Frequently Asked Questions

How much does dog training cost at Happy Paws?
Board & train (your dog lives in our home, not a kennel): 1-Week $2,000, 2-Week $3,200, 3-Week Ultimate $4,200, and 3-Week Reactive $4,500. Service Dog Training starts at $2,500 per week and Therapy Dog Training starts at $2,500 per week, both with a 3-week minimum. Private Lessons are 4 for $1,200 or 8 for $1,500, and each

package includes a free e-collar and long lead. Puppy Foundation lessons are $150 per lesson for puppies under 6 months. The evaluation is free, and there's no payment to request one.

 

How long are the training programs?
Board & train runs 1 week, 2 weeks, or 3 weeks (Ultimate or Reactive). Service and therapy dog training have a 3-week minimum. Private lessons come in packs of 4 or 8. We usually schedule the first 4 lessons once a week so you have time to practice at home and out and about between sessions. In the 8-lesson pack, the remaining 4 can be done a couple of times a week. Lessons don't expire. Puppy lessons are 60-minute sessions.

 

What happens when I request an evaluation?
Fill out the short form on our Request Evaluation page with your dog's name, age and breed, the main issues you're dealing with, and your preferred program. We'll reply within 1 business day about availability and next steps. The evaluation itself is free and takes 15 to 30 minutes in person at Summerlake Park in Tigard (if the weather's bad, we meet under the covered overhang or reschedule), so we can meet you and your dog. There's no payment to request an evaluation. For the 3-Week Reactive Board & Train, this free in-person evaluation is required before starting.

 

Why does my dog stay in your home instead of a kennel?
Happy Paws is family-owned by Brittney and Joshua Crider in Tigard. During board & train, your dog lives in our home with our family, not in a kennel, and trains in real places like neighborhoods, parks, stores, and everyday life. Because dogs live with us, we only take a few board-and-train dogs each month, so every dog gets real attention. You drop off and pick up your dog at our home in Tigard, and we share the details after you book.

 

Will I get updates while my dog is with you?
Yes. During every board-and-train program, including the 3-Week Reactive, you get daily photos and videos texted directly to you from your trainer's personal phone. The Service and Therapy programs include daily updates too.

 

What happens after board & train ends?
Every board & train, service, and therapy program includes a lifetime warranty with weekly refreshers as needed, at your home or another location, focused on whatever you're struggling with. The warranty remains in place unless you refuse to do the training we taught you. The 1-Week and 2-Week programs, and the Service and Therapy programs, end with a full turnover so you know exactly how to keep the results at home. The 3-Week Ultimate includes an extended turnover. For the Reactive program, as long as you follow the program, we continue supporting you afterward through the lifetime warranty.

 

What areas do you serve?
We're family-owned in Tigard and work with dogs across Tigard, Beaverton, and westside Portland. We also travel all over Oregon and into Washington, depending on your dog's specific needs. Private lessons happen at your home, at parks, in stores, and in other real-world locations. Board-and-train drop-off is at our home in Tigard, and free evaluations happen at Summerlake Park in Tigard (if the weather's bad, we meet under the covered overhang or reschedule).

 

Is my dog a good fit for your programs?
Our programs are built for dogs that pull, get distracted easily, react, or ignore their owners, often after treats and videos haven't worked. The 1-Week builds a strong foundation, the 2-Week suits dogs that pull, get distracted, or have mild reactivity, and the 3-Week Ultimate is for dogs that need extra time to lock in obedience and real-world manners. Board & train and private lessons are for dogs 6 months and older. Younger puppies start with Puppy Foundation lessons. We just ask that your dog be up to date on standard vaccines.

 

Do you train reactive or aggressive dogs?
Yes. Our 3-Week Reactive Board & Train ($4,500) is for dogs with significant reactivity or aggression toward people or other dogs. A free in-person evaluation is required before starting, and training is done carefully and may include a muzzle when needed for safety. We work on structure, impulse control, clearer communication, obedience, and controlled exposure to real-world situations. You get daily photos and videos throughout the three weeks. We don't promise that reactivity will completely disappear. Our goal is to make the behavior more manageable and give you the confidence and tools to handle it.

 

Do you offer service dog and therapy dog training?
Yes. Service Dog Training (from $2,500 per week, 3-week minimum) starts with solid obedience and then builds the task work and public manners your dog needs to support you in real-world environments. Therapy Dog Training (starting at $2,500 per week, 3-week minimum) builds strong obedience, steady manners, and the ability to stay calm around people, noise, and new places. In both programs your dog lives in our home with our family, and you receive daily updates and a full turnover. We help with therapy dog certification. Service dogs don't require certification, but we're happy to provide a diploma on request.