FAQs
- What types of customers have you worked with?
Because I am internationally known for working with serious aggression cases, about 70 percent of my practice is dealing with aggression towards people or other animals. I also offer pet selection services for families to help them make the right choice of dog for their family and this service is very popular as is the Puppy Head Start program (which is my very favorite) which helps bridge the gap between when you bring a new puppy home and when you get them to the all important puppy socialization class. It also covers socialization in depth for those individuals who can not get their dog to puppy classes for whatever reason. The first 6-8 weeks you spend with your puppy will in large part shape what type of adult dog you will be living with for the next 12-17 years so it is vital that whether it's a new 8 week old puppy or a newly adopted dog, you start out with the right tools and knowledge to have a happy and well mannered 4 legged addition to your family!
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Ask questions! Don't fall for guarantees. No one can guarantee your dog will be cured, it's impossible. (Ask for a money back guarantee and see what happens!) Stay away from practitioners who utilize harsh punishment techniques on dogs such as shock collars, choke chains and "dominance" methods (these people refer often to "showing the dog who is boss). If you wouldn't do something to a pre-verbal child and consider it "ethical" or appropriate, please do not do it to a dog (as they can not understand what you are doing either)! You risk further harm to your dog and to yourself. These methods are based on the misrepresentation of some research done in the 1960's which has been long rebuked. Remember that dog training on television is for entertainment only, but a very good show to watch with a qualified dog friendly trainer is "It's Me or the Dog" with Victoria Stillwell.