Build your puppy’s confidence, curiosity, and connection during their most important developmental window. This class blends foundational skills with (age and size appropriate) social experiences to help your puppy learn in a safe and supported way. We focus on 1 concept per week and build on fundamentals of management and handling that will prep you for success.

You will also get access to a secure website with videos, PDF resources in addition to our in-person sessions. Best for puppies under 5 months, but we are open to working with puppies up to 7 or 8 months old, depending on size and breed/breed mix. Limit 5 puppies.

All classes held at 5:30pm-6:30pm on Wednesdays at the Washburn Dogsenter. Typically we offer 1 class per month, except for in July and August.

Suitable for new clients looking to see if a games-based training approach will work for them, or folks who just need some help thinking through management and training ideas. All resources shared electronically. Our in-person service area is currently restricted to the Chequamegon Bay (Ashland, Bayfield, Washburn). Virtual sessions taught through Zoom or FaceTime depending on client preference.

Best for dog/owner teams already practicing games-based training or group class students looking for 1:1 support. We’ll guide you through and help troubleshoot games you may already be playing at home. All resources shared electronically. Our in-person service area is currently restricted to the Chequamegon Bay (Ashland, Bayfield, Washburn). Bulk discount available when more than 4 sessions are booked ahead of time. Contact us for more.

Together, we will hone in on the concepts your dog could use help with, including discussion of management tips and techniques that can be implemented on day 1. During our time working together, we encourage clients to use Facebook messenger or text to send videos of training session highlights. Many of the games only need a few minutes each day.

This package includes 3-4 sessions over the course of 4-6 weeks, depending on time and availability. We start with a 60-90 minute initial consult to really get the history on your dog and your current top struggle (in-person, subject to location). We will ask you to fill out an initial questionnaire ahead of time which helps us prepare.

Follow-up sessions are typically 60 minutes long (though if easier, we can split into 30 or 45 minute sessions) and held virtually giving us the opportunity to cover the Transformation Plan, resources or videos sent electronically, and troubleshoot areas as well as celebrate any wins you've had. As long as you commit to your dog's Transformation Plan, we're confident you will see real life results within our time working together.

Some dogs that struggle with new people or places might need more virtual sessions so be prepared to have conversations about what environment your dog learns best in. Trainer and handler safety are also taken very seriously with dogs who have any history of human-directed aggression/reactivity or a bite history. Trainer reserves the right to refer severe cases to behaviorists or vet behaviorists.

For multi-dog households or depending on the severity of the struggle, we can get started with a Transformation Package but then will likely need additional sessions, or a continued approach, which will be billed separately.

Please contact me directly if you have recently adopted from CHA or a regional rescue. I offer a discount code to those who are working with shelters.

Looking for your next puppy or adult dog but need some help on where to start? We'll go through your lifestyle, goals for owning a dog (your WHY) and help connect you with responsible breeders or shelters and rescues that fit your needs.

This package includes 1, 45 minute virtual consult and 1, 60 minute visit (in-person an option for Chequamegon Bay Area clients) to talk through how to get ready for your new family member joining your household -- down to where the dog could go in your home and what management strategies to implement. We also offer unlimited email and text support as we work together to find your new puppy or dog.

Need some daytime care for your puppy? We offer a daytime board and train option for current or previous FIKA dogs. Your puppy will be with a trainer or in a safe space (crated or in puppy pen) when not supervised. Includes 2-3x targeted training sessions as appropriate for age and issues. Requires pre-approval and proof of vaccines. Contact us to inquire more or schedule.

Going on a trip or a weekend getaway (or just need a respite and some sleep?) and want your puppy or dog to be looked after by someone full-time? Because we only take one guest at a time, your pup gets 1:1 attention in a home environment, access to a safe outdoor fenced in area, play and supervised socialization time with our resident dogs, and individual daily training sessions.

When unsupervised, your puppy will be in a safe space (crated, behind a gate, or in puppy pen) and never alone for more than a few hours. Price is by 24 hour time period and includes 2-3x targeted daily training sessions as appropriate for age and issues.

Slots are limited, and preference is given to FIKA clients. Requires pre-approval (including a site-visit with on-site assessment) and proof of vaccines. Owner provides all food and any medications at drop-off.

Contact us to inquire more or schedule. If you have more than one puppy or an older resident dog who would need to tag along, please request a custom package to see if we can accommodate you.