Get a customized plan, weekly lessons, and direct, daily coaching from Erin and Jake so you always know exactly what to do. No matter where you live.
For anyone who's looked at us and thought “I probably need to work with a trainer one-on-one... I wish you lived closer so I could hire you!"
Private Virtual Training
Goodbye, self-doubt and information overload. Hello, peace of mind
What is this, the 1900s?*
A lot of people assume that to hire a dog trainer, you have to drag your pup off to class at the local pet shop or get someone to come over to your house for a few pricey sessions.
But the trainer’s physical presence was never the most valuable part of the experience.
The real value is having a professional look at your situation, figure out exactly what’s going on, and walk you through a step-by-step plan for what to do about it.
These days, all of that can be done really well virtually. No need for a stranger in your living room.
(*apologies, my fellow old people. Writing that hurt me as much as it hurt you. Remember when “millennial” sounded futuristic? Pepperidge Farms remembers)
We'll handle the logistics. You handle the fun part.
It’s easy for pet owners to get so bogged down in the minutiae and analysis-paralysis of dog training that they can’t even enjoy their dog.
If you’re the one in charge of everything, you might experience things like:
- Always being stressed out, frustrated, and impatient.
- Spending more time researching dog training than hanging out with your dog.
- Decision fatigue and the exhaustion of information overload.
- Constant background anxiety of “am I doing this wrong?" that stops you from bonding with your dog.
- Training for weeks, months, or even years without making any progress - because you’re prioritizing the wrong thing, leveling up too fast (or too slow!), using methods that aren't the right fit for you, or accidentally skipping important foundation skills.
- Being so focused on “raising your puppy right” or “fixing” your dog that you wake up one day and realize you never got a chance to enjoy your time with them.
We get it. Been there, done that, designed a program to help our fellow dog owners avoid all that
We’ll handle the complicated boring bits. Including but not limited to:
- Creating the plan (with your input, of course)
- Breaking said plan into realistic daily steps
- Figuring out what methods to use, what to prioritize, what to skip, and what save for later
- Determining when to level up
- Deciding what to train, how often, how long to train for - and sometimes even as specific as what room of your house to train in
- Coming up with plan B if plan A doesn’t work
- Determining WHY something isn’t working and how to fix it
The only thing we can’t do is train your dog for you (but that’s a good thing)
Since you’ll be the one implementing the plan, your dog will learn to listen to you right from the start.
You’ll be the trustworthy amazing human they look to for guidance.
And the skills you learn through this program will translate to all other aspects of life with your dog – so you’ll feel far more prepared to handle future challenges without immediately falling into panic-Google mode.
A note from one of our graduates
Henry and I worked through the [focus-building] coaching program with you awhile back now. I just wanted to reach out and let you know how helpful it was.
I've continued to work and build on the exercises we learned. My environmentally focused northern breed Chinook is now focused and engaged with me most of the time. I've been able to recall him at the dog park with a high success rate and he chooses to check in with me in highly distracting environments before running back to play again.
He has also started to respect older dogs boundaries and refocus on me when needed. He can now play respectfully most of the time with my older dog, Murphy. I've also been able to let him interact and hang out with a friends super mellow 8 year old one eyed Shepherd without any issues, which previously before the Coaching Program I would never have even attempted.
At his heart, he is still a spirited northern breed and I would never want that to change, but now he is choosing to engage at times in a more similar manner to how a handler focused dog like a Shepherd might. It's been really awesome to see and has really helped increase our bond and relationship.
Thank you so much!
what it's like to work with us
All coaching packages include:
Weekly one-on-one coaching sessions via Zoom
At the first session, we’ll get to know you and your dog, map out a plan, and set up access to your ongoing messaging support (see below)
Each week, we’ll:
- Troubleshoot frustrating situations
- Adjust your plan as needed
- Demonstrate exercises
- Decide what to focus on this week
- Help you understand your dog’s behavior
Bite-sized homework so you always know exactly what to do next
We’ll break your training goals down into easy-to-achieve steps and walk you through it one homework assignment at a time.
Unlimited "form checks" to make sure you're on track to get results
You’ll send us videos of some of your training sessions (and in many cases, we’ll coach you in real time as you train your dog over Zoom), and we’ll give you friendly feedback. We’ll let you know what to adjust and when to level up.
Ongoing guidance throughout the week
Instead of waiting until your next appointment when something confusing happens (because oh, IT WILL), just text us via WhatsApp.
A training exercise didn’t go the way you expected? Your dog did something weird? You’re having a bad day and just need reassurance that you’re not in fact the worst dog owner ever and puppy is not in fact doomed forever?
Send us a message any time, day or night. We’ll respond within 24 hours on weekdays.
It’s like having your own personal dog training team in your pocket.
