Dog Trainer FAQ

Is this your first time hiring a dog trainer or working with Beyond the Dog? Find out more about the dog training services we offer below!

What programs do you offer?

Beyond the Dog Kansas City offers personalized, private in-home training programs to fit your training goals.

  • Our In-home Consultations provide guidance and demonstration from a trainer and are designed to address 1 to 2 behaviors per consultation.
  • Our All-Inclusive Training Program is conducted four days a week (60-minute sessions) for five weeks with two follow-ups totaling twenty-two hours of training. The fourth session each week is a Lesson with you to transfer what the dog is learning and how you can integrate the training into your daily life. This program is recommended if you are looking to address obedience training, reactivity, or other specific training goals.
  • Our Executive Training Program allows you to choose three to four training goals for your trainer to prioritize for three sessions per week (60-minute sessions) for three or four weeks.
  • Our Board and Train Program is a great option for those wanting to address housebreaking, obedience training, want more than three or four sessions per week or if you have travel plans. During the Board and Train your dog will live in a trainer’s home and be treated like part of the family!

When can I start training my puppy?

You can start the training process before you even bring your puppy home! In preparation for your new addition, you can schedule a Private In-home consultation to cover topics like housebreaking, crate training, and other training goals to help set you and your pup up for success. Typically, puppies younger than 14 weeks struggle to focus for a full one hour session which is why we recommend waiting until your puppy reaches 14 weeks of age to start one of our in-home training programs. Many of our clients choose to schedule a few private in-home sessions leading up to a full program to get their puppy started on the right foot!

What experience do your trainers have?

Beyond the Dog trainers hold a bachelor’s Degree or higher in a related field, and are certified professional dog trainers and behavior specialists through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. In addition to their experience, our trainers collaborate with and are supported by a mentor and the owners, Sean Savage, CDBC, CPDT-KA, and Kristyn Echterling-Savage, Ph.D., CAAB, BCBA, one of the only 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists in the country. To learn more check out our “How to Choose the Right Dog Trainer For You: What Do the Credentials Mean?” blog.

I’ve enrolled in a program, what can I expect before training begins?

After you have submitted your behavior evaluation and completed your chosen program contract, our scheduler will email you a proposed schedule and supplies list. After that you will receive an email that will include instructions and first steps based on your training goals to help prepare your dog for training. Then, a week prior to your start date your trainer will reach out and introduce themselves!