How Do I Know If I Need One-On-One Training Or Board And Train?
Both programs are a team effort. Let’s just say it: there will be homework. If you enjoy the learning process and want to work with your dog in an “instruct, show, do” type of environment, then private one on one lessons may be for you. In this scenario, I will be your coach in a series of 4 sessions. Alternatively, during a board and train, I do most of the foundation work and then transfer the skills over for you to maintain with your pup. If you are a busy family and the repetitive nature of dog obedience required to lay a foundation of good manners does not fit in with your schedule, then a board and train structure is likely better for you.
What Does A Day At Board And Train Look Like?
A typical day at board and train would start with coming out of the kennel calmly. In our obedience training, we take every opportunity to provide structure. Your dog would then go out for a potty break and then return, though we won’t forget manners at the door on both sides. If your dog is fed twice daily, we will measure out the daily kibble and have your dog work for the food with obedience exercises. Then, using a “place” command, we’ll start duration work. After that, they will go rest in the kennel for a bit. There will be two more 45-60 minute sessions on obedience commands and two structured walks throughout the rest of the day with kennel time in-between to promote structure. Their day is followed by a “work-for-food” opportunity in the evening accompanied by some duration work. This is a big part of learning to be calm, and collected. After about four day, we’ll start to introduce structured play time. It’s a very full day and your dog will be tuckered out mentally when it’s time for bed.
Tell Me About Your Training Philosophy?
Balanced training is a mix of rewarding what we want the dog to do more of, and correcting the behavior we want to see less of. I use training tools, rewards, praise and consistent information to help you communicate clearly with your dog. Training your dog is not something that you do once and are done with, it is an ongoing lifestyle. I teach through repetition and routine, but the owner has to be willing to follow-through at home too, or all we learn will be lost. If you are not ready to commit to the routine, I may not be the trainer for you. If you are ready to work together, then you can have an amazing, well-behaved pup for the rest of your life together.
Do You Use Food To Train?
I do use food in the early part of training to create focus and motivation. I quickly move away from it though, and reward through gentle praise, activities and building a working relationship together. I don’t want to base the training on food and then have the dog not listen if there is no treat. Your dog should listen to you, treat or not. The goal is to have the dog understand what is being asked of them and responding because of respect as well as the relationship you will build with your dog via coordinated training.
What Obedience Training Tools Do You Use?
Every dog is different and I will use the tool that works best for them, as I believe it’s important to have a large variety to choose from. Some of the tools I use include: prong training collars, slip leads, e-collars, food, my dogs as distractions, long-lines, toys, and the Pet Convincer (compressed air for interrupting behavior). Employing a variety of techniques and approaches aids your pup in achieving a calm, relaxed, tuned-in, confident, happy and obedient behavior on a regular basis.
Can You Tell Me About Prong Training Collars?
Prong collars are excellent tools to communicate with our dogs. I love using them because they allow me to use the very least physical force to communicate to the dog. Don’t be fooled by their appearance, they are one of the most gentle and effective training tools in the industry. I use prong collars with most dogs with terrific results. When used correctly, they are one of the safest tools to work with your dog. Check out my dog training videos, and see how gently with a prong collar can be.
Does The E-Collar Shock Dogs?
No, fortunately, the technology today is nothing like it was in the past. Modern e-collars have levels ranging from 1-100 and allow us to use the lowest level possible to communicate to the dog. E-collar training opens up a whole new way of communicating and building trust with your dog. Can it be misused? Of course, any tool can be, however, my training uses the e-collar only in the most gentle and humane way possible.