Training Program Overview



First, every dog or puppy must come in for an evaluation. The evaluation takes about an hour. We ascertain the temperament of the dog, discuss the goals that the owner has in mind, find out what kind of capabilities the owner has, and discuss any behavioral problems that are occurring. This time allows the owner to ask questions, make sure that he or she is comfortable with the process, and is willing and able to follow through with the training. We also discuss any safety issues or temperament problems that we find. Sometimes, a consultation is all that a person needs or wants. If so, we focus on the issues at hand. Some clients come in to discuss the suitability of a new dog, or even to discuss characteristics of different breeds before buying a dog. We try to maintain flexibility so that we can always meet the clients needs.

After the evaluation, we can proceed two different ways: we can train the owner and dog together in private lessons, or we can take the dog for in-kennel training. Private lessons are normally weekly, approximately 45 min in length, and can include multiple dogs within the household, and multiple family members. The advantages of this choice are that the owner gets to learn and be a part of the entire process. It can be a good way to build confidence with the dog. Also, the owner then has some basic skills to train the next puppy down the line him or herself.

The private lessons take longer to complete, it requires more work on the owner’s part, and the results are largely a reflection of the owner’s responsibility and commitment. In-kennel training, on the other hand, is faster and better if the owners are overloaded with commitments already. It is also the preferred way if the dog is stronger than the owner, or if the owner’s capabilities are impaired in some way. If the animal is having an aggression problem, in-kennel training can provide the precise structure required to bring the dog around safely and quickly. In-kennel training is, however, more expensive. The owner comes to pick the dog up, then we have a session to transfer the training to the owner efficiently. It is then the owner’s responsibility to maintain the training and stay alert to signs that extra help is needed. In-kennel training programs are either 2 or 4 weeks.