Dog Training

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Visit my facility and audit one of my classes; this will give you a chance to speak with other students who use my services, as well as allow you to observe my interactions with pets and their people. Make sure the methods being used are based on science and positive reinforcement (as mine are); also make sure the trainer has endorsements of the professional variety--I am published, have veterinary and university references, and 36 years of professional experience. Besdide manner matters; do dogs love the trainer? Does the trainer show love and affection towrd dogs? Are the dogs in training happy, enthused and willing, or do they appear to be afraid and cowed? Are the humans in a group training setting having fun, communicating with one another and apply training correctly? Do their dogs look happy with them? All of these questions are best answered by visiting! Call me if you'd like to come and get firsthand answers to these questions.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Dog training is not based on magic "whispering" or any mysterious telepathic bond; nor does it require harshness of any kind. Dog training is successful when open minded people learn how to communicate clearly and to understand the true language of dogs: body language! Great leadership involves modeling proper behavior using nonverbal cues that make sense to the canine mind. Great training is all about building and reinforcing bridges that connect dogs and people and help to develop cooperative team-based behavior.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Where did you receive your training?
What methods do you use?
Do you use punishment?
What sorts of "corrections" for inappropriate behavior do you use?
Can you correctly explain learning theory?
How long have you been professionally training dogs?
What sort of equipment do you use?
Do you have any professional endorsements?
Are you published?
May I speak to some of your past clients?
May I observe your training classes before signing up?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. What do I hope to achieve through professional dog training?
Are my goals clearly defined?
Have I made a realistic time commitment for training lessons and also for "homework?"
Will I be able to encourage family participation and training reinforcement?
Have I spent the time to qualify my chosen trainer?

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. My methods use no personal punishment, scolding, shaming, or cruel training equipment. Each dog's training is entirely customized, whether the training is one-on-one or done in a group setting. My dog training system allows dogs to benefit most through willing cooperation with human family members, and respects dogs as intelligent creatures deserving of consideration and the right to learn naturally, through a series of guided experiments and their behavior-shaping results. Dogs are not manipulated, dominated, suppressed, or brainwashed into rote obedience. Instead they are allowed to relax and learn naturally, through a series of safe investigations where we human handlers gently tip the scales so that the behaviors we like best become the ones our dogs also choose as their preferred courses of action.