Success Just Clicks Dog Training

Service area: The training center is located in Pittsburgh, PA, specifically in the Spring Garden neighborhood. In-home sessions are available after an initial in-person consult or session at the training center, and are limited to specific service areas for each trainer. Kelly’s service area includes Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Greenfield, Swissvale, Lawrenceville, Homestead Waterfront, Highland Park, and Oakland. Coleman’s service area includes Monroeville, Penn Hills, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Greenfield, Swissvale, Verona, Plum, and Lawrenceville. Tena Parker is generally not offering in-home sessions starting in 2024, but may offer in-public sessions for reactive dogs or individual in-home sessions within a pink-shaded area as needed. Zoom consultations are available from anywhere.

Success Just Clicks Dog Training offers four main programs: Private Training, Group Classes, Day Training, and Growin’ Up Pups (GUPP).

Private Training starts at their training center for foundational skills, with in-home options available later for those in their service area. This program is ideal for busy schedules, individualized attention, specific problem areas, and behavioral issues. It covers basic training (e.g., puppy counseling, house training, leash walking, recall, CGC) and behavior modification (e.g., human/dog aggression, reactivity, resource guarding, phobias, anxiety).

Group Classes are suitable for dogs comfortable with people and other dogs, with small class sizes (4-8 dogs). They offer Puppy, Basic, and Advanced Manners classes (Puppy Pre-K, Puppy Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School Manners, Canine Life And Social Skills). Canine Sports and Games include Agility Prep, Trick Classes, Rally-O, Dog Sport Foundations, and Scent Work. Behavior Modification group classes include Keep Cool Reactive Dog and Fabulous Focus and Crazy Control.

Day Training involves certified professional dog trainers working one-on-one with dogs for several sessions weekly, followed by bi-weekly “transfer sessions” with the owner. This program aims for quicker and more reliable behavior changes, covering basic manners, specific struggles like jumping or leash walking, mild-moderate leash reactivity, cooperative care, and distractibility.

The Growin’ Up Pups Program (GUPP) is a puppy-specific program combining group classes, private lessons, and field trips over several months. It provides support for house training, puppy nipping, and building good behaviors, aiming to prevent long-term problems and offer support during a critical developmental period.

Pricing Summary

All private training begins with a consultation. An Initial Consultation costs $300 ($275 via Zoom) for approximately 2 hours. A New Puppy or New Dog Consultation is $225 for 90 minutes. After the consult, a training package is recommended. Single private lessons are $150 (in-person) or $135 (Zoom) and require a prior initial consultation.

Private training packages (at the center) include: 3 lessons for $420 (save $30), 5 lessons for $675 (save $75), 7 lessons for $875 (save $175), and 11 lessons for $1320 (save $330). In-home lesson packages are priced higher to account for travel: 3 lessons for $645, 5 lessons for $1,050, 7 lessons for $1,400, and 11 lessons for $2,145.

Most 7-week basic group classes cost $195. Classes with special materials, tests/evaluations, or smaller class sizes range from $200 to $275.

Policies

Success Just Clicks Dog Training does not offer guarantees on the outcome of training, as it is considered unethical by professional organizations like APDT, CCPDT, and IAABC. They state that the success of the program is directly linked to the human clients’ implementation of training protocols.

They do, however, make promises about their services: providing respect and kindness to clients, maintaining a strong commitment to continuing education, adhering to ethical guidelines of professional organizations, offering training plans tailored to specific goals, providing excellent customer service, maintaining a commitment to positive reinforcement without fear, pain, or intimidation, advocating for dogs and humans, and being a source of support for clients.

Success Just Clicks Dog Training has been helping Pittsburgh dog owners achieve their training goals since 2011. They offer a wide range of services from basic training to behavior modification and various canine sports. The business prides itself on having exceptional trainers and a comprehensive curriculum.

All private training is conducted by Tena Parker, the owner and head trainer, who creates custom training protocols. Basic manners group classes are taught by Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA), while sport classes are led by judges, evaluators, or active competitors in those sports, ensuring experienced instructors. They work with dogs of all ages, from puppies as young as 8 weeks to senior dogs, and welcome all breeds and mixes.

Their services cover nearly every training need, including house training, aggression, and competition-level dog sports. They offer private in-home training in specific service areas and group classes at their 4000 sq ft heated and air-conditioned training center in the Spring Garden neighborhood. The training philosophy is 100% committed to positive reinforcement methods, avoiding force, fear, or intimidation, and adhering to the Least Invasive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) philosophy. They focus on making training fun and enjoyable for both dogs and owners, providing flexible plans, and teaching owners to be effective trainers for lasting behavioral change.

Accomplishments

Tena Parker, the owner and head trainer, holds a Master’s Degree in Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She is a nationally Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) with IAABC, a nationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) with CCPDT, a member of the APDT, a Certified APDT C.L.A.S.S Evaluator and instructor, a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) with DMWYD, a Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Evaluator, and a Tester/Observer for Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She emphasizes continuing education and applies her background in education to her teaching methods. Her dogs have competed extensively in various canine sports, earning national rankings and perfect scores, and some serve as active therapy dogs.

Other lead trainers include Kelly Wilson, a CPDT-KA and AKC CGC/Star Puppy Evaluator with 20 years of experience in dog welfare and training, who is working towards Therapy Dog certification. Coleman Fish is a CPDT-KA, CVT (Certified Veterinary Technician), and SJC-CDT, who completed an apprenticeship program at SJC and specializes in working with “spicy dogs.” Katherine Anselm is a CPDT-KA and “Fear Free” certified trainer, a national champion in flyball, and competes in multiple dog sports. Assistant trainers Nadine Walz Josephs (CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, M.ed.) and Zee Altherr (KPA-CTP) also contribute to the team, with Meg Grabe working towards her CPDT-KA exam.

How to Get Started!

To begin training, clients typically start with an Initial Consultation, which takes place at their training center or via Zoom. During this 2-hour session, the trainer gathers information about the dog’s behavior and goals, provides an immediate plan, and recommends the best next steps, such as a private training package or group classes.

For group classes, clients can check the current class schedule and register online. It is highly recommended to sign up for their newsletter, as class releases are announced to subscribers first, giving them priority access before classes are opened to the public. Week 1 of most classes serves as an orientation.