About The Confident Pooch

Balanced training from a West Plano home

The Confident Pooch is run by owner Maegan Bardes, a graduate of the Starmark Academy School for Dog Trainers who holds certifications in canine obedience training and behavior modification. She works from her private home in West Plano and uses balanced training: positive reinforcement such as treats, clicker and praise while a dog learns, then consequences for noncompliance, aiming for dogs that respond to the first command.

Programs and prices

Board and train, where the dog stays at her home, covers obedience, housebreaking, crate training, off-leash reliability and problems such as leash aggression, dog and people aggression, fear and separation anxiety. The 2 Week Obedience Foundations program is $1400 and the 4 Week Standard Obedience program $2499, with field trips to Plano parks and Home Depot. Private lessons cost $129 each at her location or $159 at the client's home, or $675 and $860 for six. Six-week group classes for up to 6 dogs meet at Jack Carter Park or Windhaven Meadows Park in Plano: Standard Obedience is $425 and Advanced Obedience $375. A $100 evaluation helps families choose a puppy or rescue dog.

What to ask

Ask when the next spring or fall group class begins.