What are our Qualifications as Dog Trainers?
We are a family run business which includes a father/daughter team with over 40 years of combined experience. With this level of experience, we have encountered just about every conceivable training and behavioral problem that a dog could have. This gives us the ability to quickly zero in on the correct solution to almost any problem. We have trained tens of thousands of dogs and there is no substitute for that kind of experience.
We work with several different municipalities as experts (including status as an expert witness) in evaluating dogs that have been rescued from abusive situations. One of the things we do in this capacity is determining the probability of success a rescued dog would have if placed with a new family. Being consistently correct in our evaluation is evidence that we understand dog behavior exceptionally well. We must be able to interact with an abused or neglected dog for a short period of time in order to determine what is needed to successfully rehabilitate them. We are regularly called in to do this by varying veterinarians, representatives of the ASPCA, and prosecutors that are also involved in these types of cases.
We are an originating member of the Canine Behavioral Training Association. The CBTA is dedicated to the education of humans in the truth about dog behavior and training. Much of the conventional wisdom about dogs is incorrect. The clear evidence of this is that so many dogs lose their homes due to easily corrected behavioral issues.
Though there are many names we could list (we have worked with many well-known people) we will only list one name. We can’t think of anyone that would have had better resources to ensure we knew what we were doing. After checking us out very thoroughly, former Governor Zell Miller used us to train his two Labrador Retrievers during his Governorship.
Will my dog remember me after boarding training?
Absolutely! Dogs and puppies always remember their family and home very clearly! When we first bring your dog home again, we do a training session with you because they are so excited to see their family again. You now become what is known as proof training (a distraction) which can be used to test their obedience. We use the reintroduction to your family as a training opportunity to show you how to address an exciting situation. So in short, they definitely remember you!
Will my dog be a robot?
Not at all! Training does not change your dog’s personality. They will still be every bit themselves but more respectful. The specific negative behaviors you want addressed will be addressed and positive behaviors will be encouraged.
Will my dog still love me?
Not only will your dog still love you but this process will create a very strong bond between the both of you. Dogs have a social hierarchy and they hold their deepest affection for those they respect the most. Training will also help you learn to communicate clearly with them, which has a strong effect on your relationship and bond.
Will my dog only listen to the dog trainer?
One of the main complaints you will hear from people that have had their dog professionally trained is that the dog only listens to the dog trainer. We understand that your training and education are just as important as your dog’s training. Many dog trainers know how to communicate with the dogs but fall short in their communications with the owners. We understand that dog psychology and human psychology must go hand in hand to create the respect and bond necessary to reach your goals in your relationship with your dog. Once you have learned the proper handling techniques and have accomplished the Transition of Authority with your dog, they will listen to you every bit as well as they do us.
What training method do we use?
We do not use one specific training method. Instead we adjust our training techniques to the personality of each individual dog. How you train a happy go lucky puppy with a house breaking issue versus a dominant German bred working dog or a fearful little dog are drastically different. We have decades of experience in how to address issues with all different personalities. We are not “pure positive” reinforcement trainers. If a puppy snatches a sandwich out of your hand they do not need “positive” reinforcement at that moment. That puppy also does not need anger. They need correction, proof training, and lots of praise when they overcome their desire to misbehave.
My dog is anxious and fearful. Will training help?
Yes! Training will put you in the role of alpha which is a huge weight lifted off a nervous dog’s shoulders. Dogs that are not well suited for the alpha role will still assume they are alpha if they are not given direction otherwise and this role can be nerve wracking for them. With training, you teach your dog it is no longer their job to be in charge of the pack which will help relax them. They will learn to signal off of you and your confidence instead.
Will my dog be safe and happy in our care?
We pride ourselves in the exceptional care we provide for our guests! The experience we have in caring for dogs gives us a better understanding of what is best for your dog while they are with us. We keep a low number of dogs in for training, so that not only can we make sure each dog receives all of the attention they need but this also gives us the ability to give them extra time and attention in order to make their experience with us fun. We do not crate our dogs unless they are specifically working on crate training, so don’t worry, your puppy will not be sitting in a crate all day.
Are we groomers?
We will make sure our long haired dogs stay brushed in our care and all dogs that stay with us will get a bath and have their ears cleaned before they come home but we are not professional groomers.