Fear-Free, Force-Free
Private Lessons and Consultations
Our private dog training lessons and consultations are for clients looking for one-on-one time with a fear-free, force-free certified dog trainer.
Key Services:
The Fear-Free, Force-Free Training Experience
Patrick’s Pet Care is the only fear-free, force-free, independently certified dog training team in Washington, DC.
We foster thriving relationships between people and their canine companions by creating an experience rooted in a genuine love of animals, a commitment to force-free practices, and a comprehensive, personal, science-based approach to dog training and behavior.
Our department is founded on the education of animal behavior luminaries such as Karen Pryor, Victoria Stilwell, Pat Miller, Patricia McConnell, Ian Dubnar, and Prasorp Tipprasert, as well as the research of world class institutions including the Duke University Canine Cognition Center, The Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, and the Mandalao Elephant Conservation.
We are members in good standing of both Fear Free® Pets and the Pet Professional Guild.
Private Lessons & Consultations
One-on-one dog training and consultations with a force-free certified trainer.
Location: In-home or one of our facilities
1 hour sessions for your basic and advanced training needs, held at either your home or one of our facilities. We work on everything from the essentials to advanced behavior modification. Your trainer will work with you to identify your training goals, and will create a tailored training plan to reach them.
We charge $135 per lesson for basic training goals and $150 per lesson for advanced behavior modification. Your training goals will be discussed during your initial virtual consultation to determine if they are basic or advanced.
Some Behaviors We Train:
- Basics: Sit, stay, down, come, off, leave it
- Manners: Visitors, doorways, greetings, settle
- Loose Leash Walking: Stop the pulling!
- Leash Reactivity: Greeting other dogs calmly
- Tricks & Enrichment: Tools and games to have fun with your dog and engage their minds
- Crate Training & Separation Anxiety: Stop the whining
Pricing Details:
- Individual Lessons: $150 (Basic) / $175 (Advanced)
- Package of 5 Lessons: $675 (Basic) / $785 (Advanced)
Location: Varies
A force- and fear-free way to extinguish aggressive and reactive behaviors? Yes, please!
Our aggression consultation service focuses on aggression and reactive behaviors. It begins with a digital questionnaire, followed by a 30-minute virtual consultation. From there, our aggression specialist will come to your home for 2 hours to further assess your dog in-person. After your initial consultation, a detailed follow-up report and training plan will be shared with you, at which point you can accept or decline the training plan to manage or extinguish the aggressive behavior(s).
Pricing Details:
- First Consultation: $350 (30 Minute Virtual + 2 Hour In-person)
- Follow Up Lesson: $150 (1 Hour)
- Consultation Follow Up Package: $675 (5 Lessons)
Note: First consultation takes place at our Brookland location. Follow-up lessons can take place in-home or at our Brookland facility.
Location: Virtual and in-home
Planning to get a puppy? Just brought home your new puppy? Wondering if your home is puppy-proof? Our New Puppy Consultation service gives you the time and opportunity to ask anything and everything you want to know!
If you do not yet have your puppy: We'll start with a 30 minute virtual session, which can be scheduled as early as one month before the arrival of your puppy. Once your puppy joins you at home, our puppy specialist will come to your home for a 1.5 hour session.
If you do already have your puppy: If you already have your puppy (age 8-12 weeks) at home, our puppy specialist will come to your house for a 2 hour session.
Our puppy specialist will help set you and your new puppy up for success. They'll also offer training advice, go over puppy basics, and help set up a training plan for your new family member.
Pricing Details:
- First Consultation: $300 (2 Hours)
- Follow-Up Consultation: $150 (1 Hour)
- Consultation Follow Up Package: $675 (5 Lessons)
If your new puppy is older than 12 weeks, please sign up for a basic training session.
Location: Varies by service
These discounted training lessons are your key for accountability! Only available to clients who have previously purchased a dog training package, these once a month, 45-minute lessons are perfect to refresh exercises, ask new questions, and maintain a wonderful relationship with your trainer.
