About Always Faithful Dog & Puppy Training Grand Rapids MI

Leadership-based in-home training, no food rewards

Always Faithful Dog Training of Grand Rapids publishes a method that deliberately rules out the mainstream toolkit: "No Treats, No Clickers, No Shock Collars, No Gimmicks. The Always Faithful Dog Training method is designed to teach you the language of your dog. We call it Leadership Dog Training. Dogs are pack animals. As part of your pack, you want your dog to follow you." Lessons are delivered in the home: "Our private in-home lessons will immediately correct these behaviors and give you the tools to maintain your leadership."

The local team and area

The page names two people: "Leanna, Owner/Pack Leader" and "Madisen, Level 1 IDTA Trainer." The published service area is "Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Spring Lake, North Holland, and Muskegon," on (231) 624 8762, with "Appointments made to suit your schedule!"

Packages and published prices

Four are listed. Puppy Starter Package, "a single in-home lesson," covering "house training, exercise, feeding routine, crate training, socialization, responding to common behaviors like nipping & jumping": "$185", for dogs "8 weeks old to 5 months old." Beginner Package: "loose leash walking *sit *stay *come *down" plus "potty training, jumping, nipping and mouthing" at "$495." Intermediate Package adds "off-leash training for the dog owner who needs their dog to listen inside and outside of the house" at "$795." Pro Package adds "high distraction training" at "$1100." A discount is published: "WE OFFER 10% OFF ANY TRAINING TO MILITARY, POLICE OR FIRE DEPT."

Credentials and scale claimed

"Yes, every single Always Faithful Dog Trainer is certified through AFDT and the IDTA. Our organization has trained over 60,000 dogs in the last 20 years." The company states it was "Founded by a United States Marine!", naming founder Abraham Mashal.

Where it stands on other methods

The site argues at length against treats and e-collars, including: "When we exchange treats for obedience, we create a transactional relationship – a 'what's in it for me' attitude," and "Shock collar training creates results based on fear and has been labeled abusive by the American and Canadian Veterinary Associations." Owners comparing trainers should read this as a strongly held position, not a neutral description of the field.

Age and scope

"We start our puppy training as young as 8 weeks and have no age limit to training, if the dog is healthy enough to train." Aggression, therapy and service work are answered with "many of our locations offer these services. Please check out your local location to determine if that service is offered near you" – so availability in Grand Rapids needs confirming.