Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to enroll in board and train at PAWPARAZZI -

Call us to make sure a trainer is available, call Pawparazzi (818) 860-0729 to schedule your dogs temperament test and schedule your boarding and CONFIRM that you want only MY BEST FRIEND OBEDIENCE to do the training with your dog… then call us back and confirm the dates! So easy!

I enrolled in class, what now?

Once you are enrolled in class, and prepaid, information will be emailed! Make sure you check Junk folder if you are not receiving! If you paid for class by Zelle or Venmo and you are not receiving confirmation, email us to inquire if we received the payment.

How do I register for class?

Registration for group and private sessions are online

How do I schedule a session and when are you available?

Private in person and Zoom sessions are available most days and evenings call 818 996-3647 to schedule. You can also email k9frend@earthlink.net or karenT@mybestfriendobedience.com for more information!

How do I pay for classes or sessions?

Send Funds Via:

Venmo funds 818 996 3647 or k9frend@earthlink.net

Zelle funds 818 996 3647 or k9frend@earthlink.net

PayPal direct thru Friends and Family at k9frend@earthlink.net

OR use the PayPal links on our site when you register for One, or more, Package(s) of Private training sessions, or a group class at on this website

OR click PayPal link when want to pay by CREDIT CARD OR ATM and do NOT have a PayPal Account.

REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY TRAINING COMPANY TRAINING AT:

TARZANA PARK in Tarzana, PAWPARAZZI daycare in Chatsworth (including on-board training), SEABRIDGE or Westport at MANDALAY bay park in Oxnard, OR VENTURA PET BARN in Ventura…

Make sure you ask for US by name:

MY BEST FRIEND OBEDIENCE!

We are not affiliated with, or share common practices with any of the other companies! If you have questions, please call 818 996 3647

What class to choose?

Puppies:

No, it is not enough socializing if you pup has met your other dog, your friends dog and extended family.
Those under 11 weeks should do a private session for potty training, biting nipping and chewing issues.
Healthy puppies from 11 weeks to 5 months with at least 2 sets of vaccines, has no parasites, should join a Young Puppy Socializing and Manners class.
If your under 5 months pup has already been socialized with 25 different people and dogs (varied colors, ages, sizes, smells... and not just the ones you live with) you may be ok without a puppy class, now keep it up and continue exposure until at least 2 years old, and jump into a Beginner Group (foundation one)
Remember early socializing is even more important if your pup left the litter and mom early, under 8 weeks.
If you don't need help with biting, nipping, chewing, socializing and potty training... it is ok to skip puppy class and start with Beginner Obedience!
If you have already dealt with the above puppy issues, including socializing, do Beginner obedience.
If you have an older pup, or are still having biting, nipping, chewing and potty training issues, schedule a private session; AND enroll in a beginner group!
Start with Beginner if you have an adult dog, or pup that is friendly with people and dogs, and you haven't done a class yet, but are past the puppy issues. Puppy class doesn't replace beginner, it is a supplement.
If your dog is aggressive or overly fearful call the office for private help!

Beginner level group:

For Beginner Obedience Your pup should be at least 3 months and have first 3 sets of Distemper/Parvo shots. Sometimes financial reasons prevent students from doing both courses, if you need to choose between levels, Beginner Obedience is the most crucial
If you have an older pup, or are still having biting, nipping, chewing and potty training issues, schedule a private session; AND enroll in a beginner group!
Start with Beginner if you have an adult dog, or pup that is friendly with people and dogs, and you haven't done a class yet, but are past the puppy issues. Puppy class doesn't replace beginner, it is a supplement.
Pick beginner level, even if you have a little training already! You and your dog will need to learn how we train in general to do our classes and be able to keep up.

Private Training:

Choose a private session if:
- your dog has a socializing, training or behavior problem not covered in the classes
- you only need help in a specific area
- you just need to get up to speed on our techniques to participate in class
- your dog is not friendly to other dogs or people

Aggression Issues/Growly class:

Dog must already have a beginner and intermediate level of obedience training, privately or in a group, or with an approved trainer.
Dogs in group class must not show any aggression toward dogs or people, even in Growly group.
Reactive dogs (barking and lunging on leash at dogs, but not necessarily aggressive) must do private first.
If you were referred to us by a known trainer who has recommended our classes as part of your ongoing training (potentially a Growly class) then we may consider your enrollment without a private session.
It is NOT a good idea to socialize your aggressive dog in a group class, we need to do private training first to help you get control of your reactive dog. Dogs that actually bite people or dogs don't belong in a group, we work with them privately all the time to help them get some skills in public and help you with safety and prevention.

