Frequently Asked Questions
If we don’t have an answer for you on this page, please send us your question below, book a consultation or give us a call to discuss.
BOARD AND TRAIN
Where will my dog be staying?
Your dog will receive a designated trainer and will reside in that trainer’s home. We don’t have some big kennel facility that is noisy and smelly, which can cause undo stress on dogs. Your dog will be treated as one of our pack, while receiving care tailored to their own unique needs.
How many dogs do you take at a time?
Each trainer only takes a few dogs at a time, however this is dependent on that trainer’s desired workload, lifestyle and home accommodations. While training is our number one service, we also offer Vacation Boarding for our clients, which may impact how many training dogs can be accomodated. In short, trainers are never given more than they can handle, which is why there may be a waitlist to start training, since we need to allow for ample time with each dog throughout the day to get multiple sessions and plenty of individualized care.
Where will my dog sleep at night?
What do I need to send with my dog for training?
I’m afraid my dog will think I abandoned them. Have you dealt with this?
I’m afraid my dog will look great with my trainer, but I will not be able to replicate what the trainer has accomplished. Have you ever had a dog not listen to the owner once returned home?
Lessons
How long are the lessons?
All In Person & Virtual Lessons are 60 minutes in length, with the exception of Go Home Lessons, which are longer in length.
What do I need for lessons?
Please consult your trainer for specific needs for your individual lesson, however you can never go wrong with coming prepared with the following equipment: 6 foot leash, long line, flat collar, treat pouch, high value food rewards, a toy. Depending on the dog, you may need a prong, slip lead, ecollar or place cot, if your dog is conditioned to these tools. Please check your program to see if tools are provided.
Where will lessons be located?
Please communicate with your trainer as to the best location for your lesson. In general, lessons usually start in your home or at our training space and then progress to public locations of your choosing, at the discretion of your trainer.
How often should I book lessons?
This is dependent on the dog’s age, needs, circumstance, but approximately every 7-10 days. Please consult with your trainer for their recommendation.
vacation boarding
Do you offer boarding?
We offer Vacation Boarding for current and past clients for dog’s that are currently in or have completed training with Freedom K9.
How much does boarding cost?
Boarding is $55 per day per dog. You may add in Refresh Training for $35 per dog per day. You may also add on Pickup and Drop Off at your home for $25 roundtrip.
How do I schedule a boarding stay?
Vacation Boarding may be booked directly through our hosted app, called Gingr. If you are not currently in the app, please contact us to gain access.
How do drop offs and pick ups work?
You may drop off and pickup at your designated trainer’s home, free of charge. You may also Add On Pickup/Drop Off at your home for a $25 fee.
What does boarding entail?
Boarding itself may vary, depending on the needs of the dog and other dogs in your trainer’s care. Feeding and medications are included in all boarding fees, as well as supervised free time or potential socialization with other client dogs, IF they are a good play match. Otherwise, training includes supervised free time. Should you opt info Refresh Training as an Add On, refresh sessions will look different day to day depending on your trainer’s schedule, the weather, etc. Options are not limited to field trips, tagging along to follow up lessons, group training, hikes, etc.
Where do dogs stay when they are boarded?
Dogs sleep in crates at night, as well as between sessions during breaks, for their own safety.
What do I need to send with my dog for boarding?
For boarding, you will need to send your dog’s food (individually packaged), as well as any medication they receive. Please also send your dog wearing a flat collar. If your dog is scheduled for Refresh Training during their stay, please send your dog with any training collars they received during their program (prong, ecollar, etc). Trainers are equipped with all other equipment needed for your dog’s stay, so NO need to send crates, place cots, etc.
refresh classes
What is the purpose of attending a Refresh Class?
Refresh Classes are designed to take the skills you and your dog have been taught in your program and help you fine tune those skills in a more distracting environment. We don’t believe training should stop after you receive the fundamentals. Trainers will help you navigate the skills you and your dog have already acquired and help challenge your training so that you can continue to learn and grow with the Freedom K9 community.
Who can attend a Refresh Class?
Refresh Classes are open to dogs who have completed any of our obedience based programs. These are not open to the public as they are not an opportunity to learn new skills, simply an opportunity for our Freedom K9 community to refine the skills they have previously invested in. If you are unsure whether your and your dog are eligible to attend, please contact us directly.
