Frequently Asked Questions

Dog Training:
 

How does dog training pricing work?

In-person dog training begins with a $95 in-home evaluation, payable at the time of your appointment.

Full training recommendations and package pricing are provided after the evaluation. This allows us to meet your dog, understand your goals, see the home environment, and get a clearer picture of the behavior you’re looking to address before recommending a program.

Most clients work through customized private lesson programs, with the number of lessons depending on your dog’s needs, your goals, and the level of support required.

For young puppies with straightforward training needs, we may also recommend Puppy Foundations, a basics-focused program designed to help families build a strong foundation from the start.

Dogs dealing with fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, or more complex behavioral concerns may require more extensive planning and support.
 

What happens during the in-home evaluation?

The evaluation is the first step for all new in-person training clients and typically lasts 30–45 minutes.

During the evaluation, we’ll:

• Meet your dog and discuss the behaviors or goals you’d like to work on

• Talk through your dog’s routine, history, home environment, exercise, enrichment, and any previous training

• Observe relevant behavior when appropriate

• Answer your questions and give you practical recommendations you can begin using right away

• Discuss the training plan and program options that make the most sense based on what we see

After the evaluation, you’ll also receive a detailed follow-up email with notes from our visit and any helpful resources we discussed.

There is no up-front commitment beyond the $95 evaluation. The evaluation fee is nonrefundable once the appointment has been completed.

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Why don’t you quote a full training program before the evaluation?

Two dogs with what sounds like the same problem on paper can need very different training plans. 

Leash pulling, barking, jumping, housebreaking, reactivity, fear, impulse-control problems, and other behaviors can have different causes and levels of complexity depending on the individual dog, household, environment, and training history.

Rather than guessing from a brief phone call or contact form, we use the evaluation to recommend a program based on the dog and family actually in front of us. This gives you a much clearer idea of what the training process should involve before deciding whether to move forward.

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What training methods do you use?

UpDog Pet Services uses positive reinforcement and science-based training methods.

We teach dogs what we want them to do, build a strong reinforcement history for those behaviors, and gradually practice those skills around increasingly realistic distractions.

Our goal is not simply to suppress unwanted behavior. We want dogs and their families to develop better communication, stronger habits, and skills that can be used in everyday life.

We do not use prong collars, choke chains, e-collars, leash corrections, or other methods based on fear, pain, or intimidation.

Learn More About Our Training Approach

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What types of behavior can you help with?

Private training can address a wide range of everyday training and behavioral goals, including:

• Puppy training and manners

• Leash pulling and leash skills

• Recall

• Jumping

• Barking and demand behaviors

• Impulse control

• Leave It and Drop It

• Door and household boundaries

• Housebreaking

• Overexcitement

• Dog or human reactivity

• Fear and anxiety

• Visitor behavior

• Confidence building

• Introducing new routines or major household changes

For leash walking and outdoor behavior, you can also learn more about our Leash Logic System™.

Explore the Leash Logic System

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Do you offer puppy training?

Yes. Puppyhood is one of the best times to begin building good habits, communication, confidence, and household routines.

For young puppies with straightforward training needs, we may recommend our Puppy Foundations program. Puppies needing broader training, more advanced goals, or help with additional behavioral concerns may be better suited for one of our customized private training programs.

Learn More About Puppy Training

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Do you work with reactive, fearful, or anxious dogs?

Yes. We work with dogs experiencing leash reactivity, fear, anxiety, overarousal, stranger concerns, and other behavioral challenges.

These cases generally require a more individualized approach than basic obedience training. The evaluation allows us to learn more about your dog’s triggers, environment, behavior history, and current coping skills before creating a plan.

Learn More About Behavior Modification
 

Do you guarantee training results?

Dogs are living animals, so no responsible trainer cannot guarantee a specific behavioral outcome or timeline.

Training results depend on many factors, including the dog’s temperament and history, the behavior being addressed, the environment, and most importantly, the family’s consistency between lessons.

Our role is to provide the training plan, coaching, instruction, and ongoing adjustments. Your role is to practice those skills and follow the management recommendations between sessions so your dog has enough repetition to learn.

Consistent clients who stay engaged with the process give their dogs the best opportunity for meaningful, lasting improvement.
 

How much practice will I need to do between lessons?

Training does not only happen during your appointment.

Your dog needs regular repetition between lessons in order to build new habits and learn that the same expectations apply during everyday life. The exact homework will vary depending on your dog and what we are currently working on.

We keep assignments practical and focused, but consistency is an essential part of the program. If practice is repeatedly skipped, progress will slow and lesson time may need to be used reviewing previous material instead of moving on to the next step.
 

Can my kids or other family members participate in training?

Absolutely. Whenever practical, we encourage family members to participate so everyone understands how to communicate with the dog consistently.

Eric has experience working alongside children, older adults, and family members with different abilities and learning needs.

