Our Training Methods

When we begin training, we carefully consider your dog’s breed.  We assess him as an individual, including his age, temperament, and socialization, to develop a program suited to his specific needs.  We determine a finish point and work with you and your dog to achieve it.  

We employ classical conditioning with sound at a very early stage to ensure that your dog will not have any noise phobias in the future.  Later we incorporate this sound into training drills.   We limit the use of food rewards to zero. Food is not used. We use other forms of positive reinforcement like toy and play  

We never use punishment.  Dogs learn by making mistakes.  Learning begins with a correction followed up with praise – “Good Boy!"

Our training is based on daily exercises and drills that combine American and English field training techniques, agility training, and Frisbee play.  Everything is turned into a game, and you must play by the rules!  This makes training fun and exciting for you and your dog. 

The 3 D's—denial, diversion, and delay—teach control and steadiness.  This helps your dog learn without stress, and it will help you maintain pack leadership for the life of your dog.

Training, Weather, and Nutrition

Dogs burn more calories during training than they use running around a dog park.  Twenty minutes of training provides better exercise than 20 minutes of aimless running, and it encourages your dog to use her brain while exercising!

Regardless of the weather, your dog still needs to be trained every day.  If you avoid going outside because it’s raining or cold, she will pick up on your hesitation and may develop a phobia.  Your dog reads you better than you read her, so be careful not to overreact. 

You may see your dog shivering when she is wet, but that is how dogs stay warm.  During these times, your dog will need extra calories.  A raw diet and supplemental fish oil will keep her healthy and active.

Just like wild dogs, our domestic pets are pack animals, and they need to know who is in charge.  We use techniques that help you establish leadership, the first step to a less stressful relationship for you and your dog.  For dogs with behavior issues, training can help you regain and maintain pack leadership. 

Understanding canine behavior and body language is essential for effective training.  What your dog is saying is clear, and that’s where the confusion lies.  We tend to project human emotions onto our dogs.  When Spot looks up at you with those big soulful eyes, it’s hard to think anything but “he loves me.”  In dog terms, however, “respect” would be a better description. 

Why Is Training Necessary?

When Spot is a puppy, he’s cute when he jumps up, but when Spot grows up and continues these kinds of unwanted behaviors, he is quickly banished to the back yard or shipped off to a shelter.  Lack of training is the main reason why dogs are euthanized in the United States. 

A domestic dog views his owner and family as his pack.  It is stressful for dogs to be unsure of who is in charge.  Training alleviates this by reassuring your dog that you are the leader.  It is essential to maintain pack order throughout your dog’s life.

Many people unwittingly send a mixed message that the dog is in charge.  When we ascribe human emotions to our pets, it makes it difficult for your dog to view you as the leader.   For example, your dog is not mad at you when you don’t let him jump on the sofa or beg food at the table. 

Training will help you earn your dog’s trust and respect. Along the way, you will develop a holistic understanding of dogs.