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It's important to remember that what our dogs practice they get better at. Interrupting undesirable behaviors by using consequences and/or management helps them learn what is acceptable and what is not. In the context of play it's important to remember there should be interruptions in play, things like pauses, shake offs and role reversals. If … Continue reading Teaching Dogs Good Play

When you work with us you will receive a customized training plan unique to your needs. If plans aren’t user friendly, it is harder for you to implement. During your private session we will thoroughly assess your needs, start the work, and help you learn how to practice it. When we leave that day you … Continue reading The Beauty of Private Training

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy This is the most important training you can do for your puppy and it starts at the very beginning. Set your new puppy up for success! 8 weeks / $275 Basic Obedience Get the right help with leash walking, jumping, recall, and other issues using traditional obedience work and management options. 6 … Continue reading Upcoming Classes

The top three client issues are typically that the dog doesn’t come when called reliably, pulls on leash and jumps. Today we will talk about why our recall (come) command fails and how to train it properly. First thing to remember is that practice makes perfect, provided your practicing the correct way. Good training is … Continue reading My Dog Doesn’t Come When Called Help!

As pet parents we all want the very best for our dogs and that includes training. I’m typically contacted by dog owners that are frustrated with bothersome behaviors from their dogs. They’ve tried googling for help, asking their neighbors and trying things they might think will help. It’s always better to get help right off … Continue reading What is Force Free Training?

Key Points• Despite the fact that advances in behavior research have modified our understanding of social hierarchies in wolves, many animal trainers continue to base their training meth- ods on outdated perceptions of dominance theory. (Refer to Myths About Dominance and Wolf Behavior as It Relates to Dogs) Dominance is defined as a relationship between … Continue reading American Veterinarian Society on Animal Behavior Dominance Statement.

These excerpts have been taken off the American Veterinarian Society of Animal Behavior official position statement. What are some examples of techniques that may be used by a reward-based trainer?Trainers may use verbal or visual cues to signal (request) the required behavior, a clicker or verbal marker to mark the behavior, and toys, treats, or … Continue reading Excerpts from AVSAB position statement on training methods.

Please, please, please do your research on where you send your dog! I am continuing to hear about dogs being harmed while at some board and train facilities in the area. I just heard from a groomer that a dog was taken to one in western North Carolina and subjected to the electronic shock collar … Continue reading Warning on Board and Train!

Prevention and Treating Thunderstorm Anxiety It's that time of year that we don't look forward to with our dogs. Those flashes of light and loud crashing of cymbals from above, can be scary and foreign to a lot of our dogs. Imprinting young puppies with tapes of thunderstorms early on, can be very helpful in … Continue reading Thunderstorm Anxiety

Congratulations to our new AKC S.T.A.R. Puppies!You should be very proud of all the hard work you have done together. Looking forward to helping you in the future and hopefully seeing the babies become AKC Canine Good Citizens one day. ELLIE BLU FINNEY RHODIE Please contact us today for the best training help available. We … Continue reading AKC S.T.A.R. PUPPIES!