Some frequently asked questions about RUNA K9 1. What is your experience working with dogs? I have been working with dogs professionally in multiple capacities since 2004 when I was 17 years old. I’ve worked in kennel facilities, lived at a farm sanctuary, worked as a groomer, fostered street dogs and trained with competitive dog sport clubs. 2. How is your facility structured? Runa K9 is primarily run out of the house that Kate owns in Vallejo, California. She is able to offer training, boarding, and grooming services on site as well as meet off site for training lessons. Kate also offers virtual training support and limited training services throughout the year in Moab, Utah, her second home. 3. Are you a licensed business, and do you carry liability insurance? Yes, Runa K9 is a licensed business registered in Solano County, California. Kate carries liability insurance that allows her to work on site at home and off site for training lessons. Proof of business license and/or liability insurance is available upon request. 4. What vaccines does my dog need to have in order to visit Runa K9 for boarding, training, or grooming? To bring a new dog to our training sessions or home, owners must present proof of a current Rabies certificate and Bordetella vaccination beforehand. While Rabies is federally mandated for dogs over 4 months, we also require proof of Bordetella. Other vaccinations, such as Canine Influenza, DHPP, and Leptospirosis, are encouraged but not mandatory. Despite no vaccine offering full protection, we require the Bordetella vaccination for its broad protection against various strains of the bacterial infection. 5. Who will be caring for my dog while on campus at Runa K9? Kate Cusimano is the sole proprietor and service provider with Runa K9, meaning that she will be the primary handler working directly with clients and their dogs. However, given that the business is run out of her home, there may occasionally be other people present. Even though people may be on site, noone else will be directly handling client dogs without prior written notice and owner approval (ie. another trainer comes over to help with a session). 6. What forms of payment do you accept? We accept payment via credit card/direct transfer through an invoice, Venmo, PayPal, and cash. Runa K9 offers a 10% discount on all services paid in cash!
1. What type of training does Runa K9 do? I consider myself a rewards-based balanced trainer, prioritizing the relationship between dogs and handlers. My goal is to establish clear communication and a strong bond built on positive reinforcement. While I begin with teaching desired behaviors, I recognize the individuality of each dog and employ a variety of tools and approaches, including corrections when necessary, to achieve balanced communication. I may use a variety of teaching approaches and tools to teach owners how to reward and correct their dog as appropriate, including but not limited to high value food, toys, training collars, extendable leashes, harnesses, electronic collars, and long lines. 2. Does Runa K9 use the same approach and tools for each dog? Training plans are customized for every dog and their family. I do not subscribe to a one size fits all mentality when it comes to training as a lifestyle. We encourage an open dialogue based in curiosity and reflection about our approaches, methodologies, and observations together. 3. How long should I be practicing training with my dog in between lessons with my trainer? I encourage my clients to take a lifestyle approach to training which ideally seamlessly integrates learned concepts into your daily life with your dog. Consistency in expectations and clear communication is crucial. Incorporating short training sessions, lasting 5-10 minutes, into daily activities provides great results and builds strong habits. Simple practices, like hand-feeding during meals or integrating obedience into play, can greatly help maintain your training and strengthen your bond with your dog. 4. What does my dog’s day look like during a board and train with Runa K9? During a board and train stay, I conduct several short but intensive training sessions with your dog throughout each day based on your family’s goals. Dogs rest in their crate (either at home or in the van) in between training sessions to encourage good resting habits and build drive for working. Dogs are fed their daily food ration through hand feeding in training sessions and/or through hollow stuffed toys in their crate. Training sessions always begin at our home and then we will bring your dog offsite to carefully selected appropriate areas to conduct further training as they are ready (and depending on training goals). Runa K9 transports all dogs in crash test rated crates in our temperature controlled and monitored vehicle. Plenty of mental and physical exercise will be provided to your dog during their stay with us, and passive calming behaviors such as resting happily in the crate and on a place bed will be actively fostered. 5. What do I need to send with my dog for a board and train program? All you need to bring is a full bag of their regular food and a bag of specified high value balanced food for the first week of training (exact details will be communicated prior to drop off). Runa K9 will communicate with you about the purchase of training equipment customized for your dog throughout the process - this is a separate expense borne by the owner as specified in our contract. 6. How can I be sure that my dog will continue to be so obedient and calm after they come home from a board and train? Consistency, communication (with your trainer and your dog!), and follow through. It doesn’t matter if we can train your dog if we can’t motivate, empower, and teach you how to maintain the training. Board and train programs are only as effective as the concepts taught and consistently rehearsed at the trainer’s home being maintained once the dog returns home. For this reason, Runa K9 includes extensive follow up support to ensure a smooth transition for all parties.
