Virtual Dog Training FAQQuestions? Good student!
Asking questions is how learning starts. Here are the ones we hear most — and if yours isn’t here, just ask.
How does virtual dog training work?
Every session is live, one-on-one video instruction from the comfort of your home. You do the hands-on training with your dog while your instructor guides you through each step in real time. Because your dog learns in the environment where they actually live, the skills transfer naturally to everyday life.
Does virtual dog training actually work?
Yes — and often better than drop-off training. Since you are the one giving the commands from day one, your dog learns to respond to you, not to a trainer they'll never see again. Our clients regularly go from struggling with basic manners to confident handling, including families who have taken dogs all the way through service dog certification testing.
What makes Leash & Teach different from other dog trainers?
Our instructors are former PK–12 educators with real classroom experience and education degrees. Teaching humans is a skill of its own, and it's the heart of our model: we don't just train dogs, we teach their people. Training plans are fully customized to your dog, your home and your goals.
What ages of dogs do you train?
All of them. Puppy Preschool is designed for puppies under 6 months, Pet Dog Prep covers dogs 6 months and older, PhD Pups is an advanced program for Pet Dog Prep graduates, and our Service Dog Program develops prospects over a two-plus-year curriculum.
How much does dog training cost?
Puppy Preschool is custom-quoted after a free consultation, because every plan is tailored to your dog. Pet Dog Prep plans typically range from $650 to $2,100 depending on length (1–10 months), with your exact quote set after the free consultation. PhD Pups is $500 for three advanced sessions. The Service Dog Program is invoiced step by step, from a free selection consultation through the final tasking step — you pay as you progress, never all at once.
What is the free mini training session?
It's a no-obligation session where we learn about you, your dog and your goals — and we'll share foundational training tips tailored to your dog, so you can experience exactly how our virtual lessons work before enrolling in anything.
What do I need for a virtual session?
A phone, tablet or computer with a camera, your dog, and some tasty treats. Your instructor will let you know if a specific lesson calls for anything else, like a leash or a crate. No special equipment or software skills required.
Where do you offer dog training?
Anywhere! Because our training is fully virtual, we work with dogs and their families across the United States — all you need is an internet connection. Sessions are scheduled around your life, which is kind of the point.
How long does the service dog program take?
Plan on two-plus years from selection to task training. The curriculum moves through structured steps — prospect selection, raising a service prospect, two foundation phases, public access and finally tasking — with Canine Good Citizen (CGC, CGCA and CGCU) testing along the way.
Will there be homework?
Of course — we're teachers! Real progress happens through practice between sessions. You'll get clear, achievable homework after each lesson, and your instructor is there to encourage, listen and give helpful feedback along the way.
Do you work with aggressive dogs?
We work with reactive dogs regularly — barking, lunging and big emotional displays are core curriculum for us. True aggression with a bite history is a different conversation: we'll assess honestly during your free consultation whether our virtual program is the right fit or whether your dog needs in-person behavioral support, and we'll point you in the right direction either way.
What if I need to reschedule a session?
Life happens — kids get sick, work runs late, dogs eat things they shouldn't. Just let your trainer know and you'll rebook for a time that works. Flexible scheduling is one of the main reasons we built Leash & Teach virtual in the first place.
Do you offer group classes?
Our core programs are deliberately 1:1 — it's faster and fully customized. Structured small-group sessions do exist inside the Service Dog Program, where controlled dog-and-people exposure is part of the curriculum. If you're looking for the social benefits of group class, tell your trainer; we'll build safe socialization practice into your plan.
Can my kids participate in training?
We'd love that — we're literally educators. Kids often make wonderful trainers with age-appropriate jobs, and dogs who respond to every family member are safer, happier dogs. Your trainer will help you decide which exercises are kid-ready and which stay with the adults for now.
My dog only listens when I'm holding a treat. Can you fix that?
Yes — that's not a failed dog, it's an incomplete training plan. Treats are scaffolding: brilliant for teaching new skills, meant to be faded systematically once the skill is solid. We'll teach you how to move from constant food to intermittent rewards and real-life reinforcers, so listening works even when your hands are empty.
Still curious? Class participation is encouraged.
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