For every dog whose life could be improved, there is probably also an owner who is struggling with a dog that is beyond their ability to train. My passion in life, honed through education, is to help the individuals on both ends of the leash.
Our Dog Training Wellness™ Program offers private training focusing on foundation behavior skills, manners, and educating you not only how to prevent unwanted behavior but learning how to focus your attention on what your dog is doing right.
Why private training versus class training is more helpful. Dog trainers recommend beginning training in distraction free environments that commonly include the safety and quiet of your home. According to Steven Lindsay (2000), the ease for acquiring newly trained behavior is both faster and easier when done in familiar environments as opposed to unfamiliar. When you are satisfied the expected behavior is reliable, it will be easier to transfer to unfamiliar locations. This is referred to as generalizing newly acquired behavior. According to Lindsay, this opinion supports many professional trainers who say “…introductory training should be carried out first in the home and subsequently reinforced in a group setting” (Lindsay, 2000).
You should consider your individual dog’s needs and personality and whether you’re both ready to experience a group class environment. Often rescue and shelter dogs are not suited to class situations no matter how large or small. Before you make your decision give this some thought. It is always possible that some dogs will learn inappropriate behavior in class and group settings. These settings will further reinforce any undesirable behavior already part of their repertoire.
Meeting Socialization Goals is an important consideration in training dogs. As suggested earlier, dogs are not always ready for fast paced, lively environments, especially if they have fear issues in novel situations, toward humans, and unknown dogs. Putting your dog in scary environments before they are ready does more harm than good. It’s not fair to the dog and it’s not fair to other members in the class. Socialization can be provided many ways, if you think your dog would benefit from private training, your training instructor will be able to help you with solutions to meet this goal.
Training your dog is part of being a responsible pet owner
Additional benefits from private training allows one-on-one help and education in all things dogs!
A sample of what our Training Wellness™ Program can offer
- You learn dog friendly training methods including, luring, shaping, capturing and targeting, using a clicker as a marker [optional]
- You learn the ABC’s of training and how to apply reward and non-reward markers
- How to use games and play while training
- Lessons include foundation behaviors and skills i.e. orienting and attending responses, sit-stay and down-stay, controlled walking and reliable recalls
- Manners at the door
- How to greet strangers and other dogs
- How to control incentives and reinforcement
- Understanding how to effectively communicate with your dog
- How to understand what your dog is communicating
- Understanding prediction control expectancies and how this is helpful in understanding how your dog thinks and views their world
- Tools that are helpful in managing your dog during training
- Management strategies that are useful in controlling the training environment
- How to be pro-active and prevent unwanted behavior
This is a thinking training style, easy to implement for anyone. If you consider your dog an investment in continued companionship, it’s worth investing a little time each day (minimum 10-15 minutes) working on attainable goals that will insure their safety and welfare. The alternative contributes to negative statistics associated with pet relinquishment, see The Human – Dog Bond.
Number of lessons agreed upon determines cost for this training program. Acceptance and receipt of signed contract and payment in full is necessary before scheduling training appointment.
A behavior consult may be necessary to evaluate your dog’s behavior.
Contact us for more information and to set up an appointment.
Hello Marlene. Given what you’ve told me the situation does not sound that bad. If the animal is kitten age, not young adult, id keep doing what you’re doing. Also dont force the cat into accepting you. Meaning, how are you managing to pick up this cat? Depending on where you’re feeding, placing box and water, perhaps moving so cat can come out more. Maybe add another food source in another location. Sorry, I am limited in providing advice without actually consulting w you. If you need further help, try contacting your vet clinic and ask them for help or referral to local cat expert. Honestly, its unprofessional to give advice like this without actually interviewing and seeing the cat and environment.