Current class students can schedule a discounted initial consultation for $143.11. This appointment does not include a written training plan.

Courteous Canine uses science-based, reward-based training methods built on positive reinforcement.

Our approach focuses on:

• Building trust

• Teaching new skills

• Reinforcing desired behaviors

• Improving communication between dogs and their families

• Creating lasting behavior change without intimidation or fear

We believe training should strengthen the relationship between dogs and the people who love them.

Our private dog training programs are designed to address a wide variety of concerns, including (but not limited to):

• Pulling on leash

• Jumping on people

• Excessive barking

• Puppy biting and mouthing

• House training

• Resource guarding

• Fearful behavior

• Reactivity toward dogs or people

• Difficulty coming when called

• Separation-related behaviors

• Lack of focus around distractions

Every training plan is customized to your dog's behavior, personality, learning history, and your family's goals.

Absolutely! One of the best times to work with a professional dog trainer is before behavior problems develop.

Private dog training isn't just for dogs with challenges—it's also an excellent way to build strong foundations, prevent unwanted behaviors, and strengthen the relationship between you and your dog. Whether you've recently welcomed a new puppy or have an adult dog you'd like to teach new skills, personalized coaching can help your dog succeed for years to come.

Private training can help you:

• Build reliable manners at home and in public

• Teach loose-leash walking and reliable recall

• Develop calm behavior around people, dogs, and everyday distractions

• Strengthen focus and engagement

• Prevent common issues such as jumping, pulling, excessive barking, and resource guarding

• Prepare for activities like therapy dog work, service dog training, dog sports, or travel

• Gain confidence in your training skills with guidance tailored to your dog

Every dog is an individual. Private training allows us to customize lessons to your goals, lifestyle, and your dog's personality, helping you create lifelong habits before unwanted behaviors become established.

Whether you're raising a puppy or simply want a well-mannered companion, proactive training is one of the best investments you can make in your dog's future.

Private training is often the best choice if your dog:

• Becomes overwhelmed around other dogs

• Is reactive, fearful, or easily distracted

• Has behavior concerns that require individualized coaching

• Needs flexible scheduling

• Has specific household challenges

• Is preparing for therapy dog or service dog work

Private sessions allow us to focus entirely on your dog and create a personalized training plan.

Your first appointment includes a comprehensive evaluation of your dog's behavior, history, daily routine, and your training goals.

Together we'll:

• Identify the root causes of behavior concerns

• Discuss management strategies

• Discuss hands-on training

• Create a customized training plan

• Outline homework between sessions

You'll leave with practical strategies you can immediately begin using at home.

All prices include RI Sales Tax.

• Initial Consultation $222

• 1 ~ 90 minute session $166

• 1 ~ 60 minute session $143.11

• 3 ~ 60 minute sessions $577.80

• 4 ~ 60 minute sessions $667.68

  Rates subject to change without notice.

We do not charge an additional mileage fee.

Clients may self book appointments using the links on the pages for in home locations within a 30 minute driving radius of 212 Main Street Wakefield RI

Please contact us to schedule appointments outside this service area.

Yes.

Many private training sessions can take place in your home, where behavior problems often occur. Depending on your training goals, sessions may also be held at one of our training locations or in community settings to practice real-world skills.

Training where your dog lives often leads to faster progress because we can work directly within your everyday routine.

For dogs outside our service area, appointments may be scheduled at a training facility or in the surrounding community.

Every dog is unique.

Some families achieve their goals in just a few sessions, while more complex behavior modification cases require ongoing coaching over several weeks or months.

Your trainer will recommend a program based on your dog's behavior, learning history, and your long-term goals.

The number of sessions necessary to give you the tools to work with your dog's behavior depend on several factors, including your dog's genetics, early experiences and current level of training, in addition to your goals and lifestyle.

Some problem behaviors, such as separation anxiety, may only require one in-home session to give you the information you need to continue working with your dog on your own.

Aggressive behaviors, however, such as dogs who bark and lunge at other dogs on walks, will require multiple sessions, since the skills necessary to work with this behavior require significant guidance and practice before most dog owners are skilled enough to continue working on their own.

Our plan may include follow up one on one sessions, or group classes.

Include people in our training sessions, if they will be involved in the daily training or management of yourpet. If everyone can not attend, plan a time to review my recommendations and plan with them after each session.

Of course! We will provide support by phone or email if you have questions or problems at any point in your dog's training, which may continue long after our training program has ended. If you feel you need additional help after your training program has ended, you can always schedule individual follow-up sessions to keep you on track.

Training is a process, not an instant fix.

Most clients begin seeing improvement within the first few weeks when they consistently practice between sessions.

Progress depends on:

• Consistency at home

• Your dog's learning history

• Age and health

• Behavior being addressed

• Family participation

Our goal is lasting behavior change—not temporary compliance.

• Please read and review the notes from our prior session.

• Please prepare a list of questions, concerns, or anything else you wish to address

• Please restrict pet’s feeding for at least 4-­‐6 hours prior to appointment, in case we need a hungry pet to train. Also have your pet’s favorite things handy (snacks, toys, etc).

• A summary will no be provided to you after our follow up appointments. We recommend taking your own notes.

If your pet is aggressive toward strangers, please have them completely secured when I arrive (ex: on leash, in a crate, in another room, in the yard, etc.) so they are unable to reach me.

We guarantee that you will be satisfied with our services. However in our industry it is considered highly unethical to guarantee specific changes in behavior. We will be able to discuss our success using specific methods with dogs that presented with similar problems. The success of your dog's training program is dependent on many factors outside of our control including the cause of your dog's behavior (such as genetics, traumatic experience, etc.) and your ability to follow all instructions as provided.

Because of those factors, guaranteeing an outcome is unethical and, as such, is prohibited by our professional membership with the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers.

Yes.

Private training is often the first step toward therapy dog or owner-trained service dog programs.

We'll evaluate your dog's temperament and help build the foundation skills needed before advancing into more specialized training.

Visit our service dog training page for more information on service dog training.

Yes. We work with many dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, frustration, or reactivity.

Our behavior modification programs focus on helping dogs feel more comfortable while teaching new emotional responses and practical skills using science-based, positive reinforcement training.

If your dog barks, lunges, growls, or struggles around people, dogs, or unfamiliar situations, we'll develop a training plan tailored to your dog's needs.

Some behaviors that owners describe as "aggression" are actually fear, frustration, or reactivity.

During your initial consultation, we'll evaluate your dog's behavior and determine whether private behavior modification is appropriate or whether another specialist would better meet your dog's needs.

Our priority is creating a safe and effective training plan for both dogs and their families.

Aggression is not a mystery. Thanks to decades of research, we know what causes aggression and how to modify it. There are thousands of trainers who have effectively used positive methods, including the use of food, to change very serious aggressive behaviors and many books have been written on the subject. Claims that an aggressive dog learns differently than a non-aggressive dog are like old-wives tales, based in lack of education about behavior modification methods.

Any trainer who makes such a determination about any dog without evaluating the dog in person and/or working with you and your dog extensively to try to change the behavior is grossly unethical.

 We strongly believe euthanasia or rehoming is a personal choice to be made by owners after considering all factors, including severity and predictability of behavior, response to training, effective management and potential liability. Our role is to provide the owner with a clear view of those factors. We will not tell any dog owner to euthanize their dog. If euthanasia or rehoming is being considered by the owner, we can offer consultation and appropriate referrals for additional opinions, as necessary.