Training Academy  

Obedience training doesn’t come naturally to everyone. And despite early efforts, training may slide a bit over time. One day you may suddenly realize that your little treasure pulls on the leash, jumps on strangers, and gets way too excited when he sees another dog or a squirrel.  

When you discover that your dog has become the leader of your pack—and every dog will fill that role if it sees a vacancy—the problem can seem overwhelming. You might be surprised at how some simple changes can turn things around and restore you to your rightful position. 

Whether your relationship with your dog needs minor tinkering, or a major overhaul, we can help. Our goal is to ensure that dogs are never surrendered by owners because of behavioral issues. We see many dogs that other trainers have already given up on; no problem is too big to handle.  

Our standard programs and described below. Contact us to discuss your particular training needs. 

Pay as You Go  

$120 for the first hour and $30 for every hour after that on the same day – @ the kennel  
$130 for the first hour and $30 for every hour after that – in your home + .40 cents/km   
Phone consults - $60/hour - $35/half hour paid through Paypal in advance   

Training sessions and phone consults can be scheduled at your convenience.  
48-hour cancelation policy in effect or charges apply  

Take the Lead  

Bronze package  
3 training sessions @ the kennel   
$300   

Silver Package  
5 training sessions @ the kennel  
1 phone consult  
$495  

Gold package  
1 in-home training session when your new puppy arrives   
6 training sessions @ the kennel   
1 phone consult  
 $850  

Platinum Package  
2 in-home training sessions - 1 when your new puppy arrives, the second at 16 weeks  
7 training sessions @ the kennel   
3 phone consults  
 $1,250  

The Out of Towner  
 5 phone consults of up to 1 hour   
Exchange of videos – you send us examples of problem behaviors; we send you video demonstrations and tips  
$250  

Inboard Training  

Send us your dog and let Lucas transform it!    

Our most popular program is the four-week inboard training program, in which dogs learn all basic obedience commands (sit, down, stay, heel and come). During this program, we can set aside time to focus on specific problems such as leash aggression.  

Every dog learns at a different pace; the longer you leave the dog, the more it will learn.   

This package is for dogs 16 weeks or older.    

While in training, owners are not permitted to visit as it will upset and distract the dog. However, we provide regular updates on your dog’s progress. At the conclusion of the program, you receive training on how to handle your dog.  

Beginner Package  
Training for 4 weeks  
$1,900 + $20/day board  
Consult when you drop off your dog  
1 training session when you pick-up your dog  

Intermediate Package  
Training for 6 weeks  
$2,700 + $15/day board  
Consult when you drop off your dog  
1 training session when you pick-up your dog   
1 follow-up phone consult   

Advanced Package  
Training for 8 weeks  
$3,500 + $10/day board  
Consult when you drop off your dog  
1 training session when you pick up your dog  
1 training session @ the kennel anytime after your dog has come home  
2 follow-up phone consults  

Ultimate Package  
If you want a perfect dog, this is the package for you!  
Your dog will be fully trained in advanced obedience, with a 99% response rate to commands  
Full off leash control  
Consult when you drop off your dog 
1 training session when you pick up your dog  
2 training sessions @ the kennel anytime after your dog has come home  
Unlimited follow-up phone consults  
$10,000 (no boarding fee)  

Special offer:  You will receive a 15% discount on any training package if you pay in full before your puppy goes home at 8 weeks of age  

* Airport pick-ups – $120  
** All prices subject to applicable taxes  

Note: your dog must be up to date on all vaccines which includes distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, rabies and Kennel Cough at least 21 days prior to visiting us, and no more than 6 months. Your dog must also be on a flea and worm prevention program. All documents must be emailed to us before your dog visits. 

Here’s what owners had to say about SwissRidge training...  

Roscoe 

We have held off giving feedback, because I wanted to make sure I wasn’t still in a dream! Our pup, Roscoe, has now been home with us for 6 weeks. And from the day he returned right up to today, he retains the training and behavior he demonstrated at the conclusion of the training with Lucas. 

BEFORE: 

Whether it be walking (and pulling us where HE wanted to go), to playing (the way HE we wanted to), Roscoe was frustrating. I would call him our “wild’ card.”  

We tried local evening group classes, but made limited progress. Each dog had different challenges that needed to be addressed in too short a timeframe. We approached Lucas and Sherry explaining where we were and where we wanted, needed to be. We are an active family on the move a lot and wanted a pup to be a part of that unit to participate with us on our activities.  

