundation for obedience and manners.  Is this all we do?  Nope!  We work together on whatever issues you want to cover.

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Here’s how we work:

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• First, we find out what you want to work on.

• Next, we discuss why it is happening.

• Then we formulate a plan specifically tailored to you and your dog.

• We demonstrate what to do to get to the goal.

• You do the exercises with our coaching you every step of the way.

• Finally, you practice until our next session.

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Some of the behavior issues we work on in private training are as follows.  Some take as little as a few minutes to resolve; others take longer.  In rare instances, we may suggest another trainer who is more suitable for your dog’s issues.​​

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• Aggression (We do not work with large dog aggression towards people.)

• Adjusting to children and babies

• Barking

• Begging

• Bolting out of doors and gates

• Car sickness and car behavior

• Chasing animals, bikes, or people

• Chewing

• Digging

• Fearfulness and shyness

• Fence jumping

• Fighting

• Garbage raiding

• Guarding toys or food

• Growling

• House soiling

• Hyperactivity

• Jumping on people, furniture, etc.

• Marking territory with urine

• Pulling on a leash

• Running away

• Separation anxiety (We have had great success with this program. Click here for an introduction to our separation anxiety program. prevent puppy dog separation anxiety 

• Stealing

• Stool eating

• Unruliness

• … and whatever else you want to work on

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What are some advantages to private dog or puppy training lessons?

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• You choose whatever training and/or behavior issues you would like.  We can work on basic obedience or problem behaviors.  You decide at the beginning of each lesson what you would like to work on, and we work on as many issues as we have time for.   For example, if your dog is jumping on people, furniture, countertops, etc., we will work on that. 

• You and your dog are comfortable learning in your home. Some dogs are too anxious in group settings and cannot learn.

• We assess what your current situation is, find out what you want to do, formulate a plan to help you reach your goal, and then work with you to get you there.

• You have our undivided attention for the entire lesson, which means that both you and your dog should progress fairly quickly.

• Lessons are scheduled to our mutual convenience, usually one to two weeks apart.

• We work on basic obedience training as well as solving some behavior problems. You receive detailed instructions both orally and in writing as well as strategies to solve specific behavior problems.

• You also receive telephone or email consultations between lessons as needed.

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What is your Basic Obedience and Manners Program?

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Our Basic Obedience and Manners Program can include these behaviors or commands, and we will gladly customize a program to meet your needs.

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• Come

• Down and Down-stay

• Drop it

• Finished

• Go to your place and lie down

• Greet people and dogs on leash

• Leave it

• Off

• Sit and Sit-stay

• Staying at a distance

• Staying with distractions

• Stand

• Take it

• Wait at curbs, gates, and doors

• Walking beside you on leash (Heeling)

• Watch me (Getting your dog’s attention)

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Problem Solving and Dog Behavior Issues

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We also work on problem solving and behavior issues.  There  is no “one size fits all” in behavior modification and problem solving.  So we work with each dog and owner individually and customize a program to accomplish your goals – and work with you every step of the way. 

 

We assess the cause of the problem and give you practical, clear-cut solutions which bring about positive change.  We show you what to do and give you a program to follow.

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We incorporate the applicable elements of the Basic Obedience Program which is a foundation program. Some problems disappear with Basic Obedience, and no further lessons are necessary — other solutions are easier than you think!

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Please refer to Problem Solving Strategies and our Blog articles for more information.

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What is your Puppy Manners Program?

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Your puppy is learning even if you are not “formally” teaching him. One of you is training the other every time you interact — honest! — even though you are not aware that’s what’s happening. You’ll both be a lot happier if you’re the trainer and your dog is the student!

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Our methods of training do not involve force, and both you and your puppy enjoy the training time together. Your puppy can begin training at home at eight weeks old, but we suggest you wait until ten weeks to enroll him in a class.

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We keep the training sessions short — because of your puppy’s attention span — and we answer your questions regarding breed characteristics, nutrition, toilet training, puppy development and learning periods, etc.

 

You are laying the foundation for your puppy’s future behavior through a positive, creative, and structured approach to his training. By using our puppy training program, you can prevent problems from happening!

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We’ll show your puppy how to

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• Accept handling by you and others

• Accept being left alone

• Be comfortable in a crate

• Be socialized to people, dogs, places, and events

• Mind you

• Play properly (This is an area of puppy training that is often overlooked.)

• Potty in an area you choose

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And we’ll show you how to help prevent and help solve problems such as

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• Aggression

• Barking

• Chewing

• Digging

• Fearfulness

• Guarding toys and objects

• Jumping up

• House soiling

• Nipping

• Separation anxiety

• … and much more!

 

Please refer to Puppy Manners for more information on puppies, socialization, and training tips.

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Consultations

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We discuss what you want before our meeting. Then we meet and create a plan that is tailored to your lifestyle and your dog.

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Some topics that we address in consultations:

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• Choosing a Dog or Puppy

• Initial session of behavior issues where we discuss management options

• Multiple dogs (sibling jealousy or rivalry)

• Pet Loss

• Preparing your dog for a new baby

• Potty training or house training aka house breaking

• Renting and moving with a dog

• … and other suitable topics of your choice

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One Hour — One Issue

 

In our phone conversation, we zero in on one issue and then make a one-hour appointment to deal with that one issue. Because of the brevity of the meeting, we will talk about the major points, and then you receive a written handout of the steps you need. The fee for this is $195 for the hour.  Any further time after 60 minutes is prorated.

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Some issues such as separation anxiety, fear, and aggression are not appropriate for this program. But there are many that are, including:

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• Attention seeking

• Begging

• Bolting out of doors and gates

• Car sickness and car behavior

• Coming when called

• Chasing animals, bikes, or people

• Digging

• Fence jumping

• Garbage raiding

• Hand shyness

• Impulse control

• Jealousy of a person

• Jumping on people, furniture, etc.

• Pulling on a leash

• Puppy Potty Training

• Separating anxiety (This is *not* separation anxiety but involves your dog trying to prevent you from leaving.)

• Stealing

• Stool eating

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Semi-Private Group Lesson

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Do you have some friends with dogs who would like private sessions? Then the semi-private group lessons are for you. We meet with you and your friends at your home for five sessions. We work on basic obedience curriculum or trick training in the convenience of your home for a fraction of the cost of private lessons. Please call for a fee schedule.

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Let’s talk about which program is best for you and your dog so we can start training together!

Just reach for your phone and call or text (310) 804-2392.
Email us at caryl@DoggieManners.com

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