Puppy and Dog Training Programs-Contra Costa and Alameda County
The
Dog Squad is dedicated to providing the highest level of obedience training
to the companion dog owner and sport dog enthusiast, living in Alameda, Contra
Costa and the surrounding counties of Northern California. Our training programs
are designed to meet each owner's individual needs as well as expectations.
The Dog Squad currently offers a variety of programs to meet the challenges of people's everyday living needs from private in-home lessons to public practice sessions and Puppy Preschool.
Our goal is to show our clients that their dog can learn to be obedient and reliable in and out of familiar environments, as well as around real world distractions.
Our clients deserve nothing less than a happy, obedient and reliable companion that can share in all of their everyday adventures.
Our services are provided 7 days a week and we provide Lifetime support for all our training packages.
Business Mission and Vision
Company Values Statement
Puppy Pre-School (In-home) (Age 8
wks. to 4 mos.)
Puppy to Adult - No Boundaries Program
No Boundaries Program
No Boundaries Off Leash Program
Home Boundaries Program
Bark Control Program
Remote Collar Basics
6 Week Off Leash Class
Nosework 4 Day Seminar
The
Dog Squad truly believes that a well trained dog is a happy dog and a happy
dog is one that is easy and enjoyable to live with. Our Mission is to improve
every owner's bond with their dog through training that is humane, easy to
follow and results in a dog that is well mannered and safe. Our ultimate
goal is to make dog ownership enjoyable so that dogs live long happy lives
with their owners and that they make the experience of living with a dog
one that is memorable.
Dogs can add fulfillment, enjoyment, and love to one's life but a dog can also bring destruction, heartache and pain if they are not properly trained. We believe that every dog deserves to be trained.
It is in their nature to follow their human counterparts. It is a fact that dogs that are trained live longer healthier lives and research also suggests that the companionship of a dog contributes to longer healthier lives for their owners.
Our Vision is to help clients and dogs achieve the highest level of trust through communication and training methodologies that are proven, safe and humane. Our mission is to enhance the bond that makes the dog/owner relationship special, unique and worthwhile.
TOPAt The Dog Squad we believe that our business should be built on honesty, respect and humane treatment of all animals. We believe that the welfare of the dog comes first. If we cannot help the dog or the client we must not take the job. Even if we decline to take a job we will try to offer the customer options and solutions. As a part of our commitment to improving the lives of our dogs and clients we provide lifetime support without extra costs to our clients.
Services Offered
Puppy Pre-School (In-home) (Age 8 wks. to 4 mos.)
Includes 4 in-home private lessons
This training program is designed to help the client get started on the
right foot with their puppy. Puppy Pre-school is designed to integrate the
puppy into its new pack by setting up structure and rules that help the puppy
understand where his/her place is in the pack, what is expected and to learn
proper manners and appropriate behavior. Starting early helps the puppy develop
good habits and basic obedience skills needed for being a good canine companion.
The following concepts/commands will be taught:
| Basic Manners | Basic Obedience |
|---|---|
| crate training | leash training |
| housebreaking | sit |
| bite inhibition/mouthing | down |
| socialization | coming to you (around home) |
| basic grooming |
Puppy to Adult - No Boundaries Program
This training program is designed to take the puppy through its entire developmental
growth process (puppy, adolescent, adult) from 8 weeks to 1 year+ of age.
The program is divided into 3 phases.
In Phase I Puppy Phase (8 weeks to 20 weeks),the puppy developmental period we cover; house training, socialization, structure, discipline and manners, basic handling and grooming, and puppy obedience such as sit, down, come, leave-it/off, and leash walking. We do 3 in-home private lessons during this phase and spread the lessons out over a 12 week period.
Phase II Adolescence(5 to 6 months): When the puppy the Adolescent period we introduce basic obedience such as; heel, sit, down, stay, wait, come, off, and place. We do 4 private lessons spread out over the next few months of development.
