First 30 Days Training Package
$495Three private 75-minute home visits, a personalized 30-day plan, and message support between sessions.
Good Start Hound
In-home dog training in Portland, Oregon
Get house training, leash walks, and daily routines on track in 30 days
Three private sessions in your home give you a clear plan for fewer accidents, calmer evenings, easier walks, and less second-guessing. Built for first-time owners of newly adopted puppies and rescue dogs.
Feel more settled with your dog in 30 days
Turn daily stress into clear routines that work in your home, on your schedule, and with your new dog.
Fewer accidents and easier mornings
Build a realistic house-training routine around meals, sleep, work, and your dog's age. You will know when to take them out, what signs to watch for, and how to respond to accidents.
A dog who settles more easily
Help your dog rest without constant barking, pacing, chewing, or attention-seeking. Create simple cues and calm routines for bedtime, meals, visitors, and time alone.
Calmer walks on your own streets
Practice leash skills where you actually walk in Portland. Learn how to handle pulling, freezing, distractions, and other dogs with clear steps you can repeat every day.
Confidence that you are doing the right thing
Stop sorting through conflicting videos and advice. You will have a clear response for common problems, plus message support when a new question comes up.
A routine you can keep after day 30
Follow a practical plan that fits your household and your dog's temperament. Small, repeatable actions help good habits stick without turning your life into nonstop training.
The first month got easier
By the second visit, Milo had gone five straight days without an accident. The bathroom schedule was simple enough for both of us to follow, and I finally stopped watching him every second.
I dreaded taking June outside because she pulled at every dog and bicycle. We practiced on my actual block, not in a quiet classroom. Three weeks later, we can walk to the coffee shop with a loose leash.
Our new rescue paced and whined every night. The trainer moved her bed, changed our evening routine, and showed us exactly when to respond. On night four, Pepper settled in under ten minutes - and we all slept until 6:30.
Built for the part after you bring them home
Good Start Hound was founded by Portland trainer Mara Ellis after years of watching first-time owners arrive at group classes exhausted and embarrassed. Their dogs were not failing. They needed help where the problems happened - beside the back door, at the end of the leash, and during the 2 a.m. wake-up. Mara has worked with newly adopted puppies and adult rescue dogs since 2017. Her approach uses reward-based training, clear household routines, and small steps owners can repeat on their own. No scolding. No jargon. No expectation that your dog should already know the rules. Every First 30 Days package includes three private visits, a written plan shaped around your dog and home, and message support for the questions that come up between sessions. You will know what to practice, how often to practice it, and what progress should look like.
Three home visits. One clear plan for your first 30 days.
Get practical help where daily problems happen - in your home and on your usual walking route. Your trainer will show you what to do, watch you practice, and adjust each step for your dog's age, temperament, and history. The First 30 Days Training Package is $495.
- Three private, 60-minute training sessions at your Portland home
- A home setup review covering sleep, feeding, gates, crates, toys, and accident prevention
- Hands-on coaching for house training, leash walking, settling, chewing, and everyday routines
- Live demonstrations in the rooms, yard, building, and nearby streets where you need the skills
- A personalized written 30-day plan with simple daily steps and realistic goals
- 30 days of message support for questions, progress updates, and plan adjustments
In-Home Training Packages
Private coaching for the routines causing trouble right now. Each visit takes place in your home and on the nearby streets where you walk your dog.
New Puppy Home Setup
$185One 90-minute visit covering house training, crate routines, chewing, naps, feeding, and the first nights at home.
Rescue Dog Reset
$185One 90-minute visit focused on decompression, settling, household boundaries, handling, and a predictable daily routine.
Loose-Leash Walking Session
$165One 75-minute coaching walk covering equipment, pulling, attention, passing dogs, and calm doorway exits.
House Training Troubleshoot
$145One 60-minute home visit with a toilet schedule, supervision setup, accident review, and progress tracker.
Follow-Up Coaching Visit
$135One 60-minute session for returning clients who need help adjusting the plan or teaching the next skill.
Make the first month easier for you and your dog
Get hands-on help with the routines causing stress at home - plus a clear plan to follow between visits.
First 30 Days Training Package
$495one time
Private, in-home training for first-time Portland dog owners with a newly adopted puppy or adult rescue dog.
- Three private training sessions in your home
- Help with house training, leash walking, settling, chewing, and daily routines
- Training tailored to your dog's age, temperament, and home
- Real-time practice in the rooms and streets where problems happen
- A personalized written 30-day training plan
- 30 days of between-session message support
Questions Before You Book
Is the $495 package worth it if I can find training advice online for free?
Free advice can help, but it rarely tells you what to do in your home with your dog. The First 30 Days Training Package includes three private visits, a written plan built around your schedule and space, and 30 days of message support. You get clear priorities, live demonstrations, and help adjusting the plan before small problems become daily habits.
Will this work if I have never owned or trained a dog before?
Yes. Good Start Hound is designed for first-time owners. You do not need training experience or special equipment. Your trainer breaks each skill into simple steps, demonstrates it, watches you practice, and leaves written instructions you can follow after the session.
Is my dog too young, too old, too anxious, or too new to my home?
The package is for newly adopted puppies and adult rescue dogs brought home within the last 90 days. Training is adjusted for age, temperament, health, and comfort level. Nervous dogs are not pushed into interactions. If your dog shows severe fear, aggression, or a possible medical issue, your trainer will explain what specialist or veterinary support to seek.
What can we work on during the three sessions?
Common priorities include house training, nighttime waking, crate or pen routines, chewing, puppy biting, jumping, settling, leash walking, door manners, and building a predictable daily schedule. Your plan focuses first on the two or three changes that will make daily life easier fastest.
What if I am too busy to do hours of training every day?
You will not be asked to add long drills to an already full day. Most practice is built into feeding, bathroom trips, walks, greetings, and quiet time. The plan uses short repetitions that fit your real schedule, and your trainer will help decide what to skip so the routine stays manageable.
Why choose in-home training instead of a less expensive group class?
A group class teaches around other dogs in a training space. In-home sessions address the places where problems happen - your kitchen, front door, crate area, hallway, yard, and regular Portland walking route. It is also a lower-pressure option for dogs who are not ready to learn in a busy room.
What happens if the plan is not working between visits?
You have 30 days of message support for questions, updates, and troubleshooting. Send a brief description, photo, or video of what is happening. Your trainer can clarify the next step or adjust the routine instead of making you wait until the next session.
Does the package guarantee my dog will be fully trained in 30 days?
No responsible trainer can guarantee a finished result on a fixed date. Progress depends on your dog's history, age, health, and how consistently the plan is used. The goal is a calmer first month, fewer daily problems, and a routine you know how to continue. If your needs fall outside this package, you will be told before booking.
Make the next 30 days easier than the first few
Accidents, pulling, chewing, and restless nights get harder once they become routines. Get three private sessions in your Portland home, a clear daily plan, and message support for every question that comes up.
Get in touch
Have a question about Good Start Hound? Send a message and we will get back to you.