Frequently Asked Questions


In-board training requires that your dog be left with us at Neuman K-9 Academy, for the duration of the training. Our programs enable your dog to learn commands quickly and effectively. Having your dog on site is a key component to the success of our training. Consistent, repetition of commands, accomplishes much more than a weekly program.



Puppy Imprinting - 10 weeks or older
Boot Camp - 6 months or older
Obedience Training - 6 months or older
Advanced Obedience - 12 months or older
Personal Protection - 12 months or older **pending evaluation**



Your dog will stay in our home, with its own private crate or kennel. In between training sessions, your dog will have supervised opportunities to socialize and play. Unlike some boarding facilities with potential health risks, and the stress of barking dogs, the Neuman K-9 Academy is a fenced and gated property. We offer a country setting. We want our guests to feel at home, while living in an environment conducive to dog obedience training.



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. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a DVD demonstration of your dog performing the commands, plus you will receive two follow up handler training lessons.



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, simple, and easy for you to follow. We guarantee follow up assistance for the life of your dog. We stand behind our training.



We use email as our primary method of communicating with owners. We send weekly updates that include photos, and a short narrative describing how your dog is responding to training.



We use a style of training referred to as operant conditioning, and the dog transitions 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, using 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. These occur naturally (sit, down, heel). We focus on timing positive reinforcement, with the dog intuitively offering a response to a command.



Clicker training is a method of marking behavior with a clicker, followed by secondary reinforcement (treat). Clicking a clicker or offering a food treat will not stop your dog from chasing down a squirrel.

 

We do not use clickers for training. In the early stages of training, we mark proper behavior with release and reward. However, as we transition into phase two, the dog learns to perform on command. Our training program is effective regardless of clickers or squirrels.



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 phrases, we train first and foremost, with positive motivation. We use a corrective collar as reinforcement ,in the later phases, once we believe the dog is capable of consistently following a command.



We need vet records confirming your dog has received the distemper combination, rabies, and bordetella (kennel cough) shots. If you do not have these records, they can easily be obtained by contacting your vet.



If your dog is not ready to graduate, we will continue dog obedience training at no cost to you. We guarantee our training 100%.



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.



We can train your dog to respond to Czech, Dutch, French, or German commands.



Your dog will be trained one-on-one, by a certified Master Trainer. Each custom-tailored program, whether it is dog obedience, boot camp, positive behavior modification, puppy training, or personal protection training, is centered in repetition, consistency, and reward for dogs of all ages, and personalities. We are certain you will bring home a canine obedient to your commands, and prepared to participate in your life.