Owana Dog Training Services
Owana Dog Training Services

Owana Dog Training Services

Top Pro

$35/day
Estimated price


Dog size

It’s free, with no obligation to book


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Introduction
Ask about Financing options! My name is James Thomas and I am the proud owner and trainer of Owana Dog Training Services. My promise to any of my clients is you will get FREE LIFETIME SUPPORT for the life of your pet. Your experience with me will be like no other training experience you have had. I am unlike anyone else in the industry that will train not only the dog but you as well. You're going to get more attention from me then you might need but this is what sets me apart. Once you work with me you and your dog are part of my family! I am very passionate about helping people with their dogs and dog behavior problems. Please read this so you have a clear understanding of me and know I have the knowledge to teach you to be very successful! I use a balanced approach when working with dogs. I use the Nepopo methodology which means I teach with pressure. Nepopo stands for negative,positive, positive. Your first two go together like a light switch. Pressure on which makes your dog feel abnormal then pressure off. Your negative is pressure you teach with known commands such as leash pressure for a sit command. Your first positive is removing pressure once a command is done. Again if you add leash pressure for a sit then you would remove it once the dog is in the sit position which is self rewarding for the dogs because they are now back in a normal state. The last positive is your positive reinforcement which is giving your dog something they find valuable. So your dog gets two positives for every negative and that is a good deal if you ask me. I use all quadrants of operant conditioning. This means I use positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment. I am fair and teach what I want first to let the dogs know what I am wanting from them and then hold them accountable for any non compliance. This means I am structured, set boundaries and have expectations that are clear. So "yes" I like what you are doing and "no" you're not listening to a known command or are doing an unwanted behavior. A great phrase in dog training is the lack of "no" is always yes. If you don't interrupt, pressure, correct or punish any unwanted behavior you are telling your dog to continue biting, jumping, barking, chew shoes, have anxiety in the crate, be scared of the trash can, lunge at people on your walks and anything else you can think of. I know this is a lot of information and I could keep on writing but I really want you to understand you can trust me to help with any issues you have. I'm honest, straight forward and can handle telling you the hard truth. I have been handling animals and teaching people how to succeed since 2004. Don't wait! Stop Shopping! Get what you want! Get what you pay for and I won't let you down!!! The board and trains stay at my home with my family to give you the most realistic and best approach. Private in-home training takes place in the comfort of your home and again this creates the most realistic and best approach.
Overview

Current Top Pro

Hired 67 times

Serves Laingsburg, MI

Background checked

1 employee

8 years in business

Business hours

This pro hasn't listed their business hours.

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, Square cash app, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Facebook

Top Pro status

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2024

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2023

Projects and media

125 photos

Projects and media

125 photos

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.

Excellent 4.9

35 reviews

5
94%
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pro avatar
Megan P.
Jul 9, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

We can get our dog to listen to us now. So happy our experience :)

Details: 6 - 12 months old • Extra large (70+ lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Barking • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training
pro avatar
Sara C.
Apr 10, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

I was at a very low point with my dog Scooter when I found James and his company Owana. Scooter had started getting aggressive with people including me. He was resource guarding and I was having to give him tranquilizers to clip his nails. I decided to do James’ 4 week board and train. This was really hard knowing I wasn’t going to see Scooter for that amount of time. But I knew that someone was going to get hurt if I didn’t take action. I met James a few times and immediately trusted him. From the moment he interacted with Scooter I had no questions of wether or not he would be able to get through to him. I got daily updates on how Scooter’s training was going with pictures and even videos. I am now able to clip Scooters nails myself with no medication. He is also very easily called off of things when resource guarding. Even basic commands he is doing better then he did before. I understand this training is not a cheap thing, but what James gave me in return is truly priceless. This was an investment in Scooters and my future. I could not recommend James more. This has changed my life.

Details: 1 - 2 years old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • Aggressive behavior modification • Biting • Destructive behavior • House training • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training
pro avatar
Stephen S.
Apr 8, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • Barking • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training
pro avatar
Elaine G.
Sep 19, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Our Finn was a great dog with some listening issues. After his two weeks at Owana he is even more amazing! Took him on a little vacation and he easily adapted to “place” in n the new environment. I love that he was in a family environment at Owana.

Details: 1 - 2 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Board and train at a facility • Aggressive behavior modification • Leash pulling • Barking • Biting • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training
pro avatar
Vicki S.
Jul 31, 2022
·

Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Our experience was amazing! We opted for a 2 week board and train. He changed our newly adopted dog from a trouble-making toddler who wouldn’t listen into a loving member of the family. We struggled with recall as he was a very willful dog and he returned immediately responsive to voice. He crate trained him for us as well. We communicated throughout the whole 2 weeks and he sent updates including photos. He was patient and supportive and I cannot recommend him enough!

Details: 2 - 10 years old • Extra large (70+ lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Barking • My home, venue, etc.

Dog Training
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James Thomas

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