Private Classes

Obedience and "good manners" training, for example:

No Jumping on people
No Mouthing
House Rules
Basic Commands (Come, Go, Sit, Stay, Down, Heel, etc.)

Behavior Modification (to solve more serious behavior problems), for example:

Aggression
Destruction or chewing inappropriate items
Separation Anxiety
Excessive Barking
Stealing/Counter Surfing

In a private setting, we focus immediately on your dog's issues. Typically, 2-4 sessions will solve most behavior problems.


Positive Reinforcement Rewarding good behavior to make that behavior more likely to occur in the future.	Aggression Aggression is a fairly complex subject, but finding the root cause of the aggression is paramount.	Bad Manners Training in general helps with manners -- it helps the dog listen better. This dog's misbehavior is pulling.

Positive Reinforcement

The definition of Positive Reinforcement (in dog training) is to reward desired behavior. This makes the behavior more likely to happen in the future with repeated rewards. Eventually, you can wean off the rewards -- just an occasional "Good Girl" will do. Remember, dogs will do whatever it takes to get what they want. We use that knowledge to our advantage in training by rewarding only good behavior.

Punishment is not necessary. Instead, we use "corrections" which are meant to startle the dog just enough to interrupt the bad behavior. Then we reward for stopping.

A Word on Kenneling (Crating)

It is a dog's natural tendency to seek out a small hole, or den, to sleep in. This provides a sense of security and allows the dog to relax and sleep. It also serves as a good "time-out" place. After ineffective corrections, it is best to give a 2 minute time-out. Usually dogs just want attention, and this not only removes the attention, but also insures that your correction is enforced. The bad behavior stops. Period. Then they start listening to your verbal corrections (remember: provide the least correction level needed). See our handout, "Crating is Natural," for more info.

I'm often asked if using the crate for time outs will make the dog dislike her crate. The answer is no. Just as you give a child time outs on a chair, the child does not learn to hate chairs. He may hate being made to sit on the chair at that time because he'd rather be doing other things, but he doesn't hate the chair itself. Nor does the dog hate her crate when used in this manner. The only precaution is to make sure it is just a 2 minute time out. This will ensure the dog will remember how she wound up there when she comes out. And don't make it a negative experience by yelling or banging on the crate. Simply escort the dog quietly to the crate, wait 2 minutes, then release. Repeat the process as needed. See our handout " Handling Bad Behaviors" for more info.

Aggressive Dogs

Aggression is a serious condition which is best dealt with a professional behaviorist. We have worked with thousands of dogs and have the experience necessary to deal with such issues. Do not hire a "dog trainer" when you really need a behaviorist.

We set up a custom step-by-step behavior modification plan to deal with aggression. If suggestions are followed, aggression towards people has about an 85% success rate. Dog-to-dog aggression is a bit lower.

Bad Manners

Wouldn't you love to stop:

Pulling on the leash
Mouthing / biting / licking
Destructive tendencies
"Counter-surfing"
Trash invasions
Jumping on people (especially guests)
Begging
Potty Training mistakes

We will work with you to teach the commands necessary to implement a set of "house rules." Once the dog is responding to the commands, it is up to you to be consistent and enforce the house rules.