“Happy Dog, Happy Owner:
a bond that grows every day”
Who am I?
Simone Öncel, born on June 13,1989♊ inLugano.
My life has always been closely connected to animals, especiallydogs🐾. Ever since I was a child, I’ve felt a special bond with these wonderful four-legged friends. This has inspired me to advocate for their well-being and understanding.
Training
In 2023, my deep passion for dogs led me to earn two important certifications in the field of dog training:
– The cantonal diploma as a dog trainer from the CPS in Locarno (see page 2 of the link below)
Ricerca istruttori – ATIC-Associazione Ticinese Istruttori Cinofili
– The diploma as a dog behavior consultant (ATN)from the Academy for Applied Animal Psychology and Animal Behavior Training (ATN).
During my training, I not only learned traditional training methods, but also how to recognize, interpret, and address the emotional and behavioral needs of dogs (and their owners). I regularly participate in continuing education courses in the field of dog training—you never stop learning in this field! 🙂
I also have a bachelor’s degree in business administration and work for a major bank 🏦—alongside my work as a dog trainer.
Goal
My goal is for you and your dog to live together in harmony and enjoy a happy, fulfilling relationship.
I firmly believe that every dog is unique and deserves a personalized, structured, and precise training approach— but above all, one based on understanding and empathy, qualities with which I identify.
The dog's well-being is always my top priority in my training sessions. Therefore, I will not condone any behaviors or requests from owners that do not respect the dog's well-being.
What my customers say…
Services and Rates
For new customers:
Initial Consultation / Initial Assessment (also available online)
👉 CHF 80 + travel expenses*
💳 Advance payment required
Dog Training & Behavior Training:
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Single lesson 👉 CHF 70 + travel expenses*
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5-Pack 👉 CHF 280 + travel expenses*
Puppy Package (2–5 months, 5 lessons) 👉 CHF 250 + travel expenses*
Pre-Adoption Counseling (also available online, with no travel expenses) 👉 CHF 80 + travel expenses*
Bach Flower Remedies Consultation 👉 Integrated into the training program
⚠️ Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance will be charged at 100% of the lesson price.
💳 New customers must pay for their first lesson in advance.
🚗 Travel expenses:
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Up to 10 km from Melide: FREE
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Over 10 km: CHF 1.- per km
I work primarily in the Lugano and Mendrisiotto regions. Exceptions are possible by arrangement and subject to availability.
1. Attendance at
is mandatory
The goal of the first meeting is to get to know you personally, observe your dog and how you interact with him, and answer any questions you may have. This allows me to gather all the necessary information to tailor the first lesson to your needs as effectively as possible.
The cost of this meeting is lower than that of a lesson, since both parties are free to decide whether or not they want to continue working together.
Dog Training + Behavior Counseling
Through a detailed and personalized analysis, I’ll help you identify and address behavioral issues such as aggression, anxiety, pulling on the leash, or relationship problems between dogs and their owners.
My approach focuses on training and understanding your own dog. Of course, as a trainer, I also deal with technical training, such as clicker training.
I don't have my own training facility—my classes take place in an urban setting.
House Call
House calls are an essential service for assessing the specific needs of dogs and their owners directly in their home environment.
I observe the dog's behavior in various household situations—such as interactions with family members, reactions to visitors, or external stimuli—and provide specific recommendations for improving life together.
This service is particularly suitable for:
✔️ newly adopted puppies (house training, bite inhibition, etc.)
✔️ dogs that need to learn to stay home alone
✔️ problems between dogs in the household
✔️ difficulties getting along with the family, and much more.
Puppy Class Package
2–5 months
The classes are designed to help you build a strong and positive bond with your four-legged friend. Through games and targeted activities, your puppy will learn the basics of training in a stimulating and fun environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to build a stable and lasting relationship starting from the first months of your puppy’s life.
Pre-Adoption Counseling
Find out if adopting a dog is really the right decision for you and how to choose the right dog for you and your family. In this online consultation, I’ll walk you through the characteristics of different breeds, their specific needs, and typical behaviors. Together, we’ll discuss your expectations, and I’ll give you practical tips to help you make an informed and happy decision. Don’t leave anything to chance—your new four-legged friend deserves the best right from the start.
📅 CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
By booking and purchasing an initial consultation, a single lesson, or a lesson package, you agree to the following cancellation policy.
Initial Consultation / Initial Assessment
(New Customers – Prepayment)
The initial consultation is often booked several weeks in advance. To ensure optimal planning and to firmly reserve time for each human-dog team, a deposit of CHF 80 is required at the time of booking.
- Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance: Any amount already paid will not be forfeited, and the appointment will simply be rescheduled.
- Cancellation less than 48 hours before the appointment: The amount is non-refundable.
Private Lessons
(Existing customers – payment after the lesson)
Private lessons can be canceled or rescheduled free of charge up to 48 hours before the scheduled time.
If a cancellation is made less than 48 hours before the scheduled time, 100% of the lesson fee will be charged.
5-Pack
(Payment for the entire package is due at the first lesson)
The package includes one free lesson compared to purchasing five individual lessons and is therefore paid for in full at the first session.
All five lessons are scheduled during the initial consultation to ensure a continuous training process and efficient scheduling.
The scheduled appointments can be rescheduled, provided that the necessary capacity is available. During periods of high demand, the rescheduled appointment may not take place until several weeks later.
If a lesson is canceled less than 48 hours before the scheduled time, it is considered to have taken place and is forfeited.
Cancellation of the entire package before the start
If a package that has already been booked—and for which all sessions have already been scheduled—is canceled before the training begins, a cancellation fee of 50% of the total package price will be charged.
Interruption of training or unavailability during the package period
The package is designed for continuous implementation.
If the customer interrupts the training, stops responding to messages, repeatedly cancels appointments without scheduling new ones, or remains unreachable for an extended period despite several proposed alternative dates, CaneFelice reserves the right to consider the package complete.
In this case, any unused lessons will expire and cannot be made up or refunded.
FAQ
🩺 Are you a behavior therapist?
No 🙂. I’m a dog trainer and behavior consultant. A “behavior therapist” in the strict sense of the term is exclusively a veterinarian with the appropriate specialization. I focus on training, behavior, and the human-dog relationship.
💊 Can I ask you about my dog's health?
No. I do not provide advice on health matters (e.g., medication, clinical diets, diagnoses). These topics fall exclusively within the veterinarian's area of expertise.
📍 Where are the lessons held?
Mainly in the Lugano and Mendrisio area.
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The initial consultation/assessment usually takes place at the client's home (if possible).
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Practical lessons take place in an urban setting.
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I don't have my own training facility.
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Exceptions in other regions of Ticino are possible by arrangement.
👨👩👧 Who should attend the lessons?
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We highly recommend that the whole family attend the first meeting.
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During the hands-on lessons, we usually work only with the dog handler (or a maximum of two people) to ensure that the focus remains on the dog and my instructions.
🎓 How long does a lesson last?
A lesson lasts an average of 45–60 minutes.
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The initial consultation usually lasts a little over an hour, as does the pre-adoption consultation.
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Puppy classes last a maximum of 45 minutes.
📞 Can I still contact you after the training program is over?
Yes, of course! My clients know that I'm available for follow-up support even in the weeks and months after the lessons are over.
Contacts
Hours:
By appointment
Usually on Friday afternoons and Saturdays.
Exceptions are possible
Location:
Lugano and Mendrisiotto
Exceptions may apply
I speak Italian
I speak English
I speak German
I speak French
