Frequently Asked Questions

Our aim is to see that you & your dog get the most out of our training so you can see the transformative results for yourself and will truly  get to experience a more joyful life with your dog. We want you to  understand that dog training like ours, which focuses on shifting your  dog into a more balanced state of mind and building a new human canine relationship founded on trust and understanding, is a joint effort. This will take commitment on your part. See this as an opportunity to learn something new that will benefit your dog(s) now and any other dog(s) that enters your life. Please understand this involves making an effort to implement what you are learning in our programs within your daily life with your dog. We are thankful for your interest in our dog training as an approach to living the best life possible with your dog. In order to train with us we require that you... 

• Become very familiar and comfortable with our training methods and tools before deciding if we are a good fit for your family (please see the following question for greater details on this.)
• Realize that if you are dealing with ANY behavioral issues such as jumping, counter surfing, barking, whining, marking, pulling on leash, reactivity, snapping, barging through thresholds, biting,  growling, anxiety, nervousness that you no longer have to struggle anymore but it will ultimately take changes on your part to see the long lasting results. The way your dog(s) relates to the environment, home and people in their lives is  contributing to this problem. Our job is to help you recognize what needs to change and how to change it! We are beyond excited to do whatever it takes to help your family meet your training goals. Please be ready to make that same commitment to your dog. 
• Commit and trust in this process 100%.  
• Complete all of the homework sent to you. Your follow through  starts with the client homework and is imperative to the success of your dog’s training.  
• Understand that dog training is a joint effort! It is so important  that each and every family member that comes into contact with your dog(s), must be on the same page when it comes to the training from the structure to the verbal markers and tools of communication. We need the whole family to be enthusiastic and consistent in order to create a true understanding of expectations for your dog to follow. When one family  member/owner is inconsistent or overindulgent (usually out of fear of the dog no longer 'liking' them) the dog is not really clear on the expectations and therefore doesn't know how to make the right choices. It is critical that ALL family members share in this process so that your dog(s) experiences clear communication, consistency in expectations and overall  balance. If you ever want your dog to get to that ZEN state of mind where consistent, reliable choices are made day in and day out each family member that plays a role on your dog's life MUST be on the same page. 
• Recognize that dog training is a lifestyle. We want your whole  family to benefit from our experience together. Let's co-create a  peaceful, harmonious life for you, your dog(s) and your entire family. With your willingness to commit to this journey, we know that anything is possible. We have witnessed incredible transformations time and time again.

Other things we would like you to know and consider...

• Our accommodations are unmatched from orthopedic crate pads to triple filtered water your dog is cared for in the best way we know how... with genuine care and loving leadership. 
• We are Professional and Insured. 
• We only work with a small number of dogs so that we preserve our high standard of training and care. We strive to maintain a zen environment of relaxation and peace for the dogs in our care and for our own well being. We lead a 30 minute pack walk with your dog and the others regularly. From there the dogs are able to socialize in the yard once we reach that level in their training. Each dog in our care receives several hours of hands on training that is suited for where they are at in the program working on a combination of active commands, duration work, socialization, and behavior modification exercises. Along with our personal attention your dog(s) also receives loads of down time to rest in their kennel. We are completely dedicated to your dog’s well being and we know you will understand this further once you have the experience of working with us.  

Our Training Method seeks to build a new inviolable human to dog relationship. A bond that is founded on trust and the ability to understand and inspire each other. A relationship that suits the unequivocal needs of both ends of the leash. This training is about creating a more balanced state of mind in our dogs. We achieve this through relationship building games or as we like to think of it moving meditations for both you and your dog. These meditations teach our dog(s) clear communication along with mindfulness, in that their choices make a difference. Through these meditations they become more apt to engage and focus on you in a very meaningful powerful way. This is because this approach raises our relevance in our dogs eyes. We want you to be your dog's Guru. A guru is a trusted counselor, adviser, mentor or teacher that is able to inspire great transformation for the better in their pupils. Guru is the one that leads you from ignorance to enlightenment. Imagine your dog moving from a ill-mannered, turbulent, anxious, entitled, rambunctious, and reactive dog to focused, obedient, calm, grateful, optimistic, respectful, mindful dog. Does this sound like Nirvana? Yes!!! This is the shift we see and want for you. These are just some of our methods that help us get there.  

