Virtual Dog Training
Ethical | Force-free | Wellbeing-focused | Supportive
Dog training can be done virtually—and it's just as good!
Hi, I’m Nikki and I love connecting with folks all around the world through the magic of virtual dog training.
During the first few months of the pandemic, dog trainers worldwide discovered just how effective virtual training can be.
We now know anything that can be trained in person can also be trained virtually!
Not only is virtual training equal to in-person training, but sometimes it’s actually better. It’s amazing for dogs with stranger sensitivities, or who are easily overwhelmed with too many new things.
Anyone who resonates with my approach can train with me, no matter where you’re located or what behavior challenges you’re facing. I look forward to meeting you and working together!
We can address all of the following (and more!) through virtual training:
Leash reactivity (dog reactivity, human reactivity) & leash issues
Stranger danger & sensitivity to guests in the home
Fearful/nervous dogs and their various challenges
Separation anxiety / separation-related behaviors
Challenges in multi-dog and multi-animal households
House manners like polite greetings, polite behavior during dinner, etc
Bringing home a new dog - bonding, training, etc
Switching from “balanced” training to positive training and moving away from prong collars, e-collars, etc.
Behaviors I work with virtually…
Virtual dog training packages
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Most dogs start here! A lot of training needs can be addressed in six lessons. If you and your dog need more, we can always add on.
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In the even I think six lessons might be too many, we’ll start with the 3-lesson package and add on from there.
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We’ll determine that before moving forward. To get that conversation started, head over to my contact page and fill out the form or schedule a short call.
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Everyone does it differently, but for me, there are two main aspects of virtual training:
Live lessons
Between-lesson support
Since we’re not together in person, you’ll send me more videos and updates between lessons, and we’ll have more conversations between lessons. Videos in particular are a big part of successful virtual training!
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I’m really passionate about making sure quality dog training is accessible to everyone, not just the financially fortunate.
If you decide to sign up for training, you will select one of the following prices:
6-lesson package:
Pay-it-forward price - $870
Regular price - $720
Need-based price - $570
3-lesson package:
Pay-it-forward price - $470
Regular price - $390
Need-based price - $310
Most folks select the “regular” price, which is a fair and reasonable price for the services offered. Dog training is always an investment, but I keep my “regular” prices as low as I can in the hopes that most folks can make it work.
Need-based pricing is for anyone who cannot possibly make the regular price work. I trust you to determine this honestly and fairly. I won’t ask for documentation or details; it’s none of my business. If you’re in this category, please use it! It’s here for you.
Pay-it-forward pricing is for folks who are financially stable. When you pay a bit extra, you’re directly supporting my ability to offer need-based pricing to the folks who need it! You’re helping keep dogs with their people and out of shelters, which ultimately keeps them alive. Please pay it forward if you can! On behalf of the dogs and the dog-loving community, we’re deeply grateful for your support.
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It’s not that I don’t need the money—I very much do! It is very challenging to make a living as an ethical dog trainer.
My motivation for offering need-based pricing is to be part of the solution. The inequities in our society trickle down to the animals in our care, resulting in more dogs ending up in shelters and a lot of lives ending far sooner than they should. By offering need-based pricing, I hope that more folks can access the training help they need to keep their beloved dog.
Lastly, I am a firm believer that everyone who deeply loves their dog should be able to keep them. Dogs play such an important role in our lives as companions and bringers of joy. I know I wouldn’t be here without them, and that’s true for many folks.
If you’re reading this, I hope it’s because we share the same values and commitment to the animals and people of our community. Join me in doing all we can to keep dogs with their people!
All virtual private lesson packages include the following:
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Free initial chat
Before we get started, you have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more. We’ll do this via email or a scheduled phone call, whichever you prefer. It’s also a chance for us both to make sure this is the right fit before we move forward.
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Live virtual lessons
You’re not missing anything! Virtual lessons stretch the trainer to coach efficiently and clearly, and that’s a skillset I’ve worked hard to develop. You’ll get all the coaching, troubleshooting, and support as if I was right there in person with you.
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Daily support
At the beginning of our time together I’ll set up a private chat for us where we can text each other and share videos and photos. We make more progress when we stay in touch between lessons instead of holding questions for our next one!
Virtual Client Testimonial
To me, “ethical training” means that our training efforts enhance a dog’s wellbeing without causing harm in any form. Not just a net positive, but positive experiences and life changes all the way around.
Feedback from Virtual Training Clients
What you can expect from me:
Kindness and empathy for dogs and people
Fully customized training and advice
A commitment to stay open-minded and to solve problems with creative solutions
Compassionate training methods that never use force, intimidation, coercion, pain or fear to motivate a dog.
FAQs
What kind of training is this? (Methods/techniques)
The future of dog training is force-free. That means we’ve moved away from methods that use force, domination, intimidation, coercion, pain, and fear to motivate a dog to change their behavior. Yes, you absolutely CAN train a dog without those methods—that’s what I do.
We will use food and fun as primary reinforcers, and we’ll also pay attention to what your dog finds motivating in any particular scenario. Everything is customized to your dog and situation.
We’ll use tools like a harness and long leash to keep your dog safe, but we don’t attempt to communicate using tools. Dogs are always communicating with us through their body and behavior. We’ll learn to hear them and we’ll teach them how to hear us.
Overall, the goal of my training approach is to develop a healthy relationship and a rapport based on cooperation, not control.
How often do we do lessons?
It depends on a variety of factors such as where we are in our training progression, what your goals are, what your availability is, how fast your dog learns and changes, etc. Typically lessons at the beginning of training are weekly, that way we can get the ball rolling, and then as time goes on they’re spread out a bit more (every 2-4 weeks).
ALSO: ALL packages come with access to (and support from) me between lessons! Staying in touch between lessons helps you make the most progress during that time, that way we’re fully ready to move forward at our next live lesson.
Can virtual training really do the same thing as in-person training?
Yes!!! Not only can we do the same thing, but sometimes virtual training can do it better. Consider a dog who is REALLY stressed by the presence of strangers in their home. They do much better with virtual lessons, at least in the beginning.
Even outside behaviors like walking behaviors can be addressed through virtual training. Sometimes it takes a little creativity, but I’m committed to finding a way, and we always do!
What if I have multiple dogs? Is it more expensive?
The price is the same no matter how many dogs you have; however, we will need to prioritize our efforts, and you may need more lessons so we can get to each dog.
What if my dog won’t take food?
That’s something to work on first. We’ll get your dog taking food and feeling good about it, and we’ll also incorporate whatever else your dog finds motivating—typically enthusiasm, fun, engagement, play, toys, etc. One way or another, we can get them motivated without resorting to starvation, force, coercion, intimidation, pain, fear, etc. We will do it ethically.
You’re in the right place!
My clients love their dogs deeply and want to learn how to work together with their dog to change their behavior. If that sounds like you, then lets chat.