Services

I offer private in-home behavior modification and dog training, day training and classes for people and their dogs in the Hudson Valley using positive reinforcement training. My training is relationship and compassion-based. I want to see a happy, confident dog who trusts their people and feels safe in the world. We’ll start with your dog wherever he or she might be in this moment. Please note that I do not use choke, prong or e-collars.

Private sessions and day training packages – We’ll schedule an initial consultation at your home for 1-1.5 hours ($150). I’ll meet your dog and we’ll discuss your goals. Then we’ll design a package that meets your needs. The cost breaks down to $100/hour/session.

See below for class information.

DAY TRAINING PACKAGES

Sometimes we want a nicely trained dog, but don’t have the time or find the process challenging. It can make it easier if you have a hand. I offer training packages starting with the basics – sit, down, leave it, drop it, coming when called and a hand touch. I’ll teach your dog. At the end of the week, we’ll meet for 30 minutes to an hour. I will transfer the skills learned that week to you. Once graduated, we can continue to strengthen those behaviors and add more advanced behaviors as needed such as go to mat, crate training, ringing a bell to go outside, relaxation, etc. If there are any behavior challenges that you would like to address, we can discuss what may work within the package.

For each package, we’ll tailor to your needs. The costs breaks down to roughly $100/hour.

Note that although I’ll be doing the training, you will need to maintain the training at home. If you don’t, then your dog will stop performing the newly learned behaviors.

CLASSES

Puppy Class!
We’ll work on socialization, setting our puppies up for success and training basic behaviors.
Open to puppies 8-14 weeks

Starts Sunday June 8th at 10:30 am and noon
Runs for 6 weeks (skipping July 6th)
Age appropriate vaccinations required
Location is Rondout Valley Veterinary Associates 6006 Rte 209 in Kerhonkson
Cost is $200 due at sign-up

Basics Class
We’ll work on training sit, down, stay, eye contact, coming when called, leave it and drop it as well as working around distractions through training and games. If your dog already knows these behaviors, but is unable to perform them around distractions, this is a great opportunity to work around other dogs.

Open to dog-friendly dogs 6 months and older
Starts Saturday June 21st at 10:30 am and noon
Runs for 6 weeks (skipping July 5th)
Age appropriate vaccinations required
Location is Camp Belly Rub 853 Flatbush Road, Route 32 in Kingston
Cost is $200 due at sign-up

To Register, please email tessa@hudsonvalleyhounds.com or submit a contact on the website.

WHY DO WE TRAIN?

I’ve met dogs who were born easy and lovely and I’ve met dogs for whom life is challenging regardless of their start in life. Same with people. We meet our dog where he or she is on any given day. We understand that dogs don’t exist simply to meet our needs, but we need to meet their needs. We need to provide safety, guidance and support as they make their way through the world. If life is scary, then we can explain to them that they can handle it. We can desensitize to triggers and even make our dogs look forward to the scary stuff. We can also provide our dogs with life skills so that they feel confident and we’re working as a team. Life feels easier for everyone.

What are life skills? If I open the door to my car and my dog is trying to jump past me, because of course, he wants to get the fun stuff, I’m frustrated and my dogs are confused. They don’t understand why I’m acting upset or oddly and are frustrated because they just want to get out of the car! Just because I think they should know to wait isn’t the way life works. We need to actually explain to our dogs what we expect from them and how to be ‘right’. If I explain, “Hey Bud, when I open this door, wait until I release you. Then maybe you check-in with me and wait. Then we’ll start our walk. How about that?” My dog can do that. I can explain it to him. It’s so much less confusing and frustrating for them and me. That’s a simple example.

The Process

Step 1 – Contact me.

Step 2 – I will reach out to you within 24-hours to schedule an initial consultation.

Step 3 – Have faith in yourself and your dog. You can do it! You can meet your goals and have fun along the way! I’m here to support, guide and make the process a positively reinforcing one for both people and dogs.

Step 4 – Enjoy watching your dog transform into the super star you knew he could be! I love hearing clients exclaim in disbelief, “He is brilliant!”

I’ll tell you a secret… Regardless of why you contacted me, your dog will have no idea why I am at your house. Zero. For dogs who don’t love visitors, they are counting the seconds until I leave. But after a few minutes or a few sessions, regardless of whether your puppy is too sweet for words or your dog has been exhibiting less than desirable behaviors, your dog will be convinced that he figured it out!!! I visit your house so we can all play games and have fun! When teaching is done well, learning is fun!

I tailor our training to meet both your dog’s and your goals and needs. We teach your dog new skills and behaviors so that he can better manage and cope in the world. We’ll also explain to him how our crazy human world works and increase your dog’s behavior repertoire so he is able to behave successfully in specific contexts. We can teach him how to greet people, what to do when the front door opens, what his job is when the family sits down for dinner, and so on. You would be surprised how often our dogs are confused and guessing. As your dog’s skills, mastery and successes increase, so does his confidence and his connection to you. Training can feel like magic!

“I have learned that training is a transformative process for both the learner and the teacher. Critical to success in this transformation is developing trust among all involved.”

Ken Ramirez