Obedience Classes
All levels of obedience is taught, I use a combination of methods, I have found
if I say I use one particular method it really narrows down a persons perception of what I do. I have picked and chosen
from many trainers and methods and combined them into something I believe works and is respectful to the dogs. They are not
stupid animals and one thing you will hear me say over and over... BE CONSISTANT and BE FAIR. You cannot expect a dog to perform
a task it has not practiced and does not understand. It is unfair and only reflects poorly on you. After all the dog can't
pick up its leash and say ok... Im going to practice my sits in the rain all by myself...
What I try to teach in my classes is mutual respect between the dog and the
owner. I believe the perfect situation is to get a dog trained when it is a pup and has not learned to disrespect and
ignore its owners. I do not train older dogs the same way as I train puppies, older dogs are a little bit more of a challenge
and take a much Longer time to RETRAIN, then a nice fresh pup with a clean slate to
write on. The owners of an older dog usually have some extra homework and need to put in much more at home training
time. They may also have to change the relationship they now have with the dog.. ie..dogs servant
I use Motivation to get the dog to do what I want ( My motivators
range from Voice levels, body language of owners, placing the dog in the desired position and I will use food rewards
on a limited basis. I do not want a dog to ever think it has to sit only, when I have some liver in my hand...)
If you plan to be in my classes be prepared to make a complete fool of yourself.
Once a dog has performed the correct command I expect the owners to go crazy... fireworks and bells.. YIPPEEE again be
prepared to make a fool of yourselves..
This is called PRAISE
Praise is very important to your relationship with your
dog, the dog needs to know why it is doing this silly thing called a sit..... OH YES My owner loves it... right.. and my job
as a dog is to make my OWNER HAPPY.
Now after teaching the dog to do what we ask if it fails to perform the task we
must CORRECT it...
This does not mean punish it but rather SHOW IT how to do the task and to
guide it into the desired posistion.
Training dogs and people is almost the same, everyone does not learn at the same rate, with the same methods. Therfore
in my classes you may notice some owners getting to treat thier shy dog more than you get to treat your oh so eager
to please fella. Others may be using training tools that you have never seen. Like collars designed to get control over a
great big 120 lb dog that is dragging its 80 lb owner across the room. Some small breeds need to wear harnesses to protect
thier necks.
I use many different training tools and they are chosen based on the individual
dog or persons needs. I believe that after the end of my classes the dog should no longer need these "training tools".
However unless the student is willing to put the required effort into training thier dog these tools will become "Crutches"
and will always need to be used.
If you are looking for a quick fix, to your dogs problems you will not find it in my classes. I believe training dogs
takes time, and most importantly EFFORT. My job as a trainer is to give you the tools and educate you, so that you and your
dog both feel a sense of achievement and pride at the end of our training program.