Using food rewards & fading the food reward  

In the beginning stages of training we use food as an incentive to motivate and build the relationship with your dog. It helps the dog focus thus creating engagement, and teaching the meaning of the communication. Food helps reinforce positive behaviors. In the beginning we reward for these behaviors regularly and consistently. Our simple verbal markers and other communication is so important in our ability to in time fade the the food reward entirely.  

Stages of our training method

• It all starts with creating engagement, building a strong connection with your dog(s) while avoiding conflicts. This is achieved through relationship building games and leadership exercises that lay the foundation for clear communication starting with body language and our simple verbal marker system. In these beginning stages, these training activities are done under low to no distraction. At Bmore Zen, we believe in loving our dog(s) through leadership and that kind of relationship is forged over time as we begin implementing rules and structure that begets loving guidance, certainty in routine and consistency in expectations. Your dog(s) begin to know what to expect as well as trust in our ability to meet their needs, which in turn eases feelings of anxiety and also builds your dogs confidence.
• As we move through this process we must add rules to our games and structure to continue to add challenge and move towards a more balanced state of being for our dog. It's here we see dogs trust in our guidance and their own confidence really flourish. The process of adding challenges teaches our dog that following rules is rewarding and taking direction from us helps them win the 'game'. Now we have a dog that focuses and engages with us and can ignore anything we ask them to. 
• Next stage is the introduction to our effective communication tools meant to work under distraction of any kind. Now that we have a dog that consistently and confidently takes our guidance, understands our verbal marker and expectations, then we can introduce our tools. We layer subtle yet effective prong collar guidance and low level e-collar stimulation over all the communication our dog has already learned through the games. In this way our dog understands prong and e-collar guidance as communication that helps them win the game. These helpful communication tools allow us to breakthrough any distraction to reach our dog's awareness under any situation.
• The final stage invokes the 3 D's of dog training. Now that the dog is trusting our guidance, engaging with us and our communication is crystal clear, we can strengthen our dogs new found skills even further as we strategically add Duration, Distance, and Distraction to all the obedience the dog has learned through the training process. At this point, we routinely interrupt our dog's impulses while making it rewarding to focus on us. This is how we instill mindfulness in your dog and get them to understand that their choices matter.

Affection & Lifestyle 

Dog owners tend to be unaware of just how meaningful their affection can be for their dog in shaping their state of mind and fortifying behavior. In this unawareness of what a powerful tool we wield when it comes to affection, people often unconsciously reinforce unwanted behavior and an adverse state of mind within their dogs by simply giving too much affection at unsuitable times. Your use of affection can either hinder or assist you in achieving your training goals which is why we want you have a better understanding of this concept. To help you be successful in this process we are recommending you be more strategic in your use of affection. This means becoming aware of your use of affection and reserving it for times your dog is in a relaxed state of mind and times they have earned it by cooperating and constantly making mindful choices. Trust us there will be plenty of opportunity for affection; we are just asking you to follow our recommendations in this arena. It's a game changer in dog training. Allowing our dogs in our beds and access to furniture sends really misleading messages about your leadership and their role within your family unit. If you have a dog that is acting entitled, anxious, fearful and giving you a magnitude of other unwanted behaviors we recommend reevaluating this aspect of your boundaries with your dog and shifting into expectations that have a more positive effect on their state of mind. This recommendation of limiting your dogs access to furniture may not be a way to live forever with your dog but during the training process and as long as you are getting unwanted behaviors it will always be our stance and something we will inquire with you about as we are working with you and your dog. 

Crate Training 

Healthy separation and the ability to self soothe are important in your dogs rehabilitation to a balanced state of mind. It is important for us to instill these skills of independence in our dogs and this can be done in a positive way so that your dog comes to love their crate and view it as their own personal zen den. We want the crate to be a place where wonderful things happen such as eating their meals and high value rewards. 

