College Try
Dog Training & Behavior Management
honest, caring, and affordable dog training and behavior management in Cheyenne, Wyoming and surrounding areas
About me
Dog Training Certificate: Animal Behavior College
Professional Membership: Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Education:M.Sc. Biology
Languages: English and Spanish
Ofrezco clases en inglés y español. Puedo tener una conversación en español, pero ha sido años desde visité a México y hablé el idioma todo el día. Habladores de español, tengan paciencia, por favor. Necesito desarollar mis oídos por el idioma otra vez. También quiero aprender las señales que usan con sus perros, y por supuesto se quiero ayudar.
Hi! I’m Erin, owner and trainer at College Try Dog Training and Behavior Management in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
I decided to start College Try Dog Training and Behavior Management because of my experiences volunteering at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. I have seen a lot of dogs come and go, and sometimes come back. My goal is to enable you to keep your dog by providing low-cost, in-home dog training where we can work on the dog’s issues in a low-stress setting. I keep prices low ($100 or less) because everyone deserves help, but not everyone can afford the prices charged by most private trainers and not all dogs are suited for group classes.
If your dog didn’t come from a shelter, no problem! I will be happy to work with you on any dog. I make no guarantees that my techniques will work with your dog, but I can promise that I will give training for your dog the Ol’ College Try!
Policies
I do not take third party requests. You must own the dog(s) you want to train. (Think it’s a weird policy? It has happened.)
If I suspect abuse of animals or humans, I am bound to report it by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (not to mention my personal code of ethics).
I require your dogs to be vaccinated. Some canine diseases, including rabies, are zoonotic—they can be transmitted to people. This is simple protection for everyone; yourself, your dog(s), anyone who comes in contact with your dog(s), and other peoples’ pets. There is a vaccine schedule, so showing that you have had the first round of puppy vaccines is fine.
I am not a veterinarian, so I will not make medical recommendations. I may make a comment about what something looks like to me based on my own experience, but this in no way, shape, or form constitutes a diagnosis. A lot of diseases start out with the same symptoms. If you are concerned about your dog’s health, I will direct you to a qualified veterinarian.
I may refer you to a different trainer if the issue you want to work on is beyond my skill set. If cost is an issue, I will be happy to work with you to see if it is something that can be resolved.
Payment is due at the end of the session. If you miss one payment, no big deal. You can pay me at the next session. If you miss two payments in a row, I will discontinue working with your dog(s) until you are able to pay in full.
At least one owner must be present. If the whole family can be there, even better! It is important that everyone in the family knows how to work with the dog. Dogs can get frustrated when they don’t understand what humans want, and humans can get frustrated when the dog doesn’t do what they ask. To get the best from your furry friend, s/he needs the best from all of you!
Prices
Initial consult is free
$100 per dog per lesson if you want me to train the dog(s) for you
$50 per lesson if you are training the dog yourself (recommended)
$30 per dog per lesson if training more than one dog at a time (must be 1 handler per dog)
$10 discount if paying by check or cash
Classes will be scheduled for 60 or 90 minutes
I want to help people who cannot afford the prices usually charged by private trainers.
Everything is more expensive these days, salaries have not kept up, and many families decide that something’s got to give.
Your dog is part of your family, and you shouldn’t have to give up your dog anymore than you should your children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be present for a training session?
Yes. Even if I am training your dog for you, you still need to be around so I can show you the work we have done. However, you will get better results if you train your dog yourself. Training is a bonding experience for you and the dog, and you want your dog to be bonded to you, not me.
Can I train more than one dog at a time?
Yes, but if you are training more than one dog in a class session, I require that you have one handler per dog.
Are there any dog breeds you will not train?
I am happy to work with any breed if you are looking for obedience training or behavior management. However, I will not train guard dogs or assistance dogs as I do not have those skills.
Does the dog have to be a shelter dog?
No. I have a special place in my heart for shelter dogs, but I will work with dogs of any background.
Do I have to live in Cheyenne?
I will go to Fort Collins, Laramie, Wheatland, or Pine Bluffs, but there will be a $20 surcharge if I have to travel more than 10 miles.
Testimonials
We have used Erin for years to take care of our teacup Yorkie family. When she first started with us, we had three. One of our pups has an autoimmune disease that requires extra medications and attention. With his disease, stress is not his friend, and she sees to it that he is so well taken care of and loved. She has always taken amazing care of them while we are traveling. We trust her wholeheartedly. We have been gone for more than eight days and came home to pups without any issues. She is very knowledgable about many breeds of dogs, and I feel comfortable that if something were to happen while we were traveling, she will deal with the situation in such a professional and loving manner. —Shelley A.
You can tell right away that Erin genuinely loves dogs. She treats every dog with care, patience, and attention. —Traci G.
Erin has provided excellent dog care for our dogs for the last 10 years or so. She is always on time and gives the dogs the attention they need, plus. She is keenly knowledgeable about dog behavior and is skilled at handling several dogs at the same time. Erin has a great attitude and gets along with all our dogs. Sometimes a dog will need meds or special feeding when in Erin’s care and she is careful to be sure she has the instructions she needs for their care. -Linda O.
It is a rare privilege to work alongside someone who doesn’t just “show up," but truly pours their heart into the mission of animal welfare. Having worked alongside Erin for several years, I have seen firsthand the incredible impact she has on both the facility where we volunteer and the lives of the animals in their care, and the lives of those around her.
Erin’s dedication goes far beyond the obvious basics of caring for animals. She has an unwavering commitment to the emotional health of the animals. She spends the extra time needed to soothe a frightened dog or provide gentle enrichment for a shut-down cat, ensuring they gain the confidence to be their best selves.
What truly sets Erin apart is her constant and proactive and intentional learning. She doesn’t rely on “the way things have always been done”…Instead, she stays current on the latest behavior science and fear-free techniques.
Erin seamlessly applies her growing knowledge to every aspect of animal handling. Erin doesn’t just manage animals; she understands them. Her ability to translate her deep knowledge into compassionate, practical care makes her an invaluable asset to any human-animal bond. -Chelsey F.
I’ve trusted Erin to walk my dogs for quite some time, and she has always been incredibly reliable and consistent. I know I can count on her to show up, communicate clearly, and take great care of my pets.
Her patience and understanding with dogs really stand out, and I’ve seen firsthand how naturally she connects with them. I’m excited to see her expand into dog training—I have no doubt she’ll bring the same level of dedication and care to her clients. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for dependable, knowledgeable support for their dogs.
-Tessha W.