Which training option is right for my dog?
"CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATH DEPENDS ON YOUR DOG'S AGE, BEHAVIOUR, AND YOUR GOALS. WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG — NOT THE MOST EXPENSIVE OPTION."Start here — find the description that best matches your dog.
Puppies 8-20 Weeks
This is the ideal age for Stay & Train. Puppies are still forming habits, so we can build strong foundations, confidence and social skills before unwanted behaviours take hold.
Dogs 5–10 Months
Many dogs this age are entering adolescence and testing boundaries. Stay & Train can still be a great fit, but suitability depends on temperament and training history: assessed individually.
Dogs 10 Months & Older
At this age, the Intensive Obedience Course (IOC) is usually the more effective and cost-effective option — because it trains you, not just your dog, to manage behaviours that have often become established at home.
Future Therapy, Service, School or Working Dog
Training a Future Therapy, Service, Assistance or School Dog?
Calmness is a trained behaviour, and it’s best built during a puppy’s critical socialisation window. We highly recommend Stay & Train as the strongest foundation for any working or support dog role.
Comparison Table
Stay & Train |
Intensive Obedience Course |
|
|---|---|---|
Best suited for |
Puppies and younger dogs | Adolescent and adult dogs |
Training style |
Intensive professional training | Owner-focused training |
Where training happens |
Dog stays with the trainer | Dog trains together with owner |
What you get |
Professional foundation training completed for you | Stronger owner education and hands-on skills |
Best fit for |
Busy families | Committed owners wanting hands-on involvement |
Investment |
Higher initial investment | More cost-effective option |
Still Not Sure?
Tell us about your dog’s age, behaviour and your goals — Nikki will personally recommend the best fit.
If your dog is older than 8 months, please provide as much information as possible, including:
Your dog’s age and breed
Daily routine
Behavioural concerns
Previous training experience
Household and family circumstances
Your desired outcomes and goals
Once I have reviewed your information, I will recommend the training option that I believe will deliver the best outcome for both you and your dog.
My goal is always to recommend the most suitable solution—not simply the most expensive one.
Learn More!
Puppy Stay and Train
In-house Comprehensive Training
Puppy training is a critical. Our Stay and Train program was developed to give your dogs the best possible start in life by raising them during the most critical part of their development. The program was created by specialist ex-police dog trainer Nikki, who has your puppy stay in her own household as part of her family along with her dogs, cats, horses and other Stay & Train Clients. Stay and Train has a set curriculum of intended outcomes for your puppy which can be found below.
During the 4 weeks of Stay and Train puppy training, your puppy will live in Nikki’s household in a purpose built area, where your dog will become acclimatised to a domestic environment. Your puppy will be brought up as part of a family along with dogs, cats, horses and other Stay & Train Clients – as well as being socialised during outings.
Puppy owners with a puppy aged from 8 weeks. Puppies that have completed this puppy training course are prime to complete further training successfully. Outcomes are optimal for Service Dog / Assistance Dog / Support Dog / Therapy Dog and Family Dog.
Intensive Obedience
4-day program
This essential course establishes the foundation for a strong bond between dog and owner. Our objective is to educate dog owners, providing them with effective training methods and problem-solving abilities.
The outcome is a well-balanced family dog, comfortable both at home and in the community.
This course is the prerequisite to our Therapy Training Course and Certification.
Therapy Dog Training & Certification
4-day program plus certification
Enrich your life and bring joy to the lives of others by embarking on a rewarding journey with your dog as a potential therapy dog & handler team.
Open to graduates of our Intensive Obedience Course, our Therapy Training Course and then Certification are the next steps to becoming a Therapy handler.
We provide comprehensive training, certification, and assistance in securing therapy dog jobs, making this a fulfilling and impactful profession for both you and your furry companion.
How to Choose a Dog Trainer
Searching for dog training near me?
Choosing the right dog trainer is essential for your pet’s well-being and your peace of mind.
Dog training is not just about teaching your dog, it’s also about building a positive and respectful relationship between you and your pet. Choose a trainer who aligns with your values and prioritises your dog’s well-being.
Here are some considerations to help you choose.
Experience
Check the trainer’s experience, find out how long they’ve been training dogs, what breeds, for what purpose, what behavioural issues they have experience with. With the rise of online classes and Covid shutdowns, many people enrolled in online dog training courses and are presenting themselves as trainers having no real world experience – only a few days of online classes.
Training methods
Gain insight into the trainer’s methods and philosophy. A competent trainer should be able to clearly explain what they teach and why they teach it, reflecting a solid training methodology.
If a trainer solely focuses on specific issues without addressing their methods’ broader applicability, consider seeking one with a more comprehensive approach that can guide you effectively across various training areas. For example – from Day 1 of any of our courses, we teach calm behaviours. This is fundamental for dogs to learn as it applies to so many issues – separation anxiety, crate training, reactivity, walking on lead, staying, toilet training, etc.
Research!
Research, References & Referrals – start by asking for recommendations from friends, family, your breeder or your veterinarian. Online reviews and social media can also provide valuable insights. Request references from past clients. Speaking with people who have used the trainer’s services can provide valuable insights into their effectiveness.
Follow up support?
It is important to ask about access to follow-up support or resources the trainer provides after the training sessions. Ongoing support can be valuable for reinforcing training.
Guarantees?
Be cautious of trainers who promise quick fixes or guaranteed results. Training is an ongoing process, and each dog progresses at its own pace.
Observe!
Observing trainers with their own dogs – this is an excellent way to gauge their skills and methods. Well-behaved personal dogs often indicate effective training practices and a strong understanding of canine behavior. At our facility, we prioritize the bond between dogs and their owners, recognizing it as a cornerstone of a harmonious home life.
Ask Questions
Don’t hesitate to ask questions about their training philosophy, methods, and experience. A good trainer will be open and willing to discuss their approach.
Trust your instincts
Ultimately, trust your gut feeling. If something doesn’t feel right or you have concerns about the trainer’s methods, it’s okay to look elsewhere.
“Nikki is an amazing trainer . She trained Texas over 6 weeks in the stay and train program. He came home happy and is so well behaved. He was completely toilet and crate trained. Nikki was great at socialising Texas to different environments and people including kids. Apart from that Nikki has been very responsive to all my questions during the training session (she has been answering all my questions and guiding me through even after Texas came home) Would definitely recommend Nikki ‘s training program to anyone looking to have a well trained/ behaved dog who is well socialised. Thank you so much Nikki”