THE TOOLS

Prong Collar 

One of our dogs main ways of communicating with each other is through touch. If you have ever witnessed dogs playing they use varying degrees of pressure on the neck. From the very beginning dogs learn canine manners and pack etiquette from their mother dog gently cradling to sometimes firmly biting the necks of her young. This is not meant to harm, but rather a conversation in which a wide range of information can be communicated. For dogs, this touch communication is mainly done on the neck. It's what they innately understand according to nature. We use prong collars in order to emulate canine culture and communication most naturally. We want to communicate with our dogs in the most effective ways possible to create a harmonious balanced relationship. We use the  least amount of pressure to convey our expectations just like their mother dog would do or has done. When used properly, prong collars have been proven to be the safest tools available with the best results possible. The prong collar allows us to easily communicate with our dog creating a dog that is receptive of our guidance. Rather than just managing your struggles this will help completely eliminate them through the use of effective, effortless communication.  

E-Collars

We use this incredible training tool for the same reason we use the prong. We are simply using touch on the neck like a mother dog would give her pups to teach them. Except unlike a prong collar that needs a leash attached to communicate, the e-collar allows for communication with your dog off leash, at a distance and around high distractions. What this means is that your dog will listen to you even when they are not on a lead and distracted by something else in their environment. This tool empowers owners to have a completely off-leash trained dog with remote communication up to 1/2 a mile away. This is the only tool that allows this kind of communication to dogs OFF leash, which is convenient not only outdoors, but inside your home as well. You can imagine that with this effective communication tool you will be able to give your dog more freedom and include your dog in your life more often. 

The Educator E-collar uses localized medical grade stimulation exactly like a TENS unit that is used on human beings world wide for physical therapy. Typically people aren't even able to feel the low level their dog feels and responds to. Introduced properly this becomes a valuable  communication and educational tool between you and your dog. 

Continued use of the e-collar...will it be necessary to use this communication tool ongoing ?  

We would love for you to have an understanding of the leash and the e-collar as communication tools, not restraint or punishment devices. If you can finally have the effective communication with your dog that changes and transforms your lives together, why would you be in any hurry to give that up? 

With that said, many dogs over time of their owners being consistent with their expectations while meeting their dogs innate needs for structure, engagement and clear communication end up not needing this tool in the home or under low distraction. Regardless of how well your dog is with you without tools, there are many distractions in the world around that could lure them into an unsavory situation. Why not just use the most effective, most reliable, and most humane canine communication available today? 

Is it ok to use the E-Collar on fearful and anxious dogs ? 

Our E-Collar training is really the most well suited training for dogs with these kinds of issues. Dogs crave leadership and need to be given direction in a way that is understandable to them. Most behavioral issues stem from a lack of communication. Anxiety and fear manifest with our dogs when there is a lack of leadership and understanding. In these cases the dog is unable to trust in our guidance and they can't decipher what we are expecting of them. This evokes feeling of vulnerability and insecurity. Loving our dog through leadership means giving them direction at the right moments with consistency. The e-collar becomes our communication tool that allows us to chime in with our dog and give them our guidance at the right moment in all situations while remaining relaxed and feeling empowered. This will inspire your dog that you are a leader worth following. Your dog will be more comfortable and confident with you when they feel like you both finally have a greater understanding of each other through this amazing communication tool. 

Do you have the time and dedication to do the repetition and hands on training? In private lessons, we will show you our training techniques and methods; however, you have to make the commitment to daily training sessions along with a shift in routines and behaviors at both ends of the leash. We have seen great success in these lessons but also know that it can be very challenging for owners to rehabilitate severe behaviors in private lessons. Only you know what is right for your family. If you do come to the decision that one of our board and train programs is a better fit then we gladly accommodate, prorate and get you on our board and train schedule ASAP.

We offer ongoing support even after your dog has completed our training. After your dog graduates, they are eligible for boarding with us when you need a safe, structured and enjoyable place for your dog(s) to stay while you are away. You will also be invited to join our monthly graduate pack walks at Stoney Run Park in Hampden. Additionally, we have a Graduate Community on FaceBook where everyone is able to connect and share their experiences. We share the details about our monthly pack walks in our newsletter and on that FaceBook Graduate Community Page. We are overjoyed to get to share in your triumphs, get updates, and help support you as a community if you are facing challenges with your zen graduate dog. We have created this page in hopes of connecting like minded owners who have sent their dog(s) through our program. We are here for you every step of the way. 

