Taproot Dog Training, LLC

Taproot Dog Training offers group classes structured into 5-week sessions, each lasting 60 minutes. Dogs attending in-person classes must be friendly towards other dogs and people, with no history of aggression, and should not continuously bark or vocalize excessively.

City Dog 1 is open to dogs of all ages and covers foundational basics, including exploring dog motivation, the influence of breed, genetics, and history on training strategies. It teaches techniques for crate training, bathroom training, managing impulsiveness, attention-seeking, and mouthing, emphasizing the importance of praise type and timing, and the use of training gear like harnesses.

City Dog 2 is designed for dogs with prior training class experience or basic home-taught skills. This class builds on foundational knowledge by introducing new cues like “Stay” and “Wait,” and addresses common issues such as jumping and impolite greetings. City Dog 3 is an advanced, partly outdoors-based class that requires previous successful class experience. It focuses on real-world scenarios that dogs and their humans will encounter.

All dogs must be current on flea/tick prevention and required vaccinations (DHLPP, Rabies, with Bordetella highly recommended). Owners are encouraged to attend at least 4 of the 5 classes to ensure readiness for the next level, as make-up classes are not offered.

Pricing Summary

Group classes are 5 weeks long, with each session lasting 60 minutes. The rate for a 5-week class ranges from $130 to $150, covering all five weeks. Specific class rates are $130 for City Dog 1 and City Dog 2, and $140 for City Dog 3. Payments can be sent or dropped off, with checks made payable to Taproot Dog Training.

Policies

Clients who cancel their class enrollment at least 6 full days before the class start date will receive a credit for the same or a similar class in a future session for the same dog, at Taproot’s discretion. Clients who cancel less than 6 days in advance are expected to submit full payment for the registered class.

Taproot encourages attendance for at least 4 of the 5 weekly classes, as significant material may be missed otherwise, potentially impacting readiness for the next level. Make-up classes are not offered. If a dog is ill, it should not be brought to class, but the owner is still encouraged to attend to gain knowledge and training skills.

Taproot Dog Training, LLC is a dog training business based in the Madison, WI area, dedicated to meeting the modern and realistic needs of dogs and their humans, especially those with limited time. They adhere to nationally recognized Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) training standards, focusing on positive reinforcement and avoiding force, fear, intimidation, or pain.

The business believes in partnering with clients, leveraging their strengths, and delivering efficient and cost-effective training. They also collaborate with other animal and dog-related businesses, including experienced trainers and local vets, to provide comprehensive training and behavioral solutions.

Taproot offers group classes for various skill levels and provides overnight boarding services for small dogs and cats through North Paw, LLC, which is also owned by Laura, the founder of Taproot. Laura, a nationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer, is actively involved, teaching classes on weekends.

Accomplishments

Laura, the owner of Taproot Dog Training, is a nationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She holds a Master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Laura is an active member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and earned her training certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, through which she continues her education.

She abides by LIMA (Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive) standards in her training. Laura has lived in Madison for 20 years, having previously resided and worked on the West Coast. As a pet parent herself, she has fostered over 100 neonate kittens, many of whom were high-risk or near-death singletons. Laura owns both North Paw Dog Daycare and Taproot Dog Training, and is actively involved in both businesses.

How to Get Started!

All registration for classes is done via email. To begin, clients should email their class level interest and a completed Pet Profile, which can be downloaded and saved before filling out. Additionally, vaccination records must be emailed. The final step involves sending or dropping off payment for the class.