private lessons
Meet with a trainer one-on-one to create a personalized training experience for you and your dog.
Together, you and the trainer decide how to spend lesson time to prioritize what matters most to you. Some training challenges are context specific: jumping on guests at your home is best addressed at your home! Private lessons are a must for dogs that may not be safe in group classes due to issues around new dogs or people. Individual sessions are also most efficient to address topics not covered in group class such as resource guarding, dog or human reactivity, and interactions specific to your dog and family members. Private lessons are also a great solution for families for whom the group training schedule is not convenient.
Want to get started ASAP? Schedule a 30-minute assessment with one of our trainers! Assessments are not required before scheduling private lessons, but allow us to evaluate your dog and recommend the most effective trainers for the job based on your training goals and scheduling needs.
which type of lesson do you need: behavior modification or manners?
We categorize training challenges into two main groups: Behavior Modification and Manners. It is important that you book the correct type of lesson in order to have a lesson that will be effective with an instructor that has experience with your issue.
Behavior Modification topics include: Dog/Dog Reactivity (barking and lunging), Dog/Human Reactivity, Aggression, Resource Guarding and Fear.
Manners topics include: Coming When Called, Polite Greetings (not jumping), Leash Pulling, Begging, Puppy Socialization, House Training, Crate Training, Sit, Down, Stay, Leave It.
In general, if your dog seems really upset, you need behavior modification. Behavior modification changes emotional responses. Manners training builds skills.
Lesson Location: at kinship Arena, kinship studio, off site or remote?
To set your dog or puppy up for success, it is sometimes important to choose the location of your training carefully. For example, if your training challenge only occurs in your home, it’s important to have a trainer come to your home. On the other hand, if your dog barks and lunges at other dogs, it’s helpful to work in an environment where the trainer’s helper dog will be the only dog present - knowing other dogs will not appear unexpectedly can help you and your dog relax and succeed. For coaching without the commute, choose virtual training.
Private Lessons at Kinship arena
Rates:
First Lesson at Kinship Arena: $180/hour
Subsequent Lessons at Kinship Arena: $150/hour
Subsequent Lesson at Kinship Arena, 45 minutes: $112.50
private lessons at Kinship studio
Rates:
First Lesson at Kinship Studio: $180/hour
Subsequent Lessons at Kinship Studio: $150/hour
private lessons off site
rates:
First Lesson Off Site (service area varies with trainer): $200/hour
Subsequent Lessons Off Site: $170/hour
VIRTUAL private lessons
rates:
First Lesson Virtual: $150/hour
Subsequent Lessons 60 minutes Virtual: $120/hour
Subsequent Lessons 45 minutes Virtual: $90
Subsequent Lessons 30 minutes Virtual: $60
Scroll down to see what each trainers’ specialties are and when they are generally available. To learn more about each of the trainers and their backgrounds, please visit our About page.
Ali Peace, Co-Owner
Certifications: CPDT-KA, KPA CTP
Specialties: Puppy, Manners, Off-Leash Training, Agility, Reactivity, Resource Guarding
Lessons available at Kinship: Thursdays 12:30pm-3pm, Fridays 12:45pm-5:15pm
Lessons available off site? Yes, on Thursdays and Fridays.
Service area: Anywhere within 30 minutes of Kinship Arena in North Bend. Lessons outside this area are available with a drive fee for time above 30 minutes each way billed at a rate of $60/hour. For example, if you are 35 minutes away, your drive fee is $10 per lesson.
Jill Seward, CO-OWNER
Certifications: CPDT-KA, UW-AAB, KPA CTP
Specialties: Agility, Reactivity, Aggression, Tricks, Cattle Dogs
Lessons available at Kinship: Wednesdays 10am-12:15pm, Thursdays 2-3pm, Saturdays 9-10am
Lesson available off site? Yes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Service area: Burien + 20 miles.
Jeanne Sklorenko, Instructor
Certifications: CPDT-KA, KPA CTP
Specialties: Puppy, Manners, Reactivity, Agility, Multi-Dog Households, Enrichment
Lessons available at Kinship: Thursdays 10am - 12:30pm
Lessons available off site? Yes on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Service area: Within 30 minutes of Issaquah
Karen Beattie Massey, Instructor
Certifications: CPDT-KA
Specialities: Puppy, Manners, Agility, Reactivity, Multi-Dog Households
Lessons available at Kinship: Tuesdays at 2:30pm
Lessons available off site? Yes, please email for availability
Service area: King County
heather archer, Instructor
Certifications: CPDT-KA
Specialities: Puppy, Manners, Cooperative Care, Reactivity, Behavior, Remote Training
Lessons available at Kinship: Saturdays 3:30pm - 5:45pm
Lessons available off site? Yes, Mondays and Wednesdays 10am - 2pm
Service area: North Bend, Snoqualmie, Maple Valley, Issaquah, Fall City, Sammamish, Bellevue, Mercer Island. Please ask about lessons outside of these areas. There is a drive fee for time above 30 minutes each way billed at a rate of $60/hour. For example, if you are 35 minutes away, your drive fee is $10 per lesson.
Anna mcbrady, Instructor
Certifications: KPA CTP, PST-CI
Specialties: Prey Drive, Leash Manners, Reactivity, and Public Skills, Parkour
DYLLAN FREEBURG, Instructor
Certifications: KPA CTP
Specialties: Reactivity, Fear, Cooperative Care, Behavior Consulting, Veterinary Collaboration, Guardian Overwhelm, Enrichment, Multi-Dog Households, Shelter Dogs
Lessons available at Kinship, Off Site, and Virtual!
