Services

Set your goal. We will
help you reach it!

 

In-Home Training Programs

Program length varies on the behaviors of the dog. 

ZEN BASICS

Do you wish you had a calmer dog? One who wouldn’t embarrass you when guests come over? One who wouldn’t pull you down when you take them on your walk? This is the program for you.

Our Zen Basics program will help you establish a strong bond with your dog that will reduce frustrating nuisance behaviors and allow you to enjoy your furry companion.

This program is great for busy families who are willing to make simple lifestyle changes to improve their life with their dog. 

Included in this program: 

  • Program typically completed within 5 in-home lessons in the comfort of your own home. 
  • Learning the loose-leash walk
  • Reduction of problem behaviors (excessive barking, jumping, destructive chewing, etc). 
  • 6 months of support via talk, text, or email after the conclusion of your program
  • 6 months of access to our group classes (Pack Walk) to practice your leash skills around distraction.

Zen Enthusiast

Have you ever had to go on a nerve-wracking chase through the neighborhood after your dog bolted out the door and refused to come back? Have you ever been worried sick after your dog ate something they shouldn’t have when you accidentally dropped it on the floor? 

In addition to teaching your dog to walk calmly on leash and be a peaceful member of your household, our Zen Enthusiast program takes your dog’s training to the next level with a few vital commands. You will get an introduction to the “come” and “leave it” commands so you can have the peace of mind that your dog knows how to come when you call, and you will know how to prevent them from getting into messes that will give you a headache later.

If you are looking for a solid dog who is more reliable in and out of the home, you might be a Zen Enthusiast!

Included in this program: 

  • Program typically completed within 7 in-home lessons in the comfort of your own home. 
  • Calm in the home and on the walk
  • “Come” and “Leave-It” Commands
  • 1 year of support via talk, text, or email after the conclusion of your program.
  • 1 year of access to our group classes (Pack Walk) to practice your leash skills around distraction.

Zen Expert

This is our most popular program and is for people who want to enjoy time with their dog to the fullest!

When you walk your dog, your neighbors will stop you and say, “Your dog walks so well on a leash! I wish mine did that!” and those walks will become a peaceful time for you rather than a frustration. 

We will teach you how to build a strong bond with your dog and in doing so,  you will notice that they will no longer demand attention from you at inappropriate times, or try to blow off every command you give them. And you will finish this program knowing how to prevent the constant barking at things outside the window, or the snatching of things off the kitchen counter.

We will help you practice skills like the walk, calm state of mind, and the “come” command in new environments so that you don’t feel like you have to hide your dog away from the world because of their bad behavior. 

This program allows your trainer to customize the experiences to fit your dog’s needs and your goals (For example, with puppies, we will focus heavily on creating positive associations with the world around them. For fearful dogs, we will focus their learning on confidence building). 

We want you and your dog to have a lifetime of adventures ahead of you and we are here to help you reach your goals. 

Included in this program:

  • Program typically completed within 10 in-home lessons in the comfort of your home.
  • Field trips to help your dog practice all of their new skills in new environments
  • Free consultation with a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist on staff to answer questions about how diet can influence behavior and how to make healthy choices for your dog.
  • Support via talk, text, or email for the life of your dog so you can ask questions and receive help as they grow and evolve. 
  • Access to our group classes (Pack Walk) to practice your leash skills around distraction for your dog’s entire life. This is an average of 30 classes per year. 

Getting Started

If you are ready for a change, it’s time to get started with training! Our training team is excited to help you and your dog live your lives to the fullest. Contact us to find out more.

Ready to get started? Contact us for details.

Q&A

What determines the length of an in-home program?

All of our programs are goals-based. Instead of a set number of lessons, we format the program to fit the dog in front of us. The length will be determined by your dog’s ability to reach the goals specific to your program. However, each program does have an average length based on how long it typically takes a dog to learn. Call to learn more about your program of interest.

What commands will I learn?

Our approach to training uses very few verbal commands. Our program is designed to establish you as your dog’s trusted leader, teach them the expectations of behavior in the home and on the walk, and how to communicate with your dog in a way they understand. While you may learn some verbal commands (depending on your program), our training style differs from traditional obedience training. View our Approach page to learn more!

Do all members of my family need to be at the training sessions?

No they do not. However, we always say, “The more the merrier!” Dogs are most successful when all of the humans of the home are consistent with their training. If members of your family are not able to attend, we will give you handouts and videos to share with them to bring them up to speed!

Credentials

Voted Best Dog Trainer in Lancaster County in Susquehanna Style's Best of 2024 Contest

Voted #1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster Newspaper's 2023 Reader's Choice Awards

AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

Active Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals

Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist (CPCN) on Staff

Reading Dogs’ Emotional State Certification- K9 Lifeline

Teach, Calm and Quide Workshop Graduates- K9 Lifeline & Transform My Dog

Safe Socialization Workshop Graduates- K9 Lifeline

Herm Sprenger Prong Collar Knowledge Assessment Graduate

Dog Bite Case Legal Consultant

Unleash The Possibilities:
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Dealing with troubling behaviors? You aren’t alone.

What our clients say

“Kelcy was a great trainer. She was patient with us and Jupiter. Kelcy explained every step of the process. First demonstrating the technique and then watched us practice and provided helpful feedback. She has helped with Jupiter’s dietary issues, suggesting a raw diet which ended two years of severe GI issues. She also helped us with finding a more supportive kennel in Etown that has been able to work w/ Jupiter. We can’t say even positive things about the experience as it has been life changing for us and most importantly Jupiter. :-)”

~ Christopher & Marianne (with Jupiter)

“From the first day with our trainer Sarah, our enthusiastic golden retrievers behaviors started improving! Sarah is very confident and knowledgeable and we always looked forward to our sessions. They were informative as well as fun. We are first time dog owners and Sarah gave us the tools to help us build our relationship with our dog, and she is responsive if we have any questions. We also really like the Zen Dog Den philosophy and found it helped us when other training classes couldn’t. Sarah was always on time to our sessions, and she always responds to any questions we have in a very timely manner. Pack walk is a major added bonus, and we look forward to attending more of them. I recommend Zen Dog Den.”

~ Maria (with Ranger)

 

The Pack

Tips, tricks, events,
and updates from our team!

#1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster

#1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster

The Zen Dog Den has been honored with the title of #1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster, as recognized by Lancaster Newspaper Online's 2023 Reader's Choice Awards. This recognition fills us with immense pride and gratitude. A Journey Fueled by Passion At the core of our...

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pack walks

Safe, structured learning
opportunities for dogs at all stages.

Connect

Phone: 1 (877) ZEN-DOGG 
Email: info@thezendogden.com

Cherisse, Sarah & Amy are all
Certified Dog Trainers and Behavioral Experts
as well as Members of the
International Association of Canine Professionals