Frequently Asked Questions
When my dog is done with lessons/group class, will they be completely trained and perfect?
Dog training is never “complete.” It is an investment to your future with your dog which means training is never complete. As you interact with your dog each day and fit “training” into your daily routines, you will always be “training” with your dog. This also includes finding time to work with your dog to advance and keep up with their training. After private lessons and group classes, it is a requirement for all clients to keep up with their dogs training.
During private lessons, how many times a week do we have a lesson?
Private lesson programs all have a different amount of lessons in each program. For each program, we do one private lesson per week that lasts between one hour to an hour and a half. In special occasions or with strong behavioral cases, I may recommend private lessons twice a week.
Why is dog training expensive?
Dog training is an investment towards your future with your dog! I am here to help you live an adventurous life with your dog and create a daily routine that best fits for you both. Obedience, mindset training, and e-collar training is messy in the beginning because we are introducing a new routine to the dog that they aren’t used to. During this process, the dogs may push back which means we get to push back and teach them these new boundaries and structure which can take time. Training time, travel, training tools, training treats/toys and more are included in all Elite K9 programs so we can get you and your dog on the path to an adventurous life.
I already have an e-collar, can we use that one instead?
I prefer to only use the Mini Educator E-Collar because it is a high quality training e-collar. The features on the Mini Educator E-Collar fit best for training purposes due to the tone and stimulation settings. Most e-collars bought in store or on amazon that I see, have very limiting features. These e-collars restrict the stimulation levels for training because most only range from 1-10. The Mini Educator E-Collar ranges from 1-100 which gives us the ability to define the level of stimulation given to the dog down to a pat on the back. Most dogs will work on a 5-10 stimulation level on the Mini Educator E-Collar where the store bought e-collars 1-2 stimulation levels equal to a 10-20 on the Mini Educator and can be much more than a pat on the back feeling to the dog. Using a high quality e-collar also gives more distance between you and the dog with clear communication up to a half mile in distance versus 300 yards on most store bought e-collars.
Where is Elite K9 located & what is Elite K9’s service area?
Elite K9 is based out of the Medford, WI area. Group Classes take place in Medford, WI only. Elite K9’s private lesson service area includes all towns located between Wausau, Eau Claire, Marshfield & Phillips Wisconsin. If you are located outside of the service are, there is an extra travel cost for private lessons.
Can I train my dog without an e-collar?
Yes you can, however the e-collar is going to be your invisible leash for outdoor activities. After e-collar training, your dog will be responding to commands without needing the e-collar, but it is there if you have a high prey drive/active dog and need it for their safety. It is like wearing a seatbelt for unexpected situations.
How often does my dog need to wear the e-collar?
E-collars should be worn anytime you are interacting with the dog, inside or outside especially if they are a high prey drive/active dog. The e-collar becomes part of their attire when awake and active. Not only can e-collars help outside, but inside as well for those dogs who like to chew, counter surf, etc.
Can I just use the tone and vibration setting on the e-collar?
The tone setting is used during training along with stimulation. Most dogs respond well to the tone, however if they have a high prey drive and are chasing a deer, the tone will not stop the dog. This is where the stimulation will be used to stop them and save them from running away. The vibration setting can spook some dogs and is rarely used for obedience training.
Doesn’t an e-collar give a harsh shock to the dog?
E-collars give stimulation at various levels. When using the e-collar properly, and using a high quality e-collar, the dog does not always need a high level of stimulation. The e-collar has 100 levels which allows us to use a low stimulation level to give a pat on the back to simply get their attention or raise our voice in emergency situations.