They accepted the challenge without hesitation and confident we could be there in a short amount of time.  

What happened next?  

•We made our notes, summarizing our current situation and challenges in detail and submitted them to Lucas.  

•We met with Lucas: At the drop off date, we reviewed these items and he observed how Roscoe interacted within our family unit.  

•We said our goodbyes and entrusted our pup into Lucas’ care. The drop off was difficult, but we knew it was needed.  

•Progress updates: Lucas kept in touch with us, giving us updates and enquiring if he saw odd behavior to understand where it may have arisen.  

•Seeing the ‘Results of Lucas’: It was a Sunday morning when we got the news that we could plan to pick up our pup at the end of the following week. We were ecstatic, but nervous. We were worried that Roscoe might only listen to Lucas, and not to us. We were worried that Roscoe would revert to the behavior he had before he left home. And we were worried about whether we were skilled enough to uphold this training. 

THE UNVEIL:  

We arrived to be re-united with our pup. It’s like getting your puppy all over again. It was awesome. Lucas controlled the situation and advised us what to do and what to expect. He then explained some of the tools, methods and commands he used. Then he started training us. One by one, mom had a turn, dad had a turn, our 8 year old son had a turn then the test, our 6 year old daughter had her turn to learn how to work with Roscoe. Lucas worked with our family until we were all confident in our abilities, and Roscoe’s abilities. His instructions were simple enough for all ages to follow. 

Then we headed home. All by ourselves. Without Lucas. Still a little nervous about what we’d wake up to the next day.  

AFTER:  

We woke up to—and continue to wake up to—a well-behaved and obedient dog, who loves to play but understands his limits and role within our family unit.  

Last weekend we put him to the test, having over 80 people plus 5 visiting dogs to our home for a family reunion. I would summarize this as distraction, territorial and excitement levels at their max! We gave him commands, and near or far he nailed them! Our visitors could not believe how calm and well-behaved a dog he was.  

This transformation has been a journey, learning about not only our dog but also ourselves—a journey that Lucas guided us through and continues to support. 

Lucas and Sherry, thank you for loving our pup as much as we do and spending time to develop him into the awesome family member that we knew he could be!  

Words cannot express our gratitude. ~ Karen Pratt and family  


Cash  

We sent Cash to Lucas for the 4 week inboard training when he was 6 months old. The timing was perfect for us, as we were heading on a 2 week vacation, and the combination of boarding & training was very appealing, since young dogs of any sort can be quite challenging, especially for those of us with absolutely no experience owning a dog.  

Cash was a great puppy. He always wanted to please us, and is still this way, but he didn't always do as asked. He jumped up on neighborhood kids & visitors, pulled on the leash, and leapt at other dogs as we walked. We live on a quiet court and also wanted to be able to have Cash off leash out front while we worked or talked with neighbours.  

Lucas asked what our expectations were from the training and we told him we wanted Cash to walk nicely on leash, curb his jumping, plus be able to be outside off leash. I was skeptical, since we hadn't had much luck with these things (in spite of all my Cesar Milan watching and book reading!).  

The transformation in 4 weeks was amazing. He was a changed dog. Not only had Cash mastered all the things we had asked.... and many things we had not asked, including down, stay, leave it, and looked to us for direction under every circumstance.  

When we got our second SwissRidge pup, Finn, Cash's good behaviour rubbed off on the puppy. I made it easy to potty train Finn, as well as teach him some basic things, such as sitting, waiting to be fed, walking on leash, as he would follow Cash's lead.  

Lucas is a true professional who has a natural way with dogs. Cash's training with Lucas bettered all of our lives, and set Cash up to be an amazing adult dog! 

~ Suzanne McKenzie and family  


​Blizzard and Zolo

Lucas really is a dog whisperer. I started taking private lessons with him after getting my second dog, and I’m so pleased with what I have taken away from our lessons. 

Lucas has taught me how important it is to be a gentle yet firm, consistent leader. He has provided advice on so many topics, from introducing a second dog to the pack, to counter surfing, hand shyness, fears of certain things, to proper collar fittings. I really like his positive reinforcement approach to training. 

My two dogs are now walking beautifully on leash, side by side, without pulling. He worked with my standard Bernedoodle to discourage jumping on people, and I've never seen him do it again. I can now confidently take control of my two dogs (in one hand!) in large crowds of people and dogs—something I was very wary of doing before. 

I would highly recommend Lucas for helping you work through any training issues. ~ Karley Gittens