Just the FAQs

Yes! We are so confident in this system, that if you are not completely amazed and 100% satisfied in the first lesson, the lesson is free! No questions asked!

Your dog will benefit tremendously! Most behavior problems (biting, chewing, jumping, etc) are based off of a lack of exercise, discipline, and out of boredom! With this training, your dog is receiving top-quality obedience training, which in turn, allows you to give your dog freedom to run around OFF-LEASH and play! So by doing this training your dog is not bored because it is learning and being stimulated, it is running freely off-leash so it is getting exercise, and it is getting obedience/discipline! Not only does all of this greatly benefit your dog, but it also benefits you and your family!

Remember, if you do not employ your dog and give it a job to do (training), it will become self-employed. A self-employed dog will cost YOU money!

An “e-collar” is basically a collar with a stimulation mechanism. It is similar to receiving E-Stim therapy at your local chiropractor. The collar is controlled by a remote that the handler holds. The remote allows you to maintain full control of your dog for up to 400 yards! Therefore, it gives your dog a lot of freedom and it saves you from worrying about your dog running off! It is not used as a punishment or a “shock” as many people assume, it is simply used as a training device for communicating with your dog. It produces a subtle electrical pulse between two contact points located on the collar. Similar to a “tickle.” In the old days this type of collar was used as “shock collar” and many inexperienced dog owners tried to use this device to scare their dog into submission. In the proven training method we teach, your dog is never “shocked into submission” or abused. Unlike a shocking device, the e-collar is used to get the dog’s attention and keep it focused on listening to the handler. It is the equivalents of someone tapping your shoulder to get your attention, or setting your phone on vibrate so it will get your attention when someone is calling you. We teach the dog to listen to those “taps” and that the “taps” mean, “I am trying to get your attention.”

There is a reason that the top law enforcement agencies, military, and top federal agencies: patrol, detection, and search and rescue dogs are trained using e-collars!

No. During our first meeting we will put the e-collar on your arm and you will feel how mild the stimulation is. We will also stimulate ourselves with the e-collar to show you that it will not hurt your dog. One common misconception is the e-collar will burn their skin. This is false. Other people think that it is like being shocked with a taser, this is also false. We are dog trainers because we LOVE dogs and we would never do anything to harm them in any way! Furthermore, we would never do anything to a dog, that we will not do ourselves.

Contact your local OLK9 Certified Trainer for the location of their training.

Generally, we do not like to train dogs inside the house! Why? It is easy for dogs to listen when they are in their own home. It is a familiar environment. If your pet trains in an unfamiliar environment, with countless distractions, they will listen to your commands anywhere.

The great thing about this training is that you don’t have to set a specific amount of time aside per day in order to train your dog! We will teach you how to incorporate this training into your daily routine.

Basic Obedience is generally done in FOUR lessons.

• Lesson 1: “Come” and “Sit.” Off-Leash
• Lesson 2: “Extended Sit” and “Down.” Extended sit meaning your dog will sit until you release it
• Lesson 3: “Place” and “Extended Down.” Place meaning your dog will sit on a specific object you point to (chair, bench, etc)
• Lesson 4: “Loose Leash Walking.” Meaning, your dog will walk right beside of you while on a leash.

If you are interested in advanced obedience after you and your dog has completed the basic obedience, it is also available!

Generally, we do not start e-collar training on a dog until it is at least 5 months old.

Not a problem! We can still train your pup using the clicker/treat method! This will give your new pup a good foundation for basic obedience! Additionally, We can teach you how to house train your puppy. He/ she will learn how to let you know they need to go. So they don’t continue having accidents in the house.

A clicker is a small device that makes a distinct “click” noise. This is used to instantly mark the desired behavior. Then, it is immediately followed with a treat! This enables the dog to learn the commands much faster because you are instantly “marking” the correct behavior. In return, the dog knows it has not done what you are asking it to do until it hears the distinct “click.”

