About Full Life Behavior & Training

Who runs it

"I'm Alisha Fritz – a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. At Full Life Behavior & Training. I specialize in science-based, fear-free dog training throughout south central Michigan." The site says where the experience came from: "After college, my husband and I moved to Virginia, where I managed one of the largest animal behavior and training programs in the state. I worked with both shelter pets and family dogs, gaining hands-on experience with everything from leash reactivity and aggression to separation anxiety and manners training. When we moved back to Michigan, I founded Full Life Behavior to bring that same thoughtful, effective support to local families."

Credentials the site claims

"I'm a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, credentialed with the CDBC designation, and a Fear Free Certified Professional." She also names memberships and a past credential: "a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and an affiliate of the Humane Training Alliance (HTA)," "actively pursuing further certifications through the Pet Professional Guild (PPG)," and "I have also been Certified as a Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in the past." Education listed includes "IAABC Behavior Consulting Principles & Practice (Rebecca Park Scholarship Recipient – Fall 2020)," "Canine Logic, Advanced Canine Logic, and Reading Rover – University of Richmond," and a "Bachelor of Arts in Biology & Anthropology – Albion College."

Method

"I believe that training should never hurt – physically or emotionally." She offers the reasoning on request: "I use methods backed by solid, peer-reviewed research – and I'm always happy to share that research with you. I am also happy to explain why I avoid certain techniques, and provide the science that supports those decisions too." She is explicit that this is not permissiveness: "This doesn't mean I allow dogs to repeat unwanted behavior – it means I focus on teaching them what to do instead."

Services and published prices

Assessments come first. "Initial Assessment for Puppies, Manners, and Therapy Dog Prep, 60 – 90 minutes, Virtual: $125, In-Person (In your home): $175." "Initial Assessment for Problem Behaviors and Separation Anxiety, 90 minutes – two hours, Virtual: $150, In-Person (In your home): $200." Ongoing work is priced by tier: Family Coaching at "$125 per session" for puppy raising and manners, "$150 per session" for problem behaviors without a bite history, and "$175 per session before discounts" for dogs with a bite history. Board and Train runs "$1550 for two weeks," "$1750 for two weeks" and "$2100 for two weeks" across the same three tiers, each including "3 days of boarding for your pet to acclimate, 2 weeks of training, and 3 consultations with the owner." Separation anxiety is handled separately at "$500 per month," mostly virtually, with a "Daily individualized training plan (5 days a week)" and a "Weekly virtual one on one live consultation (60 minutes)." Pop-In Visits are billed at "50% of a family coaching session." Boarding is "$50 per day per dog."

It happens in her home

Board and train and boarding run out of the house, not a kennel: "Your dog lives with me in my home, with my family and dogs, receiving professional training in a real-world environment." Boarding is described the same way: "your dog/s are not left outdoors or in a kennel," "only small groups of dogs, usually within the same family stay with us at a time." She states who she turns away: "I do not accept female dogs in heat or dogs with a history of serious injury towards other dogs."

Where she works

"In-person services offered at the client's home up to a 60 minute radius of zip code 49224. Virtual services available for clients in any area," with an "Additional travel fee of $25 per session for locations 40-60 minutes away from zip code 49224."

Also worth knowing

Dogs are the specialty but not the only species: "While dogs are my specialty, I've also worked successfully with cats, birds, and other companion animals." She also refers work out when someone else is a better fit, naming separation anxiety specialists: "There are trainers certified specifically in working with separation anxiety (CSATs)."

Before you book

The site describes a service radius around 49224; ask whether your town is inside it.