Are we a good fit?!

Can I “fix” your dog's issues?  Most likely, yes.  But will I “fix” your dog's issues?  No.  If you’re looking for a quick fix, we’re not a good fit. When owners align with their trainers' philosophies they are more successful. 

There are plenty of dog trainers that will simply address the issue you’re having and be on their way.  Many of them shut down dogs in the name of compliance and depressed looking obedience, but I’m not one of them.

If you’re looking for minimal work with maximal results, keep looking.  I won’t tell you that a few 5 minute training sessions a day will get the results you want, because in my world, that’s neither possible nor acceptable.  

Dogs NEED ways to express themselves and often that means changing what you do or how you do it.  It also means reframing what you think they need for what they actually need.  It means being open minded and understanding dogs are all incredibly different and just because your previous dog was great, doesn’t mean this one is going to fit that mold.

I am the trainer who will help you build an irreplaceable bond with your dog.  One that goes far beyond a spoiled life of treats, toys, and cuddles.  This is a bond where they’ll look to you as a leader and they’ll be happy to listen to and work with you everyday… if it’s done right.  Which is why I want to make sure we are a good fit.

Dogs NEED meaningful interactions.  They need someone emotionally invested, not a cold, robotic series of instructions from someone trying to suck the enthusiasm out of them.  Once you learn how to tap into their natural desires, show them you’re on their team, and convince them you know best, your dog will thrive and the problems can start to melt away.

My training celebrates your dog's wild and crazy side.  I compare it to putting a rage filled child in sparring sports for anger management.  The sports give the kid a constructive outlet for the frustrations and tensions in life.  I use games and play to teach similar concepts.  You wouldn’t try to teach an angry child to never get angry… so I’m not interested in teaching an excitable dog how to be calm.  I’d rather teach it to be its crazy self when it’s appropriate, and listen to when it’s time to stop, or for when it’s not appropriate.

There are a lot of things to take into consideration when I accept clients into my training programs.  Having the ability to get the dogs outside to run and sniff and play are musts.  Dogs that aren’t getting proper exercise cannot function long term without issues, period. 

You have to be willing to get a 15+ foot leash and explore with them in nature.  You have to be open to getting on the ground with them, learning what THEY like, teaching them HOW to play, and forget the idea of what your dog SHOULD be.  You have to be willing to tell the dog when it’s wrong and show it how to be right.  

If you’re not willing to learn a new way and you can’t dedicate the necessary time more days than not, this won’t work.  For some dogs it could be as little as 30 minutes a day, but the 30 minutes needs to be purposeful, like how I teach you… not mindless or preoccupied.  It varies with each dog.

If you’ve made it this far, there’s no hiding that I use prong collars and electric collars.  I use plenty of rewards as well, but I won’t shy away from using a training tool that is both effective and efficient.  Too often trainers ONLY use treats or toys.  These dogs can become neurotic constantly searching for how to get the reward.  Not to mention it can be tricky to fade out the use of the treats, leaving most owners to bribe their dogs. 

We live in a world where saying “no” is filled with so much baggage and even worse, follow through is almost unheard of.  This is a people problem.  Dogs do NOT see issues with negative consequences.  It is hard wired into their DNA.  Avoiding something unpleasant is the most important rule to staying alive (for them and us).  Training is SO much clearer to dogs when both sides of the spectrum are used.  

There are plenty of trainers that only use treats and praise in their training, but I’ve learned over the years they are missing half the equation.  Approaching training with this one sided approach leads to issues down the road and at the very least much more time and money.  Imagine playing “I spy” without the use of hot AND cold.  That would be incredibly frustrating.  There’s no denying you would be more successful if you knew what is right and what is wrong, vs. just knowing what is right.

The issue lies in people thinking “no, negative consequences, and punishment” are all synonymous with abusing or being harsh with their dogs.  This is SO far from the truth and perpetuated by people who lack education on the topic.  Social media is the quick “how to” guide for everything these days and it’s littered with well meaning trainers spreading absolutely false information. It’s truly is amazing how much bad information is out there.

Although I do not train dogs full time, I am confident I’ve invested more into my education than most others who do train full time.  I invested a lot because to me dogs mean a lot.   Each and every one of them.  And I want to do right by them and for them, while coaching owners to live an enjoyable, fulfilled life with them.