About Freak On A Leash Dog Training

Freak On A Leash runs the broadest published class program in this metro, out of an indoor facility in Chesapeake: "Held at our indoor facility: 2536 Centerville Turnpike South, Chesapeake, VA". A second address, on Sandoval Drive in Virginia Beach, also appears on the business record.

The class ladder

Classes are age-staged and named. "Great Start Puppy" is "For puppies 8 weeks to 5 months" and covers "Potty training, chewing, and biting help", settling cues, loose leash walking and recall. Level Up Puppy follows it. Adolescents get their own track – Teenage Tyrants, "For dogs 6 months to 3 years", introduced with a line most owners of teenage dogs will recognize: "Is your adolescent dog suddenly ignoring cues, jumping on guests, or pulling like a freight train?" The general manners class, Magnificent Manners, is "For dogs 5 months and older" on open enrollment.

Sport, titles and specialty

Beyond manners there is a genuine sport program: rally "open to all levels", agility taught by "experienced instructors who've successfully competed in agility", scent work where "dogs learn to search for specific target odors (just like in AKC Scent Work trials )", a Canine Good Citizen class that works through "the 10 test items required for the AKC Canine Good Citizen title", Therapy Dog Prep, a Recall class, and conformation handling – "With experienced guidance from Gayle Petrick, you'll gain practical tips and hands-on coaching to bring out your dog's best presentation."

Behavior work, and where the lines are drawn

This is where the site is most useful, because it says who each class is not for. The Chill Out Hybrid program pairs "2 private 30 minute sessions at our facility to set your dog up for success" with "5 weekly group classes focused on impulse control, arousal modulation, and calming skills", and states "Not appropriate for dogs with a history of aggression toward people or dogs-private training is available for those cases." The Reactive Dog class is similarly bounded – "best for dogs who bark, growl, or lunge at specific triggers on walks, but who are not aggressive toward people or dogs in close contact" – and is currently marked "Reactive Dog (not offered at the moment)". Serious cases go to private work: "We offer personalized in-home training for behavior challenges such as fear, anxiety, and aggression."

Prices, which are actually published

Rally is "Cost : $30 per class". Agility is "$30 per class or $150 per 5 week session". Conformation is "$120 per 4-week session". Day training runs "4 sessions $600".

The ethics statement

Two lines are worth reading before you book anywhere in this market. On credentials: "The dog training industry is an unregulated field. You can rest assured of our capabilities by our certifications through respected independent credentialing organizations." And on promises: "Beware of companies that make blanket guarantees about training outcomes. It is impossible and unethical to guarantee the behavior of another living being." Ask which credentialing bodies on the discovery call.