About Always Faithful Dog & Puppy Training Ann Arbor MI

Who they are

This is the Ann Arbor operation of Always Faithful Dog Training, "Founded by a United States Marine" – the founder is named as Abraham Mashal. The local team is listed as Leanna (Owner/Pack Leader) with trainers Michelle and Becky, both Level 1 IDTA. The company states its trainers are certified through AFDT and the IDTA and that "our organization has trained over 60,000 dogs in the last 20 years."

Method

The approach is explicitly leadership-based and tool-free: "No Treats, No Clickers, No Shock Collars, No Gimmicks." The reasoning given: "Dogs are pack animals. As part of your pack, you want your dog to follow you. Our leadership-based techniques will enable you to be the pack leader." The company argues against treat training because "when we exchange treats for obedience, we create a transactional relationship," and against shock collars because that approach "creates results based on fear and has been labeled abusive by the American and Canadian Veterinary Associations."

Packages and pricing

Prices are published. The Puppy Starter Package is a single in-home lesson at $200 covering house training, exercise, feeding routine, crate training, socialization, nipping and jumping, for dogs 8 weeks to 5 months. The Beginner Package is $600 (loose leash walking, sit, stay, come, down, plus potty training, jumping, nipping and mouthing). Intermediate is $900, adding off-leash training. The Pro Package is $1,200, adding high-distraction training. A Behavior Modification package (for "dominant or anti-social behaviors like aggression, resource guarding or separation anxiety"), a Therapy Dog package with certification on completion, and Board and Train are quoted on request. A 10% discount is offered to military, police and fire department clients.

Where they work

The stated service area is "Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Franklin, Northville, Novi, and Plymouth," with appointments "made to suit your schedule."