Private Training & Behavior Consults
Our private training and behavior consults are a great way to start (or continue) your training journey when group training classes are not the right fit for you. Sometimes, you need a more flexible schedule or maybe you have a specific need that might not fit into a group class. Sometimes, our classes are full, and you don’t want to wait for the next round of classes. Whatever your reasons are, private training provides the ability to work within your schedule and your needs. It’s tailored to fit you and your dog.
We approach any training or behavior change with only one focus – to create a way of life that works for both you and your dog. We work with you to understand the whole picture – from what your dog was born to do, to their preferences and previous experiences, to your lifestyle – so we can provide long-term solutions that are sustainable on both ends of the leash!
Our methods are positive and motivational based, grounded in science and ethically backed.
What does that mean? We strive to provide you with methods that are proven and kind to build and grow your relationship with your dog. Dogs aren’t born understanding how to live in our crazy human world. Our focus of our training is less on “obedience” and more on learning to communicate with our dogs, building relationships, teaching them skills to be good citizens, and helping meet their instinctual needs. We believe that behavior problems are the result of the dog’s needs not being met, an issue with the environment, or a misaligned human-canine relationship.
Whether you have a new to you canine family member that you would like to start off on the right paw, need some help with some skill building, or have a serious behavior concern, we have the solutions for you!
We are available to come to your home (within a 20 mile radius of The Puppy Den) or at our facility (The Puppy Den 3124 Syene Rd, Madison, WI). The facility houses our puppy based daycare but has private training areas for our lessons. Your dog does NOT need to be a puppy to attend lessons in this facility!
We offer several kinds of lessons to fit anything you are looking for.
Did you just adopt a new rescue or bring home a new puppy and want to start off on the right paw? Check out our NEW TO YOUR FAMILY lessons.
Do you want to teach your dog to be the best patio dog? Or maybe you want to learn some fun tricks? Whatever skills you are looking to teach, we can help with our SKILL BUILDING lessons.
Or maybe you have something more serious going on. Maybe your dog’s behaviors are causing you stress? We have behavior consultations and BEHAVIOR CHANGE lessons available with our behavior consultants.
New to Your Family
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Puppy (Under 6 months)
Package includes:
One virtual or in-person consult lasting 60-75 minutes to answer your puppy questions, learn about your lifestyle, and get started with training.
Two 60 minute in-person lessons
Package Duration: 2 months
Topics Covered:
Meet your Dog: we’ll talk about what to expect with your new puppy from understanding the breed, learning about your puppy’s specific likes and dislikes, understanding your puppy’s body language
Socialization – There is so much information out there about socializing with your puppy but how do you do it the right way? What is the right way? The answer to this is as unique as your puppy and we will help you to create a plan that is simple to follow and as unique as your puppy.
House Training – how to effectively house train
How to introduce collars, leashes, harnesses, and other gear
Introduction to body handling and cooperative care to make sure baths, nail trims, vet visits, grooming visits, and more are fun
What gets reinforced gets repeated – We’ll teach you what this means and how to find what is really reinforcing to your puppy
Enrichment – it’s a buzzword for a reason! We’ll help you learn what is enriching for your unique puppy and how to make enrichment a way of life
Your goals – we will discuss your top expectations for life with your new puppy and how we can build patterns to create a life that works for both you and your puppy
Investment $400
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Newly Rescued Dog (over 6 months)
Package includes:
One virtual or in-person consult lasting 60-75 minutes to answer your questions, learn about your lifestyle, your dog’s history, and your goals, and get started with some training
Two 60 minute in-person lessons
Package duration: 2 months
Topics Covered
Meet your Dog: we’ll talk about what to expect with your new dog from understanding the breed, learning about your dog’s specific likes and dislikes, and understanding body language.
Socialization - it’s not just for puppies! Socialization isn’t just about dog-dog or dog-people. We’ll teach you what it means and how to create positive experiences for your new family member.