Pricing Details:
- $500 for 5 Lessons (1 Per Month)
Location: In-home or one of our facilities
This private training package includes a pre-made curriculum to cover all the criteria of the AKC Canine Good Citizen test! Each session is 1 hour long and will focus on a specific skill or behavior from the test. At the end of the package, you will be given the opportunity to take the test!
Is your pup already ready to take the test? You can schedule to take the test with our AKC CGC Evaluator at our Brookland facility. The AKC CGC test requires a 100% passing grade, however, if you miss one item, you can retest right there and then. The AKC CGC test normally takes 20-30 minutes to complete.
Pricing Details:
- $1,150 for full prep package (10 lessons + test)
- $100 for test only
15 Minute (Virtual) Chat
If you have one specific question about your dog or want to learn more about our force-free training philosophy, here's your chance! You can schedule a virtual 15 minute meeting with one of our certified dog trainers at your convenience for $30.00.
Note: If you are considering our dog training services and have a question about what a particular service entails or what service would be best for you, please book a free virtual consultation with our New Customer Manager instead.
Don't See What You're Looking For?
Does your pup need help overcoming fears associated with grooming? Short on time, but hoping to help your pup with socialization and impulse control?
We offer a wide range of other training options through our Drop & Train services—drop your dog off at our Brookland facility, and we'll do the work!
What Makes Us Special?
No Shock, No Prong, No Choke
All of our trainers are Pet Professional Guild members and adhere to its guiding principles: respect, do no harm, do good, act fairly.
Fear, Force &
Pain Free
Our code of ethics is based on a least intrusive, minimally aversive effective behavior intervention policy.
Independently
Certified
The knowledge and skill of our trainers is independently certified by the leading certification programs in the industry.
Comprehensive
Easily combine with our other services for a comprehensive approach to care for your pup.
Simple Flat Rate Pricing
Clear, easy-to-understand pricing.
Private Training Service Area & Hours
Our private training and consultation services cover all areas on the map marked in blue. For a detailed look, click here. Our normal business hours are 9am-5pm, Monday - Friday.
We are available to train outside of our service area and/or outside of normal business hours for an additional fee.
Additional Service Fees:
- Dog Training Travel Fee: $30.00
For private training lessons that are outside of our dog walking service area on the website - Dog Training After Hours or Weekend: $10.00
For lessons between 5pm-8pm or on the weekend. - Dog Training Assistant Fee: $30.00
If an additional qualified staff member is needed to help during the lesson
Sign Up For Force-Free Private Dog Training
Requirements for Private Training Customers
- Completed Intake Form
- 30 Minute Virtual Consultation (Exceptions: Follow up visits & 15-minute virtual chat)
- Age: 8 weeks and older
- Vaccinations (minimum): 1st round of Distemper, Parvovirus, Bordetella
Have a question before you start? Schedule a virtual appointment with our New Customer Manager! They will answer any general questions you may have about our services before booking and can help you decide what service would best fit your needs.
What Our Clients Say
JeremyPatrick's Pet Care has really helped 8-year-old Eugene come out of his shell. He came to us extremely anxious and jumpy. Since August 2021, through Daycare 101, the Dog Montessori School, and one-on-one trainings with Joe (who is amazing!), Eugene has gained his confidence to more happily interact with us, other people, and other dogs. We have been really impressed with the care that the whole Patrick's team has taken with helping Eugene grow -- I truly don't know what we would do without Patrick's.
Patrick's Pet Care doesn't just offer convenient services for us and our dog, it has deepened the bond between each member of our "pack." As new pet owners, Patrick's Brookland has been instrumental in understanding, protecting and caring for our canine since we added him to our home. Our trainer Joe has gone above and beyond with specialized, one-on-one care that has improved our dog's quality of life. Not only do we understand our dog better, but working with Joe has enriched the experiences our family has together. We've seen drastic improvements in our pet's behavior, demeanor and confidence. As someone who has had eight dogs, this is the strongest dog training I have ever encountered.Mark
