I am looking to work with people who understand that they are the nuts and bolts of their dog’s failure or success. “Environment affects behavior,” is one of the truest statements ever made. You are part of your dog’s environment, therefore, you are very much affecting your dog’s behavior at any given moment. What’s great is that you are the most powerful entity to help your dog! However, you must be fully aware and committed to changing some things that need changing in order to help your dog succeed. Perhaps your dog may need to not sleep on your bed anymore or even on the couch. I recommend this only when necessary and not just as a “house rule.” You may have to withhold physical affection or praise from your dog at certain times. What is equally important, is that you are on board with the tools I use and how I train. I will not appease a client or organization by using a tool or technique that I do not feel is ideal to facilitate a dog’s success. The reason is, because I know that it will not produce the proper result. I use the tools that I do because they are simple, humane, and effective.
My guarantee for your dog’s training lies in your hands more so than mine. I can guarantee I will train your dog to reach your goals. I cannot guarantee you will follow through with the training to maintain it. If you do the reinforcement training at home as recommended and use training tools consistently in they way I’ve shown you, you will get exactly the results you are looking for. Staying in touch and communicating is also a great way to ensure results. I am here to support you after my Three Week Board and Train Program for the life of your dog through phone, email and FaceTime.
The very first level that will be tangible to you, your “working” level, will feel like a fly has landed on you. After that the stimulation feels like increasing levels of “pins and needles.” My clients are always surprised how subtle the sensation of the stim is! They are often astounded when their dogs respond to levels they cannot feel.
No. Just the way I could never force you to like EVERY person you meet. You are not going to be best friends with everyone you encounter and you wouldn’t even want to be. How aggressive dogs go through the rehabilitation process is a case by case basis. What I can give you is a dog that is more tolerant of other dogs and does not react aggressively anymore. This doesn’t mean your dog will love other dogs and want to play. There are many factors that determine these outcomes: genetics, diet, home environment, after care follow through, and your dog’s individual personality. Some dogs do a total 180 during their Board and Train Program and come out of their training very social. Others will be dog selective. After I get to know your dog, I will give you realistic expectations about his or her sociability.
The majority of issues in dogs stem from lack of structure in the home environment. Removing the dog from that environment makes training so much easier. Because your dog has no history of practicing naughty behavior in my home, I can simply show him/her what rules apply in this environment. It’s a clean slate to start from. While your dog is gone for training you will have time to relax, regroup, and make some changes to your home that are conducive to your dog’s success. This time away will also make you better prepared to take over the training when your dog returns home since we will be in communication for the duration of your dog’s stay.
Yes and no. I prefer to use the dog’s food in training instead of treats. However, if I am working on something like nail trimming, I may certainly opt for a higher value reward. Sometimes I use no food at all. It will always depend on the individual dog and what we are working on. I LOVE to teach owners how being fun and engaging can be a huge motivator for their dogs! Using animation and silliness in training is part of relationship building. This is something I enjoy teaching people how to apply at the appropriate time! I love the expression, “Dog training: if your’e not embarrassing yourself, your’e not doing it right!”
I don’t offer a discount for multiple dogs. The reason is that it’s double-trouble! Typically, multiple dog households are so much more work because you have two dogs practicing bad behavior. The dogs are feeding off one another and it is MUCH more of a task to get two (or more) dogs on track who are used to practicing unwanted behavior together. If the dogs don’t get along, well that’s a whole other story! It can be serious work to help dogs live peacefully together that were fighting or avoiding each other. It is more work for me and more work for the owner at home as well.