Swipe through for a look at what it's like to have a trainer in your pocket:
who this program is (and isn't) for
This is for people who are ready to take a realistic, long-term approach to achieving their goals
Whether that means surviving puppy biting, helping a rescue settle in, building focus and reliability, or working through more complex behavior challenges.
It’s for people who are open to learning how their dog thinks, willing to try new things and commit to the process. Because when you do, something amazing happens: you stop feeling like you’re fighting your dog, and start becoming a team.
It’s for the kind of person who understands that lasting results come from a combination of training, lifestyle adjustments, and relationship-building.
The kind of person who approaches this with a mindset of, “What does my dog need, and how do we make this work for both of us?”
Many of the changes you’ll need to make will be temporary.
Some won’t be.
But all of it is designed to make life better for both of you.
This isn't for anyone looking for a quick fix or a guaranteed outcome
Dogs are individuals, and outcomes are influenced by many factors. Age, genetics, health, history, environment, the level of buy-in from all household members, etc.
What we can promise:
If you’re willing to show up and do your homework, you’ll come out the other side with a deeper understanding of your dog, a stronger bond, and the skills to handle whatever comes next – with a lot more confidence and a lot less stress.
program options
Option 1: Month-to-Month Coaching
The best fit for most people
Thirty days of direct coaching. Continue month-to-month only if you want or need additional support.
Some clients work with us for one month and feel dramatically better, and others stick around longer as they tackle bigger goals.
Month-to-month coaching is great for:
Puppies
Most puppy parents spend way too much energy trying to solve the wrong problems. That doesn't have to be you.
Handle the puppy issues that are taking up too much space in your brain and making you feel like everything is ruined. The biting, crying in the crate, annoying your other pets, not listening, etc. Know exactly what you do and don’t need to be concerned about. Start building the rock solid friendship you wanted in the first place.
Teenage dog drama
Stop fighting your adolescent dog every day. Start feeling like a team.
Make sense of the issues that pop up in the terrible teen months. Survive adolescence without turning your relationship into a constant cycle of frustration and embarrassment.
Newly-adopted rescue dogs
Navigate the rescue dog adjustment period without constantly wondering if you’re doing everything wrong.
Understand what’s normal and what’s not, stop little problems before they become big problem, build trust, and create a smoother transition for everyone involved.
Focus, distraction, and real-life training struggles
Your dog can finally learn to focus in the real world. Not just your living room.
Forget obedience class – you’ll learn how to actually communicate with your dog in a way that makes all training easier (and more effective) long-term.
Adventure-buddy goals and relationship-building (or relationship repairing)
You don't just want your dog to be well-behaved. You want them to be happy and fulfilled.
Go beyond just “dog training” and learn everything else that goes into building an amazing life with your dog.
What's included:
Cost of month-to-month coaching:
$400 per month (prices are in USD)
No long-term commitment required. Most people start with one month and continue only if they want additional support.
Option 2: Complex Behavior Coaching
For dogs with serious fear, aggression, or safety concerns
We’ll work together to understand the root causes of your dog’s behavior and develop a plan to address it.
Most people do not need the Complex Behavior Coaching program
A lot of dog owners assume their dog is severely aggressive or anxious, when what they’re actually dealing with is stuff like:
- Adolescent dog shenanigans
- New-home adjustment stress
- A communication breakdown
- A misinterpretation of normal dog behavior
- Feeling like their situation is worse than it is, because nothing they’ve tried has worked so far
That’s what month-to-month coaching is for.
Complex Behavior Coaching is specifically for situations involving:
- A bite history (not puppy biting)
- Serious aggression toward people or dogs
- Predatory behavior toward cats in the home
- Fear/anxiety that impacts the dog’s ability (and your ability) to function day-to-day
- Resource guarding in a dog you’ve had longer than three months
- Cases where daily life with the dog feels unsafe
These cases require:
- Teaching you and your dog more skills
- Slower progression
- Long-term consistency
Because of that, this program uses a longer three-month structure.
What’s included
Everything in the month-to-month program, plus:
- More intensive case management
- Detailed behavior modification planning
- Additional safety protocols
- Deeper analysis of behavior patterns and triggers
- A longer-term coaching structure designed for sustainable progress
Pricing
Complex Behavior Coaching is a three-month program, and the total cost is:
$1500 if paid in full, or three monthly payments of $550 (prices are in USD)
Important:
If you have:
- a puppy under six months old, or
- an adopted dog who has been in your home less than three months…
…you will often start in the standard month-to-month coaching program first.
how do I get started?
Fill out an application, and we’ll get back to you soon!
You don’t need to know which program option is right for you before applying. We’ll review your situation, help you determine the best fit, and answer any questions you have before getting started.
FAQ
The two can sound similar on paper – both give you access to training plans and direct support from Jake and Erin – but they’re very different experiences.
Let’s break it down:
PRIVATE COACHING
Intensive, “high-touch” support that eliminates all guesswork. Via Zoom and Whatsapp (texting), you’ll work closely with trainers who know you, your dog, and your exact situation.
