Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait before enrolling my puppy in Socialization?

Research shows the earlier the better with socialization. We allow puppies to start socializing after they've been home for 10 days and are free from illness. Waiting beyond 12 weeks to start is not advised, though we do allow puppies up to 16 weeks in our social groups. You heard that right! 16 weeks is the age cap. If you wait until they've had all immunizations, you've waited too long.

How long should I wait before enrolling my puppy in training?

If you have to prioritize one over the other, socialization is always the top priority as brain development drives that timeline. Training can happen at any age, but 9-10 weeks is a great time to start if you're able to do both in tandem. The beauty of starting early is that your puppy doesn't have much time to form unwanted habits. We're getting them headed in the right direction quickly so that we see more of the behaviors we want to see.

If you're not able to do both, but need help NOW with basic puppy stuff like crate & potty training or bite inhibition, I recommend booking a single private session while primarily focusing on socialization. Training can always come later.

Please contact us if you're interest in private sessions.

What is Puppy Socialization?

Socialization is the process of teaching your dog what's normal in the world; people, other dogs, sounds, surfaces, wheeled objects, and handling all fall under this category. This should be well underway before the dog turns 12 weeks, though it can and should continue well past that. It's not just exposure, it's about building positive associations with their surroundings.

Here's the kicker – home environment and household dogs don't really count. If they never leave the confines of the house in their socialization window, the world is going to be a scary place for them in adulthood. Please be sure to factor the dog's responses into this. They should feel happy and comfortable during socialization. If we expose them to fear, we're really just teaching them what they should be fearful of. Fear is easy to install, but it is difficult and expensive to modify! Keep it out of the mix as much as possible.

What is Puppy Day School?

Puppy Day School is for those looking for someone else to take the wheel. This program is for puppies up to 16 weeks at the start date, though it's ideal to begin around 10-12 weeks of age. You won't be saddled with much practice at home, but their behaviors do need to be supported to be maintained.

Day school has 2 Programs with weekly options:

1. Social Puppy – Heavy focus on Socialization & Enrichment
2. Ultimate Puppy – Basic Manners + Socialization & Enrichment taught by our trainers and handed off to you in 2 private 50 minute sessions.

Day school is great for dogs who need ramped up socialization and for busy families.

Whichever direction you choose, be objective about what is realistic about what your capabilities are and what is best for your dog, and if you need help sorting through the options, our team is happy to help, just shoot us an email.

What are Group Classes like?

Group classes are great for puppies who are up to date on vaccinations and older dogs who are just in need of basic obedience work or fun activities.

The handler should have time available between sessions to work with the dog for 15-30 minutes, minimum 5 days a week, at home. Candidates for our groups should be friendly and outgoing with other dogs and friendly strangers.

We do not allow aggressive dogs into our group training classes.

What do you recommend Private Training for?

Private training sessions are recommended for dogs who need work in areas related to upset emotions. They are also appropriate for owners whose schedules are not static or who are more comfortable learning in a familiar or quiet place. Private classes are conducted at home in most cases.

Please contact us if you're interest in a referral for private training from a trusted colleague.

Do you offer make-up sessions for Group Classes?

Due to our limited class capacity, to provide the best possible experience we cannot move students from one class to another. Instead, we provide video demonstration of we did that week to those who missed class so that they can practice at home. 85% of our exercises are documented.

Alternately, you can purchase a private session if you'd like to work with the trainer directly. Please contact us if you're interested in private sessions.

Do you treat Separation Anxiety?

Separation Anxiety is a debilitating behavior for dogs; think a day-long panic attack each and every time you're at work. Treatment programs for this are different than what most people would think of for private dog training. These programs are much more robust because these dogs are really suffering and need help fast! Nowadays, trainers integrate in technology, remote reward systems and remote monitoring of the dog. These trainers are known as CSATs.

Need a referral? Reach out and we'll get you hooked up with a certified CSAT stat. Please contact us if you're interest in private sessions.

What would you recommend I do for my dog who is seemingly aggressive or reactive to strangers and/or other dogs?

It's important to complete a thorough evaluation with a professional before partaking in any type of behavior modification. Using the wrong method can spell disaster for you and your dog and can actually make things much worse.

