Online dog training courses in ASL
CALLIE: We, The Daily Moth, shared a story in December two years ago about dog trainers who are fluent in ASL and their expertise in dog training. One of those trainers, Leah Bornstein, who owns Born to Be Dog Training, is excited to announce the launch of her online dog training courses in ASL!
Leah shared that investing in your dog’s long term well being is a valuable decision. While hiring a trainer can be expensive, these courses offer a one-time payment option that allows dog guardians to develop essential skills and support their dogs on their own in most cases. However, in situations like severe aggression or other significant behavioral problems, professional intervention from certified experts is necessary. She said that’s why these online courses include coaching sessions to provide additional support when needed.
I had the chance to ask Leah a few questions about the online courses–be sure to check it out!
LEAH: Hello! I offer in person and virtual dog training services to support you. I am also excited to announce that we just released our online courses!
CALLIE: Can you tell us which courses are included in the launch?
LEAH: I offer several mini-courses on specific topics like reactivity, addressing behavior challenges, puppy raising and socialization, body language, dog training, and more. These focus on one specific area. I also offer the MasterClass. It combines all the mini-courses into one comprehensive program. Our dogs are not separated into parts; they are a whole being. The MasterClass helps to see and address the whole picture.
CALLIE: What are the details regarding the pricing of the courses and any additional costs?
LEAH: Mini-courses range from $99 to $169 depending on which topic you choose. The MasterClass is $595, saving you about $278 compared to buying each mini-course individually. I also offer virtual coaching for $125 per session. If money is tight, I have no-interest payment plans available too!
CALLIE: How long are the training videos, and can they be completed at the viewer’s own pace?
LEAH: Yes, all videos are self-paced! Most lessons are short—3-6 minutes—with some being a little bit longer for more complex topics like body language. All lessons are designed for busy people, with lots of visuals and demos to make learning easy and effective.
CALLIE: Can you describe the type of information and training approach used in the courses?
LEAH: We follow positive reinforcement and fear-free techniques to understand what’s going on with your dog and address the root causes of their behavior. You’ll learn how to prevent unwanted behaviors using management. You'll also learn how to teach what you DO want to see change. All training techniques are based on scientific studies of canine cognition, and we’re here to help you achieve results in the least aversive way
CALLIE: What sets your courses apart from others in the industry?
LEAH: The course content is science-based dog training from certified positive professionals, designed to be accessible - the lessons all have closed captioning, and also include ASL and spoken English. I partnered with the company Vet Tech Coach; the owner’s name is Neika Smessaert, who is Hard of Hearing and has more than 20 years in the field of veterinary care and dog training. We provide step-by-step demos and downloadable resources. If you get stuck or need help, we provide access to coaching sessions in ASL. If you complete the MasterClass, you also get a 10% lifetime discount on all of my services.
CALLIE: Thank you, Leah, for sharing all this valuable information about your courses. It’s clear that these resources are designed to make dog training more accessible and effective for the Deaf community. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions, be sure to visit Leah’s website and send her an email. You will find the link and email address in the transcript.
https://www.borntobedogtraining.com/
borntobedogtraining@gmail.com