A Word From Our Trainer

Our pets are family members. When they become additions to our ‘packs,’ they are walking into an established order. They naturally test for their place. Adults provide the food, shelter and clothing and all family members should recognize them as the leaders. The top of this hierarchy is not the most comfortable. It can be stressful. We would not let infants do whatever they might because of existing dangers, lack of experience, and knowledge. Why should our pet be allowed to determine where he/she fits in. We, as leaders, should teach him where he belongs and how to be comfortable with us. Training the pet is the owner’s responsibility to himself, his/her family, and to the order that existed before the dog arrived. Hopefully you have chosen a pet that fits most comfortably with your lifestyle.

Whatever the situation may be, from new pup or dog, to one with habits that never should have begun, obedience training is the first and most important thing to teach our dogs. Training calms most dogs and gives the owner control. “Sit, down, heel,” when you tell him and for as long as you tell him, that’s obedience. Patience and repetition is the solution.

You teach a dog something new without distractions; you perfect them with distractions. Just like anything else in life, it takes practice. Learn how to train your dog. Learn how to handle a trained dog in any situation if the dog becomes stimulated. If your dog is trained but aggressive to people or dogs, do you know what to do? Embrace a distraction; use it as a window of opportunity to teach your dog the desired reaction to a situation or stimulus.

I can train your dog in a board and train program; help your dog and/or you in private lessons. I even have a day training program.

I work with positive reinforcement, which could be food, prey (toys) or praise; or any combination that works best and provides the least stressful motivation for your dog.
Thank you,
Allan Ross, Training Director