Prior to starting, all Private Behavior Modification programs at Rocky Mountain Dog Training begin with an initial consult. This allows us to get a behavior history, identify environmental contingencies for the behavior as well as learn about the dog and handler's current skill set. This let's us know what already exists and what we need to work on and towards. Following this information-gathering session, we create a plan of action that bridges your starting point with the end goals for the dog.

Please contact us if you're interest in private sessions.

My dog is aggressive, but I can only afford Group Classes. What should I do?

This is such a tough predicament, and it's great you're seeking help! Unfortunately, groups are centered around building skills whereas aggressive behavior works to change emotions.

Skills are so valuable, but for a dog who is scared, stressed and feeling unsafe, they're useless as the dog has bigger concerns in that moment than producing a "down/stay". We have to treat emotions first, then the skills will come along beautifully after.

While cost is certainly a factor, let's look at what it's worth.

• Dogs who are aggressive are a huge liability. If a bite occurs and you get sued, it makes treatment look like pennies.
• Dogs who are aggressive are stressed and, essentially suffering. Imagine living life that way. Treatment can give them a much higher quality of life, and isn't that really the value we're all seeking?

Trying to navigate behavior problems without a deep understanding of dogs and behavior often lands folks in the "I tried it and it didn't work club". Get a trainer on board, you won't regret the investment. Pay as you go is always and option.

Do you recommend Group Training, Private Training or Puppy Day School? How do they compare?

Group classes are great for puppies who are up to date on vaccinations and older dogs who are just in need of basic obedience work or fun activities.

The handler should have time available between sessions to work with the dog for 15-30 minutes, minimum 5 days a week, at home. Candidates for our groups should be friendly and outgoing with other dogs and friendly strangers.

We do not allow aggressive dogs into our group training classes.

Private training sessions are recommended for dogs who need work in areas related to upset emotions. They are also appropriate for owners whose schedules are not static or who are more comfortable learning in a familiar or quiet place. Private classes are conducted at home in most cases. Please contact us if you're interest in a referral for private training from a trusted colleague.

Puppy Day School is for those looking for someone else to take the wheel. This program is for puppies up to 16 weeks at the start date, though it's ideal to begin around 10-12 weeks of age. You won't be saddled with much practice at home, but their behaviors do need to be supported to be maintained.

Day school has 2 Programs with weekly options:

1. Social Puppy – Heavy focus on Socialization & Enrichment
2. Ultimate Puppy – Basic Manners + Socialization & Enrichment taught by our trainers and handed off to you in 2 private 50 minute sessions.

Day school is great for dogs who need ramped up socialization and for busy families.

Whichever direction you choose, be objective about what is realistic about what your capabilities are and what is best for your dog, and if you need help sorting through the options, our team is happy to help, just shoot us an email.

I'm not ready to join a Group Class. Any advice for before we tackle training?

Yep! There are two urgent deadlines you will need to focus on and meet when raising a puppy.

• Top priority #1 is teaching bite inhibition, and this needs to be done before the dog 18 weeks or 4.5 months.
• Top priority #2 is socialization, and this should be well underway before the dog turns 12 weeks, though this can and should continue well past that.

Socialization is the process of teaching your dog what's normal in the world; people, other dogs, sounds, surfaces, wheeled objects, and handling all fall under this category. It's not just exposure, it's about building positive associations with their surroundings.

Here's the kicker – home environment and household dogs don't really count. If they never leave the confines of the house in their socialization window, the world is going to be a scary place for them in adulthood. Please be sure to factor the dog's responses into this. They should feel happy and comfortable during socialization. If we expose them to fear, we're really just teaching them what they should be fearful of. Fear is easy to install, but it is difficult and expensive to modify! Keep it out of the mix as much as possible.

Do you guarantee results?

Rocky Mountain Dog Training guarantees that you and your dog will be trained ethically and humanely. We guarantee that our training methods are scientifically-backed and well-vetted and that we will follow training plans that are achievable and safe while working towards long-term behavioral improvement.

Ethically, we cannot guarantee anything further. As with any living organism, we cannot always predict HOW they will behave. Guarantees in behavior modification are dishonest and unethical as behavior is not static. Medical issues, household compliance, environmental conditions and repeated exposure to triggers can cause behavior change.