A common mistake is jumping into tricks before the foundation is solid. Most dogs do better when the basics are clear first, like come, sit, down, place, leash manners, and off. Once those are reliable, everything else becomes easier.
Just the FAQs
You've Got Questions?
We've got answers!
Do you offer a guarantee?
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!
Is my dog a candidate for the 2-Week Urban Board and Train?
Most dogs are! However, if your dog has severe anxiety or aggression, the Community K9 Board and Train Program will be a better fit. If you sign up for the Urban Board and Train, the trainer can and will easily convert your program from Urban to Community at no additional charge.
Will my dog benefit from this training?
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!
What is an e-collar and how does it work?
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!
Will the e-collar hurt my dog?
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.
Will my dog always have to wear the e-collar?
No. Your dog will not always have to wear the e-collar. In fact, inside your home, your dog will quickly be listening to your every command without the e-collar on. However, We always recommend putting the e-collar on your dog before you take it outside off-leash. This is due to the fact that you never know what may get your dog’s attention, so, you still want to be able to maintain complete control of your dog. It’s like an invisible leash. We often compare your pet wearing the collar outside to a child wearing a seat belt. Parents drill into their children the importance of wearing a seat belt each and every time they get into a car. That one time the child doesn’t wear the seat belt could be that one time they are in a car accident and a seat belt would have prevented injury. It only takes one time for you dog to see something that really catches their attention and without the collar, you have no way to stop him/her.
Will my dog hate wearing the e-collar?
No! Almost everyone is VERY surprised that they receive quite the OPPOSITE reaction from their dog. When you turn an e-collar on, it beeps. In a very short time, your dog will recognize this “beep” as their collar being turned on. Almost every dog upon hearing this beep, will coming running and sit down in front of you and wait for you to put it on them. Why? Because the dog knows the e-collar means that they are going outside (to run, play ball, be free, etc) AND they know they are going to do training! A bored dog is a destructive dog; a trained/exercised dog is a HAPPY dog. They look forward to their training sessions because it stimulates them and gives them something to do. Imagine being at work on a slow day, the day drags and you feel sluggish. When you are busy, it goes by fast and you are energized! Now imagine a dog with no friends, no Facebook, no television, and no internet. Their only REAL stimulation is the training you give them and their time outside to run, play, and bond with you!
Where do we conduct these private sessions?
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.
How much time per day do I need to train my dog?
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.
How long will this training take?
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!
At what age can we start e-collar training?
Generally, we do not start e-collar training on a dog until it is at least 5 months old.
What if I have a puppy that is not 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.
What is clicker training?
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.”
What if I have a small dog?
That is fine! E-Collar training works on a dog of ANY SIZE, ANY SHAPE, and ANY AGE (above 5 months).
How much do you pay for a dog trainer?
What you’ll pay for a dog trainer depends on the program you choose and what your dog needs help with. Off Leash K9 Training of Fredericksburg offers several options, including private lessons for basic through advanced obedience, reactivity and aggression focused training, virtual Zoom lessons, and in home private lessons. They also offer Board and Train programs, plus puppy training and therapy dog preparation.
If you are not sure what fits your dog and your lifestyle, call for a free phone consultation at (540) 390-1945.
What is the 3 second rule for dogs?
We don’t teach a specific “3 second rule” as a named method, but timing matters a lot. In reward-based training (like clicker/marker work), you want to mark and reward the exact moment your dog does the right thing, so they understand what they’re being rewarded for.
Is it worth getting a trainer for a dog?
If you want your dog to listen in real life, on walks, around visitors, and with distractions, training is usually worth it. Fredericksburg Dog Trainers also mentions a first lesson satisfaction guarantee, so if you are not completely amazed and 100% satisfied, the first lesson is free.
What is the hardest command to teach a dog?
For most people, the hardest part is not teaching the command. It is getting the dog to do it when distractions are present. That is why we focus on practical obedience, including recall, place, heel or loose leash walking, and staying focused around real world distractions.
What is the coolest trick to teach your dog?
If you want something impressive and genuinely useful, I’d say a reliable off-leash recall and a strong place command. Those are the types of skills that make daily life easier and make people go “wow.”
What's the most difficult dog to train?
We do not label any specific breed as too difficult. What matters more is your dog’s behavior, history, and how consistent things are at home. That is why we offer different options, including private lessons, in home training, board and train, and training support for aggression, anxiety, and reactivity.
What is the first thing you teach a dog?
We start with core obedience that gives you control and a clear way to communicate commands like come, sit, down, place, loose leash walking or heel, and “off.” These basics create structure and help your dog understand what you want in everyday situations. Once the foundation is solid, it becomes much easier to layer in reliability, longer duration, and stronger focus around distractions.
What are the signs of a poorly trained dog?
If your dog can’t listen when it matters, that’s usually the clearest sign. You might see behaviors like jumping, chewing, biting type behavior issues, or constant chaos at home. A lot of the time it feels like your dog only listens sometimes, or only listens in quiet settings. Structure and training help turn those everyday struggles into clear expectations your dog can actually follow.
What is the most disobedient dog in the world?
We don’t rank dogs like that. What matters is matching your dog to the right training plan and building consistency through a clear system. A dog that seems “disobedient” is often just confused, overstimulated, or missing structure. The goal is to create reliable communication, not label the dog.
What breed of dog is easiest to train?
We don’t make breed promises. We focus on building reliable obedience for the dog you have, using the right program and the right level of structure. Some dogs may learn faster, and some may need more repetition, but results come from a consistent system and good follow through. Training is about the plan and the process, not just the breed.
What is the most misbehaved dog breed?
We don’t do “worst breed” labels. Behavior issues are usually about structure, consistency, and the dog’s needs. If behavior is the concern, there are specific training options for that. Many issues improve when the dog has clear rules, consistent follow through, and a training plan that fits the problem.
What is the hardest part of training a dog?
Consistency is the biggest challenge for most owners. Dogs learn fastest when the expectations stay the same at home, on walks, and around distractions. With board & train, you also get an owner handoff session so you know exactly how to handle your dog at home. The 2 week programs include a 2 hour one on one session, the 1 week program includes a 1.5 hour session, and the 3 week behavioral program includes two 1 hour private sessions. That transfer helps you keep the training results going after the program ends.
What is the best dog for lazy owners?
We don’t recommend breeds by lifestyle. What we can do is help you choose a training format that fits your schedule like board & train if you want immersive training, in home lessons for convenience, or virtual lessons if you want coaching remotely. The right format can make training more realistic for your day to day life. It is about picking an option you can actually follow through with.
Is it easier to train a male or female dog?
We don’t claim one is easier than the other. Training success comes down to temperament, consistency, and using the right approach for your dog. Some dogs are more energetic, some are more sensitive, and some are more independent, but those traits are individual, not strictly male or female. With the right structure and plan, both can learn reliable obedience.