Frequently Asked Questions

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Don't you need to see the behaviour to stop it? 

Interestingly enough, my goal is to never see the problem behaviour. Why? 

• All good training plans ensure undesired behaviours can't be rehearsed more, and 
• To safeguard our dogs from being scared (if the problem behaviour is due to our dog being scared). 

The goal in dog training... is to set dog's up for success, build new alternate behaviours where our dog always get's it right, and our dog's feel safe! So, starting out virtually can be a huge benefit to meet all these needs. 

The Benefit of Virtual: Seeing your dog in their home environment with just you (or family members) gives us such a great snapshot on what your dog looks like in their day to day life when hot dog lady isn't there distracting them (or possibly scaring them). 

NOTE: Separation Anxiety is fully virtual, and Stranger Danger starts out as virtual (or remains virtual) depending on the case and the goals. 

Initial Coaching Package

You will have a Virtual INITIAL Coaching Session, then followed by a Technical Coaching Session, which is In Person. Please see above as to why your first session with us if virtual.

Continued Coaching Support Sessions that are in person:

• Technical Sessions, 50-Minute w/ post session support.
• Accountability Sessions, 30 Minutes (no post session support).

Day Training:

Scheduled between coaching sessions (2-3 weekly) to work 1-on-1 with your dog on the homework objectives. 

Supportive Walks: 

1-on-1 enrichment and exercise sessions with your dog, added as needed by the dog parent. 

Private Walks:

Exercise and bio breaks, but so much more than that. We navigate your dog's interest and allow them to lead their walk. 

*Exclusions from In Person Services:

1. Those needing Separation Anxiety training are allowed to utilize our in-person services for non Separation Anxiety issues. 
2. Those in the early days of their Stranger Danger journey, can only utilize in-person services when we have reached specific milestones to the training. 

All initial consults are conducted virtually - discussed in the first FAQ. Some additional reasons we may conduct follow-up training virtually. 

Separation Anxiety - conducted fully virtually. 

Stranger Danger - depending on the complexity of the case, and your training goals we may not do in-person services for a good while (or ever). We may optimize our virtual sessions to build a safe set-up to introduce your dog to me (if that is even necessary). For example, I had a client that was just needing to introduce their dog to a dog sitter they had hired for when they vacationed, and another where they just wanted to introduce their dog to a close family member that was going to visit regularly. How can we help you meet your goals most efficiently.  

Virtual might be recommended for other training goals (or hybrid).. In Person Training Limitations:

• If we visit in-person and it hinders progress due to your dog being too distracted with us around (build up fluency without us there first might help), or 
• We are getting the 'trainer effect' with us around. Where the dog is perfect when the hot dog lady is present because of the generalization of the behaviours 'work' when she's around. 
• Building learned history with dog owner. If we can get you doing all the reps with your dog, it could benefit the bond, and predictability that this works with you. 
• Demo'ing the skill. You will see Peanut in most of our virtual sessions, and she will show you where we are going with the training. Seeing the end product can help see the 'big picture'. 

• We don't use prong, choke or shock collars. 
• We dont use any forms of intimidation to stop behaviour or coercion to get behaviour.
• We don't create unsafe set-ups where your dog is going to perform problem behaviour in an attempt to flood your dog (as in exposure to a point of your dog shutting down), and using any type of corrective measures in attempt to create 'calm' behaviours when dog is exposed to triggers. 
• We don't use outdated methods that aren't grounded in science-evidence based practices. 

What do we do? 

• We create safe environments where your dog is comfortable, and a participant in their learning. 
• We build new behaviours using Positive Reinforcement. 
• We create personalized training plans that prioritize the science of Systematic Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning for dogs dealing with Fear, Aggression and Anxiety related behaviours. 
• Normalize normal dog behaviour, and problem solve on appropriate outlets for your dogs needs. 

• Stranger Danger, 
• Separation Anxiety, 
• Leash Reactivity, 
• General Fear/Aggression, 
• Dog+Baby Dynamic
• Navigating a New Rescue, 
• Socialization-Prevention for Puppies.

Learn more details on each topic here.

It takes a village. We love coming in and helping our dog parents. 

For Day Training: These services are designed to help you keep on track with the weekly homework objectives, but along with that... we find dog's almost become teachers for their parents. Building that skillset, becomes a default behaviour for our dogs, that organically starts happening in specific contexts. Seeing these new behaviours in often triggering contexts can have huge reinforcement affects on how you show up for your dog. 

Learn more about day training here (faq on this page specific to day training)

For Supportive Walks: Knowing someone that is well versed in your dogs -isms can help you feel rest assured in their time with us. Along with that, we are experts in dog enrichment and finding appropriate outlets for your dog to be a dog... we get a little silly and lean into hard. 

Learn more about supportive walks here (faq on this page specific to supportive walks)

In-Person Services: Toronto East End 

• Riverdale
• Leslieville
• Corktown
• Regant Park
• Cabbagetown
• Beaches and Upper Beaches
• East York
• Danforth
• Pape Village
• Woodbine Heights
• Rosedale

We may do a pop-up in your area... so check out our socials for when we might be in your neighbourhood!

Virtual Services: Canada Only 

*if outside of Canada, check out our services through We Work for Treats

• Travel Time
• Treat/Resource Costs
• Longer Training Sessions* these sessions require more time due to demonstration constraints with a dog that doesn't already have the skill yet. So, we onboard the skill with the dog - to also demonstrate the skill to the dog parent, then coach the dog parent with the dog. Where in virtual sessions, a quick demo is provided with a dog fluent with the skill then coaching of you teaching your dog happen simultaneously. 
• We may need to bring additional support with us if we are working on skills that require decoy's (people or dogs). 

Initial Coaching Package

• Non-Refundable
• Reschedule 48 Hours Prior (please see next question on reschedules)
• Reschedules must be rebooked prior to the expiry date
• Payment due 24hrs after invoice sent (invoice sent within 24 hours of booking Initial Session)

Coaching Sessions and Supportive Walks (Single Bookings)

• Cancellations 48 Hours Prior - Full Refund Available (if cancelled 48 hours prior)
• Reschedule 48 Hours Prior (please see next question on reschedules)
• Payment due 24hrs after invoice sent (invoice sent within 24 hours of booking)

Coaching Bundles, Supportive Walk Bundles and Day Training Packages

• Non-Refundable
• Reschedule 48 Hours Prior (please see next question on reschedules)
• Reschedules must be rebooked prior to the expiry date
• Payment due 24hrs after invoice sent (invoice sent within 24 hours of booking first session of your bundle/package)

You can see our Terms of Services HERE. 

You can certainly reschedule, within reason. Single bookings, packages and bundles have expiry dates. The reason for those expiry dates:

The program is designed with you, your dog and the training goals in mind. Behaviour momentum is important to ensure we reduce idling between sessions: 

(1) loosing your way in a training plan (training regressions), 

(2) keeping accountable, 

(3) continuing to move that goal post and reducing ruts, and 

(4) building that learned history with your dog. 

We ask that we stick to the set schedule as best you can for best results. 

We understand life can happen, but each program will have a reasonable 'expiry date' detailed and any reschedules must be booked in prior to the expiry date. 

Terms of Services here.

Nicole started as a dog walker in 2011, and graduated from The Academy for Dog Trainers in 2019. She implemented much of her training skills to teach her staff at the time, and train dogs that were onboarded into general dog walking services. She made the switch to exclusively dog training in 2020. 

You can find more about Nicole's training credentials on our about page:  https://weworkfortreats.com/nicole-barnett-ctc%2C-csat

You can find a full price sheet located on our Terms of Services page that you can download.