We offer on going follow up support for dogs that have been through our board & train program. We also offer boarding for dogs that have trained with us and successfully completed the program they were enrolled in. When you need to board your dog, coordinate a follow up lesson with us when you pick up your dog and that way both you and your dog have had a mindfulness attunement to continue to reach your zenith transformation.  

Please check out our 'Meet our Trainers' page to get to know us better. We will be guiding and supporting you and your dog through the entire process. We utilize a hands on approach with every dog every step of the way. We look forward to connecting with you during our first contact and customizing a program to fit your goals. 

With Gratitude, 

Crystal & Tricia / Bmore Zen Dog Training Team

Thankfully, no. Your dog will still retain their unique personality; however, you will notice your dog is less impulsive, more polite and you will be able to achieve more engagement and connection with your dog in all situations. Our training will inspire mindfulness in your dog so that they look to you for guidance and want to follow your leadership. This training process uncovers the core traits inherent in your dog that may not have been fully understood until now. The transformation that will happen in your dog due to this training process will make it completely possible to easily include your dog in your life because your dog will be able to live in the constructs of our society as a contributing member of your family. This ultimately translates to more joy and freedom for your dog and for you. 

Yes!! While we put forth the same exact effort and care with every dog in our program, we do in fact offer a discount if your dog is a rescue dog that you adopted from a reputable rescue. Please share that information with us when you fill out the contact forms. Please include the name and contact info of that rescue. We will gladly give you a discount when you sign up with us. We will also donate an additional 5% to the rescue you adopted your dog from. Wow!! That's 10% we are taking off. 5% goes back to you for a deed well done and 5% goes to supporting more rescue work. Rescue dogs are amazing but often lack confidence and have trauma from instability in their life which manifests as fear and anxiety. Our goal is to help as many people and dogs as we possibly can!! Donating to rescues is one way we can achieve that goal while thanking everyone involved in finding a rescue dog their forever home. This discount is extended to all of our services from board and train programs, private lessons, to group classes. This discount does not apply to any of the products including our video series. 

Besides people wondering if we offer discounts, we also get asked if we offer shorter board and train programs. This question comes with an explanation that their dog is good 99% of the time or only struggles with a few issues or has been previously trained and therefore they don't see why their dog needs the full program. We can not and will not offer anything shorter then our 4 week board and train program and here is why...

• Time is one of the greatest tools in dog training. 
• We are looking to achieve a state of mind shift to make long lasting changes in the dogs we work with. 
• Building a relationship/moving at your dogs pace is not a "quick fix." It's not uncommon for it to take up to a week for us to even build a relationship with a dog.  
• We layer the tools over the communication and this is a process. 
• We offer ongoing unwavering support so we need to make sure we have the time to get your dog(s) where they need to be by their graduation.   

You will see your dog doing amazing things you never thought possible as you follow along on Instagram 'stories.'  The graduation is a comprehensive go-home lesson transferring all training over to you.  We simply do not end that session until everyone is satisfied and happy! Due to the many variables involved to create a well-behaved dog with a balanced state of mind, including your commitment, consistency, and follow-through, it would not be in integrity for us to offer a 100% guarantee. However, we only move forward with the most dedicated clients that are willing to commit to this process with us. In our experience, no matter how severe the issues, we constantly produce unbelievable transformations that are sometimes classified as miracles by our clients. We don't claim to be miracle workers; we just understand dogs and their needs which is why we are known for transformative results. We have never come across a dog we could not help. We work hand-in-hand with you and your family to achieve your dog’s rehabilitation. Once you hire us, we consider you part of our zen pack, and your success is our top priority. This collaboration begins from the moment we both decide to work together before we even meet your dog and continues during the training program, and beyond. We stay committed to you and your family for the rest of your dog's joyful life. 

If by no fault of Bmore Zen Dog Training the services contracted by the owner cannot be completed, refunds will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. If we can fill the spot and therefore deem the circumstances eligible for a partial refund, there will be a administrative fee accessed first.