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Virtual Training 101

Do you want to work 1-on-1 with us but an in-home help isn’t for you? Maybe you’re outside our travel radius, maybe your pet would be too stressed to work if we were there, maybe it’s not yet safe for your pet to interact with visitors, or maybe you just don’t want to get out of your PJs (we don’t judge!) That’s where our virtual consultations and packages come in. These are private sessions where we work together to address your pet’s behavior issues, but are performed via video chat. 

 

Can virtual training really work?

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People often wonder whether we can be effective if we only meet online, but the answer is yes, we can! Virtual consulting is growing in popularity worldwide, and we have clients all over the country. We have been just as successful collaborating via video chat as the clients with whom we’ve collaborated in person. We can consult on the same issues as our in-home sessions, including but not limited to:

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  • Dog and cat separation anxiety

  • Fear

  • Aggression/ biting/ scratching

  • Reactivity

  • Resource guarding (people, places, or objects–either from people or other animals)

  • Intra- or interspecies conflict

  • Integrating pets in a household

  • Boredom-based destruction

  • Escaping

  • Inappropriate elimination

  • Inappropriate vocalization

  • Self-destructive behaviors

  • Functionless repetitive behaviors

  • Nuisance behaviors 

    • Jumping on people

    • Mouthing

    • Pulling on leash

    • Counter surfing

  • Learning cooperative care for vet visits, grooming, taking medication, etc.

  • Not listening to basic manners cues

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Virtual Training Consultation Quick Facts

  • Can address any issue

  • Video chat through Zoom

  • $150 initial consultation *waived for clients seeing a veterinary behaviorist*

  • $140 (per hour) follow-ups: expect follow-ups to last approximately 30 minutes at a time

  • Payment plan is available!

  • Available for dogs, cats, and birds

What to expect: Booking A Virtual Training Session

 

If you’re ready to book, go to our booking page and select your consultant. Here you will find calendars for both Emily and Jolene and are free to select a date and time that works best for you from their most current availability.

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What to expect: The technology for virtual training

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We use Zoom for our virtual consultations. Zoom is free and easy to download; it usually takes about 5 minutes. We chose Zoom as our primary platform because it allows us to record your session and send it to you afterwards. If you’re more comfortable using a different program, like Skype or Google Hangouts, you’re welcome to speak with your consultant but know that it will be limited to programs that we already use and there will likely not be a recording function. 

The only other technology you’ll need is a webcam that can be manipulated so we can see around your house and your pet while you’re working with them. 

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What to expect: The Initial Behavior & Training Consultation

 

Initial consults usually last about 1.5 hours, and it is predominantly a lot of talking. We will discuss the information you provide in the history form. Your consultant may have follow-up questions based on that information. Then we will discuss the causes of the behavior issues, how we might address them, and why those strategies work. During that discussion we will decide together on a plan of action moving forward. We email your training plan and session recording to you afterwards so you know exactly how to work through the steps to help your pet. 

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What to expect: Follow-up Sessions

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Follow-up sessions are about thirty minutes long. We typically meet weekly or every other week for the first month or two for follow-up sessions, or however long it takes for you to get into a good rhythm with your training, then as needed until your pet’s behavior concerns are resolved to your satisfaction. During these follow-up sessions we work more through the exercises outlined in your training plan and tweak them to fit your situation better. We don’t expect to see a human therapist once to fix everything nor should we assume one visit is all it takes for our pets! 

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What to expect: Help for behavior issues in between sessions

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You will have access to your training plan for years to come and can refer back to your plan and resources contained within whenever you need help. Additionally, your consultant will be available to answer simple clarification and troubleshooting questions via email between sessions so you never feel like you’re alone in this process. Your consultant will encourage you to set up another session if the question is more involved or if it’s been a while since your last session.

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