Z&E Canine Manners

Z&E Canine Manners offers a diverse range of training programs tailored to different needs and dog ages. Private sessions, conducted either in-home or at their facility, provide customized training plans for specific behavioral issues like jumping, nipping, barking, house soiling, destructiveness, reactivity, aggression, shyness, fearfulness, and separation anxiety. They also cover basic manners, foundational obedience cues (sit, stay, come, heel), and advanced obedience. Puppy-specific private training addresses housetraining, crate training, nipping, chewing, and jumping, suitable for puppies as young as 8 weeks who haven’t completed vaccinations. Private sessions are also beneficial for adolescent dogs needing impulse control and senior dogs requiring mental stimulation.

Group classes are available for puppies (8-22 weeks) focusing on socialization, confidence building, handling, and basic manners (sit, down, wait, come, touch, leave it/drop it, leash walking). Adult dog classes (6+ months) include basic and intermediate obedience, AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) prep, AKC Advanced CGC & Urban CGC, and City Manners for practicing skills in public. Specialty classes cover Polite Greetings, Leash Walking, Wag It Games (agility, rally, nose work elements), Scent Work, AKC Tricks, Agility for Fun, and Tenacious Teens for adolescent dogs. A specialized Reactive Dog Class is offered for leash reactivity, limited to dogs without severe aggression or bite history. Day training provides one-on-one sessions with a trainer for basic manners or behavior modification, ideal for busy owners or those with mobility restrictions, and includes owner transfer sessions.

Pricing Summary

Z&E Canine Manners offers various pricing structures for private sessions, day training, and group classes. Private sessions for one dog range from $105 to $115 per session, with an initial 1.5-hour consult at $120. For two dogs, private sessions are $120 to $130 per session, with an initial 1.5-hour consult at $150. Specialized reactivity and aggression cases have a 1.5-hour initial consult at $130, with session packs ranging from $105 to $120 per session.

Day training for one dog is $510 for a 6-lesson pack including one private lesson, while for two or more dogs it’s $720 for a 6-lesson pack including 1.5 private lessons. Individual day training lessons are $60.

Group classes typically range from $170 to $200 for 3 to 6-week programs, with specific prices for puppy, adult, and specialty classes. An additional $25 fee applies for the AKC CGC test.

Policies

For group classes, a minimum of 3 registrants is required for a class to be held; otherwise, it may be pushed back 1-2 weeks. Registration closes 72 hours prior to the scheduled start date. Students may drop a class 48 hours in advance for a full refund, minus any processing fees. For private sessions, payment for packages is collected on the first session. All dog training programs require an initial consultation to meet and evaluate the dog.

Z&E Canine Manners provides comprehensive dog training and behavior consultation services for families and their canines in the Charleston, SC area and surrounding regions. They offer both private lessons, available in-home or at their indoor training facility in West Ashley, and a variety of group classes held at their facility or an outdoor space on James Island.

Their training methodology emphasizes motivational and positive reinforcement-based techniques, focusing on building rapport and cooperation between dog and owner. The business is veterinarian recommended and works with local shelters and rescue groups, offering discounts to staff and adoptees.

They cater to puppies, adolescent, adult, and senior dogs, addressing a wide range of needs from basic manners and obedience to complex behavior issues like aggression, reactivity, and separation anxiety. Z&E Canine Manners also offers specialized programs such as puppy selection assistance, temperament assessments, and day training where trainers work with dogs while owners are away.

Accomplishments

Nildan M Atkay holds national certification as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT.org), which is NCCA accredited. She also holds the Peaceable Paws Academy Certification (PMCT1) and is an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer & Mentor (ABCDT), as well as a CATCH Dog Training Academy Mentor. Her extensive education includes Dr. Susan Friedman’s Applied Animal Behavior Course, The Michael Ellis School For Dog Trainers, Alpha K9 Detection Dog Academy, Aggression in Dogs seminars with Trish McMillan Loehr & Michael Shikashio, Suzanne Clothier Seminars & Workshops (including CARAT Certification Program), Jim Barry Gun Dog Workshop, Pat Miller’s Peaceable Paws Intern Academies, Service Dogs Inc. Assistance Dog Training Program, Sled Dog Internship with Sue Sternberg, and workshops with Amy Cook, John Rogerson, Sarah Kalnajs, Malena DeMartini, Gina Pharais, Laurie Williams, Sumac Grant-Johnson, Sarah Jacobs, Andrew Ramsey, Jill O’Brien, Amy Herot, Kay Laurence, Emma Parsons, Terry Ryan, Ian Dunbar, Sue Pearson, Pia Silvani, Nancy Williams, Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz, Kellie Snyder, Kathy Sdao, Patricia McConnell, Trish King, Pamela Reid, Suzanne Hetts, and Ken Ramirez. Nildan has competed in Rally Obedience, achieving First Place titles.

Sue Krom is a Certified Dog Instructor with NADOI, a CDSP Judge and Representative, and an AKC Evaluator. She has trained dogs since 1974, owning and titling 7 Dobermans and 3 Min Pins. Her dogs have achieved titles in conformation, obedience, rally, trick dog, agility, barn hunt, dock diving, and coursing, with one Min Pin, Metro, being #5 in the country in Obedience. She recently attended a 2-day intensive seminar on Scent Detection with Andrew Ramsey.

How to Get Started!

To begin, clients can schedule an initial consultation for private sessions or inquire about day training programs by calling or emailing. For group classes, registration is done online, and clients should check class notes for orientation requirements. A brief phone consultation is required for the Reactive Dog Class to ensure it’s the right fit. All dog training programs require an initial consultation to meet and evaluate the dog to determine the appropriate training service.