Phase III Adult (Ages 7 months to 1 year). At this phase we do 1 Private Park Lesson and then graduate the dog into our Park Sessions. The customer can choose any of 4 locations to attend for 1 full year. Public Park Session Locations
Phase I Puppy (8 weeks to 5 or 6 months) 3 In-home Lessons
| Basic Manners | Basic Obedience |
|---|---|
| crate training | leash training |
| housebreaking | sit |
| bite inhibition/mouthing | down |
| socialization | coming to you (around home) |
| basic grooming |
Phase II Adolescence (5 to 6 months) 4 In-home Lessons
| Basic Manners | Basic Obedience |
|---|---|
| No Jumping on Guests | Sit on Command (maintaining a sit/stay) |
| Off furniture/counters etc. | Down on Command (Maintaining a down/stay) |
| Quiet on Command | Go to Place (bed, rug, or mat) |
| Waiting at doors | Heel, walking on a loose leash |
| Digging and Chewing | Come using a long line |
| Possessive and Territorial Aggression |
Phase III Adult (7 months to 1 year +) 1 Private Park Lesson plus 1 year of Park Sessions
Practice Sessions are held at various Bay Area Locations (click here to see Session info). In Park Sessions we put dogs into real world situations and test their obedience skills with a high level of distraction. Customers can choose any of our locations or combination of sessions.
No Boundaries Program
This training program is designed to give our customers complete leash control
of their dog in any environment or situation. We will train the owner to
train their dog to be reliable in the midst of real world distractions. The Program includes 3
in-home lessons plus 2 lessons out-side the home in highly distracting areas. After completing private lessons students progress to the real
world environment of Group Practice Sessions. Group Sessions are taught multiple times
per week. The owner and dog may go to any of our 4 designated Sessions for 1 full year. We provide lifetime follow-up should the customer encounter any problems.
The following concepts/commands will be taught:
| Basic Manners | Basic Obedience |
|---|---|
| No Jumping on Guests | Sit on Command (maintaining a sit/stay) |
| Off furniture/counters etc. | Down on Command (Maintaining a down/stay) |
| Quiet on Command | Go to Place (bed, rug, or mat) |
| Waiting at doors | Heel, walking on a loose leash |
| Digging and Chewing | Come using a long line |
| Possessive and Territorial Aggression |
No Boundaries Off Leash Program
This training program is designed to give our customers complete Off Leash control of their dog in any environment or situation. We train the owner to train their dog to be reliable in the midst of real world distractions. The Program includes 3 in-home lessons plus 5 lessons in real world situations away from the home. After completing private lessons students progress to the real world environment of Group Sessions. Group Sessions are taught multiple times per week. The owner and dog may attend any one of our 4 Park Sessions for 1 full year. We provide lifetime follow-up should the customer encounter any problems.
The following concepts/commands will be taught:
| Basic Manners | Basic Obedience |
|---|---|
| No Jumping on Guests | Sit on Command (maintaining a sit/stay) |
| Off furniture/counters etc. | Down on Command (Maintaining a down/stay) |
| Quiet on Command | Go to Place (bed, rug, or mat) |
| Waiting at doors | Heel, walking on a loose leash |
| Digging and Chewing | Sit, down, Place, Heel, Stay, Come (from distance & with distractions) |
| Possessive and Territorial Aggression |
Home Boundaries Program
This training program is designed for control around the customer's home.
We will train the owner to train their dog to be reliable around the house
and around real world distractions. Lessons will be taught in the customer's
home. Program includes 3 in-home private lessons and 1 year of Park Sessions. Client can choose any of the 4 Park Sessions we have running per week. Lifetime follow-up is available
should the client encounter problems with any of the outlined objectives.
The following concepts/commands will be taught:
| Basic Manners | Basic Obedience |
|---|---|
| No Jumping on Guests | Sit on Command (maintaining a sit/stay) |
| Off furniture/counters etc. | Down on Command (Maintaining a down/stay) |
| Quiet on Command | Heel, walking on a loose leash |
| Waiting at doors | Stay |
| Digging and Chewing | |
| Possessive and Territorial Aggression |
Charges for second and third dog in Puppy to Adult, No Boundaries,No Boundaries Off Leash and Home Boundaries Programs: Second Dog half price of the training program. (does not apply to training equipment). Third Dog add an additional $100 + cost of any training equipment.
Bark Control Program
The Dog Squad offers a Program to help you solve all types of nuisance barking. If you have been cited by Animal Control or have received complaints from neighbors then this is the program for you and your dog.
