FAQs
Am I the trainer for you?
Are you the client for me?
I believe in setting EVERYONE up for success, so lets make sure that we are on the same page before we commit to training with one another.
- Firstly, we need you to admit and recognize that there IS a problem. We aren't saying that you are the problem, but there is something in your relationship with your dog that is contributing to their bad behavior. Whether those behaviors are dangerous, obnoxious or just plain not listening to commands. You are going to have to make changes if you want to see different results.
- We need you to be 100% on board with our training techniques, the tools we use and a balanced style of training. We praise dogs for good behavior, but also correct them for bad behavior so that there is a clearly defined black and white set of rules for them to understand.
- When we first start training, you may need to contain yourself in regards to praising your dog. It will be a counter productive experience if you over praise your dog during training. We aren't saying to NEVER praise your dog. There will be time to praise your dog, we just need to teach you when its beneficial. Think of life rewards rather than material rewards; INCLUSION in your life during everyday events and outings is a much larger reward than any treat.
- We expect you to be practicing, challenging yourself and your dog and contacting us as soon as you reach any issues in training rather than putting it off and wasting valuable time.
- In our training programs we focus on a structured lifestyle with your dog. We need to know that you will follow through with our household management systems. This one can be tough for some people as it requires a lot of boundaries where there was freedom in the past. This will help guarantee success in your journey towards a happy, healthy, balanced life and home.
- EXERCISE! - Every dog needs daily exercise to become well adjusted, drain energy and learn to relax on command. We ask our clients to commit to a daily exercise routine. This will go beyond letting your dog out into a fenced in area or yard to run around. Your dog will need structured walks, structured play time and possibly treadmill work as well. Exercise is key to achieving a healthy body and mind in your training and life with your dog.
- We need EVERY ONE to be positively involved with the training! We want you to be comfortable and confident with our tools, techniques, philosophies, household management, exercise, etc. Dogs are greatly influenced by the people around them that the inclusion, involvement and commitment of the whole family can MAKE or BREAK your training efforts.
I hold my expectations of dog training to a higher standard. I do not want a dog to respond to commands only because of a treat and never reliably around distractions. I want a dog that can be included in my life and follow commands without a handful of treats all the time. To join me in the real world, reliably, because it is part of our lifestyle, not just a trick.
- We have successfully exceeded many of our clients expectations time and time again because our training style is unlike any other you will find on the market today. We make it easy for you and your dog to be successful in achieving the things you never thought were possible.
- We help train and fix the problem dogs that other trainers will tell you are beyond help, can't be fixed or should be put to sleep because they can not be trained.
- We will utilize a dogs meals in training during certain periods of their initial learning stages or for special cases. Dogs earning their meals through training vs a high value treat reward creates a stronger bond, focus and work ethic. We train dogs on the foundation of a strong relationship. I have found that many dogs become hyper active and unfocused when we involve stimulus such as toys or treats in training if not done properly. They are less able to calmly learn new things and make good decisions. They also learn to "work the system" and can quickly become savvy to when you have treats and do not have treats. This causes them to choose to engage with you or ignore you. Another issue I have experienced with treat training is when something in the real world becomes more valuable than the treat. This is why we also use corrections / pressure to create a balance of positive and negative associations with proper and improper behavior.
- Although treat training can be very beneficial for certain things I feel it has its limitations. There will be times when chasing something across the street is more valuable than the reward you have to offer and your dog's life may be in danger.
- I am experienced with and know how to train dogs with food, toys and clickers. I have trained some of my own personal dogs with these methods for fun tricks and for competition agility. I save this type of training as EXTRA icing on the cake to teach dogs new and fun things AFTER they are calm, more obedient and understand the basics.
- It is difficult for the average family household to teach their dog to be well behaved at home AND in public with so many different distractions using treats alone. It is better for your relationship with your dog if you are not constantly bribing them with food. This will strengthen the working bond so that the dog reliably looks to you for guidance and leadership and you can trust one another. I want the dogs that I work with to learn to calmly exist within their family's home. As well as in any environment I bring them into and follow commands accordingly.
We gladly work with reactive, human aggressive and dog aggressive dogs. We know that not everyone in our area does and we have the skills and expertise to handle them in all of our programs.
When should I start training my puppy?
Training your puppy should start as soon as he or she is weaned. Prior to this the puppy is learning about life from its mother and the rest of the litter.
What can I start teaching my puppy?
Things that can begin right away: Housebreaking, learning to walk nicely on a leash, no jumping/biting, how to socialize with other dogs and humans, etc.
I can't seem to teach my dog anything! When should I contact a dog trainer?
It is time to hire a trainer when you sense that your dog has mild/moderate issues, and the methods you have been using are not working. It is best not to wait until things get REALLY bad. It is easier on the dog (and you!) to get the problem solved before it gets out of hand. Very often small problems can escalate into big ones, very quickly.
What are some warning signs of bad dog behavior?
Examples of things that should be handled right away: Your dog lunges at other dogs/people when out. Your dog jumps on everyone, and is always very excitable. Your dog has no manners. You have more than one dog in the home and they are growling or fighting with each other. Your dog growls at you when you go near him if he has a toy or something of value.
