Calm Family Dog Training
Ranked #2 in San Marcos and #66 in Texas
Service area: San Marcos TX and surrounding areas including Kyle, Wimberley, Buda, Lockhart, Gonzales, Seguin, Austin, New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, and Kingsbury.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Separation Anxiety
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Resource Guarding
- Stealing Food
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- In-Home
- Board and Train
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Intensive Program
Types of Dogs
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Herding
- Sporting
- Working
- Hounds
- Terriers
- Doodles
- Brachycephalic
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Balanced Training
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Flat Collars
- ✓ Pinch Collars
- ✓ E-Collars
- ✓ Obstacle Courses
Calm Family Dog Training offers four distinct programs. The **Stay and Train Program** is an intensive 2-week board and train option at their facility, priced at $1,850 plus e-collar cost. It focuses on creating a structured environment, teaching basic commands (place, sit/stay, down/stay, come, loose leash walking, wait at thresholds, wait for food, crate manners), and addressing problem behaviors like barking, jumping, chewing, and digging, utilizing e-collar training for off-leash reliability. This program includes 1 private go-home lesson, 2 field trips, training tools, and lifetime support, but is not for dogs with aggression or separation anxiety.
The **Private In Home Training Program** costs $650 and consists of weekly 1-hour sessions (typically 4-5 sessions) conducted in the client’s home. It is customized to the dog’s needs, covering basic on-leash obedience and problem behaviors. This program includes training tools and email/phone support.
For new puppies aged 4-6 months, the **Puppy Basics Jump Start – Stay and Train Program** is a 1-week intensive board and train at their facility for $950. It focuses on beginning on-leash obedience, handling exposure, and avoiding common puppy behaviors like jumping, biting, and counter surfing. This program includes training tools, 1 private go-home lesson, and lifetime support.
Finally, the **Short Program** is available for $325, offering 2 lessons (1-1.5 hours each) in the client’s home. This customized session is designed to resolve one particular problem behavior, and it includes training tools and email/phone support.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Calm Family Dog Training offers various programs with set prices. The Stay and Train Program is $1,850 plus the cost of an e-collar, while the Private In Home Training Program is $650. The Puppy Basics Jump Start – Stay and Train Program costs $950, and the Short Program is $325.
Training collars, leashes, and place cots are included in most programs. The Stay and Train and Puppy Basics programs include lifetime email and phone support, whereas the Private In Home and Short Programs offer email and phone support. The business does not provide a 100% training guarantee due to the many variables involved in dog behavior.
Policies
Calm Family Dog Training does not offer a 100% training guarantee, citing the numerous variables that influence a dog’s behavior. The business pre-screens clients to ensure their commitment to their dog’s success. They emphasize open communication and follow-up, providing ongoing phone or email support to clients.
Testimonials
“Sue is the absolute best! Couldn’t say enough great things about her. She worked her magic with our pup Rocco and was such a joy to have around. From the moment she walked in the house Rocco knew that she meant business. He’s a changed man and we are true fan of Calm Family Dog Training! We look forward to working with her again! Thank you so much!”
– Tracey Garza, Kyle, TX
“Where’s the 6 stars! We have had the best experience with Calm Family Dog Training! Sue’s program and approach are exactly what she advertises, calm. We were desperate for help when we sent our 4.5 month old Dalmatian, Nala. She was rambunctious, disobedient and very jumpy. Sue was able to teach Nala the PLACE command (along with many other commands). This was a game changer with small kids. Not only is Sue professional and easy to talk to she is just as patient. Our 9 year old daughter was struggling with the heel command and Sue gently encouraged and equipped her with the right techniques.We also really loved seeing the Facebook updates of Nala’s progress. It was very encouraging to see her doing well and learning so much.We will forever be grateful for Calm Family Dog Training!”
– Rayeder Massie, Gonzales, TX
“We took our 6 month old golden, Riggs, to Sue for the 1 week puppy board and train. He is overall a fairly calm puppy, but needed basic manners. Also, any second we weren’t watching, he was taking things off counters or anything else he wasn’t supposed to have. That week with Sue gave us everything we needed! Riggs walks so well on a leash now, waits at all doors, including his crate, and waits for his food. Probably the biggest game changer though was the “place” command. We can put Riggs on his place bed and he stays there! No more going to look for him every 30 seconds to see what he’s gotten into when I’m trying to get ready for work or cook dinner. Of course, he’s still a puppy and tries to see what he can get away with–it’s not fool proof, so make sure your expectations are in line with reality and that you’re willing to follow up with what Sue teaches. We’ve had him back for about a week and a half now, and it’s been a noticeable change from day 1 until now with how less often we have to redirect him. Also, Sue does use a prong collar (and an eCollar if you do the 2 week board and train) along with positive reinforcement, so make sure you are ok with those methods of training. Sue posts videos and pictures each day during the training so you can follow your dogs progress, which was awesome to see. I highly recommend her!”
– Laura Carter, Austin, TX
About the Trainer
Calm Family Dog Training, led by owner and head trainer Susan Cole, is a dog training business primarily serving San Marcos, TX, and surrounding areas. Susan is a balanced trainer who communicates both “Yes” and “No,” utilizing positive reinforcement such as praise, food rewards, toys, and touch, alongside corrections for negative behaviors. The business focuses on educating both owners and their dogs to foster balanced relationships, emphasizing structure, leadership, and obedience.
Susan customizes training plans to address individual dog-related problems, aiming to help families regain control and integrate their dogs more fully into their lives. She has personal experience transforming a challenging dog, which inspired her to create Calm Family Dog Training.
The business offers various programs, including intensive board and train options and private in-home sessions, addressing a wide range of behavioral issues. Calm Family Dog Training also provides structured boarding services for dogs that have completed one of their Stay and Train programs.
Accomplishments
Calm Family Dog Training, led by Susan Cole, has been recognized as the Best Dog Trainer in Hays in both 2020 and 2023. Susan completed her training at T3: Train the Trainers with Jeff Gellman, Sean O’Shea, and Tori Smith. She also received training from Dr. Ian Dunbar’s SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy.
How to Get Started!
To begin the process with Calm Family Dog Training, prospective clients are directed to complete an online contact form. This form requests comprehensive details about the dog, including its name, age, breed, weight, and a description of current behaviors and specific problems. It also inquires about the dog’s house-training and crate-training status, prior training experience, and any history of aggression or biting. Clients are also asked how they discovered the business and which training program they are interested in.
Contact Information
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Pet boarding service