FAQ

What should I expect as a potential new client?

• A paid consultation is required and does not guarantee a spot with Velocity K9. The consultation is $45 and a half hour long. Come prepared to chat about your short and long-term goals with your dog. We will in turn discuss our methodologies and evaluate you and your dog to see if you will be a good fit for us. If you decide you would like us to be your trainers and we decide you will be a good fit for us, then we will email you a contract for whatever training program you have in mind, be it either for private lessons or a board and train program. *Please fill out our questionnaire located in the "Send an Inquiry" tab of our website if you are interested in our services.*

What payment methods do you take?

• We take Apple Pay, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal Friends and Family, cash, or check. Additional fees are required for credit card payments through Square or payments via PayPal Goods and Services. Payments for private lessons are due at the end of every session. At least 50% of payment for boarding or a board and train program is due on the first day your dog stays with us. 

Is there paperwork required before my dog stays with you for either boarding or a board and train program?

• Yes, we will require a contract to be signed before your dog's stay. We will also require for you to fill out a medical release form should we need to take your dog to the vet.

What can I get out of private lessons?

• That will ultimately depend on what goals you have in mind and how much you are willing dedicate into training your dog. We do not offer training packages as we believe that every owner and their dog learns at a different pace. At the end of the day, what you put into your homework is what you get out of it. Learning is not linear, and we will support you and your dog as best as we can, but if you want to see results you will need to dedicate the time and energy to achieve said results. We recommend daily multiple short training sessions that amount to 30 min or 1 hr. a day.

Do you offer pickup and dropoff for boarding or board and train programs?

• Here are various pickup and dropoff meetup locations that have consistently worked for us and our clients with their respective fixed round-trip rates:

• Starbucks on Hwy 88: 4426 Waterloo Rd., Stockton, CA 95215 - $60 

• Sprouts Farmers Market in Lathrop: 16576 Golden Valley Pkwy, Lathrop, CA 95330 - $80

• Costco Gasoline in Tracy: 3250 W Grant Line Rd., Tracy, CA 95304 - $90

• Costco Gasoline in Livermore: 2800 Independence Dr., Livermore, CA 94551 - $100

*We can offer full pickup and dropoff from your residence, but the total charge will be determined based on your location, and requests must be made at least two (2) months in advance.*

Here are the charges for full pickup and dropoff for the most common cities that our clients reside in:

• Livermore: $100

• Fremont: $120

• San Jose: $150

• Santa Clara: $160

• Sacramento: $80

*Full pickup and dropoff is not guaranteed for holiday boarding.*

What should I expect when my dog boards with you?

• Your dog becomes a member of our family during his or her stay. However, this does not mean that it is a free-for-all. Just as our personal dog has rules in the house, so will your dog. Crate training is a strict requirement for dogs to be able to board with us. Your dog is subject to the same daily schedule that we follow in our daily routine and will get to participate in various enrichment activities around our property that our personal dog enjoys. Fresh water is always available and feeding schedules will be followed as closely as possible. An info sheet about your dog must be filled out before your dog stays with us. Vaccination records must be up to date or your dog will be denied for boarding. *Medication administration is subject to an additional charge per administration.* 

How many dogs stay with you for boarding?

• Generally, we only have 1-2 dogs boarding with us at any given time. However, during the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year holiday season, we will often be fully booked. The maximum number of dogs boarding with us during the holiday season is 10.

What can I expect from a board and trains?

• Depending on which board and train you choose and what we discuss during our consultation, I will first focus on building a relationship with your dog before proceeding to work on foundational behaviors. A board and train is a not so much a crash course for your dog but a way for me to properly lay the correct foundations for your dog to succeed throughout the rest of his/her life, as well as teach your dog the skills needed to navigate the world with confidence. A board and train does not guarantee that results will stick for the long run as I am not in charge of your daily routine or lifestyle after your dog goes home. Lifelong coaching is always included and follow-up lessons are strongly encouraged to keep skills and behaviors fresh. Further refresher board and trains as needed are also suggested. All board and trains come with one (1) one hour go-home session as well as go-home notes. 

What tools do you use during your training programs?

• I train the dog in front of me. If that means they use a flat leash and collar for their entire life, then we go with that. If we need to use a slip leash and prong collar, then we will use those tools. We will use whatever tool is needed for proper and effective communication between dog and handler. For advanced and off-leash obedience you should expect the use of e-collars to proof obedience in a variety of scenarios. In addition, food, praise, and toys are also tools and we will use a combination of all three (or two) during training. What your dog best responds to is what we will use primarily as his or her motivator.

When should I start training my puppy?

• Realistically, as soon as you bring your puppy home. If you bring your puppy home at 8 weeks, fantastic! You now have a 4-week socialization window where you must introduce your puppy to positive socialization experiences, and no, that does not mean the dog park. Reach out to a professional to help get your new journey with your puppy started ASAP.

What should I feed my puppy?

• Follow the feeding guidelines given to you by your breeder. If you are unsure even after speaking with your breeder or adopted your puppy from a shelter, consult a licensed veterinarian. 

What is your stance on dog parks?

• Dog parks are the worst place you can take your dog to. Not only are they a breeding ground for germs (as many owners do not vaccinate their dogs regularly), but they are also a free-for-all in terms of dog behavior and bad habits, aka they are basically Fight Club for dogs. In addition, most owners are constantly on their phones and not paying attention to what their dogs are doing. Dog parks are not the place to socialize your dog. There are many other ways that dogs can learn proper socialization. Socialization as a term is thrown around far too loosely. Velocity K9 can help with proper socialization techniques for you and your dog so that your dog can be a well-rounded, well-balanced, member of society.

Do you train service dogs?

• Service dogs are medical equipment and their training should be taken extremely seriously. Due to the nature of service work and tasking, I can help with general public access training, but please research a service dog trainer for your specific task-training needs. Valor K9 Academy based in Boise, Idaho, is a fantastic trainer to look into for service dog training. In addition, familiarize yourself with the ADA laws surrounding service dogs. 

For any further questions, comments, or concerns, please email velocityk9training@gmail.com.