Flexible Pet Solutions

Flexible Pet Solutions offers a variety of training programs. Group classes are capped at 10 dogs per instructor, while ‘low-capped classes’ are limited to 4 dogs per instructor, catering to shy, fearful, or reactive dogs and requiring instructor approval. Outdoor classes, such as Urban Walking and Hiking with Dogs, are held rain-or-shine but may be rescheduled due to unsafe air quality or fires.

The business provides behavior modification for pets struggling to adapt, focusing on nuanced strategies and controlled environments to help pets learn positive interactions. Custom training programs are available to help clients and their pets meet specific goals. Dog-ventures offer puppy and dog socialization and adventuring opportunities in local parks, pet-friendly stores, shorelines, outdoor malls, beaches, and trails. AKC Canine Good Citizenship testing is offered semiannually, with private evaluations available, and video submissions are accepted for AKC Trick Dog titles and AKC Virtual Home Manners.

Pricing Summary

Group courses and seminars range from $200 to $349 for 4 to 6 weeks. Drop-in sessions are priced at $25 to $40 per session. Doggie Gym Time, Pack walks, Pack chills, and Dog-ventures are $20 to $40 for enrolled clients and $40 to $80 for unenrolled clients per session.

For courses and seminars, full payment is due to guarantee a spot, with Venmo preferred. For private sessions and medical/grooming assistance appointments, 24 hours notice is required for cancellations to avoid financial responsibility. Clients who adopt from specific Bay Area shelters may receive a discounted rate on their first class, seminar, or private session.

Policies

For group classes, refunds or rain-checks for missed sessions are not offered unless arranged prior to the start of classes. Clients are advised to ensure class schedules work for them before signing up for a series. For private sessions and medical/grooming assistance appointments, a 24-hour cancellation notice is required, otherwise the client remains financially responsible for the session. Exceptions may be applied on a case-by-case basis.

Clients with cold/flu/COVID symptoms, or those who have tested positive or been in contact with someone ill, should not attend class until they have a negative COVID-19 test and symptoms have subsided; make-up classes or partial refunds will be arranged on a case-by-case basis. A code of conduct requires participants to use common sense for safety, show respect to all individuals, clean up pet messes, prevent property damage, and ensure payment for services is made at or before the time of service.

Flexible Pet Solutions is a dog training business based in Walnut Creek, California, serving most of the East Bay area. They focus on providing flexible, individual solutions to help pets and their guardians build real relationships based on trust, clear communication, and mutual respect. They aim to make any training challenge easier to tackle.

The business offers a variety of services including group classes, seminars, drop-in sessions, and low-capped classes. They also provide behavior modification, custom training programs, and specialized dog-ventures for socialization and adventuring. Additionally, they offer AKC Canine Good Citizenship testing and Trick Dog titles, pet sitting, and assistance with in-home medical and grooming care for pets.

Flexible Pet Solutions emphasizes patience, consistency, kindness, mindfulness, and consideration of pets’ needs. They adhere to the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) strategies in their training philosophy. They do not offer on-site boarding or daycare services.

Accomplishments

Dr. Donnelly West, the lead trainer at Flexible Pet Solutions, has been training human-pet teams for over two decades. She holds a PhD in Genetics and is an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) evaluator, an AKC FIT Dog 1 certified instructor, and an Animal Behavior College Mentor. Dr. Donnelly is also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and incorporates philosophies from yoga, mindfulness meditation, tai chi, and animal behavior studies into her programs.

Guest trainers include Sherie Lisbona, a recent Animal Behavior College graduate who also offers independent training, walking, boarding, and photo shoots. Dezi Fulton specializes in complex behavior chains and trains service dogs. Andrea Constantine integrates human psychology with dog training and is completing her Animal Behavior College program, focusing on community building and helping achieve balance with dogs.

How to Get Started!

To get started, new clients should fill out the Intake Questionnaire available on Google Forms or email a copy to Trainer@FlexiblePet.Solutions. This step is required even if payment is made online immediately. For courses and seminars, full payment is due to guarantee a spot. Clients who have adopted their dog or cat from specific Bay Area shelters are encouraged to send a copy of their adoption paperwork to receive a discount on their first class, seminar, or private session.