FAQ

Do you teach classes?
Yes, Karen teaches group dog training classes. Currently, she is teaching training classes on a volunteer basis with Muskegon Lakeshore Obedience Training Club (MLOTC). Karen will be teaching two classes starting this September: Beginner and Novice Polishing and Retrieving. Contact us to register soon, as these classes are likely to fill up quickly!

We do have a building and space at our property in Twin Lake for private consultations, and in the near future we will offer group classes there as well. The building is not quite ready for group training classes, as Karen has focused on continuing her own education through some seminar opportunities this year. She has traveled to Maryland and New Jersey, Texas, and in August to Harrison, Michigan, to learn more from other professional trainers. But classes are coming soon!

Often dog owners start with the Initial Consultation, a fancy term for a one-on-one private session that can take place at either your home or in our facility. The session may take as much as 3 hours, and we often discuss many aspects of leadership, management, and obedience training skills. You can ask all the questions you want, and we’ll do our best to focus on the issues you are most interested in. Sometimes the Palmer dogs are invited to help us evaluate dogs and teach dog owners. And yes, we do get “hands on”, and try to teach you ways to make progress yourself. We’re also likely to encourage you to continue training your dog, and will help you decide if one of our programs is right for you and your dog.

If you haven’t visited our “Services” page, please look there for more about what we have to offer. If there is something you need that isn’t there, ask!

What are your prices?
Because our prices may depend on the services that individual dog owners require, we have chosen not to place them on our website. We also want our potential clients and students to ask and questions and receive answers about our services, which are more about meeting your needs than price. We are interested in helping everyone, but we hope you choose us because we can help you, not because we are the least (or most) expensive dog trainers you have called.

If you are curious about our prices, please contact us. We have nothing to hide. We just want to be sure to give you a quote for what it is you really need. We won’t tell you what a dog training class costs if you want or need a private behavior consultation, or vice versa. But we’ll happily help you determine what service is right for you, and why; if we are not right for you and your dog, we’ll be honest about that too. If we know of someone else who can meet your needs, we’ll point you in that direction. But you won’t know unless you ask!

Do you work with aggressive dogs?
In general, the answer is “yes”. We have found that most dogs are not truly aggressive, or are at a level where proper leadership, management, and obedience training skills can turn them around without great risk. We will gladly help you evaluate your dog, and if your dog’s behavior is beyond our level of experience, we’ll be honest about that. We will help you determine what your next step might be, regardless of our ability to help you.

When a dog owner asks for help with an aggressive dog, we usually start by asking questions over the phone to decide what to do next. The first step is often a thorough veterinarian exam, as many dogs respond to illness and injury through aggressive behavior. Since our specialty is addressing behavior through training and management skills rather than through a medical approach, we must rule out medical problems or have your veterinarian address those first.

The next step is an evaluation of the dog’s behavior. An Initial Consultation can help us determine firsthand what the dog is exhibiting and what steps the owner may need to take to solve the problem. The Palmer dogs are often invited to assist us in determining the level of dog aggression or territorial aggression a dog has as well. Rocky is especially skilled with those sessions.

Personal safety is always the first consideration with aggression. Especially where children are involved, honesty is essential in the relationship between dog owner and trainer. If we feel that your dog is truly aggressive and that you need more help than we can give, or that you and your family, or others, are in danger, we will be clear about those things.

We will gladly help you determine whether your dog’s behavior is truly dangerous, and at minimum help you learn how to manage that behavior for your safety. If we can help you further, we will. It is up to you, though, to ask for help.

What should I feed my dog?
We do not make it our business to tell you what to feed your dog, as we are not nutritionists or veterinarians. We do have an article about how to read dog food labels if you are interested in learning more about kibble choices. We suggest that you do your own research to determine what is best for your dog and what your dog likes to eat, and that you provide the best quality food you can afford. Your dog’s health and longevity depends largely on what you feed him, and if you’re like us, you want your dog(s) to live as a long, healthy life!

Your veterinarian can be a part of this process, and of course there are plenty of resources on the internet, as well as books to read on the subject. Be aware that many dog owners are switching to “raw” food diets with great success. Some dogs that have health issues such as frequent bloating, food allergies, and digestive upset respond better to raw diets than to prescription kibbles. But do research these diets carefully. It is easy for a layperson to become confused. Having the right balance of nutrients and food types is essential to success, so be careful if you choose to feed raw.