Have Questions? We have Answers!
Q: How do I know which training program is right for my dog?
A: Our experienced trainers will work with you to design a personalized training program to fit your specific needs. We offer a range of programs from basic obedience, board & trains, to personalized training to ensure you get the results you want.
Q: What methods does Run Free K9 use for training?
​A: L.I.M.A. trainers employ reinforcement tactics in a variety of fun ways to build your dog's drive and excitement behind commands. This means we prefer redirection over correction. However, for safety situations where corrections may be needed, we employ "Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive" techniques to teach the dog to differentiate between right and wrong without dampening their drive and excitement for training.
Is RFK9 licensed, certified & insured?
A: Yes, we are fully licensed certified and insured. The safety and well-being of our clients and their pets are our top priority, and we take every precaution to ensure that our facility is safe and secure.
Q: What is free shaping?
A: Free shaping is an enjoyable method for boosting your dog's confidence and encouraging them to offer commands naturally. Rather than issuing a command, you patiently wait for your dog to provide the desired behavior and reward them for it. It's similar to receiving $5 for every glass of water you drink; you'd likely want to drink much more water!
Q: What safety measures does RFK9 have in place?
A: Our facility is equipped with cameras to ensure the safety and security of pets. Even with our 6-foot fence, pets are never left outside unattended to ensure maximum safety. Because accidents can happen, we also provide GPS collars for all board and train clients to quickly and efficiently find your pup if anything were to happen. Since we offer off-leash training, GPS collars are vital to their safety during training. We also have trained staff on-site to monitor the dogs and ensure that they are all safe. Our kennel also has Waggle, a smart thermometer that alerts us to fluctuations in humidity or temperature to ensure an optimal climate.
To ensure car safety as we travel with clients, we have a custom steel crate that is secured in case of an accident. Rest assured, we have thought of it all when it comes to safety!
Q: Can RFK9 help with an aggressive dog?
A: Yes, we specialize in training aggressive dogs and have a high success rate. Our trainers use positive reinforcement techniques such as free shaping and pattern games to transform your dog's mindset, build confidence while also building a stronger bond between you and your pet.
Q: Why is the consultation needed?
A: The consultation is essential for discovering the ideal package tailored to your specific needs. We observe the dynamic between you and your dog, meeting you at your current training stage. During the session, we primarily concentrate on commands that ensure the safety of both dog and owner. This may include things such as waiting at the door, leash walking, no jumping, recall, leave it, and drop it. You’ll receive a comprehensive overview of our training approach, ensuring that we’re a good match for each other before any packages are purchased. Many clients find the consultation so informative that they often feel they don’t need an additional package, as we cover a lot in one session.
Q: What leash tools do you use?
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A: We use a ladder approach to finding the right tools for every single client. Every dog is different, for example puppies or smaller dogs may do great on a harness, where a more excitable dog may need a martingale collar, slip leash or a nosepiece leader. We do not bash prong collars but very seldomly use them. The tool that will work best depends on the dog's level of leash manners and the owner's level of skill and capability. For example, my disabled clients with limited strength or mobility may benefit more from using a prong collar during the training process vs a harness ect.
Q: How long should I train my dog a day?
A: It is best to train multiple times a day for 2-5 minutes each session. We also recommend scheduling at least one outing per week to enhance socialization skills in distracting environments.
Training is not simply just a 3-week commitment; but rather it's a lifestyle change. Take advantage of everyday duties for training, like practicing impulse control while waiting at the door or during mealtimes, and incorporating down stays while washing dishes, or do some place/stay training as you eat, bring in groceries, or have guests come in. You can even add in some training around play time, have them work for that ball or bone.
Q: What other tools do you reccomend?
A: As positive reinforcement-based trainers, we recommend using a good treat pouch, a clicker, a long line, licky mats, snuffle mats, and various enrichment toys. Additionally, we often suggest having an ultrasonic remote that can be programmed to get engagement when needed and help interrupt undesirable behaviors, such as excessive barking. For off-leash freedom in distracting environments, we may also recommend the mini educator e-collar or pagers as a safety backup in case your recall fails.
Q: What is an E-collar/Pager
A: An e-collar utilizes muscle stimulation to communicate to your dog when off-leash. This clear form of communication can assist in reinforcing off-leash skills, especially when your dog is too excited or far away to hear your commands. It should be rarely used for punishment, but rather as an alert for the dog to listen. It operates on the same technology as TENS units that human chiropractors use. It's important to note that while many shock collars market themselves e-collars, the mini educator is the only one recommended by RFK9. My human clients often describe the sensation of e-collars as similar to a gentle tingle or vibration, while pagers rely solely on vibration and sound but use similar tactics.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: First make sure to sign up for a phone consultation to ensure we are a good fit. From there, simply sign up through the website, schedule and pay in just a few quick clicks or call us and we can do it for you! Make sure to upload or send in your dog's vaccine records via email. All new clients must sign our liability waiver and fill out a behavior questionnaire.
Q: What vaccines are required?
A: For private lessons all that is mandatory is their rabies vaccination. However, if your dog will be doing training adventures or a board and train, DHPP and Bordetella vaccines are also required.
For board and trains, we require your pup to either be dewormed a week in advanced or have a negative fecal prior to drop off.
Q: Cancellation/Refund Policy
A: We know life can go haywire, however we do require a 48-hour notice of any cancelations. We offer a very wide service range to our clients so last-minute cancelations may be subject to a $60 fee or a forfeit of a lesson. If you need to re-schedule, please get in contact with us as soon as possible.
There are no refunds provided as training takes a level of commitment to uphold on all parties involved.
Q: What kind of Service Dog training do you do?
A: We primarily have experience with medical alert scent training, retrievals, PTSD tasks, mobility aid, and search & rescue tasks.
Q: What is AKC CGC & Star Puppy
The Canine Good (CGC) certification, provided by the American Kennel Club (AKC), acknowledges dogs that demonstrate basic good behavior and responsible ownership from their handlers. Additionally, the AKC offers the STAR certification for well-trained puppies, which stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility. Did you know that having this certification can make it easier to find pet friendly travel accommodations?
Q: Can you help my pup become a therapy dog?
A: Yes. Dogs' possess a remarkable ability to provide healing to those who need it. If you believe your dog is a good fit for therapy work, we are evaluators for Love the Leash and can help you prepare for the evaluation. We also have connections to assist you with the 10 supervised visits needed before graduation. Please note that therapy dogs must be at least year old. For puppies, we suggest our annual subscription package, which offers ongoing training throughout the year to ensure their success before the test.
Q: How can I save money on training?
We offer several money saving options to make our premium services more affordable to those who need it. We offer rescue discounts, sliding scale discounts and financing options to help make training less of a hassle on the pocketbook. We also offer year-long training subscriptions that allow for biweekly or weekly visits that comes with big savings!