Parents should use their discretion when involving young children and have another activity available if a child becomes unable to participate productively for the full session.
 

Is your training done in my home?

Yes. Our private training programs are primarily conducted in your home and around your real-life environment.

This allows us to work where the behavior actually happens, whether that means your living room, front door, driveway, yard, sidewalk, neighborhood, or other appropriate real-world environments as training progresses.

We do not offer board-and-train programs.
 

Do you offer virtual training?

Yes. Virtual training and consultation options are available for clients outside our in-person service area as well as for certain training goals that can be addressed effectively online.

Learn More About Online & Video Training

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Service Areas:

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What areas do you serve for in-home dog training?

Private in-home dog training is available throughout Nassau County. Certain nearby areas may also be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on location and scheduling.

Clients outside our in-person training area may still be able to work with us through virtual training and consultation services.

View Our Service Areas

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What areas do you serve for Dog Walking, Drop-In Visits & Cat Care?

Our regular pet-care service area is smaller and is centered around Lynbrook and surrounding communities, including:

• Lynbrook

• Malverne

• Valley Stream

• East Rockaway

• Rockville Centre

• Hewlett

Select nearby areas, including parts of Franklin Square, West Hempstead, Woodmere, and surrounding towns, may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Availability outside our core service area is not guaranteed.
 

Dog Walking & Drop-In Visits:
 

Are dog walks also training sessions?

No. Dog walking and formal dog training are separate services.

However, because UpDog is a dog training and pet-care company, we take behavior, equipment, leash handling, and safety seriously.

During walks, we may notice things such as pulling, reactivity, scavenging, fear, overexcitement, or difficulty settling around environmental triggers. We’ll keep you informed about what we observe and may recommend training if a behavior begins affecting your dog’s safety or ability to comfortably participate in neighborhood walks.
 

Will I receive an update after my dog’s visit?

Yes. After your dog’s walk or drop-in visit, you’ll receive an update with a photo and information about how the visit went.

Updates may include bathroom activity, your dog’s mood and energy level, behavior on the walk, anything unusual we noticed, and other relevant information from the visit.
 

What walking equipment do you accept?

All walking equipment must be properly fitted, secure, and in good condition.

Collars, harnesses, and leashes with significant wear, damage, rips, or serious fraying cannot be used. Equipment must also fit securely enough to prevent escape.

We do not use retractable leashes for walks, and clients must provide an appropriate fixed-length leash.

Because UpDog uses positive-reinforcement handling, we also do not provide walking services using aversive training equipment such as prong collars, choke chains, e-collars, electronic bark collars, or similar tools.

If we have concerns about your dog’s equipment, we’ll let you know and can recommend safer alternatives.

View Recommended Dog Training Gear
 

What happens if my dog is too difficult or unsafe to walk?

Some behaviors go beyond ordinary leash challenges and can make neighborhood walking unsafe for the dog, walker, or public.

Examples may include severe pulling, repeated lunging or reactivity, persistent scavenging of dangerous objects, or fear-related shutdown outdoors.

If a safety concern develops, we’ll discuss it with you rather than simply continuing walks under unsafe conditions. Depending on the situation, we may recommend training or temporarily switch to at-home or backyard drop-in visits until the behavior is better managed.
 

Cat Care Visits: 

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Do you provide cat care?

Yes. We offer cat drop-in visits within our local pet-care service area.

Visits can include feeding, refreshing water, litter box care, medication when previously discussed and appropriate, play, enrichment, and general companionship based on your cat’s individual personality and routine.

Learn More About Cat Care Visits

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Will you send updates after cat visits?

Yes. You’ll receive an update after each scheduled visit, typically including a photo when your cat is comfortable being seen or photographed.

We’ll let you know about food and water, litter box activity, general behavior, and anything unusual we notice during the visit.

Some cats prefer to hide or keep their distance from visitors. We respect their comfort level and will never force unnecessary interaction.

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Scheduling & Policies:

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Do you provide services on holidays?

We offer dog walking and pet-care visits on select holidays when scheduling allows.

Holiday availability is limited and an additional holiday fee may apply. Because holiday schedules can fill quickly, advance booking is strongly recommended.

Some holidays may have no service availability.

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How far in advance should I schedule pet-care visits?

As early as possible, especially for weekends, holidays, vacations, and other high-demand periods.

Regular clients are encouraged to send scheduling needs as soon as they know them. Last-minute requests are welcome, but availability cannot be guaranteed.

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What if I need to cancel a walk or drop-in visit?

Cancellation requirements and applicable fees are outlined in the Client Agreement provided when you begin services.

We understand that schedules change, but advance notice helps us manage travel and reserve appointment times fairly for all clients.

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Still Have Questions?

Every dog, cat, household, and situation is a little different! If you don’t see your question answered here, reach out and tell us what you’re looking for. We’ll let you know how UpDog can help and how to get started setting your pet up for success. 

Contact UpDog Pet Services