My dog is very friendly. Why can't I let him say "Hi" to the other dogs in class?
I don’t want to show my dog why should I train?
My dog has bad habits will these be addressed in the class?
Why do I need to socialize my dog through a class setting?
What type of training equipment do I need to purchase for class?
How many dogs and or puppies are in a class?
Do I have to work with my dog?
I have physical limitations and or handicaps can I still participate in dog training?
Can my child or spouse participate?
How old does my puppy have to be to come to class?
Is my dog too old for training?
What type of vaccinations are required to participate in class?
Should I take private lessons or group classes?
My dog was abused will it be to stressful for him to train?
My dog is already trained, do I need to come to class?
How much is the private instruction?
Will you come to my house to train my dog or puppy?
My dog is very friendly. Why can't I let him say
"Hi" to the other dogs in class?
First, we frequently, although inadvertently affect our dog’s body language
when they are on leash. One of dogs’ primary means of communicating with
each other is through their body language. A dog who has everything going forward
is expressing his dominance or challenge to another dog. Dogs who are pulling
on leash look as though they are going to challenge another dog, even if that
is not their intention.
Second, not every dog likes another dog to come into their face or sniff their rear. This can be threatening and overwhelming to some dogs. They may react defensively to get rid of the threat.
Think of how you would feel if a stranger on the street just walked up to you and gave you a big hug. At a minimum, you would probably be pretty uncomfortable. Maybe you would try to push them away. At worst, you might give him a karate kick to the knee to get him to leave you alone. Some dogs experience this same discomfort when other dogs greet them, and feel the same need to get the other dog to back off.
In addition, some dogs who come out to our training site have
issues. They are not bad dogs or mean dogs, they just need some extra space.
If your dog went to greet one of these dogs, it would create a negative situation
for both sets of dogs and owners. We want the training experience to be positive
for every dog and owner.
Finally, we want your dog to learn that when he or she is on leash, they are
paying attention to you, not saying “hi” to every dog they see.
I don’t want to show my dog why should I train?
The majority of my clients do not want to show. They want a well mannered pet that they can effectively communicate with and enjoy in a day to day family life style. Training for the family pet, obedience and agility competitors, and Seeing Eye dogs, all begin with basic obedience.
My dog has bad habits will these be addressed in the class?
Yes! The training program revolves around instilling good manners. Canines can not be taught anything if they are jumping, pulling, barking, mouthing/biting, ignoring a command etc… Extinguishing these behaviors is part of basic training and is addressed immediately, so training positive desired behaviors can begin.
The Beginner class teaches your dog the following commands: heel with change of paces, sit, come, stand for an examination, down, about turns, wait at all doors, let’s go (walk on a loose lead without pulling), finish (how to return to a heel position), give and take a ball or toy, leave it, look, off (not to jump), quiet, and many more.
Why do I need to socialize my dog through a class setting?
Many people have what I term, “The Back Yard Champion”. At home these pets are great; they eagerly listen and are very manageable. However, when another dog comes in the yard, or taken to the vet’s office, groomer, boarding facility or even out for a neighborhood walk, they seem to forget everything and become unruly, fearful, and difficult to redirect and sometimes even hostile. This is because they were never taught to obey around distractions, and were certainly never socialized around other dogs or strangers. This is where the class becomes such a critical aspect of any dog or puppies development. Through class socialization and attention training, your backyard champ is a champ wherever you go.
What type of training equipment do I need to purchase for class?
Each dog or puppy is assessed individually to assure the correct fit and type of training collar. These collars are available to purchase the first night of class. A six foot leash is required. We recommend leather or cotton webbing. The leashes are available to purchase at class too.
How many dogs and or puppies are in a class?
There are anywhere from 7-10 canines in any given class. I have anywhere from 2-4 obedience trained assistance in each class to assure the needed one on one attention for a successful experience.
Do I have to work with my dog?
ABSOLUTELY! The more you put into your dog’s training the more you will get out of your dog. You must make a commitment to work with your dog daily and as needed. A half an hour a day or you can break the homework, training times into smaller increments. Your homework is the cornerstone to success.
Dog training is physical and hands on. I recommend clothes that are comfortable when bending and stretching. A good walking shoe or boot with a no slip sole works best.
I have physical limitations and or handicaps can I still participate in dog training?
We have lots of adaptive equipment to minimize your limitations and maximize your abilities. We can even offer one on one assistance in a dog class if prior notification is given. Dog training is for everyone.
Can my child or spouse participate?
Yes, children are encouraged to handle a dog in class as long as there is an adult present to lend assistance as needed. It is critical that everyone in the household learns to communicate with the pet. This offers the dog the most consistency with their training.
How old does my puppy have to be to come to class?
8 weeks old
Is my dog too old for training?
Whoever said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks never came to our classes. We encourage the senior canine to attend. It offers exercise, prevents boredom and re-establishes family involvement with your old friend.
What type of vaccinations are required to participate in class?
Depending on the age of your puppy they must be up to date on vaccines for their age. Dogs must be current on their Distemper, Parvo, Parainfluenza, Hepatitis, Leptovirus , Rabies and Bordetella for kennel cough. You must show proof of their inoculations.
Should I take private lessons or group classes?
Private lessons are a great means to individualize your pet’s training
to your specific goals. The training can be done in the privacy of your own
home and usually the time it takes to reach your training goals are faster.
People with very specific canine related issues often prefer private instruction.
Frequently people with very busy schedules select the private instruction as
it can be catered to their hectic schedules.Group classes
offer elements that are difficult to simulate in private training. In group
classes dogs learn to train amongst distractions of other dogs, and new people.
This element of socialization is extremely critical to any dog’s development
and training. Furthermore the group classes are economical, and offer comrodeity
of other dog owners facing similar issues.Many people
choose to do both private instruction and group classes. Frequently, people
do not believe that they can handle their dog in a group setting. Once we give
the owner’s a little confidence with private training they quickly enroll
into the group classes.
My dog was abused will it be to stressful for him to train?
On the contrary, dogs that have been abused or neglected blossom once placed in training. It offers consistency, fairness, communication, success all the principles needed to give your dog a huge bolster of self esteem. It also instills bonding and a healthy trusting relationship between owner and pet.
My dog is already trained, do I need to come to class?
Your dog may be trained but, are you? I may call myself a dog trainer but, truthfully, I am a human trainer. I train you to train your dog. If your dog is trained or has been trained by someone else it is imparitive that you learn how to effectively communicate with your dog. Otherwise he will soon be training you.
The cost of the group training course is $105.00. Included in the cost of the course is the training manual that gives you the step by step instructions and guidelines on how to train your dog. This manual is written to be utilized in conjunction with my training classes or private students. The manual is also full of informative articles on dog behavior, canine good citizen testing, recipes for dog cookies and much much more.
The course is 7-weeks, meeting once a week, for a one hour class session.
The classes are always held in Orleans County in an indoor facility.
With an indoor area, classes are never cancelled due to poor weather.
These training facilities are in Newport or Derby, Vermont.
How much is the private instruction?
$35.00 an hour plus an additional $5.00 home fee if I come to you. I also charge mileage one direction in Orleans County. Outside of Orleans County I charge Mileage both directions.
Will you come to my house to train my dog or puppy?
Yes, I have many people who prefer to have me travel to them.