Having a reliable recall can potentially save your dog’s life! Do you trust your dog off leash? Will he come when called? Of course there are levels of distraction: it might be easy to come when nothing is happening, but dog parks present a challenge. Although I have met numerous dogs that don’t come to their owners no matter what.

The first step is to determine if your dog doesn’t understand, or is purposely ignoring you. If it’s as simple as he doesn’t know what to do- we retrain the command using specific steps. However, if he is choosing to ignore you, we have a different issue. It’s not longer about coming when called, it is now about improving your relationship with your dog. He doesn’t see you as pack leader!

Either way I can help! Until then enjoy these DO’s and DON’TS.

DO

• Always make recalls rewarding during training – we can fade the food out later!
• Use yummy treats! (not boring ones)
• Be happy and exciting, but firm. Come is a command not an option.
• If you don’t have a reward handy, make a big production by praise and petting
• Start indoors, then backyard, then quiet park, etc. Add distraction slowly
• Come means close enough that you can touch your dog/grab their collar without moving your feet

DON’T

• NEVER punish a recall, even if your dog just ate the couch or took 10 min. to get to you
• Don’t even call her for something she doesn’t like, just go and get her
• Don’t call your dog when she isn’t going to respond. Yelling “Missy, come!” over and over as she runs around ignoring you only weakens your cue.

For more information on training a reliable recall, contact us today!

We loved having the convenience of Desiree coming to our home.

The one on one training made total sense. Desiree’s “customized plans” and training methods were easy to understand and follow, for both of us and Flannigan!!!

We would definitely recommend Desiree!

Michelle, Jason & Flannigan

We hired Desiree to help us with personally training Maggie, our Bichon Frisee/Lhaso Apso 8 month old puppy. From the moment we talked on the phone, it was quite clear that Desiree had the knowledge and passion about what she was doing.
When it came down to the training, she was extremely organized, clear and confident. She really took notice of Maggie’s behaviour and pointed out some issues we had which I had no idea I was causing. I was very impressed and will not hesitate to recommend her to other friends who need a good personal dog trainer.

~Pauline (Previous client and proud pet parent)

She showed us ways to go about training that actually worked and produced results.  I found that not only was Peedie leaning commands, but I was learning efficient ways to teach those commands!  Soon Peedie was learning things in class that had taken me hours to show him at home.
I enjoyed Desiree’s puppy class so much, I went back for her beginners level.  I would definitely recommend Desiree to help you with your training needs!”

~ Thanks, Kristy & Peedie

Looking for advice? Not sure what form of training would be best for your dog? Already decided on private lessons and looking to make the next step? This is it! A 30-45 minute evaluation/ consultation will get you off on the right paw.

• Private in depth questionnaire, discussion of your goals/needs and evaluation of dogs behaviour
• Call or email for current location
• Check calendar for available dates

Evaluation/Consultation $27.50 plus HST

When group classes just aren’t enough to solve your dogs’ issues you need to try our OMD! Sessions. We come to you where the problem takes place; whether that’s in your home or out on a walk at the park. These sessions were created for particularly challenging dogs with almost any behavioural issue. Examples might be: possessiveness, barking, leash reactivity (lunging or pulling), mild-moderate “aggression”, or general disobedience. These behaviours are almost impossible to cure in a classroom of multiple dogs and need more than the basics of “sit, stay, come”. OMD! Sessions use canine psychology and behaviour to get to the root of the problem, not just cover it up.

• At your door service: we come to you! No extra hidden travel fees. Contact for geographical limitations
• Video analysis (coming soon)
• Phone/email support as needed
• Handouts/reading material
• Written homework assignments and progress check ins
• 20% off group classes
• Free Lifetime membership to our dog socialization meetup groups

Oh My Dog! Sessions (private in home training) We have lowered our rates to accomodate the HST! Now only $55 per session plus tax, or pre-pay for 4 sessions and SAVE over $20.00!

Socialization is not optional!

Join us for off leash play dates,  long walks in the woods,  swimming pool parties, special holiday/community events, fundraisers and more. All dogs, big or small, need to get out and mingle with their kind or they lose the ability to communicate appropriately resulting in potential fear or aggression.

