Faithful Friends Canine Services

Faithful Friends Canine Services offers a range of structured training programs. Obedience Training includes an Initial Evaluation to discuss goals and create a plan. Lessons can be conducted in-home or on-site at their facility. Obedience programs are tiered: “Just the Basics” covers fundamental commands like heel, sit, down, and “no.” “Level 1 Commands” teaches sit, down, crate, and “off.” “Level 2 commands” expands to stand, stay, place, leave it, out, wait, and come. “Level 3 commands” focuses on advanced skills such as sit/down in motion, heel from any location, and “finish.” Many commands can be integrated into a board-to-train option.

Puppy Training is offered for puppies under 16 weeks, utilizing positive-only methods to build confidence and communication. Puppies are socialized to grooming, cats, dogs, people, sounds, and surfaces. Packages include “Primary Puppy” for basic socialization and discouraging unwanted behaviors like play biting and jumping; “Perfect Puppy” for foundational commands like heel, sit, down, come, wait, off, and crate up; and “Premium Puppy” which covers all adult commands and extensive socialization. Vaccinated dogs are required for on-site training.

Behavior Consulting is available for anxiety, aggression, and other problem behaviors, offered both at the facility and remotely via video calls. The approach focuses on identifying underlying issues and using gentle, creative solutions. Service Dog Training aims to train dogs to perform specific tasks for individuals with medical diagnoses, emphasizing a balanced LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) methodology. Therapy Dog Training prepares dogs for certification tests, often based on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification Test, covering basic obedience and handling skills for public interaction. Additionally, they provide specialized training for electric tools, including e-collars for behavior modification and GPS fence systems for containment, with dedicated sessions for these technologies.

Pricing Summary

All pricing is subject to change based on an Initial Evaluation, and financing options are available. Boarding is $35 per day. Problem Behavior Consultations are $50/hr at the facility, while Remote/Video Consultations are $40/hr. An Initial Evaluation for obedience training costs $60, but this fee is waived if the client proceeds with lessons or a board-to-train option.

In-home lessons are $75, with additional fees for travel over 25 miles, and on-site lessons are $50. Obedience packages include “Just the Basics” for $450, “Level 1 Commands” for $149.99, “Level 2 commands” for $199.99, and “Level 3 commands” for $249.99. Remote collar training and electric fence training are each $299. Puppy training packages are “Primary Puppy” for $600, “Perfect Puppy” for $800, and “Premium Puppy” for $1100. Final prices are given at the initial evaluation.

Policies

All pricing is subject to change based on the initial evaluation, and financing options are available for eligible clients. The fee for the initial evaluation is waived if the client proceeds with lessons or a board-to-train option. Additional fees apply for in-home lessons that require travel over 25 miles.

Puppy training has a cut-off age of 16 weeks, and only vaccinated dogs are allowed on the property, with a recommendation for the first two vaccine doses to be completed before boarding for puppy training. Prices provided online are estimates, and final prices are given at the initial evaluation, as training is tailored to each dog’s needs, meaning not all packages may be available for all dogs.

Faithful Friends Canine Services, led by Cassandra, is a dog training business dedicated to building clear communication and beautiful relationships between dogs and their owners. Cassandra’s passion for dog training stems from her personal experience with the companionship and services trained dogs can provide, especially after a personal accident. Her ultimate dream is to provide service animals to those who cannot afford them.

The business offers a variety of training services including Puppy Training, Obedience Training, Problem Behavior Consultation, Remote Lessons, Therapy Dog Training, and Service Dog Training. They also provide specialized training for electric tools like GPS fences and remote collars. Training can take place at their beautiful facility in West Virginia, which features a restored log cabin, or through in-home lessons for those with disabilities or travel difficulties.

Faithful Friends Canine Services aims to provide budget-friendly options and customizes training to fit each dog and owner. In addition to training, they offer pet boarding services where dogs live in Cassandra’s home and interact with her family and dogs, providing a “home away from home” experience. They also endorse and sell pawTree holistic pet health products, emphasizing the link between diet, health, and behavior.

Accomplishments

Cassandra, the trainer, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Psychology. She is an associate member of IACP and received her dog training certification from National K-9 in 2019. She also spent 1.5 years precepting with a trainer who had over 20 years of experience in various dog training fields and works closely with local veterinarians.

Cassandra has expanded her obedience training to include classes with “Training Between the Ears,” which focuses on minimal stress training with relaxation and perception modification for dogs with aggression and anxiety. She is currently taking a service and therapy dog certification course through the Animal Behavioral Institute and has several service dogs already working for their owners.

How to Get Started!

To begin, clients can schedule an Initial Evaluation to discuss their dog’s behaviors, set goals, and develop a training plan. For those interested in service dog training, an evaluation must be set up by calling the business. General inquiries and scheduling can be made by calling or texting the provided phone number.