Frequently Asked Questions

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What else is included with training sessions?

When you come on board with Two Tails Training, you will get unlimited access to us. Feel free to call, text, send videos of behavior you need help with between sessions…whatever you need. We are here to empower you and your dog and would rather help you with minor modifications between training sessions so our training days can be focused on introducing new challenges.

How long does training take?

Although each session typically lasts one hour, the amount of sessions and length of total training depends on a variety of factors: the severity of the behavior, individual personality of the dog, and most importantly; how much time you put in between training sessions.

What is included in a consultation?

During the consultation we will meet you and your dog, discuss (and hopefully witness) the behaviors needing modified, and come up with a game plan of how to proceed in the future. If you believe you will have trouble recreating the problem behavior (dog only has problems with the mailman), please try to record the behavior beforehand.

Do you train service dogs?

We currently train some service dogs. Although we do not provide a certification, we train the dog to accomplish the task the handler requires. If it’s something we don’t feel adequate in doing, we will refer you to professionals that only train service dogs.

How long does protection work take?

Protection work begins in puppyhood and continues regularly throughout the dogs life. However, depending on working lines, it can take up to 2 years before a dog will be confident enough to provide real protection. This is a major commitment. Be prepared to put in the work with us in order to achieve your desired result.

Do E-Collars hurt dogs?

There is no harm done to your dog. Every owner we train with has to first put the collar on themselves to feel what it’s like. They’re always surprised by what it ACTUALLY feels like. Modern e-collars are highly adjustable. In the old days they had few levels and COULD be extremely unpleasant at all settings. Contemporary collars offer 100 or more increments/levels of stimulation. That means you can find the perfect level for your dog, and most training occurs with levels that are barely perceptible to dogs. (Typically dogs work between 3-8 out of 100 levels.)

Can you strictly train a dog through all positive methods?

There’s a lot of back and forth and tons of judgement on trainers that don’t use positive only methods. I’ll lay it out really simple: every dog is different and so the methods we use vary each time. Some dogs respond really well to mostly positive. Some dogs need more frustration and negative reinforcement to understand concepts and change behaviors. E collars, prong collars, etc., are great tools if used correctly and humanely. And to be clear, something like taking a treat away from a dog when it doesn’t listen to a command is a form of negative punishment. There is no such thing as purely positive.

That being said, we work with tons of aggressive, abused dogs that other trainers can’t fix. We do not hit or abuse dogs, but we don’t bribe them with food either. We help them understand what’s expected of them and rehab them until they’re stable, relaxed and happy. Balance is key.