An Introduction to Tom’s training programs

All of these training programs are a combination of obedience training and behavior modification or manners training. More often than not, when a dog has an unresolved behavior problem, it is indicative of a puppy or a dog that has an obedience problem.

It is not unusual for us to receive a call about a problem dog that actually knows how to “sit” or “lie down” when being lured with a treat. The dog that will “sit” whether it gets a treat or not, and one that will remain in the “sit” even if there are distractions, is a dog which is genuinely obedience trained. Sit means sit. With or without a treat, with or without distractions: that is obedience training! When a dog will sit for a treat in the kitchen with no distractions, but will completely ignore you when the door bell rings, well, that is disobedience.

All of these training programs are comprehensive (covering behavior and obedience) and are progressive, which is to say that they build on one another. Please feel free to contact Tom at (716) 628-0651 (cell) to discuss your training goals and a further explanation of these programs. We offer a written training guarantee with all of our programs. If we don’t think we can train your dog, we will tell you. Our reputation has grown in the Western New York area because we get results. Check with your vet, he or she probably know us and will recommend us. We don’t want you to spend your hard earned money on training that doesn’t get results.

Tom offers the following training programs along with their pricing schedule. Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of all of the programs offered. For those of you that may have special needs and training goals, Tom can customize a program to fit your specific training needs.

Aggression Assessment and Consultation: This is a 90 minute consultation and assessment of your dog conducted in your home. This consultation is designed to evaluate your dog’s aggression and behavior to determine a proper training approach to correct your dog’s aggression. In most cases and circumstances, aggression can be corrected with training and modification. However, there are dogs that exhibit unpredictable aggression or long standing aggression issues that cannot be addressed safely. This assessment will help determine what steps need to be taken with your aggressive dog. One 90 minute in home session $100

Two Week Target Training: This program is for dogs that have just one or two behavior issues that can often be resolved in just two training sessions. This might include a dog that pulls on a leash when being walked, or a dog that is a chronic jumper. This program consists of two 90 minute sessions in your home to target specific behavior problems. Please keep in mind, that serious behavior problems or long standing problems cannot be resolved in two sessions. Please contact Tom to see whether the problems your dog is experiencing are serious. Two 90 minute in home sessions $215    $100 per additional session

Puppy Education and Behavior Program: This program consists of four 60 to 90 training sessions in your home working with a younger puppy between the ages of 9 weeks and 20 weeks of age. This is a crash course in the basics for a young puppy. We work with common behavior problems such as housebreaking, chewing, nipping, jumping and other common puppy problems. We will introduce some leash training and/or clicker training for those who wish to get their dog started doing some simple tricks. Socialization is another aspect of all our training programs.

Four 60 minute in home sessions $395  $100 per additional session

Beginner Obedience and Behavior Training Program: This is a comprehensive beginner obedience program and manners training program. This is the most popular program that we offer. It consists of five 60 to 90 minute training sessions in your home. We cover various learning models as well as teach your dog to walk on a loose leash, sit and stay, (with distractions; not just with a treat) come when called, lie down and the popular “place command.” In addition to teaching obedience (where sit really means sit, with or without distraction) we address any behavior problem that you may be experiencing with the exception of aggression. Aggression is addressed in our Accelerated Program (see below). Clicker training is available upon request.

Five 60 to 90 in home sessions $450   $100 per additional session

Advanced Off Leash Training:  This program has been developed for the dog that has already mastered the Beginner Obedience Program. It is for the pet owner who is interested in teaching his or her dog to respond to the same commands taught in the beginner program but in an off leash setting with distractions, such as a park. This program consists of four 60 minute sessions (private and semi private). This program includes a remote training collar that is included in the price of the program. For more information on remote training collars, please read my article “Training a Dog Using a Shock Collar.” It’s not what you think. New training techniques have made training with a remote training collar a very positive experience for the dog when used properly and humanely. The old way of training a dog was to punish the dog using high shock levels to stop bad habits. The new training model uses a gentle low stimulation to guide the dog in learning acceptable behavior. It is teaching obedient behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. The old way used high shock, the new way uses gentle stimulation.

(This program includes a quality remote trainer) Four 60 minute sessions $650

Accelerated Training Program: This is becoming one of our more popular programs for the real dog enthusiast. It is a combination of the beginner obedience program and the advanced off leash program all wrapped up into one. This program consists of seven 60 minute sessions conducted at your home initially and then concluded by several sessions at a local park with other dogs. We will teach your dog to walk at your side off leash, sit and stay, come when called 100% of the time, even with the most tempting distractions. This is also the only program that I recommend for the aggressive dog. Off leash reliability is essential for the aggressive dog. This program is also for the dog owner who wants to set his or her dog free to get that needed exercise and play with the other dogs in the park or neighborhood, with the confidence that their dog will come every time he or she is called. Call for more details. Seven private and semi private sessions $950

This includes the high quality remote training collar - additional sessions are $100

Please take the time to read the training article, “Training Dogs Using Shock.” It is not what you think. This is a gentle, pet friendly method that is relatively new to the training industry.

Two week Board and Train Program: This is a two week board and train program where I pick up your dog, bring him to my kennel and train him to heel (walk on a loose leash), sit, stay, lie down and do the "place command." I also work with correcting any behavior problems. The puppy must be at least 5 months of age and be up to date on his or her immunizations. After I train your dog for two weeks, I will return your dog and conduct two 90 minutes training sessions in your home to teach you what your dog learned at boarding school. Two week board and train $895

Four week Board and Train Program; This is a combination of on and off leash training (same as the accelerated program) where I do all of the training. After four weeks of training I do at my kennel, I return your dog and we conduct three private sessions at your home to teach you what your dog learned at boarding school. I use the remote trainer for this program. Please call for details. Four week board and train   $1695

I offer a written guarantee with all of my training programs. I tell people when they call that I am more of a “people trainer” than a dog trainer. When we meet for each class, I will demonstrate and explain scientifically proven training techniques and give you daily exercises that you will need to work on (and I did say work) 20 to 30 minutes a day. Obedience training requires structured exercises practiced daily. Obedience training requires some work on the front end but pays huge dividends in the long run.

Contact Information:

Tom Beitz is the owner of the Academy for Puppies and Dogs and is an authorized dealer for Pet STOP Hidden Dog Fences. Tom can be reached at (716) 628-0651 to answer your questions or he can be found on the web at www.smartdogtrainer.com . E-Mail: Tom@Smartdogtrainer.com