Private Dog Training Information
Home Visits and One - One Dog Training
Prevention or Cure in the comfort of your own home! Our 5 star service
Why should you have a Home Visit?
People always learn more on a one-one. The majority of dangerous, aggressive or problem dogs I work with, the owners rarely complain that their dogs do not know how to sit, walk to heel to lie down. Problems are not caused due to lack of obedience but rather a lack of respect for the owner. To put it another way the dogs have learned to take advantage of their owners. Problems are often worse in a dog training club situation therefore trying to talk to owners when the dog is out of control makes for a very difficult session for owners. Many problems stem from the home situation including bad lead pullers and so the home should be the major focus of the solution.
I have worked with many owners who complain of dog-dog aggressive behaviour and in many cases the owners nervous behaviour has further fueled anxiety and protective behaviour in their dog. My sessions are geared toward building confidence, both with the owner and their dog. Please take a look at our reviews. Of course not every case is easy to resolve but my experience is that owners are rarely right in their evaluation of of the problem, which in itself becomes part of the problem. Dog training in home surroundings is the best way to start to tackle the problems described.
Where a problem is believed to require a long period to resolve, say 2-4 months then support will be readily available and a club course or socialising classes may be recommended.
Many dog behavioural issues are fairly easy to resolve provided owners contact us at the onset however the trend tends to be for people to try and cope as best as they can, often leaving a problem untreated for up to twelve months plus. If in doubt please contact us to discuss the best way forward. We will ask you to complete an assessment form and offer an opinion free of charge so you have nothing to lose.
Our methods are modern and we do not condone physical correction, over-handling bullying, smacking or similar. The dog's welfare is paramount in all our work and we teach you to understand your dog rather than place a greater emphasis on changing your dog.
We aim to strengthen the bond between you and your dog, whereby training is a partnership. Home Visits are undertaken to enable owners to cope with all difficult and potential problems, addressing the underlying issues.
Home Visit FAQ's
When is it appropriate to have a home visit?
If you have a young puppy
If you experience aggression or behaviour problems such as refusal from puppies or adult dogs
If you have a disability (Please note our venues are wheel-chair friendly)
If your dog experiences a trauma such a an accident or attack from another dog
If you take on a rescue dog or re-home a dog from a family member or friend
If you don't like working as part of a group.
Home Visit FAQ's
What is the best time for a home visit?
If you have a dog which has either developed problems or indeed is a rescue, a home visit is a must at the very onset of the problem. Don't wait and hope it will go away. A problem that becomes established can often take up to 8 months to eradicate. Also the longer you wait the greater the stress you and your dog will have to endure. The age of the dog is immaterial, there is always hope. Less than 1% of dogs have to be put to sleep.
There are many problems which can be resolved quite quickly provided you act quickly or at the onset of the problems. In many cases by waiting you may inadvertently reinforce problem behaviour and make matters worse.
Home Visit FAQ's
Why puppy owners should consider a home visit?
Home visits are very useful during the period before a puppy is vaccinated. This will enable you to start them them off on the right path from the very onset, especially if you have not owned a dog before. The experience of moving to the new home, teething, separation, lead training can all be very stressful to young puppies, therefore early intervention is crucial. Training a puppy early can have many benefits.
Many people wait until they experience problems before contacting us and this delay will in turn delay any consequent success. A Home Visit will enable you to feel in control of your puppy and to deal with some potentially very difficult encounters with confidence. When a new puppy comes into the home many owners will rely on their experience of dealing with problems from a human perspective. We, on the other hand, will teach you to "think dog" and consequently your dog will be less confused, thereby minimising stress.
The ability to "think dog" can also reduce the potential for stress or trauma in older dogs and improve your ability to cope. Home Visit FAQ's
How much will a home visit cost?
Our prices have been held at the 2008 rates.
Our prices are affordable and we do not advocate the use of expensive gadgets and gimmicks to train your dog. The theory and experience we provide you with are more than sufficient. The cost of a visit depends on the the type of help you require. Sometimes only a single visit (three hours) is necessary and other times 4 sessions (total of 6 hours), including a home visit is more appropriate. Which option is available will become clearer, in some cases, when an assessment is undertaken. Please contact us and a form will be emailed or posted to you.
Payment not necessary on booking and free ongoing support/advice/subsequent consultations. Payment in installments is permitted for one-one private session only - please call to discuss.
You may forward a cheque. Please email for address details to nij@bertiedogs.com
Home Visit FAQ's
Cost of Travel
No extra charge will be incurred for visits less than 20 miles round trip. For distances greater than 20 miles a charge of 40p/mile will be charged in addition to the cost of the visit. The time taken to travel will also be charged as part of the visit.
