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caring for dogs
and their people
since 1984
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Lessons for Life
One part therapist, one part teacher, one part dog whisperer—our training methods and lessons are designed to help you and your dog achieve long-lasting behavior changes—changes that will make a positive difference in your relationship.
Our goal is two-fold: a happy, confident, well-trained dog and a satisfied client who is better able to understand and communicate with his dog.
You Will Learn
You will learn to understand and control your dog's natural instincts. You will learn how to listen to your dog and respond in ways that he can understand and obey. And you will learn to be the master of your dog's universe.
Your Dog Will Learn
The Foundation
Confidence and Sense of Purpose. The cornerstone of our training is to develop your dog's confidence and sense of purpose. A dog that is afraid is unhappy and dangerous. Making sure he is confident and happy is the first building block of our training program.
The second is developing a sense of purpose. Dogs need something to do. For some dogs, being your lap dog is enough, for others, generations of breeding demands a more active job to do. A terrier may be a small dog, but in him lurks the heart and energy of a skilled hunter. A greyhound is born to run. A border collie has the urge to herd. These natural instincts can be channeled into fun games and enthusiastic obedience. But when left unchecked and without outlet, they can lead to destructive behavior and neurosis.
Social Manners and Hierarchy. Dogs are pack animals. Your family, whether that is comprised of just you and your dog or a family of eight, is your dog's pack. His place in the pack may not seem important to you, but it is to him. His willingness to be obedient, his sense of security, confidence, and happiness is dependent upon a well-established, consistent pack structure with you at the head. Establishing the right pack structure lays another foundation stone.
Attention. The last piece of the foundation is to teach your dog to pay attention. You can see "the look" in the photos of John and Bona—happy, happy, waiting on the master's command. Paying attention is an active choice that we help your dog to make.
Constructive Play. We use constructive play to lay the foundation of your dog's training. It builds the confidence, sense of purpose, hierarchy, and attention we require before moving on to obedience and behavior work. Constructive play is a technique that is also used to introduce many of the commands your dog will learn as his training progresses.
Commands
Commands can be taught in English or German or another language. The guttural sounds of German are easy for your dog to respond to and difficult for strangers to interact with your dog. Or, if you are more comfortable speaking in your native language, just let us know and we will work something out.
Place. Your dog is trained to go to a crate or mat and remain there until released. The Place command has many uses, whether you are eating dinner, answering the doorbell, or want your dog to be near you but not on top of you. Bring his place with you on trips, short or long. You will find it a helpful tool and he will find it a source of comfort and familiarity in a strange environment.
Up. There are times when your dog needs to jump into or climb onto something. Up into the car, up onto the vet's table, up the steps.
Off. Get off the bed, get off the counters, get off grandma's lap. The command Off is different from the command down.
Down. Down is the command for your dog to put his body on the floor and not to move until he is given a release command.
Sit. Your dog learns to sit on one command and remain sitting until given a release command.
Out or Drop It. This command tells your dog to let go of whatever he has in his mouth. Out the ball, out the bad guy, out the pot roast.
Leave It. This command tells your dog to stay away from an object.
Leash Manners. Your dog learns to walk without pulling, jumping, or biting the leash.
Heel. This formal command is meant for a more polished look or for competition. During the heel, your dog is on your left, shoulder to leg at full attention. He moves without command to your every step and change of direction, adjusting his pace to yours, and sitting automatically when you stop. A beautiful heel is a joy to behold.
Come. Your dog needs to come to you when you call him. Period.
Here. On this command your dog comes as quickly as he can and sits in front of you, as closely as possible without touching you and at full attention. This command, like the heel command, is for a more polished look or for competition.
Go Potty. On cold winter nights, this is our favorite command.
Custom commands and commands for competition, security, or police work can be discussed when John meets with you and your dog.
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