Freedom of Dog Training Academy

Freedom of Dog Training Academy offers several training programs. Group Classes, for dogs 4 months and up, teach basic obedience and life skills such as name recognition, sit, come, stay, heel, down, off, wait, leave it, and reliable recall, progressing to more complex commands and socialization.

Puppy Basic training addresses common puppy issues like biting, crate training, and potty training, covering skills such as go potty, name recognition, loose leash walking, come, stay, down, heel, off, no, kennel training, chewing on furniture/walls, stealing clothing/food, boundaries, reliable recall, wait, take it, watch me, drop it, and door/car manners.

Behavior Modification focuses on mild to severe issues including jumping on people, chewing, play biting, separation anxiety, digging, mild reactivity, resource guarding, begging, leash pulling, fears and phobias, house training, biting, barking, and fearfulness of people, gender, being picked up, collars, or leashes. This program includes a risk assessment and requires a medical assessment from a veterinarian to rule out medical concerns. It follows a four-stage process: Contemplation, Preparation/Determination, Action/Willpower, and Maintenance.

Basic and Advanced Obedience training covers skills such as stay, sit, come, down, heel, off, no, loose leash walking, door/car manners, off-leash manners, and reliable recall. The Service Dog Program is a 2-year program designed to provide skilled companions for veterans and individuals with disabilities, focusing on building greater freedom and independence. It includes individual task training, such as deep pressure therapy, interrupting harmful behaviors, retrieving emergency medicine, nightmare interruption, finding an exit, mobility support, interrupting anxiety attacks, alerting to alarms/doorbells/knocks, balance assistance, retrieving items like phones, alerting to handler’s name, and specific alerts for conditions like diabetes, PTSD, and seizures. Veterinary clearance for hip and shoulder health is required before any mobility work.

Pricing Summary

A 1-2 hour consultation costs $50. Group classes are $400 for 32 weeks for two dogs. Puppy Basic training is $40 per session, $240 for 6 weeks, $320 for 8 weeks, or $400 for 24 weeks.

Behavior Modification packages are $60 per session, $480 for 8 weeks, $800 for 16 weeks, or $960 for 18 weeks. Basic and Advanced Obedience packages are $45 per session, $270 for 6 weeks, $360 for 8 weeks, or $400 for 24 weeks.

The 2-year Service Dog Program is $800 for 96 sessions, with an optional payment plan of two monthly payments of $200. Practice for the CGC Test is available for $20 per test. Payments for packages are due on the first training session, and payments are non-refundable. Cash, credit cards, checks, and PayPal are accepted. A 10% military discount is offered on all training packages. A $100 late fee is charged for same-day cancellations.

Policies

Payments for packages are due on the first training session and are non-refundable. For same-day cancellations, a $100 late fee is charged.

Freedom of Dog Training Academy, led by owner Jackson, is a dog training business based in Salem, Oregon. They are passionate about dogs and dedicated to helping owners build a better bond with their pets.

The academy utilizes force-free, up-to-date, science-based methods, including shaping, to help dogs learn and succeed faster. Their philosophy is that “There are NO bad dogs just dogs that need guidance, Direction and love.”

They offer individual training, 24/7 consults, and advice throughout the training process. Services include Service Dog training, basic dog obedience, and behavioral rehabilitation for issues like reactivity, crate guarding, and resource guarding. They do not provide training for dog-on-dog aggression.

Jackson has over 20 years of experience training dogs, including service dogs, and is LGBTQIA-friendly. Their number one priority is client satisfaction and the safety of the dog.

Accomplishments

Jackson, the owner and CEO, has over 20 years of experience training dogs, including service dogs. Jackson holds IDTP and IDBS certifications.

How to Get Started!

To begin, clients can schedule a 1-2 hour consultation, available in-person, via phone, or video, for a fee of $50. During this consultation, goals for the dog’s training will be discussed.

For Behavior Modification programs, a risk assessment is conducted, and a medical assessment from the client’s veterinarian is required to ensure the dog’s issues are not due to medical concerns before training commences. For the Service Dog Program, specifically for mobility work, the dog must be cleared by a licensed veterinarian for hip and shoulder health, with proof of examination required.