Who Is Christin Benoit?

It All Started At A Young Age...

When I was 8 years old my aunt handed me the leash to her red Doberman who she regularly showed and began to show me how to work with him. I was hooked from the beginning. Living a life in the country I had spent a lot of time with animals. Our barn was full of wild barn cats which I spent hours with taming them. I lived and breathed animals.

Learning To Speak Their Language...

Wild animals, domesticated, I spent a lot of time always observing how they interacted with each other, how they communicated with each other. I believe it built the basis of how I work with animals. I learned their language and worked with them. Very shy with people as a child, animals made a lot of sense to me. I took that passion and went for my training certification and with that knowledge and with my husbands help.

Why We Do What We Do...

We bring a business that is built on the comfort of the animals. From group class with training that builds a connection between owners and their dogs in a fun way, to interactive virtual puppy classes, to boarding, where we will take the best care of your loved fur kid as we would our own. We bring a service to this area that people can trust.

Puppy Kindergarten classes

For puppies between the ages of 10-18 weeks at the start of scheduled class

All puppies will need to have had their first set of vaccines and have had one deworming at least 7 days prior to the first class that puppies join us.

7 In-person classes in Union City, Michigan starting January 27th, 2025

Our in person classes are a mix of off leash play with learning. We also cover many of your puppy questions, like house training, biting, jumping and many more of the wonders of puppyhood. Puppies and their families come to seven in person classes where they will learn through fun and games. Must attend at least six in person classes to qualify for S.T.A.R. puppy program. January 27th class is a owners only orientation class from 6-8pm. Classes each week following will be from 5:30-6:30pm.

Extensive video library with over 80 learning videos for at home learning

This beginners course will give you step by step videos to help you begin a wonderful loving long-lasting relationship with your puppy. Easy to follow videos that cover how your puppy sees and learns, teaching enrichment fun, going on small little field trip adventures, and great learning games. Begin as soon as you enroll.

AKC S.T.A.R. puppy test to those that qualify

Attend an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class for at least 6 weeks. Your instructor will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test at the end of the course. Upon passing the test, you’ll get an application to send to AKC® for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. All dogs are welcome to participate in the program including purebreds and mixed breeds. You can learn more here: https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/akc-star-puppy/

Taught by professional certified dog trainer and Certified Service dog coach

Christin Benoit is a CPDT-KA certified professional dog trainer. She also is Certified through Cooperative Paws as a Service dog coach. She believes in a reward based fear-free learning platform, teaching your dog more of what to do and helping to improve relationships between dogs and their caretakers in a kind, loving, manner. Bridging the communication gap!

Learning should be fun for both you and your new puppy!

When your having fun learning with your dog, you will continue to work with him in his world. Creating a wonderful bond that you and he will enjoy for a lifetime! Are you ready to join this class? Tuition is $285 for 7 in-person classes taught by reward based certified dog trainer Christin Benoit. Socialization in a safe and fun environment, coaching on raising a well adjusted puppy, extensive virtual library with over 80 step by step learning videos, AKC puppy Star testing opportunity, classes take place in Union City, Michigan starting on January 27th with orientation being from 6-8pm and is owners only. Then we will have each subsequent class on Monday's from 5:30-6:30pm.

Click here to get signed up and instantly start your virtual videos

Group Classes

Basic Good Manners Class

In this beginners reward based class, Christin teaches in a fun game oriented way that both you and your dog will enjoy.

Enrollment open now for First of the 2025 year classes starting January 27th, 2025.

We introduce basic cues like sit, down, stationary attention and the name game. Dogs learn to sit, down and stand on cue learning hand signals and verbal cues while learning stay with duration, we also teach for dog's to respond readily to his name with mild distractions.

