Dream Chaser Dog Training

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Introduction: My work is truly personalized, effective and fun! I help pet owners understand how their dog communicates and how they can leverage that knowledge to modify behavior for a perfect fit into each family's lifestyle. I love that "ah ha!" moment clients have when their training starts to pay off and life with their dog becomes the joy it should be.

Overview

Hired 14 times

1 employee

17 years in business

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8 photos

Reviews

Great 4.8

16 reviews

94%

Nancy L.

Apr 30, 2016

Hired on Thumbtack

Dog Training

Cara F.

Oct 29, 2014

Francine has been working with our rescue dog Scipio on several issues- including leash-pulling, fear of having his nails trimmed, and activities that allow him a productive and healthy outlet for his energy. She has been incredibly patient with both Scipio and me as we have worked to find strategies that keep all parties happy and engaged. In particular, clicker training with Francine enabled Scipio to progress dramatically with polite leash walking in a matter of weeks. We decided to consult with Francine again after we were told by our veterinarian that the next time Scipio came in for nail trimming he would need to be sedated. Within six weeks of the initial nail-trimming consultation with Francine, Scipio now allows me to not only handle all of his feet, but also to gently grind the nails with a hand-held Dremel tool- no need for sedation, just positive reinforcement, a little patience, and some cheese! Francine's methods enable me as the handler to feel empowered, while still allowing my dog to be his happy, goofy individual self.

Christina S.

Jan 11, 2015

Francine provided a lot if help with my dog Harper who was reacting to cars when on walks. Worse, she was pounding on the window in the house when cars drove by the house. In one session, Francine had complete control over Harper and gave me a lot of tools for helping Harper relax. As a bonus she gave me some new tips for improving Harper's recall. Francine followed up with an email detailing her suggestions and then followed up several more times to see how Harper was doing and to tweak her training. Harper does much better on walks and in the house. Of course, it is a constant process as dealing with reactivity is not an easy fix, but the number of perfect walks we have greatly outnumbers the one time that she reacts.

Lisa H.

Jul 17, 2015

We just can't say enough about how wonderful Francine is and how much she has helped us and our rescue dog. Within a month of rescuing Buster his guarding issues had spread from guarding a hallway to guarding the entire first floor of our house. He would lay across a hall or door way and growl at anyone who approached--it was scary. We had dogs our whole lives and were completely stumped as to what to do next. Francine said that his behavior was fear based and taught us tools we could use to help redirect him. Within a week we could move about the house much more easily and now 7 months later its like we have a totally different dog--relaxed, comfortable and secure in the house. Francine uses positive reinforcement techniques that build the confidence of dog and owner alike. We also go to her weekly classes which we all enjoy. Buster loves class and we love seeing him do something he enjoys. Francine is friendly,provides clear and easily followed tools and is quickly responsive when you need help if a behavior crisis arises between sessions. We highly recommend her for problems big and small. We wish we'd known her for our other dogs who were not scary but had their own issues and could have benefited from her training. Lisa and Liz - Maplewood

Jessica B.

Aug 19, 2015

I contacted Francine by telephone initially for help with my 3 yr old Newfoundland. After a long conversation, I knew she was the right trainer for me and Millie because I felt comfortable with her training techniques. I quickly learned my instinct was right because not only were her techniques on point but Millie absolutely loved Francine from the moment she met her. Millie had developed some fear issues regarding loud noises and she was not doing well on her walks. Francine taught me how to redirect Millie on her walks and most importantly to focus. I also learned how to read Millie's body language when she was presented with fearful situations. This helped me to build confidence as I worked through these issues. We also have attended many of her classes which are fun for both the dog and their owner. I highly recommend Francine as she follows through with her training and is also always available to answer any questions or follow up on training as we progress.

FAQs

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Yes, all the time. In order to earn my certification, I needed 300 hours of teaching as well as recommendations from a colleague and veterinarian. I then completed an assessment of my skills. I need to earn Continuing Education Units every three years in order to maintain my certification status with the CCPDT.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I actually had a young, destructive Cocker Spaniel named Chaser. I was uncomfortable with the most common methods back then--choke collars--so I searched out a positive trainer in CT. Watching her, I felt she knew some secrets and the dogs knew she understood. I wanted that badly so I started to research and learn and eventually apprenticed at a well-know school in Madison, NJ.
What types of customers have you worked with?
I work with a lot of new puppies and dogs who need help with house training and basic skills as well as dogs that are reactive on leash. After that, I seem to attract dogs that are fearful--either sound sensitive, have separation anxiety or have been so poorly socialized that they are afraid of everything.