FEAR issues:

If you have a nervous dog, best choose an indoor option, UNLESS your dog is more fearful indoors, then pick the outdoor class.
Exposing your dog to something he/she finds super scary or overwhelming is NOT a good idea. It is never good to put them in a position that will overwhelm them to "get them used to it". Usually a slow, gradual approach is best.

Group Class:

Group classes are weekly (4 or 6 weeks) usually same day and time and location each week, except our traveling class for Urban Dog! With the exception of Nose Work 1.5 to 2 hours… all classes are 1 hour.
If you miss a class of the group series, and there is a class running on the same schedule as yours, and space permits, you can make up with that class when prearranged with the office. otherwise it is your responsibility to make up missed classes privately for a fee.

You are sure your dog is intermediate level or higher, even though you haven't taken our classes:
- You may register for the appropriate level, BUT you must understand how to train using an event marker/clicker and fade rewards. If you need to get that part first you may opt for a private session to fill in the 'holes'... We hope this will help you decide how to choose! PLEASE READ THE SECTION ON BEGINNING OBEDIENCE. It says what we teach week by week, if your dog/you cannot do these, you need to pick beginner obedience first!
Tricks Levels - the levels are designed to do in order but if your dog already knows most of the tricks in level one there is no reason not to do level 2! If you want to do a different level, feel free to join the one you like
Nose Work Levels - These classes are progressive. Once they begin students often continue with the group for months unless we don’t have enough continuing on to have a group, Then, those students move to the next logical place to complete their training and we add a group. We only do two classes a week, so if you miss one starting, it is worth it to do some private to catch up with the group, if it just began and there is room. If not, get on the mailing list for updates!
Come watch! We are happy to have you come watch a class without your dog if we know in advance you are coming.
We do an over the phone evaluation. However, if an in person evaluation is needed for determining if your dog is aggressive with dogs,or if we need to determine training abilities, one can be arranged.
You do not have to do a group, we are happy to do private training for anything, group class is not required.

Service/Emotional Support/Therapy dogs:

We do not condone "fake" service dog training, so you can take your dog with you everywhere you go! Service dogs provide a valuable service to those who require them. PLEASE, DON'T RUIN IT WITH WITH A WANNA BE SERVICE DOG! Dogs who work in public must be friendly with people and dogs, but should NEVER socialize with them, or be distracted, while working and providing a service to the owner. Service animals interact with, growl or bark, or chase people, other animals, bicycles, skateboards, etc. Service dogs don't pee and poop in public while they are working, but wait to be taken to a designated area to relieve themselves on a schedule. They don’t eat stuff off the ground, pull on the leash, jump up on people, bark or aggressively protect their owners. Service dogs are impeccably trained in obedience skills and should not be swayed by strangers. Service dogs are kept on the ground and never on a chair at a table in a restaurant, or in a basket at the market. Some businesses request you put your dog in a shopping cart, that is OK when requested. You must have a doctor’s note for an emotional support dog or a service dog. You can get vests online just about anywhere ... YES, everyone knows it, including the businesses you frequent. Nowadays, most people are not usually questioned, except what service do they provide and is your dog a service dog. If your dog follows the rules above, and it is not a business that serves food or posts no pets, most are welcoming.

Emotional support dogs provide a service for their owner and may interact with others, but are not service dogs.
Therapy dogs are dogs who visit people and make them happy! they are the opposite of a service or emotional support animals but they still have to behave and have good manners in public to do their job.
We help students with legitimate service dog training and emotional support dog training, for appropriate candidates. A service dog must provide a service for the owner. An emotional support dog is a dog that provides comfort for the owner, and is not considered a "service dog." In other words, businesses are not "required" to allow you in with them. The actual rules are a bit fuzzy on this one. A doctors note suffice in most cases for either dog. But, if you dog DOESNT ACT LIKE A SERVICE DOG, people will question. We can help.
Therapy dogs are dogs that visit the elderly, ill, or infirm and help cheer them up! We train LOTS of Therapy dogs and, once your dog is trained, we can refer you some places to get on a "team". It is such an important way to volunteer and enjoy others and your dog!