Dog Training, Exercise & Nutrition Services

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

A. It is really important when looking for a dog service that they hold certifications in canine science and humane training techniques. The field of dog training and walking is unregulated and anyone can claim to be an expert or behaviorist without any real qualifications. I meet people who have the title Animal Behaviorist on their business card when the truth is there are less than 30 in the entire country--and all have doctorates.

In addition, you should also look for a business that will work with you, not against you. There are many companies and professionals that take the "my way or the highway" stance on training which is not only unproductive but unfair. Canine professionals should be first and foremost great teachers. If a professional has letters after their name, find out what school they are from and do some research to find out what those letters entail. What was the focus of their degree? Was it an online course or did they have closed book testing? If it was an online course, did they take any other courses with hands-on training? Having a better understanding of the quality of a degree gives you a much better idea of how much knowledge they have to share that is accurate and helpful.

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

A. Working with dogs takes a lot of structure. There is so much information that is essential to improving our lives with dogs that typically the quick-and-dirty is ineffective at generating long-term results. Be highly aware of programs that offer rolling enrollment. The information may be good, but if you get week 4 information before week 1, 2, and 3, you could be setting yourself up for failure. Working with dogs is very similar to learning a new language. We are learning how to communicate with our dogs and so it is crucial that verb conjugation comes before prepositional phrases. Certain behaviors are far more complex than others and require more successful communication history. Starting at the wrong place for your experience and for your dog very rarely achieves the results you want and can leave a customer more confused then when they started.

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

A. Before hiring a dog professional, it is essential to ascertain their training method. Any trainers who use dominance techniques will not have an understanding of animal learning theory, operant vs classical conditioning in associative learning, and the neurological components at work in any given behavior.

It is also imperative to find out if they are proponents of shock collars, choke chains, or prong collars as these have been categorized as inhumane by every scientific canine organization in the world. They are available to the general population but if you are seeking professional guidance it is absolutely critical to find a professional who knows how to get better results without relying on a device.

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

A. The Pawsitive Packleader stands out from other canine dog professional services because we focus in on your relationship with your dog. It is essential to create a lifestyle of cooperation instead of confrontation and to divert our energy from frustration to that of trust and communication. We care about our clientele's dogs just as much as we care about our own, so we are dedicated to providing you with everything you need to give Fido the best life possible. The Pawsitive Packleader only uses techniques and tools approved by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. There is no greater feeling then the satisfaction of making a positive difference in the lives of others. Watching our clients grow as trainers and seeing the change in their relationship with their dogs is my absolute favorite part of this job. Of course it also doesn't hurt to have the privilege of playing with dogs all day long! From tiny tikes to giant smooshies, we adore every dog that comes through our doors and we never turn anyone away.