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1. Why train a dog?

The number one thing a dog needs is mental stimulation. The best way to stimulate a dogs mind is through structured obedience training. This keeps our dogs safe and they dont destroy or soil your home. As a result, dogs are able to respond to basic commands and behaviors. This lets us enjoy them more and understand them better.

2. When to train a dog?

The best time to start training is as soon as you bring your dog home.The sooner you start training your dog, the sooner you start developing a working leadership role with your dog. If you wait to train, you will start to develop a love relationship but not a working respect relationship. The sooner you start training, the sooner your dog will start to trust you. Dogs know a pack leader will not allow one of his pack members to be hurt. You become their leader and they trust you.

3. Common dog training pitfalls.

The number one most common pitfall is being inconsistent with your dog. Second is showing your dog weak body language. Dogs are masters at reading your body movements and weak body language tells them you are NOT the pack leader. And most importantly is not giving your dog a job. Your dog needs a job. It needs to understand what is expected of it and be able to deliver on that expectation. Remember, your dog wants to please. Show him how.

4. Why hire a professional dog trainer?

I can accomplish the job faster, and create a more positive experience for both you and your dog. The dog understands what is expected out of them. I can set up a schedule for you and your dog so you know what to do from when you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night. I not only educate the dog, but also the owner. Books, DVDs, and videos do not give back positive feedback.

5. What types of dogs can be trained?

All breeds can be trained. I have trained over 100 dogs. I do not think there is a breed mixed or purebred that I do not have experience training.

6. What should you do if you have an aggressive dog?

Do not try to train an aggressive dog, frightened dog, or a dog that exhibits dominant behaviors by yourself. Many owners get bit by their own dog, by not understanding how to create safe space for the dog or themselves. Never grab an aggressive dogs collar (eg: trying to pull them off the bed, couch etc). Again, you can get bit.

7. What are the benefits of training a dog for both owner and dog?

The 4 most important things a dog needs is mental stimulation, physical exercise, touching and petting, and verbal praise. I can open the lines of communication between dog and owner. There is no gray area to a dog. There is only a leader and a follower. I will teach you how to become the leader. When your dog is responding to your commands, it is happy because it does not have to make anymore decisions. Your dogs life becomes much easier and happier.

8. Training an older dog.

I absolutely can train an older dog. Because dogs learn quickly through repetition and positive and negative behaviors, it may take a bit longer, but we must keep our patience! For our senior dogs, 7 years of age plus, we must make sure they are in good health and pain free. A physical examination by your veterinarian will help you determine this.

9. Puppy training

Between the ages of 10 weeks up to 16 weeks, is one of the most important molding times for your puppy. It is the most critical period for social development. Exposing your puppy to socialization training early on, prevents dog and puppy phobias including shyness, excessive barking, chewing, excessive digging, anxiety and depression (yes your dog can get depressed!), and most important, dog aggression and dog biting. The first 10 to 16 weeks, is a critical time for owners to establish positive pack leadership. This tells the puppy you are the pack leader and will take care of its pack members. This is also the time to set expectations so your puppy has a job to deliver on. This is the time to develop good home manners. Good home manners(discipline) include not jumping on guests, chewing up furniture and clothes, not running around or destroying the house, jumping on things, tearing up the garden, scaring the kids, etc. This also teaches the puppy how to play with our young children properly. (eg: not allowing the pup to dominat children) By training early, you open the lines of communication. This teaches the dog to respond to your voice and obedience commands. The result is a happy companionship between you and your dog. Your dog trusts you and you trust your dog.