Private Training
Enrollment
Private training provides focused, one-on-one support to accelerate progress, address specific challenges, or build toward what’s next.
Program Structure:
- MUST be in a class or have an exception
- 25-minute or 50-minute private sessions
- 1:1 or Group private lessons
- Current, future, or parallel training goals
- Clear takeaways and next steps
If no appointments are listed, private sessions are full, not a broken link.
For time-sensitive help, contact your instructor directly.
Virtual or Facility Options
Private training can be held at our facility or virtually, depending on what will produce the most accurate information and the fastest progress.
For many behavior concerns, seeing the dog in context allows us to identify drivers and patterns faster than in-person sessions alone.
Train the behavior where you want the behavior.
What We Work On
Sessions are built around what will help your dog and your learning most, giving us more time and attention to reach your goals. Private training lets us zoom in by addressing behaviors that interfere with learning, filling in gaps, supporting one class with another class’ material for well rounded learning, building prerequisites for the next class, or you just want more time/reps.
Behavior Modification Support
Private training is also used for behavior modification cases that require privacy, control, or individualized pacing.
This may include work on:
- Fear, anxiety, or avoidance
- Resource guarding (food, toys, people, space)
- Separation distress & confinement stress
- Serious reactivity or escalation patterns
- Husbandry & veterinary handling safety
- Destructive or stress-related behaviors
- Barrier frustration (fence fighting, window reactivity)
Behavior modification cases may require additional prerequisites or professional collaboration depending on severity. Placement is handled during consultation or by permission to ensure safety and learning quality.
How Private Training Works (and Why Classes Matter)
Most people come to this page looking for 1:1 training—and for good reason. Many group classes elsewhere feel slow, generic, or underwhelming.
That frustration is valid.
At The Thinking K9, classes are intentionally designed to solve those problems.
—> staffed with multiple instructors when appropriate
—> fast-paced and information-dense
—> highly personalized within the group setting
—> structured around weekly goals and progression, not filler
There is no downtime, no cookie-cutter scripting, and no waiting around for others to catch up.
—> handlers build skill through repetition and contrast
—> behaviors are stress-tested in ways private lessons cannot replicate
—> learning transfers more reliably into daily life
—> resolves time-sensitive issues that could stall progress
—> allows focused work that feeds back into group success
Private lessons are powerful—but they
Group Private Lessons!
Group Private Lessons allow you to bring together your own small group for a customized training experience.
These sessions are built around your group’s goals and can include:
- accelerated or advanced training for dogs who work well together
- specialized activities that don’t fit standard class formats
- themed or recreational sessions (yes—this includes things like dog birthday parties)
- focused work for teams who want to “kick it up a notch” outside a formal class track
Group Private Lessons are intentionally flexible and can be playful, technical, or both—depending on what the group is looking for.
Availability and structure vary. Reach out to discuss options.
Not sure which path fits?
If you’re unsure whether private training, group classes, or a different track makes the most sense, a consultation is the correct next step. It’s designed to provide clarity before committing to a direction.