Dog training costs depend on the type and length of the program. Current options include puppy consultations, private obedience lessons, in-home training, and one- or two-week board-and-train programs. Review the dog training Plans and Pricing page for current fees, payment options, and program details.

Look for a trainer with clearly explained programs, experience addressing your dog’s specific needs, verified client reviews, transparent pricing, and owner instruction after training. Learn more about the Pittsburgh dog training team and read their client testimonials before choosing a program. The best option should match your dog’s age, temperament, behavior, and training goals.

Available dog training programs in Pittsburgh include basic and advanced obedience, private lessons, in-home training, puppy consultations, board-and-train programs, aggression and reactivity training, off-leash obedience, and therapy-dog preparation.

The website currently lists a one-week Board & Train program for $1,500, a 10-day on-leash program for $2,400, and a two-week Board & Train program for $3,000. Prices and payment options may change, so review the current board-and-train pricing before booking.

Board and train is an immersive program in which your dog stays with a professional trainer and receives daily obedience training. Depending on the selected board-and-train program, training may cover recall, sit, place, down, heel, manners, distraction control, and appropriate off-leash skills.

Board and train can be helpful for owners who want structured, immersive training or do not have enough time to complete daily foundational training alone. Long-term success still depends on following the trainer’s instructions and maintaining a consistent daily dog-training schedule at home.

Features vary by program length but may include recall, sit, place, down, heel, greeting manners, door manners, meal manners, distraction training, and an owner handoff lesson. Review the Board & Train program details to compare what is included in each option.

Private lessons teach you and your dog together over several sessions, allowing you to practice between appointments. With board and train, your dog stays with a trainer for immersive daily training before returning home for an owner transfer session. Compare the available private lessons and board-and-train programs to determine which format fits your needs.

Puppies can begin learning household routines, socialization, crate skills, and basic commands as soon as they settle into their new home. The Pittsburgh puppy consultation is designed for puppies under five months old and can be tailored to common puppy concerns. This puppy-training guide explains several issues owners can begin addressing early.

Yes. Puppy-training consultations are available for puppies under five months old. The consultation introduces age-appropriate commands and helps owners address common puppy concerns such as house training, crate training, socialization, and household routines.

Yes. Puppy consultations can provide guidance on house training, crate routines, introductory obedience, socialization, and other common puppy challenges. Explore the available puppy-training options and consistently follow the recommended routine at home for the training to be effective.

Yes. The available aggressive-dog training program includes eight private lessons for dogs displaying aggression or reactivity around other dogs. The program combines obedience training with controlled behavior work designed to improve handling, communication, and management.

A board-and-train program cannot guarantee that serious aggression will be completely eliminated. Aggression and reactivity are not addressed in the one-week program, and major behavioral issues cannot be guaranteed as completely fixed during the two-week program. Contact a professional trainer to discuss your dog’s behavior and determine the safest training option.

Yes. Select programs teach recall, obedience around distractions, and off-leash control in appropriate environments. Learn more about building the foundations for safe off-leash dog training. Dogs should only be off leash where it is safe and legally permitted, and owners must continue practicing the commands after training.

Depending on the selected dog obedience training program, commands may include come, sit, extended sit, place, extended place, down, extended down, heel, come-to-heel, off, watch, front, stand, and distance obedience.

Yes. Obedience training can help owners improve loose-leash walking, heeling, greeting manners, impulse control, and unwanted jumping. This guide to training a dog to walk beside you provides additional tips for developing better leash manners. Results depend on choosing the appropriate program and consistently reinforcing the training at home.

Yes. In-home dog-training programs are available for basic and advanced obedience. These private sessions allow the trainer to work with the dog and owner in their everyday environment, subject to location and scheduling availability.

Yes. Many listed obedience and board-and-train programs include an e-collar and leash. The Starter Lesson and training programs explain which options include this equipment. Owners should discuss the equipment, training process, and suitability for their dog before enrolling.

Yes. The eight-week therapy-dog training program is designed to prepare dogs and handlers for therapy-dog testing and certification requirements. Completion of training does not automatically guarantee that every dog will pass the required evaluation.