- General Training Questions
- Questions About Your Dog
- Board and Train Questions
- Payment Questions
General Training Questions
WHAT TRAINING SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Copilot Academy, LLC is proud to offer Puppy Obedience, Basic Obedience, Advanced Obedience, Therapy Training, Service Dog Training and Behavior Rehabilitation Training for dogs with fear, anxiety or aggression. We also offer day trains & 14 day, 21 day and 28 day Board and trains, as well as weekly group classes.
WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING METHOD?
Copilot Academy, LLC uses a variety of techniques to shape your dog’s obedience. Our diverse experience, and training methods use a combination of food, toys and praise to help motivate your dog during training. Various training collars may be used temporarily as a tool to help discourage unwanted behaviors. All training is conducted with your dog’s best interest in mind by using calm, assertive, fair and consistent techniques.
HOW LONG ARE YOUR TRAINING SESSIONS?
Puppy lessons are 60 minutes each. Basic and Advanced obedience lessons are 90 minutes for the first session and 60 minutes for all other sessions.
CAN MY CHILDREN ATTEND TRAINING SESSIONS?
Yes of course! Children are welcome and encouraged to come and interact with training. Dogs should see everyone as a pack leader. Games can be integrated into training so that appropriate aged children can interact with your dog’s obedience. If your child is too young to interact, then they are still welcome to attend sessions. Keep in mind that training sessions are information packed, so you might want to consider getting child care if you are unable to dedicate 100% of your attention to the training session.
WHERE ARE THE TRAINING SESSIONS HELD?
Copilot Academy has a 1,500sq ft brick and mortar building located at 1200 East Stan Schlueter Loop – Suite 109, Killeen, TX 76542. However, the beauty of mobile training is that the sessions can be held just about anywhere! Training can occur inside your home where the problem behaviors present themselves, at dog approved stores or high distraction environments to include parks.
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD MY DOG BE IN ORDER TO START PRIVATE LESSONS?
We would like to start formally training your dog no earlier than 10 weeks of age. All dogs should receive training from the moment you integrate them into your home, however, 10 weeks is a great age to start. Any earlier and most puppies want to sleep through the training sessions.
HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I SPEND TRAINING EACH DAY WITH MY DOG?
Goal is to keep training fun. Focus on short and frequent training sessions with your dog. The more time you invest in training them on a daily basis, the faster your dog will start to understand what is expected of them. Each dog learns at a different rate. We recommend at least 5 to 10 mini sessions a day (2-10 minutes each session).
DO YOU OFFER OFF LEASH TREADMILL TRAINING?
Yes! Treadmill training should not replace a walk, but can be a life saver on rainy days or days that you get off work late. Off leash treadmill training ensures your dog’s safety, which is paramount! Contact us today to see what solutions Copilot can offer your family.
WHERE DO I PURCHASE THE TRAINING EQUIPMENT?
Training collars and 30 foot long lines used for distance work and recall can be purchased the day of your first training lesson from Copilot Academy. Place beds would need to be purchased on your own. We offer recommendations on the day of your consultation and at your first lesson.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW FOR TRAINING?
Training is a lifestyle change. Consistency, patience, follow through and persistence is key in order to achieve your goals.
MY DOG IS STUBBORN OR OLDER, CAN THEY STILL LEARN OBEDIENCE?
Yes of course! Increased amounts of patience may be needed on your part, but all dogs have the ability to be trained. We have proven just that! Check out some of our training videos on our home page, or our Copilot Academy YouTube page!
WE ARE EXPECTING A BABY! DO YOU OFFER TRAINING THAT EDUCATES OWNERS ON HOW TO INTEGRATE A BABY INTO THE HOME WITH A DOG(S)?
Yes! We have a lot of experience working with expecting families and families that have children. We have children ourselves! We would be happy to communicate all of the knowledge we have in order to provide you and your family with a smooth transition from the hospital once your bundle of joy arrives.
HOW MUCH DO CONSULTATIONS COST?
Consults attended at our training facility located at 1200 E Stan Schluter Loop, Killeen, TX 76542 Monday through Friday are $30. Saturday and Sunday consults are $30 also due to the number of no call no shows on weekends. If you would like an in home consultation, then there will be a $45 convenience fee plus a standard GSA travel rate of $0.57 per mile round trip charge for locations further than 15 miles from our Copilot facility. Online consultations have a $30 charge to ensure you are committed to keeping the appointment and logging on. Consult costs need to be paid in advance in order to reserve your spot on the designated trainer’s schedule. Zelle does not include fees. Venmo and credit card charge an additional 3.5% fee.
