Companion Dog Training

Training is delivered through private, in-home sessions customized to each dog’s needs. The first session lasts 1.5 hours and includes a behavior assessment and initial training. Follow-up sessions are 1 hour, with email summaries and homework provided after each. Training focuses on manners, obedience, puppy socialization, leash walking, recall, and behavior modification. Owners receive ongoing support via email between sessions.

Pricing Summary

Initial session is 1.5 hours; subsequent sessions are 1 hour. Customized training plans and unlimited email support between sessions are included in the fee. Specific pricing not listed; contact for details.

Companion Dog Training is a private, in-home dog training service led by Sue Thibedeau, a certified professional trainer who uses only positive reinforcement methods. Sue helps dog owners address common behavioral issues like leash pulling, barking, jumping, reactivity, and poor recall without the use of fear, intimidation, or aversive tools. She provides customized training plans tailored to each dog’s needs, with each session followed by personalized email summaries and homework. Sue offers unlimited email support between sessions and emphasizes building a strong, joyful relationship between dogs and their owners through science-based, reward-based training. Her background includes raising puppies for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 18 years as an Animal Control Officer, and graduation from Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers, making her highly experienced in both behavior modification and puppy socialization.

Sue trains dogs of all ages and sizes, with a focus on manners, basic obedience, cooperative care, and leash walking. She does not offer group classes, boarding, or facility-based training—only private in-home sessions. Her approach is compassionate, patient, and educational, empowering owners to communicate effectively with their dogs. Clients consistently praise her responsiveness, expertise, and ability to transform difficult behaviors into calm, confident companionship.

Accomplishments

Sue Thibedeau is an honors graduate of Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers, considered the “Harvard of dog training schools.” She has raised 10 puppies for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, worked as an Animal Control Officer for 18 years, and continues her education through seminars with leading experts like Dr. Susan Friedman and Michael Shikashio. She holds both CTC and CPDT-KA certifications.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can call or complete the online contact form to request information or book a session. The first step is an initial 1.5-hour in-home consultation to assess the dog’s behavior and create a customized training plan.