Training Methods:

I like to think that I don't use one specific training methods. Just like people, each dog is an individual with individual learning needs. Not all dogs learn the same, therefore not all dogs can be trained the same.

In general when I first meet you and your dog I do an evaluation. This means I evaluate both you and your dog to learn what has worked for you in the past, what hasn't, and what type of personality your dog has. My goal is not simply to teach your dog, but it is to teach you how to become the trainer for your dog. Remember how in school you had some teachers you loved and some you hated? Remember how those teachers you liked were the ones who knew how to get through to you and make things easier to learn for you? Most likely those teachers were the ones who were teaching by individual needs, rather than as a specific standard for the entire class. I'm here to teach you how to be that teacher to your dog. How your personality is and how your relationship with your dog is, are both huge factors in making things work smooth during training.

In general, I do use training collars and rarely use treats. However, this completely depends on your dogs’ reaction to training (what works for him/her) and also your views on these methods. If you have a problem with my methods you must let me know right away! I will not be offended in the least! Every person has different views on different training tools. If you have a problem with the tools I use I will try my best to explain how they work, why I use them, and why I think they will work with your dog.

I strongly believe that obedience lessons should not be viewed as a chore by either dog or handler. It should be fun! Something you look forward to, and that your dog enjoys doing. Obedience can be a great way to bond with your dog, and if done right they will find it as enjoyable as playing fetch, or whatever game they enjoy playing. It should be stimulating both physically and mentally to the dog. The saying "a tired dog is a good dog" is most definitely true. Dogs become tired out both through mental and physical stimulation and without a balance of both a dog can become bored, restless and even destructive! One of the number one causes of destructive behaviors isn't that the dog is bad or poorly trained (though training does play a large role) but it's simply that he's BORED! When dogs are bored they make up games to play and these games aren't always viewed as so much fun to the owner who just had his new pair of shoes chewed and his back yard looks like several land mines exploded.

If you have any questions regarding my training methods, please don't hesitate to e-mail me and ask! I will do my best to answer all questions thoroughly.