1) What happens if I don’t get the results I want from the training? Is there a guarantee?
Due to the many variables involved to create a well-behaved, balanced dog, including owner commitment, consistency, and follow-through, it would be unethical for us to offer a 100% guarantee. However, we only choose the most dedicated and diligent owners so, in our experience, no matter how severe the issues, we consistently see breakthrough results and amazing transformations. We have never come across a dog we could not help. We work hand in hand as a team in your dog’s rehabilitation. This process of teamwork and collaboration begins before we even meet your dog, moves through the training process, and continues long after your dog has gone home. Once you hire us, we consider you part of the Barks & Boundaries family, and your success is our utmost priority

 

 

2) Who will be working with my dog? Is Tony the only trainer?
In a board and train, Tony will set up the program for your dog and be the primary trainer working with your dog. Tony’s assistants will also participate in the daily training. In all one-on-one sessions, you will meet with Tony.

 

 

3) Will I get to see my dog during the Board and Train?
Tony will determine if owner participation is appropriate or helpful to the program. In most cases, however, we find owner participation counterproductive to the rehabilitation and training process.

 

 

4) Does Barks & Boundaries use treats to train dogs?
Our training approach is relationship-based. Tony believes firmly that our dogs should be working for us, not for a food morsel. Treat training has many limitations and tends to cause dogs to be overly-excited, hyper, and food-fixated rather than relaxed and calm, which is great if you are training flyball or agility, but not when you are training a family dog to calmly co-habitate with you!

 

 

5) What training tools do you use?
We use prong collars, remote collars, slip leads, and the pet convincer.

 

 

6) Why do you use prong collars?

We use prong collars because we find them to be the best tool for connecting, communicating, and creating a harmonious relationship with the least amount of physical stress to the dog and owner. Most tools tend to only mask or manage the behavior, while the prong collar allows us to actually break through and effortlessly communicate, creating a vastly different state of mind and a highly responsive dog. While prong collars tend to look horrible, when used correctly, they have been proven to be the least physically taxing, most humane, and one of the safest tools available.

 

 

7) Why do you use E-Collars?

Modern E-Collar training is the most effective, most reliable, most humane, and transformational training available today.

 

 

8) How do you train with an E-Collar?

We use low-level, communication-style, modern E-Collar training, which looks nothing like the E-Collar training of the past.

 

 

9) My dog is fearful and nervous – I shouldn’t use an E-Collar with him, right…?

Actually, modern E-Collar training is the best training for dogs with these types of issues. Our E-Collar training system is designed to create more confident, relaxed, and comfortable dogs.

 

 

10) My dog is really aggressive. Do you work with aggressive dogs?

Yes. We specialize in aggression rehab, and we are one of the few places in Los Angeles providing successful rehabilitation solutions for problem dogs. We have built our reputation by successfully rehabbing some of the severe cases.

 

 

11) My dog is uncontrollable on the walk – pulling, lunging, barking, growling – can you fix this?

We consistently get fantastic results with all levels of issues, from mild pulling and disobedience, to severe dog reactivity.

 

 

12) What is a day in the life at Barks & Boundaries Board and Train look like?

The dogs sleep inside in our climate-controlled kennel. We only work with a small number of dogs to give every dog the attention they need, and maintain a relaxed environment. First thing in the morning, all dogs go out on a 45-min to 1-hour long structured walk. After this, dogs go through several hours of hands-on training, alternating between active commands, duration work, and specific behavior modification. They will also receive plenty of rest, down time, and personal one-on-one attention. You dog’s safety is our primary concern.

 

 

13) I have tried other trainers before and didn’t get the results I desired – what makes your program and approach different and more effective?

We are often the last stop after clients have been through multiple trainers. Unlike other training approaches that only focus on developing rehearsed behaviors, bribing with treats, or merely managing/bandaid-ing the problem, we have developed a unique approach that fundamentally changes the dog’s state of mind. Once we address the dog’s state of mind, the sky’s the limit for what we can create. By cultivating new habits, teaching the dog to make better choices, training calmness instead of excitability, and employing our unique duration work, we are consistently successful with dogs that others are unable to help. This will be the last dog training you will ever need.