About Faith In Paws

Faith in Paws is an in-home and virtual training business working across Chautauqua County – "Based out of Chautauqua County New York," as its own footer puts it. It publishes more detail about course structure and price than anything else in this metro, which makes it a useful benchmark even for owners who end up training elsewhere.

The courses, and what they cost

Reactive Dog Training is the flagship, "a custom reactivity training program that varies depending on the source of reactivity," from $80, with a stated minimum of six weekly classes: "Classes must be booked for the 6 week requirement to see change." Basic Obedience and Problem Solving, also from $80, "covers basic commands, leash training, and 'Leave It'" over four to six weeks, with problem solving and behavior modification taking six to eight. AKC Canine Good Citizen is $80 a class over a seven-week course, described as "the gold standard for obedience in dogs" and "the first step in certification for therapy dogs and service dogs." AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy covers dogs under a year, and social-setting and out-and-about prep classes are offered at the same rate. Virtual Dog Training for reactivity is $40.

Service and therapy dogs

Service Dog 1 and 2 is "custom tailored to individuals needs" and "covers task training for service dogs and therapy dogs in training, as well as public access training to ensure public obedience and cue reliability around distraction." The business is candid about the commitment – "Service Dog training often takes upwards of one to two years to complete" – and states that "a medical note from a doctor is REQUIRED in order to begin service dog training."

Method, stated plainly

The approach is force-free and the site does not hedge about it: "If you believe punishment is the only road to success, I may not be the trainer for you, but I encourage you to give it a try." Reactivity classes are in person only. Terms are published too – a $50 fee for cancellation inside 24 hours, a $30 rescheduling fee after two reschedules, a deposit to book the first class, and current vaccination records on request.

Locally corroborated

Another trainer in the county, currently closed to new behavior clients, refers readers here by name as "a fantastic local trainer" – independent evidence both of the business and of where it works.