We use a variety of approaches and tools that are custom fit to your dog and home environment. We use Static Collars, Spray Collars and Ultrasound. We will recommend the best device or combination of devices to solve your dog's barking problem.
Our Bark Control Program includes 2 in-home sessions and a Bark Control Device. At the first session we do a quick assessment of your dog and your home situation. We then make a recommendation on what device would work best. We properly fit the dog with a Bark Control device and then introduce the dog to external stimuli that will cause it to bark. We thoroughly instruct the owner on how a device works, how it should be used safely, how to maintain it and how to solve problems if the device is not working. After we have instructed, properly fit and tested the device we leave the owner with instructions on daily use and routine. We follow-up with a visit in about 1 to 2 weeks to make sure the device is working properly and that the program we set-up is working.
"I took Pickett for ride in the car the other night and the collar worked wonders. He barked once then stopped. He usually gets spastic around McDonalds, but I drove around it a few times and he didn't bark. The ride to work this morning was so much nicer. He barked just once when we got to work and then stopped. Usually he starts barking when we get close and doesn't shut up. At work today he's been a whole different dog. I'm so happy I can start bringing him more often. He doesn't bark at the UPS guys when they come in the front doors or bark at John's electric wheel chair. He seems calmer too."
Thanks,
Candice Moses, Pleasant Hill, CA
The Bark Control Program costs $295 and includes one Bark Control Device. Also included with the package are 90 days of email and phone support.
Remote Collar Basics
The Dog Squad offers a basic remote collar training package to get owners started with an e-collar. This is a starter program for clients who want to do most of their training on their own but just need a jump start.
The program includes the following:
| Program |
|---|
| One In-home Lesson (about 1 hour) |
| Dogtra 300M Remote Training Collar |
| Instructional DVD: "Just Right! A Step-By-Step Guide to Remote Collar Training" |
The Program costs $395 + Sales Tax. We are offering a $20 Discount for current clients of The Dog Squad. Also included with the package are 90 days of email and phone support.
6 Week Off Leash Class
Place and Dates to be announced
The Class covers all the basic obedience commands as well as more advanced behaviors. The use of clear hand signals will be integrated into all the lessons.
We cover sending dogs away from the owner and calling them back. We will teach the dogs how to move from right to left and left to right at a distance. The dogs will learn to perform sits and downs from a distance as well as executing these commands while in mid recall and mid send away.
Included in the course are long stays, stays with distractions while other dogs perform movement commands and stays with the owners out of sight.
Each participant must have a 30 foot long line and a place board/mat. (Place Boards can be purchased from The Dog Squad). Go to Dog Squad On-Line Store This class is for e-collar trained dogs only and limited to 10 participants.
Price $150
A 4 Day Nosework Seminar with Andrew Ramsey of Ramsey K-9 Services
August 3, 4, 5, 6, 2012 at Camp Herms, El Cerrito, CA
The Dog Squad will be hosting a 4 day Seminar in Nosework taught by renowned trainer Andrew Ramsey of Ramsey K-9 Services.The workshop will be held at the scenic Boy Scout Camp, Camp Herms in the El Cerrito Hills near Tilden Park.
The Seminar will be limited to 12 working teams and 12 observers/auditors. No Nosework experience is necessary.
Price for working Teams will be $595 (Snacks and Lunch included)
Price for Auditing will be $275 (Snacks and Lunch included)
15% Discount for registrations before April 30, 2012.
10% Discount for registrations before June 30, 2012.
Andrew's lessons, seminars and classes use the same foundation training methods that are used to train Military and Law Enforcement Detection K-9's but, are designed for pet dogs and handlers who want to explore the activity of Nosework for fun or competition in any of the organizations that offer it. While they are not specifically designed as a foundation for any type of professional detection work, Andrew uses the same methods so you and your dog can maximize your potential as a team. The goal of his Nosework Seminar is to engage the dog in the game of searching for a target odor and to teach the handler how to motivate, handle, read and reward the dog building a strong working partnership between the two of them.
Nosework can build confidence in a shy dog, give an active dog an appropriate and challenging outlet for its energy and help the reactive dog overcome its environmental sensitivity. Nosework strengthens the bond between dog and handler and best of all it is FUN!
Sign up at Dog Squad On-line Store
Call 877-632-3647 to set up an evaluation.
