Your Canine Life Coach
Our Services
Puppy Primer Private Coaching
Have you acquired an older dog and need help with life skills or training issues?
Do you have a new puppy and you need help before our classes begin? We can help! Puppy Primer is a 60-90 minute private coaching session at your home, tailored specifically for the needs of newly acquired dogs. The best time to have a Puppy Primer is within a week or two of the dog’s arrival at its new home.
All family members are encouraged to take part since consistency is vital to helping the dog learn what is expected. The session is filled with the information specifically tailored for the need your dog has to get a good start and help him become an excellent family pet.
Puppy Classes 1 & 2
We offer “fun-dation” puppy classes in both Peachtree City and Fayetteville.
Our classes incorporate fun games as part of the training, which keeps puppies engaged and ready to learn. Currently we have a four-week puppy 1 class on Thursday nights from 7-8 pm at Animal Medical Clinic in Peachtree City. Upon completion of Puppy 1, you can join Puppy 2, held on Monday nights at the same location. We offer a six-week Saturday morning class from 10-11 am at Fayetteville Animal Hospital in Fayetteville.
Those who attend our puppy classes are significantly more likely to go through adolescence (6 months to 2 years) with fewer behavioral issues. In his book, “Before & After Getting Your Puppy,” Dr. Ian Dunbar recommends that your puppy meet at least 100 different people in his first months at home. One of the easiest ways to contribute to this necessary level of socialization is to attend puppy classes.
Our puppy classes are for friendly puppies that have had two sets of vaccines and are ages 9-20 weeks. We offer a family friendly very personalized class with an emphasis on incorporating class lessons into your everyday life. With the focus on building a positive relationship with your dog, you will learn the basic foundational skills to help your dog become an integral part of your family. Our classes are small, with an average of six puppies per class.
Behavior problems that dogs usually encounter during this age period are also addressed. We teach handling exercises, housetraining, and how to handle issues such as bite inhibition, jumping, chewing. Your dog will learn: “sit”, “down”, “come”, “stay”, recall, loose leash walking, and lessons in self-control. Good canine etiquette and behavior create an adaptable well-adjusted dog.
Our puppy classes incorporate force-free science-based, positive reinforcement dog training. We do not use pinch collars, choke chains, e-collars or any type of force or intimidation when training puppies. In our classes we use training treats, toys, physical affection, verbal praise or a combination of any of those, to reward the puppies for correct behavior.
Private Instruction
Sometimes dog owners feel they need very specific one-on-one training to focus on their dog’s individual needs. We UNDERSTAND and are here to assist you.
Private coaching sessions are held in your home and in locations around Fayette and Coweta County. We travel to Fayette, Coweta and Fairburn for private coaching. Behaviors addressed include: house-training, jumping, digging, chewing, destructiveness in general, fear, separation anxiety, leash skills and aggression. We rely 100% on reward-based methods instead of punishment for behavior modification. You will receive a free initial phone consultation and complete a behavioral questionnaire prior to our first coaching session. Upon completion of our coaching, you will receive lifetime support via phone, text, and email.
How we coach you and your dog: It’s Robin’s responsibility as your coach to teach you how to teach your dog what you want and how to behave in our world and none of this teaching needs to cause them harm. We rely on the science of how dogs learn for behavior modification: Classical conditioning (think Pavlov!) is associative learning and happens involuntarily or automatically and is predictable. Operant conditioning (think Skinner!) is the association between an action and its consequence and is voluntary. Our training does not use force, pain or fear in training your dog.
Feisty Fido Instruction
Do you have a feisty Fido that pulls on the leash or is leash reactive?
Being on a leash in a public setting can be stressful. Pulling, barking and/or lunging while on leash is frustrating for owners and makes for an unpleasant walk for the dog. We can help you! Through counter conditioning and training good leash skills, you and your dog can enjoy walks. Our feisty Fido coaching sessions include behavior modification that is force free and science based that are proven to work and do not use fear, pain or intimidation. These coaching sessions are offered in your home and in public places in Coweta and Fayette Counties.
Hounds Around Town
Have you ever wanted to have more fun with your dog?
Do you hesitate to take your dog with you in public because you don’t know how he or she will behave? Do you want to spend more quality time with your dog? Do you enjoy learning while meeting fellow dog-lovers?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we have just the answer! Join Robin with My Best Buddy Dog Training’s newest program: Hounds Around Town. In this program, you will go on fun outings in public places and learn how to have your dog enjoy it just as much as you do. Each outing will last about an hour and take place in local, dog-friendly locations where Robin will show everyone how to improve or practice their dog’s manners away from home.
POLICIES
AGGRESSION POLICY
Any dog showing true or ritualized aggression toward another dog or human being is best suited for private instruction.
CLASS POLICY
Prepayment of classes is required to guarantee your spot in class. Refunds are not given after classes begin. Missing more than two classes will be considered dropping out. There are no refunds or make up dates for missed classes.
