FAQ
This is Buck, my sweet black Cocker, who has since crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge where he now runs pain-free and can swim all day with no more ear infections!
Q: What training methods do you employ?
A: I am a positive, reward-based trainer. We know from studying how dogs learn that positive reinforcement produces a more reliable base of behavior as well as strengthening the bond between you and your dog. I have found clicker training to be a fun, easy and quick way to communicate with most dogs, however, there are exceptions and I have other tools in my bag for those dogs who do not respond to the clicker. I have always felt that if a dog is not learning, it's the trainer who is making the mistake by not being clear enough.
Q: At what age should I begin training my puppy?
A: Puppies start learning from birth! Housetraining will begin as soon as you bring your new pup home. Young puppies have short attention spans but are capable of learning simple verbal cues such as 'sit', 'down', and 'loose leash walking' as early as 7-8 weeks. Behaviorists refer to "critical periods" in a dog's life as times when an experience will have a greater influence on development than at other times. The pup's first critical period takes place between 3 and 16 weeks of age. Before the pup leaves the litter, he is learning social skills from mom and his littermates, after that it is crucial that he begin to form bonds with the humans in his life.
Although most veterinarians oppose exposing a puppy to group classes prior to the completion of all vaccinations, in-home training can provide your pup with enriching and stimulating experiences even before he is ready for puppy class. As soon as possible, however, pups need to be enrolled in a puppy class for continued socialization. Pups who have not attended a puppy class have a much greater chance of not developing the social skills they need to live in a human world.
A: No dog is ever too old to learn. When inappropriate behaviors have been allowed to continue, however, it takes time, patience and persistence to counter-condition the dog and communicate with him what it is that you expect.
A: Learning, for all of us, is a lifetime process. Dogs who have had little socialization or are easily distracted often make progress most quickly by learning in their own enviroonment. I offer a six-session in-home program that will give your dog the tools to learn basic pet manners, sit, down, stay, come, loose-leash walking. I also provide per session classes if you need to address specific behavioral issues with your dog. If you are interested in group classes, contact me by phone or email to find out what is currently scheduled. Behaviorists know that it takes from 3-6 months for learning to move from short-term to long-term memory, so it is important that you continue being consistent with expecting good behaviors once your dog knows what you want!
Q: I have more than one dog. Can I have them trained at the same time?
A: It can be a little tricky, but it is possible to train more than one dog at the same time. The sessions are the same length of time, about 45 minutes, and we switch dogs, with me demonstrating with one dog while the owner works with the other dog. For two dogs in the same household, the per session fee is the same.
A: Individual private in-home sessions are $70 each and last about 45 minutes. There is a price break for the 6-session package series at $400.
Have more questions? Feel free to use our "Contact" page and send me an e-mail!