Frequently Asked Questions

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What is your service area?

My service area for walking services is Victoria Park to Donlands, and O’Connor to Danforth. In-person training clients must be within 20-30 minutes driving distance from St. Clair and O’Connor. There are no locational constraints for boarding and virtual training clients.

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How are payments made?

Payments are made through the app I use for scheduling appointments. All new clients will be sent an invitation to set up an account on the app, where you can see your upcoming appointments, message me, and make secure payments. Training and boarding clients are billed after their services have been completed. Walking clients are billed on the 1st and 16th of every month. 

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Will I receive updates on my dog in your care?

Yes. Boarding clients will receive messages once a day with written updates, and can follow @roamdogtraining on instagram to watch daily photo and video updates. Walking and Walk & Train clients receive a written report after every service with photos if the weather allows for photography.

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Will my dog behave differently with the trainer than with me?

Dogs do not generalize well, which means that in order to maintain the skills your dog learns with me, you must be willing to put in the work to practice with your dog on your own time. I give all my clients the information needed to keep up their dog’s training at home, and as long as you work hard to stay consistent then your dog will be able to transfer their skills to you without much difficulty.

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Is my dog eligible for your _____ services?

I take new clients on a case-by-case basis. Please fill out the Client Application Form and I will be in touch with you regarding your dog’s eligibility for services.

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What are your pronouns?

I use gender-neutral pronouns: they/them. 

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Do you have a Board and Train program?

I do not, but it is in the works for down the road. I receive a lot of requests for this service and am working to create a Board and Train program that will utilize fear-free training methods and fully equip and support dog owners with the continuation of training once the dog transitions back home. 

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Will my dog get dirty on walks?

Very likely, yes. Whenever possible, I take dogs to wooded trails, parks, and beaches to give them the exercise and enrichment they need. I let them dig holes where appropriate, roll on the ground, chase each other, swim, and be a dog. I always clean and dry them to the best of my ability before I drop them off but cannot guarantee that your dog will look fresh out of the grooming salon at the end of a walk. 

 

When will you pick up my dog?

The scheduling app I use will give you an exact pickup time, however, depending on the weather, the traffic, and the behaviour of my previous clients that day, I may arrive slightly earlier or later than the time on the app. If I am running more than 30 minutes ahead of or behind schedule I try to give clients a heads up. Please be sure to check the app regularly as I occasionally shuffle group dogs around according to last-minute changes and cancellations.

 

Are you ok out in the rain/heat/cold?

Yes! I dress for the weather and alter walking routes and duration accordingly to keep myself and the dogs safe and comfortable. 

 

Training Services

 

How fast can I expect training results?

Not immediately. Positive reinforcement training takes patience, consistency, and dedication. Training timelines will depend entirely on the dog, the frequency of training practice, and the human’s commitment to the process. 

 

How should I prepare for a training session?

All training sessions will look different, but as a general rule it is helpful to have: 

1. Some low-value treats (kibble or dry biscuits) 

2. Some high-value treats (cheese, meat, etc.)

3. A bag or pouch to keep the treats that you can put in your pocket or in a bag around your waist

4. A well-exercised dog! They should not be drop-dead tired, but a hyper dog will not be in an ideal headspace to think and train.

5. A dog that is not desperately hungry, but not super stuffed full either!

 

Boarding Services

 

Will my dog act differently when they come home from boarding?

Most dogs need a transition period to adjust to any new environment, so the answer is most likely yes. Depending on the dog, they should be settled back home within a few days to a couple of weeks! Keep in mind that most dogs fall into familiar routines and habits when they go home from boarding, so it may take some extra diligence on your part to maintain any training they worked on during boarding.

 

Can I visit my dog while they are in your care?

Clients boarding their dog for more than 7 days are welcome to visit (or send a friend to visit) their dog once per week. If clients are not able to visit their dog in person, I am happy to schedule a virtual call for clients to see their dog. Visits are limited to 30 minutes and are subject to change according to my schedule.