Devoted Dog Training

Training typically begins with a 30-minute in-home consultation to meet the dog, discuss training needs, and create a custom plan. Training sessions are private and conducted in the client’s home and other real-life environments like parks. The approach is holistic, considering nutrition, exercise, breed traits, household environment, and owner lifestyle to customize training plans. The focus is on building dog confidence through incremental successes using praise and treats, and teaching force-free, cruelty-free methods.

Pricing Summary

Consultations cost $50 for 30 minutes. Lesson packs are available in 4-packs, 6-packs, and 8-packs, offering savings of $50-$75 compared to individual lessons. Payment methods accepted include cash, check, Venmo, Square Cash, Apple Pay, and Zelle.

Policies

Lesson packs (4-packs and 6-packs) are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase, and 8-packs are valid for 12 months; unused lessons are forfeited after these periods. Lessons are non-transferable. Reasonable refund requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. If a package is not fully used, the package discount is not applicable, and lessons revert to the full individual price, with the remaining balance reimbursed minus the consultation fee. A $100 cancellation fee is deducted from the remaining balance for any refund request, and no refunds are given after 6 months from the date of purchase.

Devoted Dog Training, led by owner and trainer Courtney Briggs, offered private, in-home dog training services in Oakland, CA. The business emphasized a holistic, modern, and positive reinforcement approach, focusing on building a dog’s confidence through force-free, cruelty-free methods and humane tools, explicitly avoiding shock, prong, or choke collars. They aimed to train both dogs and their human companions, providing tools for owners to understand and work with their dogs.

Courtney has over 20 years of experience working with dogs professionally and as a volunteer, including roles in animal shelters and as a Lead Dog Trainer. She specialized in various areas including basic obedience, puppy socialization, behavior adjustment training (BAT), agility, tricks, scent work, therapy dog training, and Canine Good Citizen training and testing. She had a particular passion for working with pit bulls and helping fearful, shy, or anxious dogs build confidence.

Please note: Devoted Dog Training closed on April 1, 2020, as Courtney transitioned to a new role training other dog trainers nationally. Before closing, the business was only accepting new clients for basic puppy training and general adult dog obedience, and was not taking new clients whose dogs needed behavioral training for issues such as leash reactivity, resource guarding, or separation anxiety.

Accomplishments

Courtney Briggs has over 20 years of experience working with dogs professionally and as a volunteer, including roles in animal shelters as an adoption counselor and trainer. She served as Lead Dog Trainer at a facility in Walnut Creek, CA, which was voted “Best Dog Training in the East Bay 2015” by Diablo Magazine. She launched Devoted Dog Training in 2016. Courtney is an Evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen program, a Mentor for Animal Behavior College’s externship program, and is Certified in Pet First Aid through the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF).

How to Get Started!

Clients typically begin with a 30-minute consultation appointment, costing $50, which takes place in their home. This meeting allows the trainer to meet the dog, learn about training needs, and discuss a custom training plan. It also serves for the client to determine if Courtney is the right fit. All appointment scheduling, including evaluations, appointments, and reschedules, is done via email. Clients should include a few available days and times over the next two weeks in their email. Courtney is usually booked two weeks in advance, and last-minute bookings are generally not available. Email support for brief training-related questions is available to current clients, with more complex issues addressed during lessons or scheduled phone appointments.