About Take The Leash K9 Training

Take The Leash is a one-person, home-based program in Hampton, and it publishes more detail about what you get for your money than anything else in this metro.

Who runs it

"Hi and welcome to Take The Leash K9 Training! My name is Kathy, the owner and trainer at Take The Leash K9 Training. I'm a professional trainer located in Hampton, VA. I offer a few home-based Board & Train services to help fast-track training and I also offer private lessons so you can learn how to enjoy a walk with your dog or fix some behavioral issues you're struggling with."

Three residential programs, priced and specified

The puppy program is "10 Day Puppy Stay and Train Ages 3.5 months up to 6 months $695.00", covering "Sit, Down, Politely walking on leash, Recall on leash (coming when called), Place" plus "Crate Training, Potty Schedule, Impulse Control, Threshold Training, Teaching Calmness, Waiting for Food", and stopping "Jumping, nipping, mouthing, excessive barking, leash chewing/biting and counter-surfing". The dog lives in the house – "Your puppy lives in my house and receives daily training. You will get at least 2 updates via text or email so you can see how your puppy is progressing while here. I use food, verbal praise and physical touch to reward while teaching calmness." Handover is built in: "There is a 30 minute consultation at drop off and a 2 hour Go Home Session at the end of the program with you and your puppy so you can learn how to take all the good behaviors and commands home with you."

The standard adult program is "2 Week Standard Obedience Board and Train $1150.00", for dogs six months and older, and the advanced one is "3 Week Advanced Board & Train $1500.00", "for dogs with more behavior issues (no aggressive dogs) such as fear & anxiety that need more than my 2 week program offers."

Where the line is drawn

Said twice, clearly: the two-week program "is for dogs 6 months and older that don't have any major behavioral issues (fear, anxiety, aggression, etc.) Don't confuse leash reactivity as aggression." and private lessons take "No aggressive dogs, but don't confuse leash reactivity with aggression." A leash-reactive dog is welcome; a dog with a bite history is not. That distinction is drawn more carefully here than almost anywhere else.

The tools, stated up front

"I have found that prong collars and e-collars are wonderful tools to use to help me communicate with dogs. Prong collars provide equal pressure around a dog's neck which makes them slightly uncomfortable to pull against, but do not hurt your dog. These are tools you don't need to phase out, they work so I definitely recommend that you stick with them once you get your dog home." Note that this is a permanent-tool position rather than a transitional one, and that the equipment is a separate cost.

Lessons, boarding and a cheap first step

"Private Lessons $85 per hour per dog" with a package at "4 Private lessons $300". Boarding is "$30 per night" but restricted – "Only for dogs that have been through my 2 or 3 week program. Space permitting and minimum 2 night's stay." There is also a thirty-minute phone consultation for owners who mainly need direction on crate or potty training.

Requirements

A contract, a deposit, up-to-date vaccinations and a rabies certificate, flea, tick and heartworm preventative, and you supply the dog's own food.