Discover Your Dog!

DaySchool is a drop-off program, available in 14, 21, 30, or 40-day durations, where dogs engage in a learning-intensive environment. It focuses on general obedience, life skills, and minor behavioral modification, including addressing moderate to severe issues like mild anxiety, mild fear aggression, or moderate housebreaking problems. Programs include follow-up private lessons, email, and phone support. A 40-day program offers an all-inclusive stay with a focus on off-lead work and significant behavioral issues. Continuing Education is available for alumni.

Private Training offers customized sessions tailored to specific issues for the dog and family, conducted at home or in various public environments. The core philosophy is relationship building to enhance communication and achieve a more focused dog. They work with puppies to establish proper manners and strengthen the bond.

Group Classes cover a wide range from basic skills to fun sports and competition preparation. Offerings include Life Skills (polite leash walking, focus, settling, polite greetings, impulse control, real-world commands), Puppy Preschool (socialization, exposure, confidence building, housebreaking, crating), and Beginner and Novice Obedience (sit, down, stay, loose leash walking, recall, heeling, manners). Specialty sports classes include Scentwork (introduction to nose work sports, searching for target odors), Agility (foundation skills, handling, obstacle discrimination, jumping), Rally (basics of AKC Rally, performing signs), and Barn Hunt (introduction to the sport, with advanced levels 2, 3, and Master for hunting skills). AKC Affiliated Classes include Canine Good Citizen Prep & Test, AKC Community Canine Prep & Test, AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen Prep & Test, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, and AKC Fit Dog! Levels 1, 2, and 3. They also offer an Introduction to Service Dog Training, covering basic skills, public access, task training, and ADA discussion.

Pricing Summary

DaySchool programs are priced as follows: 14-day for $2400, 21-day for $3100, 30-day for $3750, and 40-day for $4400. Continuing Education for DaySchool alumni costs $649/month for 2 days/week or $899/month for 3 days/week.

Group classes are generally 6 weeks long and cost $200 for Beginner Obedience, Novice Obedience, Foundation Agility, Barn Hunt Level 2, Level 3, and Master Level. Five-week group classes include Scentwork Introduction for $185, Scentwork II & III for $185, Beginner Rally for $175, and Intro to Barn Hunt for $200.

Private Barn Hunt lessons are available for $40 for 30 minutes (for up to 2 dogs) or $75 for 60 minutes (for up to 2 dogs), with an additional $10 for each extra dog. Prices do not include service tax as required by RI & CT.

Policies

All dogs must be up-to-date on vaccines and/or titers, including Rabies, with proof required for class attendance. Enrollment is complete only upon receipt of the registration form, payment, and current vaccination records. A separate registration form is needed for each dog if registering multiple.

Courses are not designed for dogs needing rehabilitation; they are specifically for physically healthy dogs with no significant prior injuries or ongoing conditions. If there is any doubt, an evaluation and a clearance letter from a veterinarian stating the dog is cleared for regular exercise are recommended.

Discover Your Dog! is a dog training business located in southwest Rhode Island, offering science-proven, evidence-based, and relationship-based behavioral modification and training. They aim to bring out the best in the relationship between owners and their dogs, helping them discover their great dog within.

They provide a variety of services including DayCamp, DaySchool, Private Training, and Group Classes. Their training philosophy focuses on building a strong relationship and excellent communication between dog and owner, identifying root causes of unwanted behaviors, and tailoring comprehensive programs.

The business also operates a store selling supplies, food, treats, training supplies, gear, toys, and supplements. They emphasize that their methods are eclectic and all-encompassing, drawing on various proven techniques to fit the dog, rather than forcing a single method.

Accomplishments

Heidi Benson, the Owner and Training Director, has over 30 years of experience in dog training. She comes from a family of canine professionals; her mother was a prominent breeder and exhibitor, and her father was the first training director of the Boston Police K9 Unit and a founder of the North American Police Working Dog Association. Heidi titled her first dog in obedience at age 12 and has operated her own training business for three decades. She is a former director of a herding breed rescue and actively competes in various dog sports, holding numerous titles.

Christine Seibert, a Class Instructor, has been training professionally since 1995. She previously owned a grooming business for 15 years and served as a kennel manager, groomer, and trainer for 15 years at Delmyra kennel. She competes in Rally, Obedience, Agility, Barn Hunt, Scentwork, and Tracking. Christine is also certified in human reflexology, small animal reflexology, massage, and Reiki.

Jen Anderson, another Class Instructor, possesses over 30 years of experience in animal training and rehabilitation, encompassing canine, equine, avian, and small animals. She holds undergraduate and Master’s degrees, is a 2006 certified canine search specialist, an Urban Rubble and Wilderness Instructor with the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA), and is certified with the National Search and Rescue Association (NASAR). Jen is also an AKC Fit Dog Instructor/Evaluator and an AKC Scent Work, ATT, and Farm Dog Judge, having certified and deployed with six canine partners since 2000.

Curtis Johnson, a DayCamp Trainer and Private & Group Class Instructor, brings extensive experience from his career as a training director for a large training center and as the owner of his own successful training company in Florida.

How to Get Started!

The process begins by identifying the root causes of unwanted behaviors to create a comprehensive, tailored program. They emphasize relationship building as a foundational element of their training.

New clients can sign up via online forms for DaySchool and Private Training. For specific group classes like Beginner/Novice Obedience, clients are directed to contact Christine directly via email. For Barn Hunt private lessons, inquiries should be sent to Heidi via email.