Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our rewards-first dog training methods and what to expect during your first consultation. If you have additional concerns, feel free to reach out to our team.
Getting Started
How do I get started?
Start with a Training Consultation ($75). I’ll assess your dog, your routine, and your goals, then give you a clear plan and the next best step—private sessions, Puppy Foundations, or Off-Leash Reliability.
What happens during the consultation?
We’ll cover your dog’s history, daily routine, and the main issues you want to fix. You’ll get hands-on coaching during the session plus homework steps to start immediately.
How soon will I see results?
Most clients see improvement quickly when they follow the homework plan. Long-term results come from consistency, structure, and practicing the same rules every day between sessions.
Pricing + Programs
What does training cost?
Training Consultation: $75 Private Training Session: $105 (60 minutes) Puppy Foundations: structured program (3 sessions/week), starting at $300 Off-Leash Reliability: structured program (7 weeks / 3 sessions per week). Pricing provided at booking/consultation.
Do you offer packages?
Yes. Puppy Foundations and Off-Leash Reliability are structured programs. Private training can also be packaged depending on your goals.
Do you require a deposit?
If you’re booking directly through Good Buddy Canine, a deposit may be required to reserve your appointment time (depending on your booking settings).
Puppy Foundations (3-Phase Program)
What is Puppy Foundations?
Puppy Foundations is a structured program designed to build good habits early and prevent common problems. We focus on crate and potty routines, calm manners, engagement, biting/mouthiness, leash basics, and obedience foundations.
How is the puppy program structured?
It’s offered in 3 phases, 3 sessions per week: Jumpstart (1 week): $300 Build (2 weeks): $600 Graduate (3 weeks): $855 You can do one phase or complete the full track.
How long is the full puppy program?
If you complete all 3 phases, it’s 6 weeks total.
What age can puppies start?
As soon as your puppy comes home. Starting early makes training easier and prevents bad habits from becoming “normal.
Off-Leash Reliability (Obedience + Safety)
What is Off-Leash Reliability?
This is a structured program built for recall, obedience, and real-world safety. We build on-leash foundation first, then transition to off-leash work and proofing around distractions.
How long is the Off-Leash program?
7 weeks, 3 sessions per week (21 total sessions).
Do you use e-collars in Off-Leash training?
Yes—when appropriate for the dog and the goal. My e-collar work is introduced in a positive, low-stress way so the dog understands it as communication, not punishment. The goal is off-leash reliability and safety.
Do I need to buy an e-collar?
For Off-Leash training, an e-collar purchase is typically required. I’ll tell you what model/features to get and how to fit it correctly.
Training Approach + Tools
What is your training approach?
I use a reward-forward balanced approach. We teach behaviors with food, toys, and praise first—then add structure and fair follow-through so the dog can do it in real life, not only in a quiet room.
Do you do positive-only training?
I’m reward-forward, but not positive-only. Foundations are taught with rewards first. Structure and accountability are added as the dog learns and the goal becomes reliability.
Do you use prong collars?
Yes—If necessary, commonly when needed for clear leash communication. If a prong collar is recommended, I coach fit, timing, and safety so it stays fair and effective.
Are tools required?
Not always. Tool recommendations depend on your dog, your handling ability, and your goals. We’ll decide together during the consultation.
Logistics
Where do you train?
We train where it makes the most sense for your goals—often at your home, your neighborhood, or a local park/public area. Real-life training means practicing in the environments where you need results.
What areas do you serve?
I serve: Tampa Bay area. If you’re outside that area, send a message and I’ll tell you what’s possible.
What should I bring to sessions?
A flat collar and standard 6-ft leash, treats your dog loves, and a toy if your dog is toy-motivated. If a tool is recommended, I’ll tell you what to bring and how to fit it.
Do you offer virtual/Google Meet sessions
If the situation and owner follow-through are a good fit, virtual coaching may be available for some goals (like puppy routines, household structure, and certain behavior foundations).
What is your cancellation/reschedule policy?
48 hour notice required to reschedule. Late cancellations may be charged.
Behavior Cases (Reactivity / Aggression / Bite History)
Do you work with reactive dogs?
Yes. Reactivity is common and often improves with structure, clarity, and controlled exposure. We’ll create a plan that keeps everyone safe and focuses on real-world progress.
Do you work with aggression or bite cases?
Possibly, depending on severity and safety factors. If your dog has a bite history, be upfront in your booking form or message so we can discuss whether I’m the right fit and what safety steps are required.
Rover vs Direct Booking
Can I book you on Rover?
Yes. If we connected through Rover, we’ll keep booking and payment through Rover and follow Rover’s platform guidelines for those sessions. If you found me outside Rover (website, referral, social), you can book directly through Good Buddy Canine.
Paperwork + Policies
Do you provide a written training plan?
Yes. You’ll receive a written plan for your training services.
Do you have forms I need to sign?
Yes. Prior to training, you’ll sign required paperwork (including any county-required acknowledgments where applicable) and you’ll receive a copy for your records.
Ready to get started?
