Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
Before Covid, all I offered was in-home training sessions. But once Covid hit, I was forced to adapt to keep Pawsome University afloat. I started offering Virtual Training options through Zoom and Facetime. In the beginning, I really didn’t know how it would go. I was honestly skeptical myself.. How can I train dogs over a Zoom call? But fast forward two years, and hundreds of successful clients on 3 different continents, it has become one of the most effective mediums for dog training. It's why Sniffspot ranked me the #1 Remote Dog Trainer in the USA - 2022!
Let me answer your first question - No, your dog will not need to be able to watch me through a screen! During the 45 minute virtual training session, I’m not working with your dog, I’m working with you! In fact, your dog doesn’t even need to be present. Many clients book sessions before they even get their dog, as part of the planning process. |
No, your dog will not need to be able to watch me through a screen!
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So what's a Virtual Training Session like?
It's low stress and highly productive. When you book your session, you'll be asked to complete a form that details your current situation and behavior concerns. We'll start off by going over your responses to the form, think - your dog's age and background/history. I be ready with follow up questions and we will hit the ground running on my assessment. I'll get to know you and your home situation to craft a realistic and sustainable behavior modification plan. I'll give you "homework" to work on in the form of cues/commands and training exercises. I will also send along training videos and written resources that address what your family is struggling with.
That sounds great - but seriously, why don't you just come to my home?!
I hear you, but there's actually a couple of reasons -
I get it, I know Virtual sessions may seem too informal or a thing of the past, but since 2020, there hasn’t been a behavior a dog is struggling with that I haven’t been able to fix over virtual training. In most cases, my most improved clients are the ones I never physically meet. Listen to PU Alum Inara's Story - we spoke with Inara's parents on our podcast to discuss how virtual training at PU changed their lives. Families like Inara's are getting the long term results everyone is striving for, all over the 50 states including Hawaii, Ohio, Alaska, Texas, New York, California, Wyoming, Washington, Maine, Florida, and more. I have clients all over the world - Canada, Australia, Scotland, Sweden, Norway, that I consider family, and I have never even met them in person!
That sounds great - but seriously, why don't you just come to my home?!
I hear you, but there's actually a couple of reasons -
- In the past, so many sessions have been hijacked by a dog's excitement or anxiety at this new person in their house. We could waste 15 minutes just getting acquainted before we start discussing the important things. Doing our session virtually is a way better way to get the whole picture of what’s going on at home without upsetting/exciting your pup and wasting your valuable time. It allows us to have a chance to go over everything at our own pace without distractions.
- While I may ask you to document behaviors and incidents with your phone, I don't need to see the behavior first hand. There is nothing your dog is going to do that I haven't already seen in person! - I 100% believe you! I promise.
- A lot of dog training is in movement, shaping and body language. I am very good at my job. I know how to move, my timing in situations is perfect and I can teach your dog everything you want them to learn. I have been doing this for years. But I don't want them to listen to ME, I need them to listen to YOU! I need to teach you how to work with your dog, how to move and shape your cues, and empower you to make these changes with your dog. The less I am physically involved, the more you will feel empowered and in control of the situation.
- Money, money, money, money! Starting off virtually and eliminating the 3 issues above, saves you time and money. The more time I have to talk and answer all your questions, the less sessions you need to book in the future. If I am in person, I have to try to get your dog to like me if they are fearful of people, constantly treating them watching their body language or talk through being jumped on (which I don’t mind, but it will derail us.) Virtually, you don’t even have to move from your chair and your dog doesn’t have to do either!
I get it, I know Virtual sessions may seem too informal or a thing of the past, but since 2020, there hasn’t been a behavior a dog is struggling with that I haven’t been able to fix over virtual training. In most cases, my most improved clients are the ones I never physically meet. Listen to PU Alum Inara's Story - we spoke with Inara's parents on our podcast to discuss how virtual training at PU changed their lives. Families like Inara's are getting the long term results everyone is striving for, all over the 50 states including Hawaii, Ohio, Alaska, Texas, New York, California, Wyoming, Washington, Maine, Florida, and more. I have clients all over the world - Canada, Australia, Scotland, Sweden, Norway, that I consider family, and I have never even met them in person!
