Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Booking a consultation is always the first step before starting training.

Evaluation Policy

At Breakthrough K9 Training, all new clients are required to complete an initial consultation prior to starting training. These consultations are typically 30-45 minutes in duration and are held in-person at our facility or virtually over zoom. These consultations are free of charge and are an opportunity to meet your trainer and discuss training goals, behavioral issues, and choose the program that is right for your dog. It is required that all members of the household and those involved with caring for the dog are present during the consultation. 

Short answer: yes. We do not believe in providing one-off, single private lessons.

When looking at dog behaviour and training plans, we take a very holistic approach. We may recommend a diet change, visiting your veterinarian to have a pain or mental disorder ruled out, and in many cases we may recommend a large lifestyle change if you are looking to achieve the results you want with your dog.

We truly have you and your dog’s best interest when making recommendations, we do not believe that behaviour problems or training goals can be addressed in a single lesson. However, existing clients may book additional, single lessons to supplement their training program if they need extra help and are priced at $125 +HST.

Short answer: no.

At your consultation our trainers will recommend a training program that will fit your dog, your lifestyle, and training expectations best.

At Breakthrough K9 Training, we are experts at reading and understanding dog behaviour. We may see minor or major issues with your dog that have never been brought to your attention by anyone else.

In some cases, with “happy go lucky” dogs the doors are wide open as to which program you would like to enroll your dog into. In other cases, your trainer may only accept your dog into a specific program to ensure we can set realistic training expectations. Your trainer will also take into account things like your lifestyle, training commitment, and safety for you and your trainer.

All of these things will be discussed in your initial consultation.

This depends on your training goals and what kind of issues that you are having in your home with your dog(s).

If there is conflict between multiple dogs in the home, it is recommended that each dog be signed up for training and follow their own individual training plans, ensuring that all dogs in the home operate on the same commands and communication systems. Additionally, it is important that each dog has a solid foundation and consistent means of communication with each human in the home before integrating the dogs back together as a pack again. Our goal is to minimize conflict in the home as much as possible in order for harmony and safety to be restored. 

If you have older dogs in the home but you have a new puppy/new addition to your family and you want to get them started off on the right track, you may sign them up for training without the other dogs in your home.

At Breakthrough K9 Training, we take a balanced approach to dog training, prioritizing positive reinforcement while using the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) methods. Our training is customized for each individual dog, their family, and environment. We focus on teaching dogs the behaviors we want to see, rather than just correcting unwanted behaviours. While we prioritize positive reinforcement, we also believe in setting clear boundaries by telling our dogs “no” when necessary. To do this, we use a spectrum of training methods and safe training tools tailored to each dog’s needs and goals. 

We recognize that some dogs with behavioral issues may require additional tools or corrections to enhance communication and address underlying issues effectively. Ultimately our goal is to build a strong relationship with your dog rooted in trust and confidence, using a combination of techniques to ensure lasting success.

While all of our training methods are based on positive reinforcement and relationship, at the end of the day we do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to dog training and we use a variety of different training gear and tools. Just as our training methods may vary with each dog, so can our use of tools and what we feel the dog will thrive on best.

The typically most used tools are: slip leads, martingale style collars, prong collars, e-collars, harnesses, clickers, muzzles, food and toys.

If you are uncomfortable with the use of any of these tools or would like to learn more about them, it is vital you bring this up during your initial consultation so we can have an open conversation about training expectations. While in some cases training tools are not necessary, in others it may help to provide the low level communication your dog needs. It is important to remember that these are tools that need to be taught to both you and your dog and must be taken seriously, if they are required.

At Breakthrough K9 Training, we have never met a dog that we couldn’t improve. While we prioritize your success and offer support, we cannot guarantee specific results due to the many factors that influence a dog’s behavior such as genetics, health, and lifestyle choices. We will do our absolute best to help every single dog we work with, and improvements will be seen. However, dog training is a team sport and your dog cannot improve on their behaviour if you are not committed or dedicated to the training program. You must be committed to following a reasonable routine with your dog that includes regular physical and mental exercise, daily training sessions, and enforcement of all the commands and behaviors we accomplish in training. Your dog’s success will rely on the consistency and upkeep of the training advice given by Breakthrough K9 Training.