1. What does boarding look like with Runa K9? All dogs must be comfortably crate trained to board with Runa K9. If you are uncertain about this, please let us know. We typically require a trial night for new boarding clients before accepting a longer reservation to most accurately determine a good fit. I mindfully cap the number of dogs staying with us, and provide all materials including a comfortable crate at our home (in a temperature controlled and video monitored space) in which they will spend their break time and sleeping time in between outings/free time, for a maximum daytime period of up to four (4) hours at a time. 2. What vaccines does my dog need to have, and what do I bring with me for boarding? Runa K9 requires current Rabies and Bordetella vaccines for boarding clients, and the following vaccinations are strongly encouraged: DHPP (5 in 1), Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza. For boarding, clients only need to bring more than enough food for their dogs’ stay (always send a little extra in case of travel delays). Clients may opt to also bring a few durable chews such as bully sticks, a small selection of high value treats, and a hollow chew toy such as a kong that can be stuffed with food/treats but this is absolutely not required. 3. Do you take my dog on walks while they are boarding with you? All new boarding clients stay on campus within our house and yard at first while we get to know them and help them adjust to our routine. I am very conservative with getting to know new dogs and take our time to build a trusting relationship. As appropriate, we may start offering walks in the neighborhood and/or trips off campus to parks/hikes as we develop our relationship, but this is never guaranteed for a boarding stay. *Dogs that have completed training with Runa K9 and/or trusted trainers within our professional network tend to have greater access to off campus outings faster as we have established knowledge of their behavior outside of our home. 4. Will my dog play with other dogs while boarding? Runa K9 does not provide direct interaction between dogs of different family groups while boarding. However, boarding dogs are housed in close proximity to others and will see one another frequently through barriers such as crates and doorways; a bonus of this passive socialization for dogs who deal with dog reactivity is that it often helps to desensitize them to seeing other dogs (it becomes routine and less exciting). Your dog may go for walks with Runa K9 personal dogs and/or training clients as appropriate, but they will not be permitted to directly engage.
1. How much does grooming cost? An estimated range of cost will be provided upon drop off and exact pricing confirmed when we contact you for pick up; grooming costs are highly dependent on coat condition, behavior, and size. 2. Will you accept dogs on anti-anxiety and/or sedation medications for grooming? I will agree to work with dogs on these medications if two conditions are met, the first being vet approval and the second being that the client must sign a waiver of liability. I may also request that the owner stays for all or part of the groom, at least initially. 3. Do you use muzzles when dogs display aggressive behavior? Will you send one home? Yes, I will use a soft biteproof muzzle as necessary for a maximum of 15 minutes between breaks. I also reserve the right to send a dog home unfinished if their behavior does not permit us to safely complete the groom. 4. Can I leave my dog with you all day long for a grooming appointment? While I will sometimes make exceptions to this for certain situations, generally I prefer for owners to pick up their dogs as scheduled to reduce stress for their dogs. I send a message or call as we approach finishing to give owners a chance to return on time. If owners are unreasonably late for pick up I may add an additional ‘daycare’ fee. 5. Can we set up recurring grooming appointments? Absolutely, in fact we encourage it! Often, for dogs requiring a haircut, we recommend getting on a schedule where every other appointment can be a full groom or a bath and brush out face/feet/sanitary trim. This is particularly useful for clients who prefer to keep their dogs in a longer cut. We are happy to pre book appointments and send reminders.