How do I know whether I should opt for group courses or private counseling?

Group courses are excellent to teach you training skills so you can teach your dog to respond to cues such as sit, down, stay and come as well as to troubleshoot issues such as poor manners, jumping up and pulling on leash. Dogs enjoy the training, the outing and the chance to socialize with people and other dogs. People enjoy learning how their dogs learn and the chance to address problems and dispel myths about dog behavior. Group obedience courses are also the beginning in the path towards sports such as Agility and Flyball as well as rewarding activities such as Animal Assisted Therapy.

Private counseling is designed to diagnose and treat specific and usually more serious behavior problems such as aggression to strangers, family members or other dogs, chronic house-soiling, excessive or inappropriate barking, digging or chewing and fear and anxiety disorders such as separation anxiety. Private training is also an option for people whose schedules do not permit them to attend classes but who want to be coached at basic training skills.

Are there standards all behavior counselors have attained?

No, not all. When shopping for a counselor, ask whether s/he is a member of a professional organization such as APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). Graduates of The Academy for Dog Trainers are also an excellent resource and can be found both in the Bay area and elsewhere. For these and other leads, click here to go our referrals resource page.