Wag the Dog

FAQ

What are your rates?

Tuition fees vary by program. Simply find the program you are interested in and you will see the rates at the bottom of the page.

Where are you located

-Port Coquitlam, but our trainer travels to other Lower Mainland cities including Vancouver, Coquitlam, Burnaby and New West.

-Fraser Valley and Chilliwack (on parental leave)

We also do private lessons online.

Do you do video sessions?

Wherever you are we are happy to have you join the Wag the Dog family and we will happily coach you by distance to the best of our ability.

I want basic obedience but I

cant find any programs.

Currently we are focusing on puppyhood, bond-based training, and service dogs, but there are plenty of excellent dog trainers out there for your basic needs! Check out the AnimalKind website to find a trainer in your area.

What breed of dog should I get?

This question isn't asked as frequently as we would like.!

When you are considering breeds, think about what that breed was bred to do and ask yourself if you are looking for a dog to do that thing. Sheep herding dogs are going to chase things, for example, and retrievers will want to put things in their mouths.

Beyond that... get in touch with us and arrange a phone consult. We want to help.

Can you help me train my

(Insert dog breed) to be my service dog?

Dogs are individuals, but genetics do matter. If you selected a dog who was bred to do something very different from what you are now asking of them (a herding dog to comfort you when you are scared, or a scent hound to fetch and carry things for you) we may not be able to help you.

That being said, we HAVE graduated clients with PTSD Aussies and Wheelchair Assistance Beagles. They're just... rarer.

We take in account a dogs breed as well as their unique temperament.

If we think your dog is not going to enjoy the work you want from them, we won't help you work towards it.

If we think it is possible, but will take an extraordinary amount of patience and work on your part, we will be clear about that was well.

Also, when our client roster is overflowing, we will prioritize applicants who are most likely to succeed.

Can you certify my emotional support dog?

No. We are not a certifying body. What we do is help disabled people train their own service dogs to the point where they are able to be certified by the BC Government.
Emotional support dogs are not recognized in Canada. Either you are disabled and your dog helps you medically, or it is a beloved pet.

What are your hours?

Our trainers are busy parents aiming for work-life balance. We're usually free during school hours and at least one weekend day. But spots fill up fast, so book about a month ahead for the best dates!

I work the same hours you do... Can you do evenings?

If you are unable to make time in your schedule for us, we can refer you to another well respected trainer.

Which Program Is Right For Me?

We have a helpful flow chart that may help! Check it out here!

Are you a positive reinforcement trainer?

Absolutely - More specifically, we are ethical, humane, science-based, force-free trainers. We know that dogs are sapient beings with their own feelings, personalities, and rights. We go beyond behaviorism to examining the dog-human bond and working on the connection and communication between the two.

Can I just do group classes with you without private sessions?

No, sorry. Our group classes are more like field trips - they exist to let our clients practice what they've learned in new places and with other dogs

Can you really teach my dog to talk using buttons?

Absolutely! We love helping dogs communicate with their owners better and recordable buttons are a great way to do that.

Am I safe with you?

The only thing we don't tolerate is intolerance. We love our queer, trans, indigenous, and disabled clients. We believe that all people deserve respect and empathy. We abhor violence both verbal and physical, and will never use it or tolerate it in our interactions with humans or dogs.

Have another question?

Give us a howl!

We work on land which was taken from the nations who had lived here for thousands of years. They are still here and they are still waiting patiently for us to stop being jerks about it.