How much does it cost to participate in Refresh Classes?
Refresh Classes are complimentary for those who have completed any of our obedience based programs.
Where can I find the Refresh Class schedule?
Refresh Classes are listed within the Freedom K9 Gingr App. Please contact us directly for access to the app.
What should I bring to a Refresh Class?
We recommend coming prepared with the following equipment: a 6 foot leash, long line, flat collar, treat pouch, high value food rewards and/or a toy. If your dog has been conditioned to any of the following, please bring these as well: prong collar and ecollar. If place cots are recommended, it will be communicated to you ahead of time.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
How do I know which training program is right for my dog and I?
We recommend taking an honest evaluation of your dog’s needs and your ability / desire to be hands on for the initial learning process. Lessons are best suited for those that have the time and desire to put in daily homework with their dog in between lessons, so they can progress their dog’s training on their own, with the guidance and coaching of their trainer. Board & Train is best suited for those that may not have the time and desire to teach initial behaviors, but are willing to learn how to follow through with their dog’s training, once completed. Of course, we may be able to create a hybrid approach for those that desire the best of both worlds. Other factors to consider are: timeline, budget, severity of the problem behaviors (how long the behavior has persisted, etc). These are all just a start to the equation of recommending the perfect program for you and your dog. We highly recommend scheduling a complimentary consultation so that you can discuss your specific needs with a professional trainer. We can get to know you and your dog and recommend a customized approach that tailor suits those needs.
Where are you located?
Freedom K9 is proudly made up of multiple trainers, spanning across the Greater Charlotte area. As such, we have chosen a more customized approach to training making sessions more conducive to the environment your dog lives in. Board & Train dogs will reside in their designated trainers home during their program while frequently utilizing field trips to generalize behaviors in a variety of environments. In Person Lessons will likely start in the dog’s home and then transition to public locations, depending on their needs and the discretion of the trainer. We also offer Virtual Lessons and welcome out of town Board and Train clients for those who are not located near us but wish to work with us for their training needs.
What areas does Freedom K9 serve?
Freedom K9 primarily serves the greater Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas. Additional communities include, but are not limited to Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Pineville, Belmont, Indian Land, Huntersville, Concord and more.
What training methods are used?
Freedom K9 uses a balanced approach to training, customized to the individual dog. Much like us, each of our dogs have their own unique personalities, which is why we mold our training to fit each individual dog we train. Our personalized training approach meets the needs of each dog’s unique training style. We will modify the tools and techniques necessary for the dog in front of us, utilizing all four quadrants of operant conditioning.
When is the best time to start training?
Now. We strongly encourage taking a proactive approach to training so that we can prevent potential problems from occurring. However, if you are already experiencing behavioral issues, it is not too late to start, but don’t wait. Behavioral issues never just “get better” and almost always can be guaranteed to get worse.
What vaccinations are required?
Your dog must be current with the following immunizations to participate in Board & Train, Vacation Boarding or Refresh Classes: Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP / DAPP, have a negative fecal in the last 6 months, have a negative heartworm test in the last year, as well as be up to date on flea/tick/parasite prevention.
Does my dog need to be spayed or neutered to participate in training?
No, they do not. We certainly will ask if they are upon intake to our system, so that we can plan accordingly, however we take every precaution to ensure all dog’s safety. Dogs are supervised or contained at all times, so we can assure they are safe and “accidents” don’t occur.
How much does training cost?
Training is certainly an investment. Our mission is to train the whole dog, not just one or two “inconveniences”. We recommend scheduling a complimentary consultation to discuss your specific needs with your trainer. After a thorough evaluation, an educated recommendation can be made on which program will best suit your dog’s needs. We do however, aim to provide options for all budgets, which is why we provide both packaged and individual training options.
Do you offer payment plans?
Please contact us directly for payment plan options.
Do you offer any discounts?
We offer a 10% Discount to all Military, Veterans and First Responders. ID must be provided. We also offer a $500 discount to households signing up two dogs for training at the same time. Discounts may not be combined.
Still have questions? Feel free to message us or book out a complimentary consultation below so that we can speak to you directly about your specific needs.
Contact us today to discuss your needs with a professional trainer so we can create a custom program for you and your dog!
