Frequently asked questions
To us, there is no such thing as a stupid question. Need us to answer something that you don't see on this list? Fill out a contact form at the bottom of the page and we will get back to you with an answer asap.
how do I get started with your programs?
Simply fill out our quick contact form located at the bottom of any of our websites pages. We will get back to you asap to schedule a free 15-30 minute virtual consultation. From there we can determine what services best fit you and your dogs needs, and get you set up on our scheduling/invoicing app called "time to pet" for future program involvement.
what is "time to pet" and why do you use it for scheduling and invoicing?
"Time To Pet" is an app we've used for 8 years now, starting when we ran a dog walking and pack hiking company in SLO, CA. It has been user friendly, secure, reliable, and easy for us and for our clients alike. You can find this app in your App Store. Once you set it up, it makes scheduling services with us, and paying monthly invoices a breeze with just a couple clicks.
Why do you have such strict prior training criteria in order to join your Yeehaw Dog Club/Group events?
Yeehaw Dog Club / Group events are considered "support programs" for you and your dog once you've completed basic foundational trianing. Club meet ups/classes are a big challenge where your dog is required to ignore a lot of distractions to focus on working through challenges with you! If you don't already have good leash communication and conditioned markers & motivators- these club meetups will not be productive to your training quite yet. Our required foundational training skills are:
1. Leash skills so you can guide your dog through difficult and distracting environments or obstacles. Excess puling and conflict make for a frustrating and unsafe group class experience for all involved.
2.Conditioned verbal markers "yes", "no" "good" and a good name response. These allow you to clearly communicate with your dog when you do or don't like something and help you to turn their attention to you when you need it.
3.Food luring and food drive. Yes, we use food during all of our club meetups! We use this to reward and motivate our dogs to participate in these sometimes difficult 1 hour long classes. You expect to get a paycheck when you go to work and so does your dog. If your dog lacks the ability to follow a lure or lacks food drive- we must work on this skill before you join our classes.
What are your hours of operation?
We typically work Monday- Friday with 1:1 session time slots offered at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, & 6pm. Because we have an 80 acres ranch filled with animals and unlimited chores that we enjoy, we choose to start our mornings tending to those things before we start "work".
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We offer a free community pack walk each the first Saturday of each month at 9am or 10 am depending on the season.
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Our Yeehaw Dog Club meets every Monday evening at 6pm for rotating group classes/fun club meetups.
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Board and Trains are worked every single day that they are scheduled with us, starting each day by tagging along during our morning chores.
How do you handle grooming needs while dogs are in your care?
We will take care of your pets grooming while they are with us as long as it is within the scope of normal routine maintanence. If your dog requires something above and beyond like a nail trim, ear hair plucking, frequent bathing, etc we may choose to charge our grooming fee of $75. If anything is beyond our scope we may choose to take your dog to a vet or a professional groomer.
where are you located/what is your service area?
We are located in Grass Valley, CA.
We happily serve all surrounding areas and can meet you at your home, a local park, or downtown area, etc with a travel fee of .50 per mile round trip. For Board and Trains we have had people travel to us from as far as Santa Barbara CA, or Trinity CA. Our Virtual Coaching Program can help anyone in any part of the US. Group Classes and Yeehaw Dog Club are held primarily in Grass Valley/ Nevada County at local parks.
how do I know if your programs are a good fit for us?
You have read through our Home page, Meet the Team page, and FAQ page; and our methods, outlook on dog training as a whole, and policies align with you. :)
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You have read through our services page and our services make you feel excited to get involved with our programs and our Wayward Dog community!
what training methods and tools do you use?
We are extremely open minded when it comes to helping our clients reach their goals because we know every dog is different, and the way each family wants to live with their dog is different, we have unlimited tools in our toolbox to help the individual in front of us. There isn't a tool or method out there that we aren't curious to learn more about and become handy with so that we can better help our community. We promise to always be the voice of the dog and advocate for the dogs NEEDS, even if that isn't the same as the humans WANTS. Our goal is the find a middle ground where each beings needs and wants are fulfilled- which is an art form if we do say so ourselves!
what is "balanced training"?
We know that every dog is different and unique, so we always take the time to test what your dog is most responsive to so that we can choose the most effective tools and methods for your dogs specific needs.
We always prioritize making sure that our dogs state of mind and overall expression is positive, happy and willing. Our methods use all 4 quadrants of operant conditioning to ensure the most possible clarity during our training sessions, and beyond with our dogs.
We both reward behaviors that we like, and discourage behaviors that we do not like. We believe that it is important to educate our clients on how to effectively use both reinforcers so that they can have these tools in their back pockets no matter what training scenario life throws at them and their dogs.
what is your cancellation/late policy?
Cancellations must be made a minimum of 24 hours before the service or the full amount will be invoiced and charged. Clients who are late to training sessions will receive the remainder of the hour time slot of their service.
Where does my dog stay when they do a board & Train with you?
Your dog will spend its entire day with Bonnie whether she's spending the day on the ranch, or heading into town to work on something specific at a park, hiking trail, neighborhood, or downtown area. In the Van while traveling your dog will ride in a crash tested Ruffland Kennel. At night your dog will sleep in our Dog room which is the downstairs section of our Barndominium which is in earshot of our bedroom, secure with cameras, and temperature regulated. We have a Tractive GPS collar that we put on all of our board and trains for their entire stay so that if the worst happens and your dog gets loose, we're prepared! Our entire 80 acre perimeter is also fully fenced with no climb fencing.
How long have you been training dogs for?
I have owned a pet dog business for 9 years now. I started pack hiking and walking dogs, with occasional boarding and then started growing my knowledge immediately through workshops, seminars, shadow programs, books, podcasts, and online memberships. After a couple years of learning I started offering basic training and eventually behavior modification, group classes, and a pet dog club. We never stop learning and growing so that we can give clients the best care for their pets and the most kind, educated, and up to date methods possible. Check out our "meet the team" page to see a full list of people we've learned from and methods we use!
