WHO ARE WE?
Guidance specializes in positive reinforcement pet training & behaviour consulting. We work with cats and dogs, advising pet parents how to implement management and training techniques for effective behaviour change. Our approach to training is holistic, meaning we look at the entire pet; their health, diet, physical & mental needs, genetics, environment, learning history, etc. All of these factors contribute to behaviour! Here, we encourage teamwork between pets and handlers, and foster growth through choice-based learning. Whether you want to train your cat or dog to do something new (e.g., sit), or they are exhibiting a problem behaviour (e.g., biting, scratching furniture, snagging food from the dinner table), Guidance is here to help! Our trainer, Sam, is certified through the Companion Animal Sciences Institute, and is trained to address "aggressive" cases (typically fueled by fear/frustration). For more information about how we can provide guidance, check out our services below. After all, we want humans and their furry companions to live the best life paws-ible!
About Our Training Plans
Everyone knows that our pets deserve the best, but "getting the best" can mean different things depending on the breed, species, and needs of your pet. At Guidance, we strive to learn the most about your pet's unique qualities so that we can create programs and training plans that meet their individual needs. This ensures that they not only get the best, but that you can see them at their best too.
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I come to your house for 1-on-1 private training. Lessons are customized to you and your pet. All training is positive reinforcement, game-based, and holistic.
Pricing
Consultations are typically 1 hour long and are always free (they cost you nothing!). We come to your house/apartment. The purpose of the consultation is for us to collect more detailed information about you and your pet(s). It also gives you a chance to ask us questions and see if we're right for you and your pet. Be prepared to answer as many questions as you can about your pet's behaviour; part of helping your pet is answering the 5 basic questions (Who? What? Where? When? And why?). If you don't know the answer to something, don't worry! This is a non-judgemental zone. Taking notes about your pet's behaviour or taking videos of it prior to the consultation can be helpful. NOTE: It is important not to instigate the problem behaviour on purpose just for the sake of taking a video (we don't want to intentionally cause discomfort or allow the pet to practice undesirable behaviour).
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First Training Session: The first training session is 1 - 3 hours long, and is $150.00 + HST. This session goes over a lot of training foundations. Appointments are typically at your house. If not, they are held at an agreed upon location (e.g., a public park). During this session, the trainer will demonstrate training exercises for you to practice with your pet.
Subsequent Sessions: Each training session after the first session is $55.00 +HST for 30 minutes (sometimes longer depending on how long we need to go over the next training steps). You will NEVER pay more than $55.00 +HST, regardless of how long this session is. There is no obligation to book a certain amount of training sessions. You book the sessions as you need.​
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Exposure Sessions: These sessions are typically used for reactive dogs. They are shorter sessions, ~15-30 mins long, that work on desensitization/counterconditioning. These sessions are booked more frequently (e.g., multiple times a week), so they are cheaper. They are $20 + HST per session.
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If you have any questions before or after training sessions, phone calls/texts addressing these are free. You will have free access to a client portal that allows us to communicate between sessions. We always want to provide clear instructions, so if there is something that you need more clarification on, we will gladly take your call free of charge. We would also be happy to answer any questions you have regarding our services or training methods!