HOW WE TRAIN

We meet your dog where they're at. No two dogs are the same, so we change our style to match how the dog will learn best. Some dogs require a slower pace, gentle handling, and more reinforcement. Others may require more boundary setting (this one's for you...rowdy labs!) 

We will advise you on how to change your lifestyle with your dog to bring out the best in them. Have you heard of dogs who go to training and are perfect for their trainers but struggle again at home? You have to mimic the lifestyle of a trainer to be successful. This means you need to be aware of your every day responses to your dog, or lack there of. Your dog is learning ALL DAY! Not just through a formal training session. We want you to meet their needs (physically and mentally) and teach them how to "turn off". Dogs who are missing these elements in their life can be tough to live with for a variety of behavioral reasons, but dogs just do what works for them. So, what works in your home? What do you tolerate and not tolerate? What are you rewarding and not rewarding?

We use Marker Word Training to tell the dog what is correct and what is incorrect:

• Yes, Good, Uh-Uh, and No. 
• Each word means something different, and needs to be heavily conditioned so the dog understands what each word means. 
• We begin teaching these marker words while teaching obedience, tricks, or in every day life. 

We use a step by step process for most dogs for Obedience Training: 

1. Luring + Yes, Good
2. Leash Pressure + Yes, Good, Uh-Uh
3. Verbal Commands + Yes, Good, Uh-Uh, No 
4. Ecollar (dependent on dog and owner) + Yes, Good, Uh-Uh, No 

Luring is a technique that uses a treat/food to guide a dog into a desired position or action. It's a way to physically manipulate the dog's body into the desired behavior, making it easy to teach basic commands like "sit" and "down".  

• Bribing: Reward comes BEFORE the behavior. Your dog sees the treat first, and then you ask them to do something. This can create a dependency where your dog only performs the action when they see the promised reward. It is extremely important we get away from luring so it doesn't turn into a bribe! We don't want you holding treats in your hand months down the road to get your dog to listen, but luring is essential to show the dog what to do initially.
• Rewarding: Reward comes AFTER the behavior. Your dog performs the desired behavior, and then you give them the reward (treat, praise, play, etc.) to reinforce the action. This is where we want you to be once leash pressure and verbal commands are really established.

Leash Pressure Training is a method of communicating with your dog using the leash to guide them and teach desired behaviors. It involves applying gentle tension on the leash to indicate direction or encourage a specific action, and releasing the pressure when the dog responds as desired. This technique helps dogs understand boundaries and expectations without relying solely on luring. 

• Gentle Pressure: Instead of jerking or pulling, leash pressure involves a subtle, consistent tension on the leash. 
• Communication: This pressure acts as a cue, communicating to the dog what is expected of them. 
• Release is Key: The pressure is released the moment the dog responds correctly (e.g., moving in the desired direction, stopping, or sitting). 
• Positive Reinforcement: This "pressure on, pressure off" system helps dogs understand the connection between their actions and the consequences, making it easier to learn. 

Benefits of Leash Pressure Training:

• Clear Communication: It provides a non-verbal way to guide and correct your dog's behavior. 
• Improved Responsiveness: Dogs learn to respond to subtle cues, making training more effective. 
• Enhanced Relationship: It fosters a stronger bond as you work together to achieve desired outcomes. 
• Versatility: Leash pressure can be used to teach a variety of commands and behaviors. 

Example:

• If you want your dog to sit, apply gentle upward pressure on the leash while saying "Sit." When they start to lower their rear, release the pressure and say "Good" + feed the dog a treat. 

Important Considerations:

• Consistency is crucial: Practice leash pressure regularly to help your dog understand the communication. 
• Release the pressure immediately upon completion of desired behavior: Avoid keeping the leash tight for extended periods, as this can be confusing and frustrating for the dog. 
• Use positive reinforcement: Pair leash pressure with rewards (praise, treats, or toys) to motivate your dog and create a positive association with the training. 

Verbal Command Training involves teaching a dog to associate specific words with desired actions or behaviors. It's a method where the dog learns to respond to verbal cues, such as "sit," "place" or "come," by performing the corresponding action. This form of training relies on clear communication through spoken language and can be effective in various training scenarios. We must work hard with luring and leash pressure to get a clearer understanding of verbal commands!

Ecollar Training is a tactile form of dog training. We can use the ecollar for a wide variety of behaviors including solidifying obedience skills, or punishing behaviors like extreme and hurtful jumping. DO NOT use an ecollar without the guidance of a professional. You do not want to damage the relationship between you and your dog. You need to understand when and how to use the Ecollar. 

• We have used the Ecollar on all kinds of dogs; varying sizes and for varying issues. 
• We do not use it to TEACH behaviors, but as a finishing tool for obedience skills. 
• We use it to discourage unwanted problem behaviors that a dog has a bad habit of. 
• Again, we strongly advise you seek out professional help before attempting to use an ecollar on your own.