Where did the name Gingerbread dog training come from? It’s kind of odd…

The name was born out of the desire to have a business name that would be so odd that dog owners would never forget it. The dog training industry is filled with K9’s, and balance, pawsibilites, so I wanted to do something different. Something memorable. And now you know.

Do you have breed restrictions?

No way Jose.

Do you train little dogs?

I can help the client. Any breed, any behavioral issue.

Do you train puppies?

I don’t provide a basic puppy class like many dog training companies. If you have a puppy who is out of control and need help, I’d be happy to take you on as a client. But easy puppy’s are not my thing.

What are your hours of operation?

Monday-Friday 9am-9pm

Sat 1pm-9pm

Sunday Closed

What payment methods do you accept?

Cash, Visa, MC, American Express, Email transfer. Monopoly money and Bitcoin are not accepted at this time.

Do offer payment programs

I do. You can pay in full at the first lesson if you sign up for one of my programs, or you can pay 50% when you start training and the other 50% one month after that date. By then your dog will be a totally different dog, not a perfect dog, but kicking ass and taking names.

Why should I do private training when I can just send my dog away for a board and train program?

Some people want another person to train their dog, but I do not provide that service. I specialize in training problematic dogs during private lessons in the comfort of their owner’s home. And let’s be honest, you are going to need to be trained too, so we might as well train you and your dog at the same time to maximize the likelihood that you have long-term success with your training.

What are your thoughts on positive reinforcement and correction?

I actually love this question because it shows you are taking your training seriously. And while I like to think I am exactly the trainer you need that’s really up to you to decide! 

Here’s some info that may help you make your decision. 

I use what is commonly known as BALANCED TRAINING. This means I use both positive and negative motivators in my programs. It’s a middle ground between pure positive training and the “old school” aversive methods. Using both positive reinforcement when dogs make good choices, and appropriate, well-timed consequences for bad choices, allows me the ability to communicate both “yes” and “no.” This makes it easy for dogs to understand exactly what behaviors we are encouraging and which ones we want them to stop. I believe in correctly, safely, and humanely using any tool in the toolbox that the dog responds to best. Most dogs I work with don’t need much aversive control during the training process because proper communication and motivation go a long way. If we are going to use any negative motivators (aversives) that would only happen after the trainer/owner has properly instructed and when the dog knows what we want him/her to do.

Correction is never used in the learning process. Food/treats, toys, and praise are used with all dogs to motivate them for faster more reliable responses. Treats are ultimately weaned out during the training process over time. I am not a purely positive dog trainer because I believe that the purely positive method is not appropriate for all dogs or situations. Self-rewarding naughty behaviors are not solved by ignoring them — they need to be addressed and corrected. Balanced training allows me to do that in a way that is calm, fair, and most importantly in a way dogs will understand and respect without fear. During your free evaluation we can discuss which tools and methods suit you and your dog best and if you feel these methods aren't what you're looking for, that is okay! I can certainly refer you to other purely positive trainers in the area that might be more suited to your style.

Do you offer a training guarantee?

Absolutely! Every one of my programs comes with a guarantee of 1-year of UNLIMITED SUPPORT. I think that training is useless and a waste of money if the results don’t stick. That means that if the behaviors we addressed during your training start creeping back in, I am here to help you. I will be available to you via phone, email, or video chats, or group classes. In emergency cases, I may even come to your home.

I’ve had my dog to another trainer, what makes Kostas different?

I don’t waste time on things that other trainers force clients to do with their dogs. I get to the point and I stay on the point. Also, I use tools and techniques that empower the owner and all of your homework is simple and easy to follow without needing huge changes from you. In a nutshell, I’m going to show you how to get fast results, and then show you how to keep them.

Do you have breed restrictions?

Bring it on. If your dog is over 100lb, I might require that you buy me a case of beer but that’s about it.

What areas does Kostas service?

85001-85087 (Phoenix)

85331 (Cave Creek)

85250-85271 (Scottsdale)

85280-85287 (Tempe)

85268 (Fountain Hills)

85201-85215 (Mesa)

85233, 85234, 85295-85298 (Gilbert)

85345, 85381-85383 (Peoria)

85301-85310 (Glendale)

85351, 85373-85375, 85379, 85387 (Sun City)

85224-85226, 85248, 85249, 85286 (Chandler)

85140, 85142, 85143 (Queen Creek)