Book a Training Consultation and we’ll build a clear plan for your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our rewards-first dog training methods and what to expect during your first consultation. If you have additional concerns, feel free to reach out to our team.
Getting Started
How do I get started?
Start with a Training Consultation ($75). I’ll assess your dog, your routine, and your goals, then give you a clear plan and the next best step—private sessions, Puppy Foundations, or Off-Leash Reliability.
What happens during the consultation?
We’ll cover your dog’s history, daily routine, and the main issues you want to fix. You’ll get hands-on coaching during the session plus homework steps to start immediately.
How soon will I see results?
Most clients see improvement quickly when they follow the homework plan. Long-term results come from consistency, structure, and practicing the same rules every day between sessions.
Pricing + Programs
What does training cost?
Training Consultation: $75 Private Training Session: $105 (60 minutes) Puppy Foundations: structured program (3 sessions/week), starting at $300 Off-Leash Reliability: structured program (7 weeks / 3 sessions per week). Pricing provided at booking/consultation.
Do you offer packages?
Yes. Puppy Foundations and Off-Leash Reliability are structured programs. Private training can also be packaged depending on your goals.
Do you require a deposit?
If you’re booking directly through Good Buddy Canine, a deposit may be required to reserve your appointment time (depending on your booking settings).
Puppy Foundations (3-Phase Program)
What is Puppy Foundations?
Puppy Foundations is a structured program designed to build good habits early and prevent common problems. We focus on crate and potty routines, calm manners, engagement, biting/mouthiness, leash basics, and obedience foundations.
How is the puppy program structured?
It’s offered in 3 phases, 3 sessions per week: Jumpstart (1 week): $300 Build (2 weeks): $600 Graduate (3 weeks): $855 You can do one phase or complete the full track.
How long is the full puppy program?
If you complete all 3 phases, it’s 6 weeks total.
What age can puppies start?
As soon as your puppy comes home. Starting early makes training easier and prevents bad habits from becoming “normal.
Off-Leash Reliability (Obedience + Safety)
What is Off-Leash Reliability?
This is a structured program built for recall, obedience, and real-world safety. We build on-leash foundation first, then transition to off-leash work and proofing around distractions.
How long is the Off-Leash program?
7 weeks, 3 sessions per week (21 total sessions).
Do you use e-collars in Off-Leash training?
Yes—when appropriate for the dog and the goal. My e-collar work is introduced in a positive, low-stress way so the dog understands it as communication, not punishment. The goal is off-leash reliability and safety.
Do I need to buy an e-collar?
For Off-Leash training, an e-collar purchase is typically required. I’ll tell you what model/features to get and how to fit it correctly.
Training Approach + Tools
What is your training approach?
I use a reward-forward balanced approach. We teach behaviors with food, toys, and praise first—then add structure and fair follow-through so the dog can do it in real life, not only in a quiet room.
Do you do positive-only training?
I’m reward-forward, but not positive-only. Foundations are taught with rewards first. Structure and accountability are added as the dog learns and the goal becomes reliability.
Do you use prong collars?
Yes—If necessary, commonly when needed for clear leash communication. If a prong collar is recommended, I coach fit, timing, and safety so it stays fair and effective.
Are tools required?
Not always. Tool recommendations depend on your dog, your handling ability, and your goals. We’ll decide together during the consultation.
Logistics
Where do you train?
We train where it makes the most sense for your goals—often at your home, your neighborhood, or a local park/public area. Real-life training means practicing in the environments where you need results.
What areas do you serve?
I serve: Tampa Bay area. If you’re outside that area, send a message and I’ll tell you what’s possible.
What should I bring to sessions?
A flat collar and standard 6-ft leash, treats your dog loves, and a toy if your dog is toy-motivated. If a tool is recommended, I’ll tell you what to bring and how to fit it.
Do you offer virtual/Google Meet sessions
If the situation and owner follow-through are a good fit, virtual coaching may be available for some goals (like puppy routines, household structure, and certain behavior foundations).
What is your cancellation/reschedule policy?
48 hour notice required to reschedule. Late cancellations may be charged.
Behavior Cases (Reactivity / Aggression / Bite History)
Do you work with reactive dogs?
Yes. Reactivity is common and often improves with structure, clarity, and controlled exposure. We’ll create a plan that keeps everyone safe and focuses on real-world progress.
Do you work with aggression or bite cases?
Possibly, depending on severity and safety factors. If your dog has a bite history, be upfront in your booking form or message so we can discuss whether I’m the right fit and what safety steps are required.
Rover vs Direct Booking
Can I book you on Rover?
Yes. If we connected through Rover, we’ll keep booking and payment through Rover and follow Rover’s platform guidelines for those sessions. If you found me outside Rover (website, referral, social), you can book directly through Good Buddy Canine.
Paperwork + Policies
Do you provide a written training plan?
Yes. You’ll receive a written plan for your training services.
Do you have forms I need to sign?
Yes. Prior to training, you’ll sign required paperwork (including any county-required acknowledgments where applicable) and you’ll receive a copy for your records.
Ready to get started?
Book a Training Consultation and we’ll build a clear plan for your dog.