Susie’s Pet Care

Susie’s Pet Care offers comprehensive dog training programs designed to help dogs succeed in their homes and the world. Training is provided through both private sessions and group classes, covering a range of topics from basic commands to complex behavior issues, including socialization, manners, and impulse control. The focus is on teaching humans how to bond and communicate effectively with their dogs using positive reinforcement.

Specific programs include Adoption Counseling, a 1-hour session to help families choose the right dog before adoption, and an Initial Dog Training Assessment, a 1-hour consultation to develop a personalized training plan. Private Sessions are available for follow-up training. Package deals (3, 4, 5, or 6 packs) combine an initial assessment with multiple follow-up sessions, offering savings and covering parenting, training, and bonding, with the 6-pack recommended for new pet parents.

Group classes are held at Doggy Style in Dupont Circle and include: Puppy Kindergarten, a 6-week class combining socialization, positive training, and play, covering foundation skills like recall, loose-leash walking, and settling. Puppy Party is a single-session class for supervised puppy play and learning about dog body language. Puppy Socialization & Agility Games, a 6-week class, combines socialization with fundamental agility skills to build confidence. Adolescent & Adult Basic Skills, a 6-week class, focuses on communication and life skills such as recall, loose-leash walking, and attention around distractions. Adolescent & Adult Intermediate Skills & Agility Basic, also a 6-week class, builds on basic skills, improving focus around distractions and introducing basic agility fun.

Beyond training, Susie’s Pet Care provides pet sitting services. Overnight Dog Sitting involves personalized in-home care for one dog at a time, including regular photo updates and behavioral observations. Cat Visits offer in-home TLC and photo updates for cats.

Pricing Summary

Susie’s Pet Care offers various pricing options for dog training and pet sitting services. Adoption Counseling and Initial Dog Training Assessments are available for $125 and $150 respectively, each lasting one hour. Follow-up Private Sessions are priced at $135 per hour.

Clients can save money with training packages: a 3-pack is $395 (includes assessment + 2 sessions), a 4-pack is $495 (assessment + 3 sessions), a 5-pack is $595 (assessment + 4 sessions), and a 6-pack is $695 (assessment + 5 sessions). Group Dog Training Classes, which are 6-week programs, cost $395. A single-session Puppy Party is available for $35. Overnight Dog Sitting starts at $95 and up, with prices varying based on training level and care required, and discounts available for training clients and longer stays. Cat Visits are $40.

Susie’s Pet Care offers positive reinforcement dog training and pet sitting services in Washington DC. Susie DeFord, the owner, has over 20 years of experience working with puppies, adult, and rescue dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments. She previously ran a successful dog training, walking, and pet sitting business in Brooklyn, NY, for 15 years, where she focused on building relationships with clients and their pets.

Susie is a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. She is also a LIMA (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive) trainer, emphasizing hands-on, in-person positive reinforcement and clicker training. She is the author of the poetry book “Dogs of Brooklyn.”

Susie’s Pet Care aims to help dog owners save money, frustration, and destruction by investing in their dog’s training. She teaches private sessions and group classes, covering everything from basic commands to managing more complex behavior issues, including socialization, manners, and impulse control. She focuses on teaching humans how to bond and communicate effectively with their dogs using positive reinforcement.

In addition to dog training, Susie’s Pet Care provides overnight dog sitting in the client’s home, offering personalized attention for one dog at a time with regular photo updates and behavioral observations. Cat visits are also available, providing TLC and photo updates for feline companions.

Accomplishments

Susie DeFord has over 20 years of experience working extensively with puppies, adult, and rescue dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments. For 15 years, she successfully ran a dog training, walking, and pet sitting business in Brooklyn, NY, where she and her employees cared for more than a hundred pets daily. During this time, she became a respected and trusted member of the local community, valuing relationships over profit.

Susie is a certified professional dog trainer, holding the CPDT-KA designation. She is also a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). She identifies as a LIMA (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive) trainer. Additionally, Susie is the author of the poetry book “Dogs of Brooklyn.” She moved to Washington DC in 2021 and continues to offer hands-on, in-person positive reinforcement and clicker dog training and pet sitting.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Susie’s Pet Care, clients can email Susie DeFord at susiespetcare@gmail.com. The email should include information on the pet’s behavior and what the client would like to work on, their location, and their general availability. An Initial Dog Training Assessment is available to begin with a consultation, develop a plan, and start training.