What expertise does our team provide?
Our Co-Founder and Behavior Consultant, Sean Savage, has achieved the certifications of CBCC (Certified Behavior Consultant – Canine) and the CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) granted by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Our Co-Founder, Dr. Echterling Savage, is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), one of only approximately 50 CAABs in the United States and continuously mentors and trains all dog trainers. For more information on the qualifications needed to become a CAAB, explore the resources available at the Animal Behavior Society.
When is the right time to begin puppy training?
You can begin your puppy’s early training once it comes home, around 8 weeks of age. This early training often focuses on common challenges like play-biting, jumping, chewing, and potty training.
When your puppy reaches 14-16 weeks, they are old enough to maintain focus for around an hour, which matches the length of most training sessions. Your puppy is now ready to start a more structured training program where it can learn obedience commands and good manners at home and in public settings around Tampa Bay.
If you notice behavioral issues, such as resource guarding, reactivity, or aggression, it’s crucial to consult with a trainer as soon as possible. Addressing these negative behaviors early can help prevent them from getting worse.
What kinds of dog training programs do we provide?
At Beyond the Dog Tampa Bay, we offer a variety of personalized training programs designed to meet your and your dog’s needs. Whether you need a consultation, obedience training, or to address specific behavioral issues, we have a program to meet your needs.
- The 22-Hour Training Program is a comprehensive program ideal for teaching obedience training, addressing behavioral concerns, or any particular training aims. You will attend one session per week so that you can learn your dog’s new skills and integrate these into your daily routine.
- The 16-Hour Training Program offers the flexibility of choosing 3 to 4 training goals for your dog. With four sessions per week for 4 weeks, the owner will attend the final session of each week for a training lesson. This program is perfect for those looking to prioritize specific issues.
- The Board and Train Program allows your dog to stay at the trainer’s home. This program is best for dogs that need more than 3 to 5 sessions per week, puppy training, potty training, specific behavioral issues, and when the owner is traveling.
- Our Behavior Modification Package program provides personalized guidance from Dr. Echterling-Savage through a series of virtual consultations. Dr. Echterling-Savage will design a personalized training program to address your training concerns. She will guide you through behavior scenarios to ensure ongoing progress while monitoring your dog’s progress and adjusting your training plan to achieve your goals.
What training methods do you follow?
At Beyond the Dog Tampa Bay, we combine the latest scientific research with proven operant and classical conditioning methods. Our approach is designed to reinforce positive behaviors that will create lasting, positive associations, ensuring the best results for your dog. This combination of advanced techniques allows us to deliver a refined, premier training experience.