Frequently Asked Questions
What is your service area?
Dogs in the Groove offers in-home training to the following areas: Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, the West Valley, and other surrounding areas.
Dogs in the Groove also offers dog walking services to Tempe and Phoenix (central and downtown), and some surrounding areas.
For any questions regarding service areas, please contact Dogs in the Groove via email or through the schedule option.
What is your training methodology?
At Dogs in the Groove, I practice LIMA (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive) training methods, focusing mostly on positive reinforcement. Harsh corrections can erode trust, cause harm, and suppress behavior, so I do not teach leash corrections or use e-collars in behavior training of any kind, including reactivity. I do believe it is okay to tell your dog “no,” as long as it’s in a kind, gentle, and effective manner, and we have taught them desired behaviors to replace their unwanted behaviors first.
Do you work with dogs of all ages, breeds, sizes, and temperaments, including aggression and fear?
Yes! I got into this line of work because of my 65lb Catahoula Leopard Dog Cosmo, who had severe aggression and reactivity, that was rooted in fear and anxiety. I work with any dog or puppy, and any behavior issue, including dogs with bite histories. When working with Dogs in the Groove, we get to the root of your dog’s behavior, and work to empower pet parents and their dogs, creating a more harmonious living environment for everyone.
To learn more about how I started dog training, and my journey with my own aggressive dog, please refer to the “About” page.
How long will it take to see progress with my dog?
Progress is very dependent on many different variables, including and not limited to, the severity of the dog’s behavior, and the pet parents’ consistency with training. My training does not work off of suppression, and instead, I help you get to the ROOT of your dog’s emotions that are driving their behavior. True behavior modification changes your dog’s emotions, and changing emotions takes time (think therapy). Every dog is different and every household is different, but the more consistent you are with the training, the more consistently you will see progress with your dog.
I have worked with other trainers before, and I didn’t receive lasting results. What makes your training different?
At Dogs in the Groove, I do not do bandaid fixes, and I do not suppress behavior. I help you get to the root of your dog’s behavior through proper fulfillment, decompression, counter conditioning to your dog’s triggers, and having a clear communication system with your dog. In order to have true rehabilitation, or to create a strong foundation with your puppy, we have to focus on a trusting relationship between you and your dog, teach them alternative behaviors to replace unwanted behaviors, and help them start regulating their feelings on their OWN. This creates long lasting and sustainable results.
How often should I book training sessions?
Frequency of training sessions depends on your training goals with your dog. The sweet spot for clients seeing consistent progress with their dogs is once every 2 weeks (bi-weekly) for behavior modification, and puppy training. If you have an aggressive dog, I usually recommend once a week (weekly), until your dog is on a safer page, then we transition to bi-weekly.
Why do you only offer solo dog walks?
At Dogs in the Groove, I only offer solo dog walks, and do not offer pack walks. This is to give your dog dedicated and proper attention, and focus on their individual training and enrichment needs during their walks. In addition, pack walks can be stressful for sensitive dogs, so if you and your dog have been working on behavior modification, it can lead to more stress than is necessary.