FAQ’s and Policies

What about being the Alpha?

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about dogs; this is the biggest myth of all. This term comes from a poorly designed study that was found to be inaccurate. Dogs are not competing with us for the top spot; they are scavengers learning how to gain the resources they need for survival. They’re not trying to assert dominance; dogs are repeating behaviors that have likely worked in the past to help them gain food and a sense of security. My goal is to help your dog learn to repeat behaviors that are good for them.

Training with It’s Not Magic should be fun, for you and your dog!

This means that we will not use any aversive training methods or tools in our sessions and I will not encourage the use of said methods. This includes equipment/materials like:

• Prong Collars

• E-collars/Shock Collars

• Bark Collars/Citronella Spray

• Spray Bottles

• ScatMats

• Invisible Fencing

• Head Halters

• Slip leads

• Choke chains/Training Collars

• High Frequency sounds/ Pet Remotes

• Anything the dog finds aversive/unpleasant

Methods and equipment like these are unnecessary and inhumane. Clients who have used these methods in the past will not be shamed, but instead educated and commended for choosing positive reinforcement and a force-free way to train. We will follow LIMA guidelines (least intrusive, minimally aversive) and Dr. Susan Friedman’s Behavior Hierarchy.

There is a lot of information about dog training circulating in the world, from social media to neighborhood chats. I will support rather than belittle you and make sure you have a clear understanding of the training plan we create together.

Training Methods

Vaccinations

All clients must provide proof of up-to-date vaccination on veterinary letterhead prior to their first session. Puppies must be at least eight weeks old and have received their first round of shots at least two weeks prior to their in-person appointment. All puppies over the age of 4 months need proof of rabies vaccine before an in-person session. Until a puppy is 14 days out from their rabies vaccine, sessions will not be in person.

Calling in Sick

If your dog is experiencing any symptoms of being medically unwell (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, etc.) or they had a stressful experience they are recovering from, rescheduling is highly encouraged!

If your dog experienced any medical symptoms, please contact your vet and give me an update on their symptoms. When your dog is feeling better and/or has been appropriately treated for their medical issue, we can resume our in-person sessions. In some cases, proof of veterinary clearance may be required.

COVID-19

Any clients who have been exposed to someone with COVID must follow current CDC guidelines on next steps. Sessions will be adapted to be virtual or postponed until client tests negative.

Payments

Acceptable forms of payment are Paypal, Zelle, Venmo, Cash, or Check. Payments are split into two chunks, with the first payment due after the first session, and the second payment due halfway through the total amount of sessions. Please let me know if you would like an adapted payment schedule; this is offered on a case-by-case basis.

Cancellations and Refunds

If you cancel your appointment, you will be refunded all sessions that have not already occurred. I request 24 hours notice for cancellations. If something unexpected comes up, I am happy to reschedule. It is often a much more productive choice to reschedule, as I want to do my best to ensure that the session is productive, informative, and encouraging for both you and your dog.

Policies

Service Area

I serve the East Bay Area, including Castro Valley, Hayward, Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. I am currently based in Castro Valley.

If you are outside of my service area, a distance fee will be calculated and sent prior to booking an appointment. If you are unable to pay the distance fee or I deem the distance is beyond capacity, we can do our sessions virtually.

If you don’t want to work virtually, I am happy to provide referrals for other qualified trainers more local to you who may be better able to address your needs.

Can You Help with My Dog?

Every dog has the capability of learning through positive reinforcement and force-free training methods. No breed or breed mix requires punishment in order to learn. I do not discriminate based on breed, age, or characteristics. Wherever possible, I will take you on as a client and compose a customized training plan for you and your dog.

However, there are some cases I will refer out to more specialized professionals. These include Certified Behavior Consultants, Veterinary Behaviorists, or Certified Separation Anxiety Training Professionals.

It is my ethical responsibility as a certified dog professional to refer out your dog if I do not feel capable or confident in an effective training plan. I like to consider every case individually, so it is always worth booking a phone inquiry to discuss your dog’s behavior and see if we’ll be a good fit.

If we determine that I’m not the best fit for your dog’s case, I’m happy to provide referrals to other qualified trainers with more expertise to help with your dog’s individual needs.

What I Can Help You With

• Basic Skills and Foundations

• Reactivity

• New Puppy or Adopted Dog

• Becoming a Better Trainer

• Cooperative Care (Vet Visits and Grooming)

• Stranger Danger

• Building Confidence and Relaxation

• Understanding and Meeting Your Dog’s Needs

• Fun Tricks

• Canine Body Language

• Canine Enrichment

• AKC Canine Good Citizen Prep