Private Training
“personalized solutions especially for you and your dog!”

Training Feature 1 :

Has two minor problem-solving options. These are problem-specific one-to-one meetings. Two mini-workshops are available under this option. Clicker work, shaping and marking are included in both workshops!

A. Does your dog take you for a haul? If your answer is yes, choose THIS, No More Pulling training workshop! Methods covered: Choose To Follow, “Sit-Lets Go!” and The Floating Leash.

B. Does your dog spring clear off the ground at the sight of a friendly stranger? If your answer is yes, choose THIS No More Jumping Up training workshop! Methods covered: “The Party Is At My Mat” and “See Ya-I’m Playing Right Here” training strategies for resolving jumping on visitors coming into and leaving the house.

Each of the workshops above is a series of 3 private training meetings which include just you, your beloved dog and one of our trainers. These are actual training meetings, composed of three working hours of floor time. Learning theory and demonstrations are, of course, included before the training begins. We believe, though, in helping you train your dog, rather than just telling you how to do it and charging you lots of dough for that.

You may do one or both workshops. Keep in mind the more you do with your dog the better her responses will be.

We suggest 3-5 days between sessions for a more intensive experience. Problem behavior responds best to this, but if your free time is scarce, a week or so between meetings is okay too.

Wondering how much?

Training Feature 2:
One-to-one behavior problem counseling that includes skills training.

This option is for more serious problem behavior, including aggression. The most common problems we see under this service, are lunging, barking and/or growling at other dogs or unfamiliar people. If this describes how your dog behaves at the fence in your yard, on walks or at the vet hospital choose THIS Behavior Counseling option. This, and not group training, is the most appropriate and successful training strategy for this type of problem.

So, what are the details?
Your initial meeting will last two full hours.  This time is spent:

1. Going over your behavior history form in detail.  (Prior to your initial visit, you will be emailed a behavior history form to fill out.  This form really helps you to be detail oriented and think in a play by play way, detailing what you observed in sequence, rather than why you think your dog might be behaving poorly.   We also get in touch with you before your initial meeting if there are further questions that come up after we read the report.)
2. Discussing the problem behavior and then observing it if it is safe and appropriate to do so.  This is not always necessary!  We have seen it all.   Practicing the problem behavior just upsets your dog and makes him better at performing it.
3. Videotaping  (particularly for dog to dog sibling issues).
4. Teaching you about the principles and techniques used to modify a dog’s behavior.
5. Beginning cue-response training.

Wondering how much?

The cost of our initial 2 hour meeting of the minds (follow-up history taking, brainstorming, theoretical explanation, etc.) plus beginning cue-response training and/or counterconditioning AND two one hour follow-up training meetings is $325.

The consultation and the follow-up lesson take place in your home, giving me the opportunity to observe the problem behavior in context and where the training we begin will be most beneficial to you and your dog.

Follow-up meetings are $75 pr/hr.

What are these follow up meetings for?

1. They are primarily designed to teach more advanced steps for cue-response training.   It is critical you and your dog become competent at the skills required for improvement.   Second nature mechanics can only be mastered with practice, practice, practice.

2. They may also be utilized to further assess the problem behavior or to observe additional problems.

Questions are, of course, always encouraged.   Make a list for us!

For follow up meetings addressing behavior modification only the fee is $35 per/30 minutes.   Our goal during these meetings is to help human companions improve their skills and response time in real life situations.   These meetings typically take place outdoors or wherever the problem is likely to occur outside of your home.

Training Feature 3:

A convenient, accelerated and innovative one-to-one house call option that includes obedience training basics PLUS exercise. Short on time? No need to fret, choose this private training option and let us do it for you!

How does this work?

This done-for-you-at-home program takes 3 weeks to complete. All training meetings take place at your house. During this time the instructor works with your dog only, 2 times a week, for 1 hour, until the last lesson. You are included in the last lesson, lesson number 6. This mandatory meeting is a concept briefing and a training session for you. At this transfer meeting we show you what your brilliant dog has learned to do so far, and teach you how to request and maintain the behaviors you desire.

Here is what we cover…

• sit
• down
• come
• stay
• leave-it
• drop-it
• go to your bed
• let’s go (choose to follow, a no-pull exercise)
• go fetch!

Wondering how much?

The cost for this option is 85 per session. Payment in full will be collected at the first meeting.

Why include exercise?

Dogs that exercise have fewer behavior problems. Dogs that are shy or timid are less troubled when they play regularly. Dogs that are tired from running and playing are less likely to use chew up things that are valuable to you, and potentially harmful to them. Dogs that stay fit and trim live longer!

* a heads-up: for dogs to participate in the exercise portion of this program they must be free of limiting orthopedic and/or general health problems. If you are unsure about this we will gladly give your dog’s veterinarian a call for you.

There’s more we’d like you to know! All features come with ongoing free email, text or phone access to the instructor.

We are looking forward to helping you with your dog! Roseann and Elisa

Please note:

~Roseann Burrets Baars, CPDT-KA, CVT, CCRP is the staff member currently providing training for dogs placed in training feature 3, our accelerated learning program. For her biography, see our home page.

~Elisa Schmidt, CPDT-KA is the staff member currently assigned to dogs and their companions placed in training feature 1, or training feature 2. You are going to love learning from her. You can learn a little about her below.

Elisa is known for her compassion and kindness. She has worked with animals for over twenty years. Caring for them and helping them to feel comfortable and loved has been her life's work.

After working at the Monmouth County SPCA for nearly two decades, Elisa ended her stay there as the manager of their Behavior Dept. to start her own pet sitting and training company, Creature Comforts Pet Sitting and Training, based in Freehold, NJ. While at the MCSPCA her daily work included the training of staff and dogs, assessing dog and cat behavior problems, and advocacy - assuring the physical and emotional needs of each animal in her care were met.

She is passionate about ongoing and higher education. She is a graduate of the Companion Animal Sciences Institute where she graduated with honors, earning a certificate in Dog Training and Behavior Consulting, and she is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). She also completed a two-year internship under Roseann Burretts-Baars at Big Tail Waggin' that culminated in two knowledge assessment exams, a practical and a written exam. In addition to the instructing and assisting she does for Big Tail Waggin’, she is the head trainer for Creature Comforts Pet Sitting and Dog Training. She holds a BA from Rutgers University (Cook College) and she has done graduate work at Drew University.

In her spare time, Elisa loves to study about dog behavior, and she plans on continuing her graduate studies in the near future. Elisa has three cats and two dogs. All of them were rescued after losing their homes.