How to Get Started
If you are interested in moving forward with private training, please complete the attached Dog Training Goals Questionnaire and a Training Agreement below. Using the information gained from these documents, training would be customized to your training goals and the needs of your dog, including any issues you identified.
With private one-on-one training, you get the trainer's attention 110% of the time. Positive reinforcement and a rewards-based approach is used to enhance learning and maximize effective training. However, all dogs are different and there are a variety of effective training methods to help a dog and owner learn and work together.
For private training you have different options: Two Training Sessions: Beginning Skills, Four Training Sessions: Developing Skills, Six Training Sessions: Advancing Skills. Most dog owners who are having difficult issues with their dog or have never had any professional training will usually commit to six sessions to get the maximum benefit.
Socialization and the generalization of basic skills in different settings are also integrated into the training. Each weekly or biweekly session lasts approximately 50 - 60 minutes in length, depending on the skill(s) we are working on during a specific session. Training may take place in different locations including your home, a local school, park, and pet friendly stores in the Bismarck-Mandan community. I also provide informational handouts related to the training when we meet. Some are available at the bottom of this page too.
The focus of the training is to help you achieve your training goals, address the concerns you have, and learn how to effectively use what is taught in training so that you can practice with your dog between sessions to better understand and communicate with your dog.
It is highly recommended that you practice what was taught in each training session at least 2x a day for 20-30 minutes. Keep in mind that dog training is a process that takes time, patience, practice, and consistency.
To move forward with your training just print and complete this Dog Training Goals Questionnaire and Training Agreement. Next, email these documents as an attachment to Rock Solid Dog Training, LLC at RSDT4U@gmail.com. After your documents are received, we will contact you to schedule your first training session.
In addition to your training sessions, you will also have the option to purchase other training resources including training collars and leashes (highly recommended), personalized training tips emailed directly to you each week, add-on training sessions at a discounted rate, and one additional month of trainer consulting after completing your training sessions.
Books
(Books may be purchased on Amazon or at a discount by directly contacting the author for an autographed copy)Advice From A Therapy Dog is written to help you find happiness in life by looking at the world from the perspective of a loving, trained canine. Imagine sitting down with Rocky and listening as he "shares" about life from his viewpoint and offers words of wisdom and inspirational thoughts. A small chapter book for all ages.
In Rocky Goes to School, Rocky enthusiastically shares about his work as a therapy dog at elementary schools. Rocky talks about his interactions with the students and the value a therapy dog brings to the learning process.
Rocky Learns to Read is an inspiring true story about Rocky, the therapy dog, and how he communicates with human beings. Rocky describes how he learned to "read" hand signals and the difference it has made in his life and work as a therapy dog and the importance of reading for people of all ages.
People Love Rocky, and you will too! Rocky Becomes a Therapy Dog describes the journey of Rocky and his owner/handler becoming a therapy dog team. Written from his perspective, Rocky tells the story of how he became a therapy dog and the skills he had to learn. He also shares about the happiness he feels bringing smiles and comfort to people of all ages.
Free Training Resources
The resources below are FREE to assist you in your training journey. Feel free to print them out for your own personal use. They are provided courtesy of Rock Solid Dog Training, LLC.