Frequently Asked Questions: Private Dog Training

 

Robert Forto

A Unique Personalized Training Program

What is a Private Consultation?

Private Consultations are an opportunity for Dr. Robert Forto to evaluate by seeing and experiencing the situation first hand. This can be especially useful in aggression cases. However, in most cases, a consultation is not required, because Dr. Forto has screened and evaluated the problem(s) during the first phone inquiry. This is why when you inquire about our training services, you will speak directly with Dr. Robert Forto.

Are all Private Training Sessions held at my home?

Private Dog Training Sessions are offered to individuals and families to help them learn how to train their dog(s). Sessions may be held in the owners home or at the trainers office (Denver, CO).

In the event of a behavioral problem that occurs in a particular location (for example: if the dog is fearful at the park, the session can be held at the park) at an away location.

Who needs Private Training?

Anyone who wants to have a well trained and well mannered dog! During Private Training Sessions Dr. Robert Forto can instruct you on everything from basic dog obedience, solving problem dog behavior, fine tuning for competitive dogs (including: agility, conformation, obedience, etc.), manners and general house hold behavior.

How many Private Training Sessions will my dog need?

Keeping in mind most of what we do is people training, we usually visit the average home three to four visits over a four to six month period. Although, in some cases like house training or consultations, we may only make one or two visits.

To give you some idea of the format we generally follow here is an outline of what most often occurs at the first session:

Upon arrival – meet the family and pets.

Quickly evaluate for any problems not described during the phone interview.

Train the dog for up to ten minutes to build a friendly, reliable relationship, thus starting obedience and manners training.

The trainer asks the owner to confine hyper or active dogs to a tie down, crate or outside.

The trainer goes over the application and discusses the family’s main concerns.

The trainer presents a personalized booklet with information which covers basic training, problem prevention/stopping and basic care guidelines.

The trainer uses the pet in examples of problem prevention/stopping.

The owners are encouraged to ask questions.

The dog is then brought back to the training session and worked with by the trainer again.

Once the pet’s memory is refreshed, the trainer shows the family how to get the dog to respond. The family then practices with the dog.

The trainer is present to encourage and make adjustments in how the family trains and works with the dog, so that maximum benefit can be achieved. If needed, other sessions follow.

Sessions can be scheduled at the owners convenience, however, we typically prefer to set the second appointment two weeks after the first. This give the owner enough time to begin training and behavior modification routines.

Except for aggression cases, there are no minimum or maximum of Private In-Home Training sessions required. On average, we work with families for three visits.

I have three dogs, how many sessions will I need?

Generally, a home with two or three dogs require four to six sessions over a six month period. Additional dogs may require more sessions, or over a longer period of time. This is because working with two or more dogs must begin with training each dog individually at first. (This is to say, each dog will receive instruction from Dr. Robert Forto during each session, however, the dogs will learn to work with each other present during future sessions) Once each dog understands each task to the same level, then the dogs are worked together. This allows the dogs to successful quickly for a happy, fast training process!

How much do I have to work with my dog once the trainer leaves?

Training and behavior modification depend greatly on the dogs problems, abilities and prior training. In most cases we suggest working formally with the dog a total of twenty minutes per day at least six days a week. Our goal is to teach owners to incorporate dog obedience and manners with everyday activities to achieve a well mannered, well behaved best friend.

Exercise is also one of the most underrated activities owners participate in. It is our goal to help you manage your dog so that managed leash walking (a comfortable walk for dog and owner) can occur DAILY! We usually recommend a forty minute walk every day for mature dogs. Young puppies should be walked at shorter intervals, and on soft surfaces.

Making gentle training a way of life and understanding the basics of how dogs work, enables you to work with your dog to avert and solve problems as well as have tons of time to simply enjoy your dogs great behavior!

How old does my puppy have to be before I can start training him?

Again, because the training is primarily for humans, training can begin any time as early as five weeks old! Because Private Training Sessions are in your home, you will not be exposing your puppy to potential virus’ or disease.

We prefer to have the first training session within the first week your puppy arrives home. During these sessions we would discuss house training issues, confinement issues, socialization, curbing and controlling mouthing and play biting behavior, manners, obedience training and general puppy raising tips.

My dog is twelve. Is he too set in her ways?

NO! While older dogs may have to deal with health issues, the benefit of training an older dog is that they are still eager to learn and developmentally stable enough to learn a lot! Most geriatric dogs have an extreme ability to focus. They are so bonded to their owners, they have an unsurpassed ability to seemingly learn through osmosis!

 

Robert Forto | Team Ineka | Alaska Dog Works | Mushing Radio | Dog Works Radio | Denver Dog Works | Daily Post

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Dr. Robert Forto is a musher training for his first Iditarod under the Team Ineka banner and the host of the popular radio shows, Mush! You Huskies and Dog Works Radio Shows