What support can you expect to receive?
For you to achieve success it is a must that you ask for help and advice whenever you need and you continue to keep me informed of progress. After a home visit is undertaken or series of visits you may be invited to attend support sessions, which will be free of charge held at the Oadby united Reformed Church from 8:00-8:30 on Fridays by arrangement or the Langton Community Centre, also between 8:00 - 8:30pm. All club courses will however incur the usual cost and will need to be booked as always on a first come basis.
In the event that you have booked a block of four sessions appointments will be offered either at the time of the visit or by email or telephone shortly afterwards. It is expected that clients will respond in a timely manner and if unable to keep appointments give good notice. If emails or phone calls are not responded to then appointments will be offered to other clients on the waiting list. If you need help or advice at any time please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email. We are happy to offer advice and support up to six months from the date of the first visit. Thereafter we will consider cases on merit. This only applies where clients have maintained contact with us and kept us informed of progress/problems.
Home Visit FAQ's
What will the visit entail?
All dogs will be assessed prior to visits and owners will be asked, where possible to complete a form. The answers will determine the areas covered. Undoubtedly it is not always easy to write everything down, therefore further discussion will also take place during the visit and specific areas explored. If other concerns reveal themselves during the visit, for example problems with another dog or relationship with another dog advice will be offered at no extra charge. Many dog problems are interrelated and it is good practice to cover all areas as a matter of course. In short we believe in a holistic approach, addressing all areas where problems can arise. We have found this to be a far more successful approach than simply addressing the apparent problem.
We aim to cover the following main areas governing dog behaviour although we reserve the right to deviate from this depending on the nature of the problem.
Diet & Nutrition
Socialisation & Phobias
Dominance
Passive Resistance
Obedience
Plus all other individual concerns
You will be given a folder and guidance notes from the visit so that you will have a reference point for all of the issues discussed. However all the information can be obtained in far greater detail by purchasing the book: Sheepdog Training and Trials
Home Visit FAQ's
What success can I expect?
We have been working with difficult dogs and puppies for over twenty years and over this time we have developed many techniques and methods to tackle some of the most complex problems. Our client testimonials demonstrate the high level of success and satisfied clients we have and we continue to receive recommendations from people not only in Leicestershire but nationally due to the unique services that we offer. Our priority is always to minimise the stress impact on the dogs and their owners and we teach you to understand your dog rather than emphasise changing them. If our assessment reveals that a visit is not appropriate we will inform you of this. We work with a limited client group and a waiting list is often applied.
Success depends on the following:
Our ability to highlight problems and their cause/s
Our ability to put a plan of action into place to tackle the above issues
Your ability and willingness to practice several times a day the solutions identified
The nature of your dog's problem
Your age in relation to the type of breed of dog you have e.g. an seventy five year old with the two year old German Shepherd or English Mastiff
Your ability to communicate any difficulties/problems you may experience as well as successes.
Time
Realistic expectations - the process of training is far more important than the end result
The age of your dog
Any disability you or a family member may have
Belief in yourself and us to achieve positive outcomes. We don't expect to fail!
A consistent approach.
90% hard work and 10% luck!
Home Visit FAQ's
Do you provide dog training outside Leicester
Although our dog training venues are in Leicester and Market Harborough we provide home visits nationally with respect to puppy training, as well as behaviour problems such as dog aggression.
Cancellation
Sessions may be cancelled and re-arranged provided I receive your instruction no less than 48 hours before the course time. Cancellations on the day of the session may incur the full cost of the session or result in a reduced subsequent session. Please be aware that Bertie Dog Training operate a waiting list system and only work with a limited client group in order to prioratise clients and maintain quality.To ensure we receive your message please telephone us and not email. Deposits will only be refunded where adequate notice is given.
Refunds will be considered with respect to four sessions being booked only but please be aware that the sessions you have had prior to cancellation will incur the full charge and not the discounted charge. Therefore a single visit will cost £145. Please note in any event the refunds made will be as follows:
One session £26.66
Two sessions £53.33
Three sessions £80
Can the cost of a home visit be claimed back from an insurance policy?
Some home policies or dog policies have automatic cover with respect to the cost of seeking professional help with respect to behaviour problems. If you have concerns about your dog's behaviour being potentially dangerous it would be worthwhile completing an assessment form provided by us and and we may well be able to support a claim. It is also advisable for you to contact your insurance company direct and ask them if you are covered. In some cases companies will pay for problems to be addressed before they get out of hand in order to prevent further further problems from developing. If in doubt please contact us to discuss.further.