I need help! How can you help me?
I like to meet with potential clients for a 90 minutes consultation at their homes.
Once we have an appointment for the Initial Consult scheduled, I will email you an extensive questionnaire. You will fill it in and email it back to me at least three (3) working days and no later than 5 pm before the date of our Initial Consultation. We will have to reschedule our appointment if I do not receive the questionnaire on time. Note: The questionnaire cannot be filled in on a tablet.
Reading through your questionnaire ahead of time will allow me to think about your specific situation and prepare additional questions if needed. I will also bring valuable handouts for your circumstance and make better use of our time during the Initial Consult.
What takes place during the Initial Consultation?
During this consult, I will give you information about your dog’s current behavior based on my knowledge of learning theory (the science of how animals learn) and my observations of your dog—rather than relying on interpretation. For example, I might notice that the dog is barking and snarling at other dogs on a leash, but your dog plays nicely when he is off-leash. This observation suggests that the dog is leash-reactive, a specific type of aggression.
Based on your goals and my interaction with your dog, I will:
- Suggest management techniques to provide you with immediate relief from the situation and stop the dog from practicing (and perfecting) the response you want to change.
- Give you my best recommendations for the number of training sessions needed to reach your goals or most of your goals.
What happens after the Initial Consult, should we decide to work together?
- I will train your dog, so the new behavior(s) become its default.
- Lastly, I will teach you how to manage and continue to reinforce newly learned behaviors.
- I will support your progress with weekly checking-ins between sessions and training plans as needed for your situation.
“Cayley and I were so impressed with your training methods- they are compassionate and effective. I am happy to report that thanks to your training yesterday Suki settled in her pen while we ate lunch at the dining table today without a peep! And she went into her crate a few times when she was done playing and wanted some alone time, we were amazed! Plus she has taken so well to the puzzle feeding instead of filling her bowl up for meals. You truly love dogs and it shows. We wouldn’t want to trust our sweet Suki with anyone else.” – Carly Murphy, Santa Fe, NM
Where do the Initial Consult and subsequent training take place?
For the Initial Consult and future training, I will come to your home if you live in Santa Fe and some areas of Santa Fe County. Since I do not travel for training outside my service area, interested parties will come to my training “hub” in Tesuque for the Initial consultation and follow-up training, should we decide to work together and you live outside my service area.
It is often the case that I am fully booked and not taking in new clients, however, I also offer remote (via Zoom) Initial consultations and training sessions which might allow me to help you sooner than waiting for an in-person slot.
How much do you charge?
Initial Consult: 90 minutes $187.25 (Santa Fe County tax included). If the meeting goes beyond 90 minutes, the charge is $267.81 (Santa Fe County tax included).
Training sessions are 1hr. Long. My hourly fee is $158.00 plus tax. However, there is a price drop per session, depending on the number of sessions needed to reach your goals. Visit this link to learn more about my training options.
How can I pay you?
Clients can pay with a Credit card ONLY via Zelle, check, or cash. If paying by cash for the Initial Consult, please have the exact amount, as I do not carry cash.
When do I pay for services?
You pay in full for the Initial Consult at the end of our session. For subsequent training sessions, you pay in full once we decide to work together. This will guarantee you a spot in my training schedule.
Are there any other fees I need to know about?
If the behavior issues of your dog require that we work with a “helper” such as in fear of strangers, the client will directly pay the helper $40.00 per session. Alternatively, the client can find a qualified* third-party helper – as needed to help with the training without needing compensation.
*All helpers must be willing and able to follow my directions precisely and sign a consent release form.
Mileage: Will be charged after 18 miles from Tesuque at the rate of $1.20 round trip per visit.
What is your cancellation Policy?
There is a $45 charge for cancelation of the Initial Consult once we have made an appointment if not canceled within 48 hrs. of the appt. date.
For Private Training please note that once we schedule our weekly training that time is reserved for you. so please plan accordingly. There is a 48-hour grace period for 1st incident with no charge. After the 1st incident, the client will be charged for the session missed at the set session fee rate. We will reschedule without penalty for circumstances such as the client or trainer being sick, the dog being sick, the weather, and the like.
How much time and effort will it take from me?
Clients tell me that working with me can be demanding. We cover a lot of ground and have an agreed-upon accountability program. They also tell me (please see the testimonials on my website) that their efforts and our working together paid off. Showing up to your training session every week and implementing training plans at home can be overwhelming for some people, but I do my best to lead clients by the hand and give them all the support and attention they need. Clients motivated to see changes in their dog’s behavior understand that they must put in the effort and time between our meetings.
Working together to reach some or all of your goals requires a commitment of time from you to practice with your dog at least three times a week, five to fifteen minutes per session, between meetings with Almudena and to email Almudena before the next appointment about the progress made? Do you also have reasonable availability in your schedule to meet for our weekly training sessions or transfer sessions for day training?
As my past clients have attested, committing to working together implies that you, too, are invested in completing the program. Actively participating in our work together and remaining open to learning and exploring new possibilities will constitute the beginning of a remarkable transformation.
“Our dog Ernie loves Almudena. She’s a terrific trainer; firm, fun, creative, positive, and a great problem solver. Oh, and according to him, she gives the very best treats!” – Peggy Klaus, Berkeley, CA.