The Canine Coach

The Canine Coach offers both private and group training programs. Private training includes Basic Dog Training for manners and skills, and Behavior Modification Training for unwanted behaviors like fearfulness or reactivity. These are offered in 4- or 6-session packages, with sessions conducted at the client’s home or a park.

Group classes cover a range of levels: Puppy Class (socialization, basic obedience for 2.5-4 month olds), Advanced Puppy Class (continued learning, tricks for 4.5-8 month olds), Good Dog! (basic training for dogs over 5 months), Better Dog! (intermediate training, AKC Canine Good Citizen prep for dogs over 6 months), Community Canine and Introduction to Rally (advanced training, AKC Community Canine prep, Rally Novice intro for dogs over 7 months), Rally Novice Class (practice AKC Rally Novice courses for dogs over 8 months), Rally Intermediate Class (practice AKC Rally Intermediate courses for dogs over 8 months), and Therapy Dog Class (prepares teams for therapy dog evaluation for dogs over 10 months). Group classes are typically six weeks long.

They also provide Boarding & Training, where dogs stay in a home environment and receive at least two daily 15-minute training sessions on chosen behaviors. Day camp for socialization and training is also available.

Pricing Summary

Private training: An initial 75-minute session costs $120 if not purchasing a package. Packages are $500 for 5 lessons or $650 for 7 lessons, including the initial one. A travel fee of $15 applies for 15-30 minutes of travel, with the first 15 minutes free. Group classes are $225 for six lessons, while Rally Intermediate and Therapy Dog classes are $250 for six sessions. Boarding is $55 per night (24 hours) or $350 per week. Day training and socializing is $45 per day. Pick up/drop off fees are $5 for 10-20 minutes and $20 for 20-40 minutes. A 20% discount is offered for a second dog from the same family sharing the same room for boarding.

Policies

Fees for group classes are not refundable unless there is a dog on the waiting list and cancellation occurs before the first night of class. For Day Camp, a 24-hour cancellation notice is required; a fee for one day is charged for cancellations on the day of the reservation. For Boarding, a 24-hour cancellation notice is required for stays of 3 days or less, and one week ahead for stays of more than 3 days; a fee for one night is charged for cancellations with less time than specified. A one-night test stay is required before any longer boarding stays. They do not accept dogs aggressive to other dogs for boarding.

The Canine Coach, led by Susanna Hemphill, offers dog training services grounded in scientific knowledge of canine learning and behavior. They provide rewards-based, positive, motivating, and effective training methods. Their philosophy centers on helping dog owners communicate clearly with their dogs, establish boundaries, and build a deeper connection, making training enjoyable for both the dog and owner.

The business offers private training for basic skills and behavior modification, addressing issues such as fearfulness, excessive prey drive, and leash reactivity. They also provide a variety of group classes for puppies and adult dogs, covering socialization, basic obedience, pet manners, and advanced skills for off-leash control and AKC titles.

A unique service is their boarding with training program, where dogs stay in a comfortable home setting on a five-acre property, receiving one-on-one attention, regular walks, and daily training sessions. They also offer day camp for socialization and training. The Canine Coach emphasizes fair, fun, but firm training to help dogs become cherished family members.

Accomplishments

Susanna Hemphill, the founder and trainer, has trained her own dogs in four different dog sports, competing at National and local levels. She has 20 years of experience training dogs as a hobby and has served as an assistant trainer in two private obedience schools, one private agility school, and volunteered at the Behavior and Training department of two SPCAs for four years combined.

She is a graduate of the Canine Behavior Academy (Level 1) and the Academy of Dog Behavior (Level 2), both taught by nationally known dog behavior expert Trish King. Susanna also holds a Certificate in Practical Dog Evaluation from Marin Humane Society. She is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She has a background in scientific research and continuously attends seminars, workshops, and conferences on dog training and behavior.

How to Get Started!

Clients can call or email for a free 30-minute phone consultation to discuss training goals and challenges. For private training, an initial 75-minute session at home can be scheduled, after which clients can decide to purchase a package. For group classes, payment is due at the time of registration to reserve a space. For boarding, a one-night test stay is required before longer stays.