F.A.Q.

General:

What form of payment do you accept?
At this time we accept cash, checks or PayPal.  Checks can be made payable to K9+ Pet Services, LLC.  Payment is due on the last day of service unless otherwise arranged.  Paypal invoices for walks are sent on the last day of the month unless other arrangements are made. Paypal invoices are sent on the last day of Pet Sitting jobs.  Training payment is due no later than the first day of class.

Who will actually be caring for my pets?
At this time Jessica is providing all pet care.  In the case of an emergency, should she not be available on the date of scheduled service, Patrick (co-owner of the company) may fill in.  If that should be the case you will be notified as soon as possible prior to service. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE A BACK UP FOR DATES WHEN JESSICA AND PATRICK ARE NOT AVAILABLE. Contact Jessica for referrals. 

Are you insured and bonded?
Yes! We have insurance coverage through Insurers of the Carolinas who specialize in pet related businesses.  No matter who cares for your pets your pets are covered.  We are bonded as well.  Our insurance also covers our training portion of the business, no matter WHERE we meet.

Dog Walking and Pet Sitting:
What is a Meet and Greet?

A meet and greet is an initial meeting to discuss your dog walking and/or pet sitting needs. The meeting generally takes 30-60 minutes. During the meeting, please be prepared to provide a key (or access to the home), fill out paperwork, and show Jessica the ins and outs of caring for your pets (feeding instructions, a quick demo walk, etc).

How long is a dog walk?

We strive to have 20 minute dog walks, as long as the weather cooperates. If it is raining, snowing, too cold or too hot, walks may be shorter. If that is the case, once the dog has had time to go potty, the remaining time will be spent indoors, playing or snuggling.  Jessica allows the dogs to determine the length of the walks (within reason). If a dog wants to go inside as soon as business is taken care of, we will go back inside! Walk visits usually take 25-30 minutes (including time to get the pup ready and out the door, walked and settled after the walk).

What does a pet sit visit include?

Jessica will visit your home, feed and walk the dogs (or include playtime in a secure back yard if preferred). Or feed the cats, clean litter boxes and play with the cats if desired.  For smaller critters, a pet sit visit includes light cage "refresh" (putting down new bedding, cleaning potty areas), feeding and watering, interacting with as the pet enjoys. 
During Pet Sit visits, Jessica can also check mail, bring in packages, water plants, take the trash out/retrieve trash cans, rotate which lights are on, all to make the home appear occupied. Her goal is to make your homecoming effortless so basic chores will be done (washing any dishes used to carry out her daily tasks, light sweeping, etc).

Training:

What is a Training Consultation?
A consultation is an in person meeting which lasts between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to discuss your training needs and goals as well as Jessica's methods.  While Jessica is happy to chat via text, phone call or email, only limited information can be shared in those methods. Please understand this is her business and as such, she does need to charge for in depth advice.  If, during the initial contact, you provide Jessica with your major training concerns, she often comes prepared to offer a little training during the consultation.

Why don't you work with aggression cases/bite histories?
Dogs with aggression and bite histories need more of a BEHAVIORAL approach. That requires a different type of education. Jessica's specialty is geared toward training basic manners and some "problem" behaviors such as barking, reactivity, pulling on leash - TRAINING issues. Jessica has chosen not to undertake the education that she feels is necessary to be able to take on such involved behavioral issues. If your issue is such a case, Jessica will refer you to a trainer who specializes in that line of work.

What is your background and education?

Jessica became a dog trainer while working at Unleashed by Petco in 2011/2012.  Petco has a training and apprentice program you must complete before you can be a trainer in their stores.  However, their education is limited as are the topics they are allowed to work with at the store.  Jessica took it upon herself to continue her education, taking online and in person classes, etc.  In September 2016 Jessica took and passed her written exam to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) with the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). In order to remain certified a trainer must compete a specific number of continuing education units every term.

Why don't you allow training clients to use retractable leashes?
First, retractable leashes can be dangerous! They can snap and if not locked can come back and hit the walker.  Dogs and humans can also become tangled in them and be cut. (I've seen it happen!) Second, if your training goal is to teach a dog to walk nicely on a loose leash, that can not be done by allowing a dog to have tons of leash sometimes but restricting the length of leash the next minute.  And frankly, most people who use retractable leashes let the dogs get too far ahead to be responsible dog handlers.

Why do you insist on a training package?
Its our belief that very few training issues can be "fixed" in one visit.  For that reason and the amount of time that goes into planning and executing your training sessions, we feel three sessions is a good place to start.  If you still need additional help after the initial three session, you are able to book session one at a time moving forward. IF your training goal really can be achieved in one meeting, Jessica will tell you that honestly and you will not have to purchase a full package.

Do you guarantee results from your training?
NO! But...I know that my methods work...for MOST cases.  But a few factors need to be taken into account. First, how much work the pet parent is willing to put into training will determine how much progress you can make. Jessica will give you all the tools you need to train your dog but YOU have to do the work.  Second is the individual dog.  Each dog is different and what works for one may not work for another. Jessica will work with you to make changes to the training plan as necessary.  However, if her methods do not seem to be working, she will refer you to another trainer who may be better suited to your specific needs and goals.