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Notch Dog
Barbara Shumannfang is the founder of Top Notch Dog, LLC and
author of Happy Kids,
Happy Dogs: Building a Friendship Right from the Start, which was honored with a nomimation for Best Dog Training and Behavior Book of 2006 by the Dog Writers Association of America. Her
book and family dog bite prevention class have been featured by
The Bark magazine, Dogs for Kids magazine, and radio and tv. She has worked with animals all her life including as a horse
and dog trainer, veterinary assistant, behavior consultant to
animal shelters, educator, and as a private dog behavior consultant.
Barbara has over ten years experience in research and university teaching
(she holds a Ph.D. from Duke University in a non-doggie field).
She has taught a prenatal seminar at local hospitals on reducing stress and injury in child-dog
interactions, called “Baby Meets Bowser,” and teaches seminars for veterinarians and dog trainers on dog behavior and learning. Barbara is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) through
the Certification Council for Professional
Dog Trainers and a professional member of the Association
of Pet Dog Trainers.
Appointment Policies & Fees|
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We offer dog training consultations, either at Top Notch Dog, LLC or in your home. Our hourly rate is $100 (billed in 15-minute increments). Most appointments last one hour, and most clients achieve success after one or two consultations. Should you desire an in-home appointment, travel time is also billed at this rate. We also offer puppy classes.
To schedule an appointment, call (919) 493-4560 and speak with Barbara. She will ask you questions about your dog and your goals. We encourage questions about our training philosophy, the appointment process, and are glad to provide references. While most of our clients come to us via veterinary referral, this is not required in order for you to set up an appointment. We may recommend you speak with your dog’s veterinarian if we suspect a medical problem could be affecting your dog’s behavior.
Once you’ve scheduled an appointment, you will receive a short info sheet and waiver to complete and return at your appointment.
At your consultation, Barbara will observe your dog’s behavior and ask detailed questions about what you’d like to achieve. She will explain how to get your dog to behave the way you’d like, and then demonstrate and coach you in the modern, pain-free training techniques you’ll need to practice in order for change to take effect. You will receive a customized plan and written instructions. Payment is due at the time of the appointment (via check or cash).
We feel we’ve succeeded when our clients practice what they’ve learned and enjoy improvement in their dog’s behavior. You may receive a follow-up call or email to see how you and your dog are doing and how satisfied you were with our services.
We provide consultations for the following:
For serious behavior problems such as aggression, please consult with a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists or with a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.
Special Offer| Back
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Thinking of getting a dog? Complete a Choose the Right Dog consult and receive a free, one-hour, private dog training
lesson within two weeks of obtaining the new dog.
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