Frequently Asked Questions

Personalised, in-home dog training is simply faster and more relevant and effective. The belief that going to a dog training or obedience club and getting your dog to sit, drop or follow you around for treats or by force will somehow change their behaviour at home or in everyday life is flawed, as many of our clients will tell you. That’s why Sit Drop Stay’s in-home training system is different.

In home dog training works on the basis that the dynamics in your household are completely different to the dynamics in a group class, and this is where your dog needs to learn new associations and where you need to learn how to respond to create the behaviour you want. Classes won’t help you know what to do when your dog nips your children,, jumps on your guests or runs through the house and won’t settle down.

A home consult gives the trainer the ability to see what’s happening in your day-to-day lifestyle and give you the tools to correct things at the source. If you have three rowdy children, a busy lifestyle and a young puppy you’re going to need different tools and management skills than if you are a retired couple with a two year old rescue dog that has existing issues.

This is up to you, and you can tailor your in home dog training session(s) to your lifestyle. However some common requests are:

• Going to a bed or mat calmly and waiting for a release
• Coming inside calmly and settling down quickly
• Not entering the house unless invited (even with the door left open)
• Not trying to escape and bolt when you open the front door or the side gate
• Stopping them from nipping or mouthing you or your kids
• Accepting having something taken away from them
• Calmly accepting being brushed or checked over
• Travelling in the car calmly
• Walking calmly on the lead beside or behind you, without pulling or being over-reactive when faced with a distraction (such as another dog/person/bike)
• Not losing their mind when they see the lead or the car keys
• Greeting guests calmly and waiting politely until you invite them over to say hello
• Not jumping up on people
• Not demanding things such as attention, food, playtime, pats or to come inside – waiting calmly and politely instead
• Boundaries and limitation around the home – such as not going into the kitchen, staying away when people are eating, not going into certain rooms etc
• Rules, such as staying off the furniture unless invited
• Don’t chase the cat
• Being calm when asked eg near young children, hot coffee or elderly people
• Coming when called – no matter what!
• Requests such as back, leave, wait and come.
• Not to steal things like socks, undies, the remote etc
• Surrendering items from their mouth

Trainers are available on weekdays and weekends from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm.

We travel to any suburb within an hour of the city centre in these locations – Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Melbourne (and Canberra). If you are just outside these city limits please check with us.

Yes! We encourage all members of the family to be present, and anyone else who is involved with your dog for example, your dog walker or people who regularly care for your dog. That way everyone is on the same page. Very young children are welcome, however if they are likely to distract you from learning and being involved, it may be a good idea to organise a babysitter for this time.

Many clients only need the one in home consult to achieve noticeable changes in their dog’s behaviour and attitude, and there is no obligation to have us back. However, for dogs with more complex issues, or for more advanced or specific training, we recommend having one or two follow-up consults. These consults are two hours long and are as required, with no specific time frame. After a third consult you will receive our life-time support guarantee which includes unlimited phone, email and hands-on support.

Yes, we encourage your whole pack to be present so we can see the big picture. It is common for one dog to trigger behaviours in another and for a holistic assessment this is preferable.

We encourage you to use whatever tools you are comfortable with as long as they are used humanely. We use a variety of methods and equipment to support learning. We use front connecting harnesses, flat collars, material slip collars and head halters as different dogs and different behaviours need different approaches, and you are always consulted and are in control at all times.

We will never scare or intimidate a dog by using a method that is too ‘strong’ for their temperament or level of training. We usually experiment with different methods so you can see which works best for you and your dog. What works for one does not mean it will work for another.

We believe that dogs, just like children, need a balance of positive reinforcement and discipline (meaning “to teach”) to be stable and fulfilled, and develop into happy and balanced members of society. Boundaries, limitation and saying “no” is just as important as praise and reward – each has its place and correct application.

Punishment, violence, fear, intimidation or threatening behaviour has no place in building healthy relationships, however many behavioural issues can also be caused through providing too much reward or lack of discipline! It is the way it is done that matters and we can show you how to give your dog the right balance to foster trust and respect and help you achieve loving leader status.

Clients will almost always notice big shifts in their dog’s behaviour from the day we are there, and some behaviours do disappear immediately. However, you as the owner are responsible for maintaining and continuing the relationship and new behaviours (both yours and your dog’s) indefinitely.

The effort and length of time required will be up to various factors, such as how long the behaviour has been going on, why it developed in the first place, your dog’s unique personality and your lifestyle etc. Most changes don’t require a huge effort or amount of time, it is more about “doing the same thing differently”. A good example of this is walking your dog differently or greeting guests differently. This takes no more effort or time but creates a different outcome. It does however need to be continued or the old behaviours will likely come back.

We may prescribe more exercise for example, so this is something that will require more ongoing effort from you, but you will find that as it reduces stress in other areas its very worthwhile. A dog is a little like a “toddler for life” so please understand that although our trainers may seem to do wonders while we are there, it is important that you keep it going and develop new habits yourselves. Empowering you is our priority.

For more serious issues you may need up to three sessions to help the behaviour shift to a level where you can continue this process or achieve maintenance on your own, and our lifetime guarantee means you will always have hands on or phone support and advice if you need us.

Payment is on the day, and can be cash, online transfer or credit card.

Yes. Our trainers are usually happy to travel to you if you have a group of 6 or more. If you are struggling with numbers, contact your local dog club or meet-up group, put up an ad at your local vet or share on Facebook. You’ll be surprised how many people out there are struggling with their dog’s behaviour and would love some help. We can organise individual sessions, do a whole day workshop for everyone, or a combination of both.

Yes. With our advanced knowledge of dog psychology and behaviour, our services can benefit a wide range of dog related clubs and businesses, such as vets and vet nurses, pet shop staff, foster carers, puppy schools, groomers, shelters, council workers and breeders. We are highly flexible in what we can offer you so please call head office to discuss.