Some problems don’t belong in a group class. Maybe your dog lunges and barks when another dog comes into view, or maybe you’ve started skipping walks because you’re worried about what will happen. When the stress is building at home, you want help that’s focused on your dog and your situation. That’s what private sessions with Joel are for.
Joel’s private sessions cover all kinds of behavior problems, with a special focus on reactive dogs and dog aggression. Since it’s only you, your dog and Joel, the whole session goes to the things you’re struggling with. You won’t have to squeeze into a lesson plan made for someone else’s dog.
Joel can start with an evaluation, so he sees your dog for himself and hears what daily life with your dog is like. From there, you get obedience homework made for you and your dog. You’ll go home knowing what to work on between sessions, and you won’t be left guessing.
The first few weeks with a puppy bring a lot of questions. Private sessions are where we help you with crate training, potty training, feeding and teaching those first behaviors. At this age there’s more for the people to learn than the puppy, so one-on-one time makes the most sense.
We recommend that your puppy has had at least 2 shots before coming out to the training field, but check with your vet first. Once your dog turns 7 months old, they’re ready for our Basic Obedience Course.
Some of our regular weekly clients use their private sessions for both obedience and protection, and most of them are involved in IGP sport.
If you’re wondering whether your dog is cut out for protection work, Joel offers an evaluation that looks at your dog’s genetic makeup and drive for the work. Most dogs need to be bred for it, so the evaluation gives you an honest answer. From there, Joel can put together a game plan built around your goals.
Private sessions are usually drop-in sessions that you schedule ahead of time. You book a time that works for you, and that time with Joel is all yours.
Joel Monroe is a former school teacher, an active dog sport judge and a competitor with more than 30 years of working with dogs. He’s been training dogs for Central Valley families since 2019. His teaching background shows in how he explains things, and that matters, because you’re the one who lives with your dog every day.
They are usually drop-in sessions that you schedule in advance with Joel.
Yes. Behavior problems, and reactivity and dog aggression in particular, are a big part of what Joel works on in private sessions.
Yes. Puppies start with one-on-one sessions that cover crate training, potty training, feeding and first behaviors. We recommend at least 2 shots before your puppy comes to the field, but check with your vet.
Most dogs need to be bred for protection work. Joel offers an evaluation to see if your dog has the genetics and drive for it, and if the drive is there, training can start as early as 8 weeks old.
Tell us what’s going on with your dog. Joel will get back to you about an evaluation or a private session.
