There are many reasons why private, personalized training is better than group classes for both you and your dog.

The main difference between a dog trained in a typical classroom (or with private trainers who are actually group trainers) vs. privately with The Pooch Coach is the level of safety and performance attained. A dog in a classroom learns "sit", "down", basic stay, and sometimes to walk on a loose leash (in a circle in the training room). All of this is done with a treat in hand, using hand motions and repeating commands if necessary. So, at home, the dog looks for a treat and, when there isn't one, typically ignores you. Outdoors, at the park or near a busy area such as a street, it gets worse - and even dangerous. Even with a treat in your hand, you might not be able to keep your dog from lunging away and getting hurt. Instead, a dog trained with Pooch Coach methods learns to respond to all commands without treats, without hand motions, and without repeating commands. We work on real life situations in your area - training your dog not to ever go out your front door without your permission or, even more importantly, to never cross a street without your permission. Test a dog from a class - tell him to sit on a corner and then toss a cookie or a ball into the street - he will jump right after it. A dog trained with Pooch Coach methods would hold fast - waiting for an owner's command before following the item into the street. So, if the dog ever gets off leash, he won't step off of a curb if his owner isn't there to tell him it's OK. Talk about life-saving! These important aspects of protecting your dog and ensuring your control over him in critical times is our focus. A Pooch Coach dog will back off of a yummy chicken bone on the ground after one command - and not go back to it. We usually teach this life-saving command in the first lesson - even with 9 week old puppies!

There is much more to training than having a dog follow a treat in your hand. You want your dog to understand what you're saying at all times and know that commands are not optional. This will be the key to his overall safety over the years. And this is what you can count on if you work with The Pooch Coach.

Click_here_to read_more_about_Beverly's successful training methods.

Here are some additional things for you to think about.

• You get to do training on your schedule, not someone else's.
• You receive one-on-one personal attention, which assures all of your questions will be answered, and all of your goals will be met.
• The training is set around your dog and his needs and personality - it is not a "cookie cutter" training course. One size does not fit all!
• We meet when you and your dog are ready for the next lesson - not at a pre-selected time. How do you know if your dog will be ready for her next lesson in exactly one week? Sometimes it takes longer - and sometimes it's shorter.
• You do not have to miss lessons due to other engagements or travel.
• You start in your house, in a comfortable setting for both you and your dog. And that is where the behavior is occurring now, and will occur in the future.
• I go with you to your neighborhood parks and walks - where your dog will actually be spending his time - and will need to behave.
• There are too many distractions for focused training in a classroom setting.
• A dog (and especially a puppy) cannot concentrate for a full hour. I spend a good portion of our training time talking and working with owners while the dog gets to relax in his own environment - they often even take a nap! You don't see many puppies napping in classrooms.
• Socialization occurs with different dogs, who are different ages, in a "real world" setting: on walks, in dog parks, with other dogs on and off leash. Classes are not the real world - it's just the same 10 dogs (who are all similar ages) each week.
• You know you're getting a top-rated trainer - and the owner of the business - to work with. You are not getting a trainee of a trainer or training program. Many other training companies have several junior trainers, who are trained in only one method. So, even if they do come to your house, you do not know what the quality/experience of your trainer will be, and they will be following someone else's training guidelines, not creating a personalized program for your and your dog's needs.
• I am available to answer questions during training, between lessons, and even after training is completed.
• I am located in San Francisco, and will travel as far north as Marin, south as San Mateo, and into the East Bay. I will travel even further in the Bay Area for one time consultations & training sessions. I am available for phone consultations or extended travel throughout the United States - and beyond.
• I truly love dogs and want the best for them and their owners.