College Try Dog Training and behavior Management
honest, caring, and affordable dog training and behavior Management for everyone
Dog Training Certificate: Animal Behavior College
Professional Membership: Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Education: M.Sc. Biology
Languages: English and Spanish (Mantengo el idioma por leyendo libros y escuchando a podcasts. Sin embargo, ha sido años desde estuve en Mèxico. Probablemente seré más despacio por un rato mientras desarollo los oídos otra vez y aprendio el vocabulario que necesitaré. Pero tenga pacienia, por favor. Le quiero ayudar.)
About me
Hi! I’m Erin, owner and trainer at College Try Dog Training and Behavior Management in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The dogs with me in the photos above are Freya, Finn, and Jake. Freya and Finn are my dad’s hunting dogs, who he allows me to use for training practice. I trained with Freya for the externship portion of my training with Animal Behavior College, and when it came time for the final test, I took her with me to see how she’d do. She passed! Finn went through the same training in a later class, but did not pass the Canine Good Citizen test because he couldn’t manage to walk on a loose leash. What can I say? All dogs are different. He helps in other ways, though; in the above photo, he is helping me pick cheatgrass seeds out of my field pants. I adopted Jake from the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. I was in the vet clinic brushing him and he turned around and licked me on the nose. That was my sign. He was 11 years old.
I started volunteering at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter in 2013. I have seen a lot of dogs come and go, and sometimes come back. Maybe the dog you adopted went bonkers the first night and destroyed your house, so you took him back the next day. Maybe you muddled through for a couple weeks and decided it just wasn’t going to work. Maybe the resident dog didn’t like having a new dog on its turf, even though they got along fine when they met at the shelter. Maybe the new dog was just a bit too interested in the cat. Maybe you adopted a puppy that has begun to develop problematic behavior after two years. Most dogs that get returned eventually find homes. If, however, you can’t bear the thought of taking your dog to the shelter, but also don’t know if you can afford training, that’s where College Try Dog Training and Behavior Management comes in comes in.
The idea behind College Try Dog Training and Behavior Management is that you thought you had a dog that might need a bit of training, but you discover that the technique you use doesn’t work. You try a group training class, but the dog is too distracted or fearful to be successful in that setting, and you can’t afford the rates charged for private lessons. I offer low-cost private training in your home. The familiar environment makes the session less stressful so your dog can focus on learning. Each lesson will be an hour long. When I arrive for the first consultation, I need to see that your dog has been vaccinated, so please have vaccination records available.
The name College Try comes because we are both giving training the ‘Old College Try.’ You are giving it the old college try because you are at your wits’ end and hope there will be some help out there for you. I am giving it the old college try because not every technique works for every dog. Rest assured I will put my best foot forward for your dog because every dog (and every human who loves the dog) deserves a chance.
business goals
Support individuals/families in dog training so they can keep their dogs
Make it less-likely a dog will be relinquished to the animal shelter due to behavior problems
Increase the likelihood that a dog that must be relinquished will be adopted due to good behavior
Policies
I do not take third party requests. You must own the dog(s) you want to train. (It sounds like a weird policy, but 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. That is, 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. That is why you need a qualified professional to make the diagnosis.
I may refer you to a different trainer if the issue you need to resolve 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; preferably, all of them. It is important that the whole 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
$50 per lesson
$30 per dog per lesson if training more than one dog at a time
$10 discount if paying by check or cash
I will set up group classes if there is enough interest. Classes will be $30.
Initial consult is free
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 you teach group classes?
I will set up group classes if I find that there is enough interest.
do i have to be present for a training session?
Yes. You need to learn how to train your dog. Beyond that, training is a bonding experience, so it is extremely important you work together.
can i handle more than one dog?
If you are training more than one dog at a time, I require that you have one handler per dog. The way I’ve handled that conundrum in the past is to take one dog to class, then work with both of them individually throughout the week using the techniques I learned.
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 for you to come work with me and my dog?
I will go anywhere up to an hour away (Fort Collins, Laramie, Wheatland, 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 impactshe 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.