Pittsburgh Dog Training

Pittsburgh Dog Training offers a variety of programs including private lessons, group classes, and board and train options. They create individualized programs for each dog and owner, focusing on using the dog’s natural drives and clear communication.

Their board and train programs, available in 2-week (on-leash) and 4-week (off-leash) durations, teach commands like “Heel, sit, down, stay, and come,” and address problem behaviors. Dogs in these programs receive 4-5 training sessions daily plus a fun hike/play session. Private lessons, lasting 30-60 minutes, focus on showing owners how to train their dogs, requiring owners to practice at home. Group classes are for dogs with basic obedience to proof skills around distractions, requiring a prior private lesson/evaluation for eligibility.

Puppy training is emphasized as fun and positive, helping to develop a bond and prevent future problems by teaching basics like crate training, routine, and managing puppy behaviors. Problem behaviors such as leash pulling, aggression/reactivity, excessive barking, biting, digging, house training issues, destructive behaviors, and separation anxiety are addressed exclusively in private lessons. Schutzhund/IPO/Protection training, a personal passion of the trainer, involves tracking, obedience, and protection phases, and is offered after an evaluation to determine the dog’s suitability.

Pricing Summary

The first lesson/evaluation costs $100, with subsequent private lessons priced at $50 each. Schutzhund/IGP/Sport training sessions are $40. Group classes are $20 each, payable as you go.

Board and train programs are offered at $1800 for a 2-week program and $3200 for a 4-week program. Discounts are available for purchasing multiple private lessons, and board and train programs include free lifetime follow-up lessons and group class access.

Policies

An in-person evaluation is required before a dog can enter a board and train program. A single private lesson/evaluation is also mandatory before a dog can join a group class to ensure they meet the minimum obedience level. Problem behaviors are exclusively addressed through private lessons. Board and Train programs include free follow-up lessons and group class access for the dog’s lifetime. Discounts are provided for purchasing multiple private lessons.

Pittsburgh Dog Training offers individualized dog training programs for all breeds and ages, emphasizing the use of a dog’s innate drives and clear communication to foster a happy and healthy working relationship between dog and owner. They believe every dog can and should be obedience trained for a well-mannered pet at home and in public.

The business utilizes a balanced training approach, focusing on motivation while acknowledging that some dogs may require more than a 100% positive approach for reliable obedience. Their methods are designed to be fun for the dog, owner, and family, producing reliable obedience in various environments.

In addition to training services, Pittsburgh Dog Training also breeds, raises, and trains German Shepherd Dogs under the “von haus Hudak” name. They adhere to the German SV system for breeding, with rigorous health and temperament testing, including Schutzhund/IPO titles, to ensure the quality of their dogs. These German Shepherds are versatile and suited for various roles, including protection, sport, and companionship.

Accomplishments

The owner, founder, and trainer, Kristi McGinty, has been a dog lover since birth, raised with German Shepherd Dogs, and helped raise her first litter at age 6. Her dog training passion began in 2005 when she raised her first German Shepherd Dog independently.

She has over 15 years of experience training her own dogs, including 2 years working at an all-breed boarding facility and 2 years at a breeding kennel, where she gained hands-on experience whelping, raising, training, titling, and showing German Shepherd Dogs in Schutzhund and SV conformation. Kristi has titled numerous German Shepherd Dogs in Schutzhund/IPO and trained several others, learning from many experienced dog trainers and German Shepherd enthusiasts.

How to Get Started!

To begin, clients can contact Pittsburgh Dog Training for more details and scheduling. For board and train programs, an in-person evaluation is required. For general obedience, the first lesson involves an evaluation of the dog and a discussion of goals to determine the number of lessons needed. For group classes, a single private lesson/evaluation is required to ensure the dog has the minimum obedience level. For problem behaviors, clients should contact the business to discuss the issue and set up a private lesson. For Schutzhund/Protection training, a free evaluation is offered to assess the dog’s temperament.