How is “I Said Sit!” different from doggy daycare?
Here at “I Said Sit!” we focus on dog training and behavior modification by certified trainers. Cage free doggy daycare is more of a social service. Think of it like a human school there is a time for play and to learn. It is not recess, all day. We offer a structured day which is going to be very similar to what your trainer will ask you to do at home while you are working on your training goals.
What are “I Said Sit!” training methods?
The goal for all our training programs is to make training fun for both dogs and humans while producing results that last a lifetime. Our primary training methods are reward based and utilize a lot of positive reinforcement. We use science-based methods and practice choice-based training to empower your dog.
Will my dog only listen if I have treats?
A good trainer will use a lot of treats when the dog is first learning and quickly wean the dog off getting treats every time it does a command. We do think you should continue to intermittently reward your dog with treats, toys and of course lots of praise.
How old should your dog be to start training?
Each day your dog is learning so it’s best if they learn the right things. Dogs learn differently at different ages. Young dogs should have enriching positively oriented training so that learning is fun right from the start. Probably the most important thing is to not expect too much of your puppy too soon; however we suggest you start your training program as soon as your puppy has had enough shots to start puppy school with a trainer. We require 2 rounds of puppy boosters.
What if I’ve been told not to take my dog anywhere until it has all its shots?
It is vital that the dog be properly socialized, and this must be done before the dog is four to five months old. It is unfortunate that more dogs are put down due to fear or aggression based behavior problems that might have been prevented with proper socialization. We suggest that you practice safe socialization as soon as you get your puppy. If you have been told not to take your dog out until it has all its shots, please click below to go to see a current veterinary opinion letter.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement on Puppy Socializing
What if my dog is not spayed or neutered?
Our facility is activity based and that means we hand pick small play groups, so we can accept intact dogs into our training, daycare and boarding programs. Playtime may be more limited for intact dogs. Females in season should stay home for 3-4 weeks.
Can you offer a guarantee my dog will be trained the way I want?
During your consult, your trainer will discuss your goals for dog training. There are too many factors involved in every case to be able to guarantee an outcome. These factors can not be controlled by the trainer and so to guarantee a result would be unethical. A dog’s history, socialization, genetics, and experiences plus the dog owner’s ability and willingness to comply with a training or behavior plan all play a significant role in the success of training. We will show you what your dog is capable of, however, it is integral to the success of the program that you do your part as well. Some behavior issues are complex and require more intensive training and management for the life of your dog. Behaviors such as, aggression, reactivity, resource guarding and separation anxiety take continual commitment from you.
What is the schedule for the day?
We ask that all our students are dropped off in the morning between 7 am, when we open, and 10 am. Adult dogs have their main training in the morning, and we will incorporate their breakfast at that time. Playgroups and enrichment activities happen between breakfast and lunch so we can meet the dogs physical and mental needs. During lunch time, the puppies get their training sessions utilizing their lunches. Generally, after lunch is rest and nap time until we start up afternoon play and enrichment. We hope everyone can get a play session in before they get picked up to go home and that is why we ask the pick up happens after 4 pm and before we close at 7 pm.
Where will my dog stay during the day?
All dogs are given their own private “doggy safe place.” During your initial session your trainer will discuss your goals and assess the proper placement for your dog. We want to ensure your dog’s safe place benefits the training goals. “I Said Sit!” has various sizes of accommodations from our larger dog runs, play pens, kennel and puppy cubbies. Each pup has their own bed, suitable toy, and water. During the day our trainers will take your dog for one-on-one training sessions to cover the behaviors discussed in your consultation. While supporting the training program, in each interaction, our kennel staff makes sure your dog practices good behaviors and has everything they need for a great day at school.
What will my dog be doing when not training?
Learning is hard work. We pair your dog’s training lessons with activities from our enrichment program. This may include, group-play, sense learning brain games, food puzzles, walks and personal cuddle time from staff. We take great care in picking small play groups by size, temperament and play style. To that extent we cannot guarantee playtime for every dog every day. This is partnered with rest time in their designated puppy safe place where they can process what they learned.
When can I try out new behaviors my dog has learned at school?
We know it’s tempting and that you’ll want to see what your dog is learning, even from the very first day. We ask you to resist temptation and not “test drive” anything until your lesson with your trainer. We want to ensure training is communicated to you from your trainer so you can receive the proper instruction and feedback to your questions. You’ll get the most out of the program and the highest level of goal achievement if you practice at home. Lessons are outlined in your weekly notes and homework.