VACCINATION POLICY
My Best Buddy Dog Training requires all dogs be current on vaccinations according to their age for DHPP, Rabies and Bordatella. Vet records will need to be presented on the first day of class. We are aware of varying opinions regarding canine vaccinations. Certain exceptions will be made with written documentation from your veterinarian.
CELL PHONES
During class, please turn off or put your phone on “airplane” or “do not disturb” mode. Many studies have found a cell phone to be an impediment to learning in class. Cell phone use is a distraction to all members of the class—which puts our dogs at risk when we are not giving them our undivided attention. We want to set up both the humans and dogs for success!
CHILDREN IN CLASS
Due to Covid-19, we have temporarily restricted our classes to one adult per dog only in classes. We do offer private instruction to families with children.
Before you enroll you and your child for private instruction please consider: your child’s age (ages 12 and older permitted) and maturity level, your child’s ability and attention span to be able to sit through a one hour training class, your child’s interest in dog training, your child’s ability to keep your dog from interacting with other people and dogs when necessary.
See Policy on Children In Class Under Questions.
QUESTIONS?
What does a Canine Life Coach Do?
- Teaches you how to build the canine-human bond.
- Gives you a better understanding of your dog and how he learns and communicates.
- Teaches you how to train your dog through evidence based methods proven by the science of how dogs learn.
- You will learn that it isn’t about putting up with your dog; instead you will learn the tools to live in harmony, have fun, and be successful in your training.
Why don’t you use electric collars, choke chains or prong collars in your training?
At My Best Buddy we use science based, force free, positive reinforcement training. This means that we teach you to consistently reward the behaviors that you want from your dog, and manage or ignore (when possible) the behaviors that you don’t want. Because dogs will repeat behaviors that are rewarding to them, by using positive reinforcement, you can get your dog to voluntarily give you the behaviors you want, rather than forcing them. We don’t want you to risk damaging your relationship with your dog through the use of force and punishment, and we do not want to risk the physical harm that can occur with the use of punishment-based tools. Training is about relationship – our way of being with our dogs. Choke chains, e-collars and prong collars rely on pain to force compliance. You don’t have to hurt your dog to train him/her, so why use tools that, by definition, cause pain? Read about the tRade Program!
What should I bring to class?
- Proof of vaccinations. My Best Buddy Dog Training requires all dogs be current on vaccinations according to age for DHPP, Rabies and Bordatella. Vet records will need to be presented on the first day of class. We are aware of varying opinions regarding canine vaccinations. Certain exceptions will be made with written documentation from your veterinarian.
- Hungry dog. Feed your dog a smaller meal the night of class.
- Treats. We have treats, but you are welcome to bring your dog’s favorites, specifically, soft, pea-sized treats or ones that can be broken into small pieces.
- A standard (non-flexi) leash and a body harness. The harness that I recommend is The Freedom no-pull harness or a Roman style harness.
Do you offer private dog training in my home?
Yes! Behaviors addressed include: house-training, jumping, digging, chewing, destructiveness in general, fear, separation anxiety, and aggression. We rely 100% on reward-based methods instead of punishment for behavior modification and work to minimize the use of aversive stimuli. Private training is scheduled in one hour sessions in your home. See Private Instruction
What about children in class?
We are unique in that we allow children to come to class and encourage families to participate in puppy training. We are also conscious of safety and have to enforce our rules for kids in class:
1. No children under the age of 12. 1 adult per child. (no exceptions);
2. Children must remain seated during the entire class unless the instructors ask them to participate;
3. The adults must hold the dog’s leash at all times (no exceptions).
What is your refund policy?
Refunds are not given after classes begin. Missing more than two classes will be considered dropping out. There are no refunds for missed classes. See Policies
What areas do you serve?
We serve Fayette, Coweta Counties and Fairburn, GA and charge no travel fees.
How early should a puppy start training?
The best time to start your puppy in training is around 9 weeks of age. They retain experiences really well at this age—a GREAT time for them to start learning! See Puppy Classes
My dog is older, can an old dog really be taught new tricks?
Absolutely! Older dogs may require a bit more patience and persistence to teach them new behaviors, but they certainly can learn! Finding what motivates your older dog is the key! When your older dog feels he is being rewarded for new behaviors, he will become keen to learn them. Rescue dogs are certainly a prime example of how you really can teach an old dog new tricks! See Recommendations for cool training tips and suggestions.
How do I decide whether to take group or private training?
Group classes are naturally very distracting for your dog and yourself, which is a disadvantage if your dog is hard to handle and easily distracted. Group classes are designed for dog and people friendly dogs. Group classes are a huge advantage for puppies who desperately need socialization at their early age. In a group class setting, you are responsible for the outcome, as the owner is the student in the group, and the dog is the student of the owner. Good students who work hard and do all of their homework will have success in a group dog training class. Private training is scheduled in one hour sessions in your home. Behaviors addressed include: house-training, jumping, digging, chewing, destructiveness in general, fear, separation anxiety, and aggression.
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