Frequently Asked Questions
Why train your dog?
Dog training is education for your pet, and starting early always provides the best results. Dog training can help to prevent many common problem behaviors before they start, and it is often a core component of remediation for existing problems. Early socialization for puppies, followed by formal obedience training, is an investment in the relationship you share with your pet. The cost associated with training a dog is small compared to the benefits you will enjoy. Once you experience life with a well behaved, happy, and respectful companion, you'll find it hard to imagine life otherwise. Our trainers are renowned for professionalism, results, and safe, effective teaching methods. Dog training can help you and your pet live happier, healthier, and bong stronger than you might imagine.
Dog training is education for your pet, and starting early always provides the best results. Dog training can help to prevent many common problem behaviors before they start, and it is often a core component of remediation for existing problems. Early socialization for puppies, followed by formal obedience training, is an investment in the relationship you share with your pet. The cost associated with training a dog is small compared to the benefits you will enjoy. Once you experience life with a well behaved, happy, and respectful companion, you'll find it hard to imagine life otherwise. Our trainers are renowned for professionalism, results, and safe, effective teaching methods. Dog training can help you and your pet live happier, healthier, and bong stronger than you might imagine.
What to bring with you besides your dog?
Vaccination records from your veterinarian that includes proofs of the following:
*Annual vaccination
* Heartworm
We cannot accept any dogs into our kennel that do not have proofs of all required vaccinations. This is for the protection of each individual dogs, so please be sure you have these to present upon arrival at our kennel.
FOOD! We recommend:
Your dog’s favorite treats: Nylabones, Gummabones, or Kongs are ok, but no rawhides or meat bones.
For small breeds; 10 kg for three - four weeks
For medium to large breeds; 15 kg for four weeks
Any leftover food will be sent home when you pick up your dog.
If your dog runs out of food, we will put them on our food for a fee of RM5.00 per pet per day. Premium foods have 20-40% higher digestibility, and provide better foods.Your dog should ideally be switched to this food before coming to board (if they are not currently on a holistic diet). Also, if your dog eats canned food, please provide an adequate amount. Please be sure to inform us of any special dietary restrictions or allergies your dog may have. Any medication your dog needs: Heartworm Prevention, Flea Pills or Treatment, supplements, etc.
A down payment which is partial of total course amount is required minus any deposit you have already paid. We accept cash or checks only.
Worming. Virtually all dogs carry worms from puppy hoods throughout their lives. Their immune systems keep them dormant most of the time, as does preventative worming. We recommend preventative worming before your dog arrives. If your dog takes Heartguard Plus, ProHeart or Interceptor, your dog is being wormed monthly already, and no further action is necessary. Preventative worming does not guarantee your dog against worms, but should kill any adults your dog is currently carrying.
What does In-Board Training mean?
In-board training requires that your dog stay in our kennel for the period of its training course. Our programs are designed to enable your dog to learn commands quickly and effectively, having your dog on site is a key component to that success. We will do the feeding, walking and training and when your dog is ready for pick up, we will bath your dog before leaving our kennel.
Will my dog listen to me as well as he listens to you?
You will receive training video clips of your dog doing all the commands. It is up to you to practice the training in the same manner that we do in the training. It is also up to you to modify your dog’s environment to set him up to succeed at home. Your trainer will discuss these things with you on the videos and in the final drop-off visit. Your dog will go home with good manners as his new “habits”. Your dog will be capable of doing everything he did with the trainer as long as you take the recommended steps to make sure these manners remain his default behaviors. In this way, in-board training works much the same as training horses – the horse is trained to accept a rider… it is up to the rider to follow the horse trainer’s instructions on how to ride the horse.
If you do the training, will my dog still perform the commands at home?
Yes. Just as police dogs and service dogs are trained and turned over to their handlers, we complete the training and turn your dog over to you.
What else does the price include apart from the dog being trained?
Upon graduation, you will receive our Graduation Pack, a certificate, a video compilation of your dog’s training and pictures. On top of that, you are also entitled to two follow up hander lessons (valid within 3 months after graduation).
At what age can I send my dog for Obedience Training?
Puppy Imprinting & Training – 8 weeks or older
Obedience Training – 4 months or older
Advanced Obedience – 12 months or older
Personal Protection – 12 months or older (pending evaluation)
How often can I visit my dog?
It is not recommended. Once your dog is dropped off at our site, it is normal for your dog to go through an adjustment period. Visiting your pet may prolong transitioning and cause further separation anxiety. In order for the program to succeed, we do not schedule visits for you and your dog until graduation or final pick-up.
However, if you feel it is necessary to see your dog, we prefer that you limit your visit to check on your dog at most once a week. The trainers are busy with the job of working with and caring for the dogs in training during the day and evening, and our goal is to provide the best training service possible for your dog, and spend maximum amount of time with pets in training. We ask you to call first to make appointment for your visit. Whether you call or email:robin@real-k9.com, we will endeavor to get to you within 24 hours with an update.
Where will my dog be kept while in training?
Your dog will stay in our home kennel which is fenced and gated.
Will my dog ever misbehave after it graduates?
Dogs will be dogs. No form of dog training can guarantee that your dog will never misbehave again. However, our method of training is effective yet simple and easy for you to follow. We guarantee follow up assistance for the life of your dog – we stand behind our training.
How will I be able to find our about my dog’s progress?
We use email as our primary method of communication with dog owners. We send weekly updates that include photos and a short narrative describing how your dog is responding to the training.
How would you describe your training methods?
We use a style of training referred to as operant conditioning and transitioning the dog through three phases: acquisition, proofing and generalization. Through hands-on training and experience, we have developed a variety of ways to teach commands to dogs and their diverse personalities and temperaments. We start by finding out what motivates the dog. Then we create conditions for the dog to be encouraged to follow commands that occur naturally (sit, down, heel). We focus on timing positive reinforcement with the dog intuitively offering a response to a command.
Do you use corrective collars in your training?
Yes, however, we believe in reinforcing commands with the use of positive motivation before introducing a corrective collar. We use a corrective collar to emphasize control, not inflict pain.
There are three phases of dog obedience: acquiring information (learning), proofing or ensuring the dog understands the command and generalizing (proficiency through consistent execution). Throughout all phases, we train first and foremost with positive motivation. We use a corrective collar as reinforcement in the later phase once we believe the dog is capable of consistently following a command.
What if my dog is not ready to graduate by the end of the three, four or eight-week session?
If your dog is not ready to graduate, we will continue dog obedience training at no cost to you.
Can you train my dog in a language other than English?
Yes. The commonly used languages are English, Czech or German commands. However, you have the option to choose any languages you desire. We will assist to custom design your request.
If I have two dogs, can I enroll them at the same time?
Experience shows that two dogs from the same “pack” do much better if enrolled in separate classes, especially for the Beginner Level class. The goal of this class is to strengthen the relationship of the handler and the dog. With the other doggie “pack-mate” present, and in the presence of other people and dogs, the two dogs are much more likely to be focused on each other and pack dynamics. You and your dog will get much more out of the class if you enroll each dog in a separate class where each dog will get 100% of your attention… which is what you want back from your dog.
Will my dog remember me after one month or so?
Of course! Your dog will give you a tail-wagging, enthusiastic greeting! Your dog will learn to listen to the trainers and will consider us his friends but you will remain the dog’s “family”. Through our experience, some dogs get too excited that they will urinate or even defecate when they are reunited with their owners.