With private training, we:
- Meet for weekly training sessions on Zoom, at a time that fits your schedule
- Create a custom training plan for you
- Break the plan into bite-sized homework so you always know what to do next
- Check in regularly to tweak things as you go
- Provide detailed feedback quickly (usually within a day)
THE MEMBERSHIP
Primarily a self-study, self-directed experience.
You get access to all our courses, plus group Q&As and forums where you can ask questions and even submit occasional training/behavior clips for feedback.
In the membership, we give detailed replies to your questions, but response times may be a few days.
We’ll cheer on your progress as you go, troubleshoot problems, help you make sense of confusing things that happen with your dog, and give you tips on what to try next. We can’t create a plan for you or give you daily homework.
Using a gym analogy, you can think of it like this:
Private training is like having a personal trainer who designs a program for you, closely monitors your progress, and walks you through everything step-by-step.
The membership is like having a gym membership. An affordable way to get access to the “equipment” you need, group “classes” (aka our live Q&As), and a supportive community. But you’re ultimately responsible for charting your own course and deciding what to do each day.
Most people will sign up for the month-to-month program, which consists of 30 days of coaching.
The Complex Behavior Coaching package is thre months long.
Since this is a one-on-one program, not a group program, there’s no specific start date. When you join, you can pick any start date within two weeks of registration.
We recognize that dog owners seeking training help are often stressed out, tired, and full of complicated emotions. And you’re having a hard time juggling all the things as it is, even without adding a camera to the mix!
We’ll work with you to make sure the filming thing is as easy and non-intrusive as possible.
You’ll record some of your training sessions so we can check your form, and determine when you’re ready to “level up.”
Not necessarily every training session – just enough so we can follow along and get a sense of how it’s going.
We also sometimes ask clients to film clips of playtime, walks, interactions with other pets, and any “weird” body language the client isn’t sure about. This helps us get to know their dog and pick up on any potential warning signs the client didn’t notice.
Yep! So far we’ve had clients from the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Spain. The time difference has never been much of an issue.
That’s something we’ll determine at your first Zoom session. It largely depends on the type of behavior issue we’re working on, and your unique learning style.
Some people do best training their dog on camera, and getting live demonstrations and immediate feedback from us (just like what would happen at an in-person coaching session).
Others prefer to spend the Zoom sessions just talking through their current challenges, troubleshooting, taking notes, and discussing the next step. They can then work through their training homework on their own and send us the footage later.
Thanks for asking!
Broadly speaking, our methods fall into the force-free category. We’ve found this to be the most effective way to build a strong bond with your dog and get them to WANT to listen to you, while minimizing the chances they’ll develop aggression-related behavior problems.
Just like toddlers have meltdowns when they’re cranky and overtired, most of the really annoying (or infuriating) things puppies do is a result of them feeling frustrated, confused, overstimulated, or having a need that isn’t being met.
So the first step in achieving harmony with your little gremlin is to think teamwork:
“I know this is hard, Sparky, but we’re gonna figure it out together!”
Then start teaching them how to ask for what they need, break down training into baby-friendly steps, and structure their routine so they get all their needs met.
We teach you how to properly use positive reinforcement (like food, play, and real-life rewards), to teach your puppy exactly what you want them to do – while avoiding common mistakes that cause positive reinforcement to fail.
We also teach you how and when to use enrichment, exercise, redirection, and management to further improve your puppy’s behavior and create good habits.
Where appropriate, we use desensitization, habituation, and counter-conditioning to help puppies build confidence and overcome fear or aggression issues. We go at the dog’s pace and do not force them into situations they aren’t ready for. (In technical terms, we don’t use “flooding”)
All together, this approach will drastically improve your puppy’s behavior. They’ll bite less and listen to you more.
If any of that sounds daunting or made your eyes glaze over, don’t worry – we’ll break this down into easy steps and show you exactly how to do all this. Our methods aren’t just puppy-friendly, they’re human-friendly, too.
We do not use: Aversives like spray bottles, scary noises, collar corrections or physical punishment. Because while those methods sometimes work to stop unwanted behavior in the short term, they often create worse behavior or even aggression in the long term, and make it harder to build a strong bond.
But if you’re already using aversive methods? No worries! When you join our program, we meet you where you’re at and we can help you gradually remove the need for those corrections.
Of course. In fact, we encourage it. Everyone can attend the coaching sessions and work through the homework together.
For the Text a Trainer service, we’ll set up a Whatsapp group chat and any family/household members age 18+ can be added, so they can ask us questions directly and submit training homework as well.
Sure! The most efficient way to do that is to just fill out the application, because we’ll need that information to to answer your questions anyway. There’s no pressure or obligation to join after applying.
But you’re also welcome to email us at contact@3lostdogs.com