Home Life - Helping with expectations in the home including but not limited to house training, waiting at the door, furniture rules, and more
What gets reinforced gets repeated - learn what this mean and what is really reinforcing to your dog
Enrichment - learn what this means and how to determine what is enriching to your dog
Your expectations - we will discuss your top expectations for life with your new dog and how we can begin to build that life together.
**if your dog is displaying more challenging behaviors such as barking, lunging, and guarding, please see our behavior lessons instead.
Investment: $375
Skill Building
These lessons help you with HOW to teach your dog certain skills. We become your coaches while you work on teaching your dog new skills.
Skills include:
Basic skills (such as sit, down, stay, come when called, and more) and advancing those skills
Potty Training
Tricks
Intro to sports
Leash skills
Trails & hiking skills
Patio, beer garden, around town skills
Skill Building Packages Available:
Two 60 min Lesson Package $300
Package duration 1 month
Four 60 min Lesson Package $500
Package duration 2 months
Six 60 min Lesson Package $690
Package duration 3 months
Follow-up non-package lessons $125
Behavior Consultations
Behavior Change Lessons
We have 2 types of behavior change lessons. One type covers the behaviors that we (humans) find annoying but really aren’t scary or overwhelming. The other is for those behaviors that we find scary, overwhelming, or even dangerous. We list some of these behaviors below but if you are unsure, please send us a message and we’ll help get you into the right lessons.
Dog Behaviors that We Humans Find Annoying
Jumping on and mouthing people
Chewing on things that do not belong to them
Stealing things that do not belong to them
Eliminating in inappropriate places (Potty Training)
Barking out the window
Pulling on leash
Excessive energy
Ears that don’t work (Listening Skills)
Hole creation (Digging)
If your dog is lunging, anxious, territorial, etc, scroll to the next section for more options!
Behavior Change Lesson Packages
for those behaviors we find annoying
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Consultation Only Lesson $200
Includes:
90-minute initial consultation (virtual or in-person)
Actionable, personalized plan
Recommendation for follow-up lessons or classes
Non-Package Behavior Lessons: $160/hr
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Four Lesson Package - Ideal for 1-2 primary issues $600
90-minute initial consultation (virtual or in-person)
Actionable, personalized plans
Three 60-minute follow up lessons
Curated for you resources and recommendations
Package duration 2 months
Non-Package Behavior Lessons: $160/hr
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Eight Lesson Package – Ideal for multiple issues $1040
90-minute initial consultation (virtual or in-person)
Actionable, personalized plans
Seven 60-minute long follow up lessons
Curated for you resources and recommendations
Package duration 4 months
Non-Package Behavior Lessons: $160/hr
Dog Behaviors that We Humans Find Scary or Overwhelming
Barking at everything, everywhere
Lunging on or off leash
Growling
Biting
Destructive behaviors
Chasing or aggression toward wildlife or other non-canine pets
Unpredictable behaviors
Fearful Behaviors
Escape behaviors
Territorial/protective behaviors
Anxiety
Guarding
Fear or aggression at the vet or groomer
Compulsive behaviors
Phobias
Multi-dog household conflicts
Behavior Change Lesson Packages
for those behaviors we find scary or overwhelming
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Consultation Only Lesson $200
Includes:
90-minute initial consultation (virtual or in-person)
Actionable, personalized plan
Recommendation for follow-up lessons or classes
Non-Package Behavior Lessons: $160/hr
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Four Lesson Package - Ideal for 1-2 primary issues $600
90-minute initial consultation (virtual or in-person)
Actionable, personalized plans
Three 60-minute follow up lessons
Curated for you resources and recommendations
Package duration 2 months
Non-Package Behavior Lessons: $160/hr
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Eight Lesson Package – Ideal for multiple issues $1040
90-minute initial consultation (virtual or in-person)
Actionable, personalized plans
Seven 60-minute long follow up lessons
Curated for you resources and recommendations
Package duration 4 months
Non-Package Behavior Lessons: $160/hr
Questions? Fill out the form and we’ll follow up shortly.