We then begin manners Training. We begin to work on walking politely on a loose leash without pulling, paying attention to the owner while walking and ignoring other dogs. We also begin to work on come and stay. Our goal during our basic good manners class is to teach dog's to learn to walk nicely around the training area with attention on owner ( and no pulling) with other dogs 4-5 feet away. Dog's also learn to come when called on leash with mild distractions. They learn focus and impulse exercises, position changes and small stays all done in a fun and game oriented way. How much you work and practice with your dog, will depend on how much your dog will learn to do these skills in any different situation or environment. But Christin teaches you the skills to have on hand. Our first class is owners only where teams learn about dog behavior, handling skills and how to motivate their dog so that they will be prepared for when their dog joins them in class. Orientation class is January 27th from 6-8pm. Tuition for this class is $215

Enroll Here

Good Manners advanced Games Class!

In our more advanced class, we build on the skills we learned in our basic good manners class. We will work on a long distance come command, stay with distractions and distance, loose leash walking past distractions, and distance commands. Dog will stay for one minute with mild distractions and owner standing on leash. Dog will heel past other dogs with leash over owner's shoulder. Dog will come from 20 feet with moderate distractions.

We also work on polishing the come cue and teaching an emergency come, strengthen the stay command by teaching dog to stay for longer periods of time at a greater distance from the owner and working on turns and automatic sits or stand stops in heeling.

DaySchool Program

Daily videos from that days training session

Each dog is worked with individually with each session video-taped for the convenience of the family to view at home and to be able to practice short homework sessions. All files are put in your own individual Google drive file. Using reward based training, Christin works with a clicker marker to help your dog put the pieces together.

How Day School works

Our Day School is designed for puppies 10 weeks and up. Day School sessions are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30am to 4:30pm (drop off and pick up available from 7:30am to 5:30pm). This schedule ensures that puppies have peers in day school for proper socialization. However, space is limited to 4 students each day. We recommend purchasing a Day school package and booking two to three times a week so that your dog will have a wonderful balance between play and learning and you will find you will have a happier dog at home.

Our canine students day will look like this:

Socialization, socialization, socialization! It is important for puppies at young ages to be properly introduced not only to other dogs, but also people, sounds, textures, and objects. Our trainer will present these novelties in a positive manner to build a puppy’s confidence and help prevent behavioral issues later in life.
For Dogs that have not had the opportunity for socialization and may not be able to play with other dogs, we will have them parallel playing in a play yard to help them become more comfortable around other dogs. Though this program is not suited for dog or people aggressive dogs.
Individualized training. Canine students will be taught with a clicker and then work with our trainer on basics such as sit, down, stand, eye contact(watch),off, wait (at the door and to be fed), leave it, come when called, place and loose leash walking. Dayschool training follows the same curriculum as our Puppy-K class and our adolescent to adult dogs follow our Basic Manners curriculum. Canine Students also gain:
Additional life skills training. Along with the basics described above, puppies will also receive crate training, potty training, mental enrichment games, and handling practice (for visits to the groomer or vet).
Rest. Like young children, puppies need naps to break up their long days of learning and growing! We ensure that puppies and dogs will receive plenty of rest and TLC while in our care.
Pawgress Reports. More for the owners than for the puppies. At the end of every day, you will receive a “pawgress” report that including often handouts from our trainer while she worked with your puppy as well as pictures and videos of training and playtime. This means you’ll get to see how much fun your puppy is having!

Puppies need to be healthy and have at least 2 rounds of vaccines and worm free.

Packages

4 sessions is $340 ($85 a day)

6 session is $450 ($75 a day)

12 sessions is $780 ($65 a day)

For some of our older students, we have individual plans created between Christin and the client to meet the individual training needs for each student..

Virtual Training options

Virtual one on one Zoom Coaching

Virtual lessons are a wonderful way for Clients to work with and become an excellent handler of their dog with a trainer that works with you from the convenience of your own home. All you need is a device that can connect to the internet, whether that be your phone, laptop/computer or an ipad/tablet. You will also need a good place to work in your home with your dog, some yummy treats and a desire to have fun working with your dog while you both learn.

