Grey Dog Alliance
Private Doggie Day School
A hybrid of Boarding + Private Lessons = Day Training without overnights, plus weekly lessons for you and your family. The perfect combo for success. Located in South Philly.
Why Private Day School?
Teaching a dog routines, manners, and life skills can be both exhausting and time-consuming. Sending your pup to me for “school” days lets me teach your dog directly and conduct more training sessions. This way, your work at home will be you practicing with your dog rather than teaching them. Depending on your dog, we’ll work on various skills, including impulse control, puppy nipping and biting, play skills, and basic leash skills. We’ll also work on passive training, a concept you’ll hear me discuss with all my clients and mentees. However, this is still a very collaborative program. You will have weekly homework, be expected to make some changes, and are vital to the success reached.
Who is it for?
Private School is for any crate-trained dog. Puppies, rescues, reactive dogs —all are welcome. However, while most dogs do very well in our structured days with a trainer, some dogs will need time to warm up and get used to the space before real progress can be seen. A consultation may be best for you if your dog has severe separation anxiety, fear of humans, or a bite history of any kind. This program has minimal space, so booking ahead is highly recommended if you are interested.
What is it exactly?
Private Doggie Day School is like sending your dog to a private tutor. Your dog will have a unique and individual program customized specifically for your goals and needs.
Located in South Philly, school days are Wed, Thurs, & Friday, from around 7 am to 6 pm. There are also weekly Saturday lessons at your home to help you catch up on all your dog has been learning.
Only two new dogs per month + mentor dogs however, this is not a group class. Dogs will have individual training sessions, walks, playtime (with a human) and naps. When appropriate, dogs may work alongside "mentor" dogs who help model skills and help dogs learn how to be neutral around other dogs.
Your training starts with a 30-minute virtual that should be scheduled at LEAST one week before school starts for your pup.
Generally, drop-off is between 7-8 am, and pick-up is between 5-6 pm, but there is room for some flexibility if it does not disrupt another dog’s training day.
"Change in ourselves,
is prerequisite to
change in our dogs."
How much?
Learning anything new takes time. Time and consistency.
3-weeks ($1,890): to jump start your puppy training and/or to build a solid foundation for your dog’s training.
9 School Days + 3 In-Home Lessons
5-weeks ($3,150): to work on bigger behavior issues like reactivity, guarding, building confidence, or simply to take your dog’s training further.
15 School Days + 5 In-Home Lessons
Both options include
-
30 Min Virtual Session
-
Training Video Resources
-
Daily updates via WhatsApp
-
Homework Instructions
-
Daily trainer access
October session begins 9/30!
Regardless of when you enroll, your training starts IMMEDIATELY with your virtual session & homework. Get a head start so your dog can hit the ground running when they begin school!
Need a flexible start date or have questions? We can accomomdate! Just email!
Psst - are you looking for Maintenance Days? They're over here ->
Learn more about the space and the program!
-
Each month, only 1-2 dogs are enrolled in the full program.
-
Low enrollment means more dedicated work for your pup.
-
Dogs are never left out unattended, and all crates have cameras on them.
-
Toys and bowls are not shared
-
Everything is safely disinfected daily
-
When not crated, dogs may be separated by gates or tethered, depending on individual situations.
-
Dogs are never left out or tethered unattended!!!
-
All crates have cameras on them.
-
All dogs get naps, walks and playtime as part of their day, as well as their individual training.
-
The long day is NOT so your dog works that much, but to allow for breaks and also to accommodate your working schedule.
-
Graduates may return on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly schedule in the Maintenance Program option as alumni or mentors.
-
Graduates also have the option of me visiting them at home for sessions with or without you. (see the Continued Education Page).