FAQ

I am located in Derwood, MD and serve Derwood, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and surrounding areas. Not local? Reach out for personalized virtual solutions!

For most services, I come to your home or meet you at a public location in Montgomery County. Neighborhood walks and outings to public areas help to generalize behaviors and improve resilience. PuppySpeak Academy takes place at my home in Derwood, MD.

Every dog and situation is unique, and behavior is influenced by many factors. I cannot ethically guarantee specific behavioral results, but I do guarantee:

1) that all training methods employed will be humane and scientifically sound. My approach prioritizes your dog’s well-being and avoids any methods that cause pain, fear, or intimidation.

2) open and honest communication regarding your dog’s progress, challenges, and realistic expectations.

3) I will maintain the highest standards of professionalism and stay current with the latest research and best practices in dog behavior and training through ongoing continuing education.

A consultation is the first step to improving life with your dog. This 60-90 minute consultation allows me to gather all the information I need to design your ideal training package. We will discuss your goals, time constraints, and preferred level of involvement as well as your dog’s history and behavior.

I am a fear-free and force-free trainer, using only science-based dog training techniques. This means that I focus on reinforcing desired behavior rather than punishing unwanted behavior. This type of training is often called “positive reinforcement.” My primary tools are a clicker and treat pouch! We may also incorporate management tools such as leashes, long lines, x-pens, or visual barriers.

Whatever the issue, the solution involves three key components.
1. Training – teach your dog what you want them to do instead of the undesirable behavior (e.g. keep all four feet on floor or pee on the grass outside).
2. Management – prevent your dog from practicing the behavior you want to eliminate (e.g. cover the front window so your dog can’t see and bark at dogs walking by the house).
3. Enrichment – meet the underlying need causing the undesirable behavior (e.g. provide plenty of appropriate chew toys).
Whatever the issue, DogSpeak can help! Book your consultation now for a well-trained pup.

Day training is a specialized dog training program where I work directly with your dog during the day while you are at work or otherwise busy. These training sessions occur several times a week and may include walks or outings. In order to help maintain these new behaviors long-term, we will meet weekly for a transfer session.

Transfer lessons are a crucial component of day training. During these sessions, I go over everything your dog has learned that week and teach you how to effectively maintain the new behaviors and integrate them into your daily life.

With day training, I do the “heavy-lifting,” freeing you up to focus on other priorities. In essence, you are investing in my professional expertise to achieve significant behavioral improvements in your dog, and I then empower you with the knowledge to maintain that training long-term.

No problem! I tailor every training package to match the unique needs and preferences of each family. If you prefer to do the training, we will focus heavily on coaching sessions where I teach you how to understand and communicate effectively with your dog. We will work together to achieve your goals.

Day training sessions take place three times per week plus an additional transfer lesson. Coaching sessions typically take place once a week but may be spread further apart for follow up sessions.

Are you a busy pet parent who wants a well-mannered dog but doesn’t have the time to focus on training? Day training is the perfect solution! It’s also a great option if you are seeking help for more complex behavior problems such as reactive behavior.

For additional questions or concerns, fill out the contact form or email me directly at angie@dogspeak.training.