Join either of my canine socialization groups for free at :
www.meetup.com/coffeeandcanines
www.meetup.com/smalldogsonly

New puppy? Puppy Preparation gives your puppy the boost of confidence and starter commands he/she needs to join the rest of the pack in the classroom.

• Two private sessions will get you off on the right paw!
• Puppy Preparation lessons are held at our location. In home training can be substituted at regular cost)
• This package is for puppies under 4 months of age only

“Puppy Preparation Package”
(1/2 price because we LOVE puppies!) $27.50/session plus HST

Say “bye bye” to costly multiple level training! Our group sessions have only two components – indoor classroom work and outdoor advanced training.

Indoor- 8 weeks $150 plus HST (pay online and save $18.00 – Enter promocode “doghouse”)

Dogs of all ages with no training, or some basic training, can attend our classes. This fast paced environment covers introduction to all your basics and will advance and challenge your dog as he/she progresses. We recognize all dogs’ progress at different speeds and have come up with a unique program to eliminate “levels”. Here you will have only one level and can repeat for free if not fully satisfied with your dogs results.
Includes:

• 8 weeks of classroom work
• “Repeat for Free” program if not fully satisfied
• Phone/email support as needed
• Handouts/reading material (where applicable)
• Free Lifetime membership to our dog socialization groups in your community
• Check our contact page for location information

Check calendar for available dates

Outdoor- 8 weeks $150 plus HST (pay online and save $18.00- Enter promocode “doghouse”)

Have you tried another training class in the past that didn’t give you the results you wanted? Did you lose faith in the concept of training, or worse give up? If you are like most people your dog did pretty good or downright great in class, but at home and everywhere else acted like he had never been trained! Perhaps that’s because he was only taught in a classroom. Indoors is the perfect place to start training, but if at some point you don’t progress to the outdoors you are really missing the most important part. It’s like trying to teach someone to swim without letting them practice in water.

Outdoor sessions are a natural progression to our classroom work. Now that your dog knows all his basic commands and then some, you are ready for practice in the real world! Outdoors is often underestimated in its ability to distract your dog. People often expect that their dog should just be able to come back when playing off leash at the park, or heel next to you. The reality is this has to be practiced, and in a specific way. We help you to obtain control of your dog on leash (and off leash) in all outdoor environments by using the outdoor world as our classroom. After this course your dog will be well behaved and prepared for anything!

• Outdoor training requires either passing our indoor class or an equivalency evaluation.
• Each session is held at a new location around town (starbucks, the park, a petstore…)
• Check calendar for available dates and weekly locations

Still have questions? Try our FAQ page

Dog walking:

A private one-on-one 30 minute walk around your neighbourhood will relieve the mid-day work week stress of being left home alone. Rain or Shine. Your dog will get his “pee-break”, some social time, excercise and leash training (where needed) Surrey area only. $15.00 per visit, pre-paid (cash,cheque or online payment)

Looking to add a new addition to your family?

Consider adopting from a reliable rescue organization. If you absolutely feel you must get a new puppy beware of puppy mills and be cautious of dogs for sale on the Internet, in local newspapers and even pet stores. These dogs often come from unsanitary and unsafe surroundings and you could be contributing to breeding for profit from some people that only care about money and not your sweet new puppy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1jXoNYtN3s

Go with a CKC breeder http://www.ckc.ca/en/, or even better adopt a rescue that needs your helphttp://www.petfinder.com/index.html . There are some fabulous dogs that are looking for families to love right now. I can offer the best advice on adopting a rescue new dog and how to choose the right dog for you. Regular consultation fees apply ($27.50/session)

Swimming lessons:

Despite popular belief dogs don’t automatically know how to swim. We offer learn to swim for all ages, post injury rehab, or just burn off excess energy. It’s fun for you and your dog, and you’ll feel better knowing they are safe. Multiple dogs/ groups OK! (Call for a price quote and availability) Please Note: This service is offered through a third party unless you have your own pool.

** PLEASE NOTE ALL PRICES ARE NOW SUBJECT TO HST,EFFECTIVE JULY 1 2010, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED**