Dog Training Frequently Asked Questions

We can consult with anyone in the United States over Zoom. In person sessions are currently only in Lompoc, Vandenberg Village, Buellton and Solvang, CA. 

Yes! We love puppies and kittens. We can help with potty training, biting and chewing, puppy manners and provide insight about various behaviors. We also teach you best practices for puppy socialization and healthcare. We can help over Zoom and in your home.  

We provide behavior insight and management advice, virtual dog training instruction and in-person training to resolve almost any behavioral issues on and off leash. We specialize in rehabilitating canine fear and aggression. We also provide cooperative care training instruction for guardians of dogs, cats and birds. For more information visit Services or Contact us. 

How often we meet is totally up to you. For best results I strongly recommend meeting weekly or more for at least the first couple months. Then you can book appts 2-4 weeks apart while you stay in contact with me between sessions and submit your training videos until your dog training goals are reached. 

Puppies have a much shorter attention span than adult dogs so if they are under 6m, I would train for just 1-5 minutes at a time and under 12m for 5-10 minutes. Ideally you would train puppies about 3 times a day, spread out, but consistency is more important than quantity. Adults can train for 10-15 minutes at a time also about 3 times a day to 3 times a week. Dogs of all ages benefit from a few brief play or rest breaks during their overall "training" time. I tend to train 1-2 minutes at a time, randomly and while on walks. Most maintenance training is for my affection or other functional rewards, rather than treats.  

We are force-free, choice- driven and positive reinforcement dog training. We use behavior adjustment training (BAT from Grisha Stewart Academy), fun tricks, cues for everyday communication, nose work, and improve the overall health of the pet to improve their behavior. We firmly believe that with a lot of patience, consistency, empathy and motivation your pet will find the confidence to make kind choices in their interactions with the world around them. 

The cost of our services varies depending on how far ahead you are willing to commit. You save 60 to 100 dollars with the package deals. Pricing is listed on the bookings page. If you cannot afford help and are thinking of rehoming your pet because of it, please email hello@kindchoicepet.com for help first. 

There is not one exact method that works for everyone. Your situation will vary but for a good outline of what to do please read my blog on the subject.

Dogs have thinner skin than ours because their fur protects them. Bathing strips skin of their oils and they take longer to replenish than ours. That is why if you bathe them too often they get dry flaky itchy skin that could end up with a lot of self-inflicted scratching damage. Dogs should be bathed no more than once a month, but can handle every 1-2 weeks occasionally during puppyhood or if medically necessary. Most groomers recommend bathing every 4-6 weeks. 

Dogs have varying growth rates depending on age and health status but typically need a nail trim every 2-4 weeks. I suggest trimming a tiny bit at a time with a dremel at least 3 times a week, once they have been trained to accept it, to normalize the activity into your regular cooperative care training routine. Things that happen nearly every day are much easier to accept.

Ideally dogs need their teeth brushed daily just like us. If you are able to make it apart of your daily grooming routine gradually your dog will accept it more and more. Your trainer will help you make a plan to start really small so that your pup is able to remain cooperative. If you can brush their teeth 3 times a week that should keep tartar from building up. If brushing is just not in the cards, daily chews, mineral water in a clean bowl and freshly cooked meals really helps. 

Home cooked or raw meals with guidance from a veterinary nutritionist would be the best. However, since this is not easy to do, I recommend first looking for foods that have never been recalled with a long track record. Then check the label to ensure there is no BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, Nitrates, Nitrites, Propyl Gallate, Carrageenan, MSG or Sodium Hexametaphosphate additives. Be sure there are some whole grains because they are needed to maintain heart health. Consider age and breed and seeking your veterinarian's advice. There is no one best dog food. 

It is not known for certain but appears to be a normal part of a dog's diet in small quantities. They may do it because it's a fun thing they tried as puppies so why not. They may do it when their stomach feels upset or they are nervous. Regardless it's only cause for concern if it is excessive and/or causing recurrent vomiting. 

Average canine gestation is 63 days and ranges from 56-70 days. Smaller breeds tend to have shorter gestation and larger breeds have longer ones. 

Dogs lick primarily as a friendly familiar greeting but also to provide comfort and could be attempting to bond with you through co-grooming as you pet them. They lick to soothe themselves and could be seeking comfort from stress. When dogs are trying to appease us they may lick as an olive branch. Dogs are often easily intimidated by us and will lick to say "let's keep this peaceful please," or "please stop." They also lick to gather information about their environment and could be licking your sweat to gather current information about you.  

Dogs may practice coprophagia for several reasons. Commonly it is from being raised in tight unsanitary conditions where they might have felt the need to clean it up themselves by eating it or by seeing their mother or siblings doing it. Others theorize puppies do it out of curiosity or because of nutritional imbalances. If simply picking up after your dog right away isn't enough to solve the problem please speak to your vet and trainer about it.   

Dogs see primarily blues and yellows. They can see some shades of green and violet blending into blue. They do not see red and orange and would see yellow instead. 

If it is not likely that they are cold, it could be from excitement, anxiety, pain, or (less likely) a neurologic symptom. Analyze the situation and other body language all together to decipher and if still in doubt, take a video and call your veterinarian.