Virtual packages

Virtual one on one Zoom Coaching

Package 1:

1 session with a one time consultation fee of $25=total of $90

Included in this package:

30 to 40 minute zoom session
15 minute phone consultation with an additional $5 for every 15 minutes more if needed
Handouts and video demos through email
Recorded zoom session for client to review over and practice at their leisure.https://pay.comfycritterspetservices.com/zoom1

Package 2:

3 sessions for $65/per session + a one time consultation fee of $25.

=total of $220

Included in this package:

One 30 to 40 minute sessions a week or sessions may be stretched to one a week for 6 weeks.
A 15 minute phone consultation for each zoom session with $5 for every additional 15 minutes if needed.
Handouts and video demos provided via email.
Recorded zoom session for client to review over and practice at their leisure.https://pay.comfycritterspetservices.com/zoom2

Package 3:

6 sessions for $60 per session + a one time consultation fee of $25.

This package is a savings of $30 from Package 2.

=Total of $360

Included in this package:

one to two 30 to 40 minute sessions a week or sessions may be stretched to one a week for 6 weeks.
A 15 minute phone consultation for each zoom session with $5 for every additional 15 minutes if needed.
Handouts and video demos provided via email.
Recorded zoom session for client to review over and practice at their leisure.https://pay.comfycritterspetservices.com/zoom3

Package 4:

9 sessions for $55 per session + a one time consultation fee of $25.

This package is a savings of $30 from Package 2.

=Total of $520

Included in this package:

one to two 30 to 40 minute sessions a week or sessions may be stretched to one a week for 9 weeks.
A 15 minute phone consultation for each zoom session with $5 for every additional 15 minutes if needed.
Handouts and video demos provided via email.
Recorded zoom session for client to review over and practice at their leisure.https://pay.comfycritterspetservices.com/zoom4

The Pawsitive Puppy Experience at our Online Academy

Additional Information

The Pawsitive Puppy Experience is a Interactive online class with a Step-by-step video library of setting your puppy up for success as a wonderful well mannered companion.

Included in this exclusive membership program you will have access to our private facebook page where you will make friends with other puppy parents that are walking right along with this journey with you.
There are daily video units for you to view or go at your own pace.

With a trainer right in your pocket, no worries about embarrassment in a group class, you can post videos of showing off how well your puppy is doing or if you are having a problem your video can be analyzed for immediate help.
Your puppy can concentrate while you teach him without distractions, all your family members can go right along with the journey with you, you can train anytime that suits you, you can re-watch videos and lessons over and over and you can even be in class in your jammies!

We are looking forward to having you join our class as we go through the wonderful and fun journey of raising a puppy into a well mannered companion dog. Go to Https://comfycritterspetservices.newzenler.com to get signed up today!

This video series pairs well with our in person puppy kindergarten class for those in the local area. Please ask if you would like to also sign up for add on in person classes for ages 10 weeks to 18 weeks.

Comfy Critters Pet Services~ Where learning is fun for both you and your dog!

basset hound puppy sitting in owners lap while riding in a car.

Private one on one sessions with Christin

Session on the farm

Travel out to work with Christin in her classroom located in rural Union City. Private session at the farm are ideal for puppies first sessions, Loose leash walking sessions or learning skills for teaching your dog life skills. This is an ideal situation for a dog that is not dealing with reactive or fear related problems. Sessions start at $85 for the first 60 minutes and then are charged a $1 a minute for time over.

Private sessions in your own home

Sometimes we need help working with our dog in our own home. Christin is able to come to you. We will first have a zoom session to go over a plan and then Christin will travel to you to work with you and your dog. This is ideal for situations that having a trainer on site to evaluate and coach you would be helpful. This also is nice for our Service dog teams that need coaching in home. Sessions start at $85 for a 60 minute session ($1 for any minute over) plus $.66 a mile to and from Comfy Critters location. Christin does require three paid sessions for this service.