Private In-Home Dog Training
One-hour in-home sessions with you present, led by ABC certified trainer Jason Hofmann. Book a single session, or save with a six-session package. We train in your own home, where your dog actually lives.
One-Hour Sessions
Focused, hands-on time with you and your dog.
In Your Home
Training happens where your dog lives every day.
ABC Certified
Led by ABC certified trainer Jason Hofmann.
Single Session
One-hour in-home session, owner present.
Six-Session Package
Six one-hour sessions at $130 per session. Save $120 compared to booking one at a time.
What We Work On
Most calls we get fall into one of these. If yours is not listed, ask anyway.
Pulling on the leash
A walk should not feel like water skiing. We work on loose leash walking in the place you actually walk, not in a parking lot.
Jumping on people
Cute at 12 weeks, a problem at 70 pounds. We teach a replacement behavior so your dog has something better to do when the door opens.
Not coming when called
The single most important thing your dog can learn, because it is the one that keeps them alive. We build it properly, with real distractions.
Barking and door reactivity
Barking at the window, the mail carrier, or every dog that walks by. We work on the trigger and give your dog a job instead.
Leash reactivity
Lunging or barking at other dogs on walks. This takes patience and a plan, and it is one of the most common things we are called for.
Puppy foundations
House training, crate training, biting and mouthing, handling, and early manners. Starting right saves years of undoing.
Counter surfing and stealing
Food off the counter, socks, the trash. Usually a management problem plus a training problem, and we address both.
Separation anxiety
A dog that panics when you leave is not being spiteful. This one needs a slow, structured plan and we will be honest about the timeline.
Basic manners and cues
Sit, down, stay, place, wait at the door, and polite greetings. The everyday stuff that makes living with a dog easier.
What a Session Actually Looks Like
We talk first
Before we touch a leash, we go over what is happening, when it happens, and what you have already tried. A lot of behavior problems make sense once you know the whole picture.
We watch your dog
In their own house, doing their own thing. This is where we learn more in ten minutes than any phone call can tell us.
We work on it together
Hands-on. Jason demonstrates, then you do it while he coaches. If you cannot do it yourself, the training does not survive past the session.
You leave with a plan
What to practice, how often, and what to expect. Short, specific homework beats a long list nobody follows.
How We Think About Training
We train the owner too. Your dog is with you all week and with us for one hour. If you do not know how to ask for the behavior, nothing changes. That is why every session includes you.
Consistency beats intensity. Five minutes a day, every day, will out-perform a two-hour session once a week. We build homework you can actually keep up with.
Behavior has a reason. Dogs are not stubborn or spiteful. They repeat what works. Once you see what a behavior is earning your dog, changing it gets a lot simpler.
We tell you the truth. Some things take six weeks. Some take six months. Some need a vet, not a trainer. You will get a straight answer, not a sales pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the training sessions?
Sessions are led by Jason Hofmann, an ABC certified dog trainer who has worked with dogs professionally since 1995. He works with you and your dog together so the training sticks after he leaves.
Are sessions held in my home?
Yes. Private training is done in your home, with you present. Training in your own space matters, because most problem behavior happens at home. Working on it where it actually occurs is far more effective than teaching your dog to behave in a training room.
How long is each session?
Each session is one hour. That is long enough to make real progress and short enough that neither you nor your dog burns out.
What does training cost?
A single session is $150. A six-session package is $780, which works out to $130 per session and saves you $120. Most owners working on a real behavior issue book the package, because one hour is rarely enough to change a habit.
How many sessions will my dog need?
It depends on the dog, the behavior, and how much you practice between sessions. A single manners issue can improve in one or two sessions. Reactivity, anxiety, or years of a repeated habit take longer. We will give you an honest read after the first session rather than selling you a package you do not need.
Why do I have to be there?
Because you are the one who lives with the dog. A trainer who takes your dog away, trains it, and hands it back has trained the dog to listen to the trainer. Our job is to train the dog and coach you at the same time, so the results hold up on a Tuesday night when we are not there.
What kind of training methods do you use?
Reward-based training built around clear communication and consistency. Dogs repeat what works for them. Our job is to make the behavior you want the easiest, most rewarding option, and to make sure everyone in the house is asking for it the same way.
Is my dog too old for training?
No. Puppies learn fast, but adult and senior dogs learn well too. Older dogs often focus better than puppies. The saying about old dogs and new tricks is not true.
What if my dog is aggressive or reactive?
Tell us up front and be specific about what has happened. Reactivity and aggression are workable, but they need an honest starting point and a realistic plan. We will tell you plainly what we can help with and when a veterinary behaviorist should be involved.
What if I am outside your service area?
Our Virtual Dog Training may be a better fit, and it works well for manners and communication issues. You can also ask about our Walk and Train option, which combines a midday walk with reinforcement of what you are working on.
Who You Are Working With
Jason Hofmann is an ABC certified dog trainer and a certified Pet Tech CPR and First Aid instructor. He started working with dogs professionally in 1995 and founded 203 Pet Service in 2004.
He is also a co-founder of the Honey On Duty Project, a nonprofit built around a therapy pitbull named Honey and the work she does in the community.
Training is not a side offering here. It is something he does himself, in person, in your home.
Ready to Get Started?
22 years of trusted pet care in Fairfield County. We stand behind every service with our 3-day satisfaction guarantee.