Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?- We are located right off 97 near Littlestown. The exact address will be sent out once an appointment is made.
Where will my dog stay during a boarding program?- Dogs are kept at your trainer's home and treated like their own during their stay. All dogs are kept in appropriately sized crates with optional bedding depending on the dog's chewing habits. Crates are used to prevent injury and potty accidents and best replicate their crate at home. Rest time and structure is an essential part of the training process. Using crates gives the dog a safe place to rest and absorb what they learned in their training session, with minimal distraction. When being crated, dogs are provided with water and benebones or stuffed kong toys to ensure they are kept comfortable and occupied while resting. There is an average of 1-4 dogs in one program so you can rest assured your dog will be in a more calm and neutral learning environment vs a loud, crowded, and busy kennel.
Where will training sessions take place? Training sessions take place at our training property unless meeting at a public, dog friendly location is agreed upon.
Should I be nervous about leaving my dog? At Sirius Solutions Dog Training, we do boarding programs a little differently. Each dog is treated as an individual and we go above and beyond to ensure your dog is happy and well cared for during their stay. You will get videos of your dog's training sessions so you can see how training is being done and be a part of the process. We also send your dog home every weekend and will give you a lesson covering what was taught that week. This way you can show your dog that the rules with their trainer also apply at home and you don't have to go 4-6 weeks straight without your dog!
What is included in a training program? All boarding programs include a 5ft leather or biothane training leash, prong collar, and place bed. Programs longer than 3 weeks will include a mini educator e-collar from e-collar technologies (if needed). Off-leash programs include an e-collar, ( if not already provided) 50ft long line, and a tab leash. Your trainer will instruct you on how to use all equipment.
How much does it cost? Our program prices range from $450 to $3000 depending on what types of behaviors need to be worked on or changed. Every dog is different and will require a different amount of time to train. Our goal when recommending a program is that you and your dog will be as successful as possible. Training is an investment. When you do a program with Sirius Solutions Dog Training, you will have help for your dog's entire life. A 4-6 week program can mean 10+ years of a well-behaved dog. Payment plan options are available for those with financial struggles.
Will my dog be TRAINED after completing a program? That is a trick question! Dog training is not a magic trick. Yes, your dog will learn all the commands listed in the training program, but if that is not practiced and applied in everyday life by the owner, all the training could be meaningless. Changing how you interact with and live with your dog is a huge factor. If you go back to all your old habits, things can end up going back to the way they were. This is why we do in-person lessons at the end of each training week! We will go over everything they learned and make sure you understand how to use their commands and training tools properly. You will also receive videos each week of their training sessions and a folder containing several information sheets on various topics covered in the lesson. After you take your dog home, you may still hit some bumps in the road that's OK! After your program, we offer free follow-up lessons. We want you and your dog to be successful so if you ever have trouble we are always happy to help!
What types of training methods do you use? We mainly use a balance of praise/rewards and corrections/leash pressure. Using a balance of these things creates clarity for the dog and helps them understand right from wrong. We use a wide variety of training tools to ensure we find the right fit for each individual dog. Some of the training tools we use include Prong collars, slip leads, and e-collars. All of these tools are used correctly and humanely. We believe it is extremely important to use what works for the individual dog. Each dog is carefully evaluated to ensure the correct training approach is taken.
How do I get started? The first step to getting started in training is to schedule a pre-training evaluation with us. For us to know how to best help you and your dog meet your goals, we first need to meet you and get to know you both. During a training evaluation, we will ask you questions about your dog's background, give you a demonstration of commands we teach and how we teach them, and give you a price sheet with what program we recommend. You can Schedule an evaluation by contacting us via phone or email. PHONE: 717-538-7472
EMAIL: siriussolutionsdogtraining@gmail.com