Questions About Your Dog
DO YOU WORK WITH ALL BREEDS?
All breeds, all ages, all temperaments.
DO YOU WORK WITH INTACT DOGS?
Yes, we have a lot of experience working with intact dogs of all sizes, ages and breeds.
HOW OLD IS TOO OLD TO TRAIN A DOG?
No dog is ever too old to be trained. We believe dogs can learn at any age by using consistent techniques.
MY DOG IS STUBBORN OR OLDER, CAN THEY STILL LEARN OBEDIENCE?
Yes of course! Increased amounts of patience may be needed on your part, but all dogs have the ability to be trained. We have proven just that! Check out some of our training videos on our home page, or YouTube here!
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD MY DOG BE IN ORDER TO START PRIVATE LESSONS?
We would like to start formally training your dog no earlier than 10 weeks of age. All dogs should receive training from the moment you integrate them into your home, however, 10 weeks is a great age to start. Any earlier and most puppies want to sleep through the training sessions.
HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I SPEND TRAINING EACH DAY WITH MY DOG?
Goal is to keep training fun. Focus on short and frequent training sessions with your dog. The more time you invest in training them on a daily basis, the faster your dog will start to understand what is expected of them. Each dog learns at a different rate. We recommend at least 5 to 10 mini sessions a day (2-10 minutes each session).
HOW MUCH EXERCISE SHOULD MY DOG RECEIVE EACH DAY?
All dogs are different depending on their age. Key is to go on at least 2 walks a day with your dog. Walks can range from 15 minutes (younger puppies) to 45 minutes (adolescent, adult dogs). Exercise helps to strengthen the bond between you and your dog. They will thank you for the focused interaction!
Board and Train Questions
HOW LONG IS THE BOARD AND TRAIN PROGRAM?
There are several Board and Train Program options. 14 day puppy jumpstart (10 weeks-5 months), 14 day board & train (5 months and older), 21 day board & train and our 28 day board & train. The programs include daily one on one personalized training attention from our certified professional trainers. Your dog will be trained in basic and advanced obedience at high distraction locations to help fool proof all of their obedience commands. We supply daily pictures and frequent videos to show the progress your dog is making each day. The B&T’ programs include a 2-3 hour go home process and free one hour follow up lesson at a later date.
HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU ACCEPT INTO THE BOARD AND TRAIN PROGRAM AT A TIME?
We do not compromise the integrity of what we offer to our clients, so only 2 dogs are accepted into the Board and Train Program at a time per trainer. Our priority is to ensure that your dog is provided the utmost care, safety and quality training time. Standards will not be compromised!
WHAT WOULD MY DOG NEED TO HAVE DURING THE BOARD AND TRAIN PROGRAM?
4-Step Packing List:
— 1. Food for 30 days. Usually a 30 lb bag will be enough. If more is needed, then Copilot Academy will purchase it and the owner can reimburse us at the dog’s scheduled pick up date.
— 2. Dog bed
— 3. Familiar toys
— 4. Heart worm medication if due during board and train timeframe
***Please be sure that your dog is on their current diet for at least 2 weeks before the scheduled drop off date***
DOES COPILOT ACADEMY OFFER JUST BOARDING?
Our trainers independently offer boarding in their homes. You will need to contact them directly to inquire about their availability. If their availability does not meet your schedule requests, here are other boarding programs we trust in the Killeen area:
Animal House Hotel (animalhousehotel.com)
Other Nationwide Pet Boarding Websites:
Payment Questions
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DOES COPILOT ACADEMY ACCEPT?
Cash, personal check, cashiers check, money order, Venmo (3.5% convenience fee), Zelle (no fee), credit card (3.5% convenience fee). All checks should be made payable to COPILOT ACADEMY, LLC.
IS PAYMENT REQUIRED UPFRONT?
Board and Train payment is required in full on the day of drop off (minus the $500 nonrefundable deposit made to reserve your spot). Private Lesson payment is ideally requested upfront. If payment cannot be made in full upfront, then you can pay every two lessons or half upfront or all upfront. Thank you for your understanding as training is not a product that can be returned.
DO YOU GIVE MILITARY DISCOUNTS?
Yes, we have discounts offered frequently throughout the year. The discount price for all programs offered will be communicated at your consultation.
WHERE DO I PURCHASE THE TRAINING EQUIPMENT?
Training collars can be purchased the day of your first training lesson from Copilot Academy. Place bed suggestions are made at the day of the consultation and at the first lesson. We encourage our clients to purchase their own place bed as Copilot Academy does not supply them for training.