~~Q: What happens if I don’t get the results I want from the training? Is there a guarantee?
~~A: Due to the many variables involved in creating a well-behaved, balanced dog, including owner commitment, consistency, and follow-through, it would be unethical for us to offer a 100% guarantee. However, we only choose the most dedicated and diligent owners, so, in our experience, no matter how severe the issues, we consistently see breakthrough results and amazing transformations. We have never come across a dog we could not help. We work hand in hand as a team in your dog’s rehabilitation. This process of teamwork and collaboration begins before we even meet your dog, moves through the training process, and continues long after your dog has gone home. Once you hire us, we will consider you part of Sofu’s dog care family, and your success is our utmost priority.
~~Q: What tools do you use?
~~A: We use the tool that best communicates with your dog, that helps them on their journey to a good state of mind and become a better dog. The dog determines the tools we use. Our tool inventory includes martingales, prong collars, E collars, slip lead, etc.
~~Q: What type of facility do you have?
~~A: Our facility is at our home. They also have supervised access to our grassy backyard.
~~Q: Who will be working with my dog?
~~A: In a board and train, I will set up the program for your dog and be the primary trainer working with your dog.
~~Q: Will I see my dog during the Board and Train?
~~A: I will determine if owner participation is appropriate or helpful to the program. In most cases, however, we find owner participation counterproductive to the rehabilitation and training process.
~~Q: Does Sofu’s dog care use treats to train dogs?
~~A: Our training approach is relationship-based. I firmly believe that our dogs should be working for us, not for a treat. Treat training has many limitations and tends to cause dogs to be overly excited, hyper, and food-fixated rather than relaxed and calm, which is excellent if you are training flyball or agility but not when you are training a family dog to cohabitate with you calmly!
~~Q: Why do you use prong collars?
~~A: We use prong collars because they are the best tool for connecting, communicating, and creating a harmonious relationship with the least amount of physical stress to the dog and owner. Most tools tend only to mask or manage the behavior. At the same time, the prong collar allows us to break through and effortlessly communicate, creating a vastly different state of mind and a highly responsive dog. While prong collars tend to look horrible, when used correctly, they have been proven to be the least physically taxing, most humane, and one of the safest tools available.
~~Q: What does a day in the life at Sofu’s Dog Care Board and Train look like?
~~A: The dogs sleep inside in our climate-controlled kennel. We only work with a few dogs to give every dog the attention they need and maintain a relaxed environment. First thing in the morning, all dogs go out on a structured walk. After this, dogs undergo several hours of hands-on training, alternating between active commands, duration work, and specific behavior modification. They will also receive plenty of rest, downtime, and personal one-on-one attention. Your dog’s safety is our primary concern.
~~Q: My dog is aggressive. Do you work with aggressive dogs?
~~A: Yes. I work in aggression rehab, but I follow a case-by-case situation.
~~Q: My dog is uncontrollable on the walk – pulling, lunging, barking, growling – Can you fix this?
~~A: We consistently get fantastic results with all issues, from mild pulling and disobedience to severe dog reactivity.
~~Q: I have tried other trainers before and didn’t get the results I desired – what makes your program and approach different and more effective?
~~A: We are often the last stop after clients have been through multiple trainers. Unlike other training approaches that only focus on developing rehearsed behaviors, bribing with treats, or merely managing/band-aiding the problem, we have developed a unique system that fundamentally changes the dog’s state of mind. Once we address the dog’s state of mind, the sky’s the limit for what we can create. By cultivating new habits, teaching the dog to make better choices, training calmness instead of excitability, and employing our unique duration work, we consistently succeed with dogs that others cannot help.
~~Q: I can’t afford your programs, but I’m in a bad situation with my dog – what can I do?
~~A: In exceptional cases, we can sometimes make arrangements– please contact us for details.
