What tools do you use?

We use a variety of tools depending on what your dog responds best to. When first handling dogs, we like to use slip leads because they are an escape-proof leash that allows us to safely handle dogs without risk of a collar breaking or slipping off. We may also use a prong collar for less sensitive dogs as it offers a humane, easy-to-understand line of communication from the leash to your dog. Prong collars are designed to distribute pressure evenly around your dog’s neck, rather than a flat collar, which can put the majority of pressure on the dog’s trachea. We only use Herm Sprenger brand prong collars, as they are industry standard. We also love Mendota Pet for our slip leads and leashes.

For our advanced programs, we exclusively use remote collars from E-Collar Technologies. (We don’t use the term “shock” collar, as it is incorrect and suggests that the tool is causing harm to your dog - it’s not.) These collars are the highest quality collars on the market and send safe, reliable amounts of stimulation (TENS) to your pet, allowing us to communicate with them from a distance in a way that they can understand. Please check out their website for more in-depth information on their collar systems.

We also use all kinds of rewards from food to toys to praise - we like to keep things fun! It all depends on what your dog likes. We want your dog to WANT to do what we are asking.

Will the training last?

Training is all about what you, as the owner, put into it. That said, we offer Lifetime Training Support for many of our programs so that you can rest assured that you’ll have help if a future issue comes up. If you follow our advice and reach out for help when you need it, you will see results - often fast!

Will training change my dogs personality?

We cannot fundamentally change who your dog is as a dog, any more than we can change who someone is as a person. We can, however, teach them how to be better behaved in daily life, so that they may more fully enjoy it with you. Training gives dogs more freedom when we know they will listen when we need it. Training not only helps solves problem behaviors but also helps you develop a better relationship with your dog and solid system of communication. Training opens up communication between you and your dog which means trained dogs get to enjoy things like spending time with their people in public, off-leash hikes, and much more.

Do you train dogs who have aggression?

Yes - We work with everything from minor reactivity to aggression and dogs who multiple bites on their records. Please schedule a phone or in-person consultation as we take these dogs on a case by case basis.