Training
As Certified Canine Behavior and Training Specialist, we take pride in our ability to train dogs effectively and efficiently. Our approach involves working closely with both the dog and the owner, sometimes focusing on the dog alone, but always keeping the owner informed and involved. We prefer private lessons to help both dogs and owners stay focused on the task at hand. To keep costs low for everyone, we concentrate solely on training during these sessions.
We also offer daycare services, which help dogs socialize and build confidence – a crucial part of their development. However, we don’t include socialization in training sessions since it can distract or confuse dogs while training. Instead, we incorporate natural distractions into training, so owners are prepared to handle real-world scenarios once their session is over.
Because every dog is unique, our training plans are tailored to your dog’s specific needs and challenges. We believe that a balanced mix of praise and correction is essential for effective training. While it’s fine to use treats as motivation, especially with puppies or treat-motivated adult dogs, relying too heavily on treats can undermine respect-based learning. Once a dog prioritizes treats over following commands, treat-based training loses its effectiveness. Treats can be used to reward effort after a session but regularly giving them for obeying commands teaches the dog to expect payment rather than act out of respect.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen many cases where owners spend large amounts of money to find their dogs will comply only if offered treats. This approach often results in persistent issues like leash pulling or only responding when a treat is visible, leaving owners without tools to enforce obedience when no treat is present. Our goal is to build mutual communication and respect between you and your dog, moving beyond affection alone.
We aim to save you time and money by teaching your dog to walk politely beside you, not pull or drag you around. Usually, we can achieve loose-leash walking in just one session. The initial session lasts an hour; any other sessions last 30 minutes, since drawn-out sessions can overwhelm most dogs. Three factors are critical for successful training: Timing, Consistency, and Motivation. You have about three seconds to deliver praise or correction for your dog’s action; after that, the moment is lost. Consistency means committing 30 minutes or a set amount of time daily to practice during the training period. Motivation comes from the praise earned through respectful behavior. Dogs are straightforward and, with the right approach, are generally easy to train.
We make training enjoyable, strengthening the connection between you and your dog. We use short, straightforward commands, and by the end of the day, you won’t need to rely on treats to get results from your dog. You’ll experience a new, deeper bond, perhaps beyond what you expected. Spending time together will become more rewarding, and your dog’s respect for you will naturally increase.
Remote Collars
We use remote collars for training and dedicate much of our time to informing clients about how these tools work. Contrary to misconceptions, remote collars are not instruments of torture—they function similarly to a TENS unit, stimulating or pulsing a dog’s muscles without causing harm. Claims that they burn holes in dogs are completely false; misinformation about any tool can be found online. These collars help train dogs swiftly, and when used correctly, dogs do not develop fear toward them. Our approach ensures dogs discover their comfortable working level, allowing them freedom to make mistakes so we can gently guide them to the correct behavior. We always work with a leash or long line paired with the remote.
Most clients require only one training session per command. We aim to avoid repeated visits for the same lessons or unnecessary costs. Typically, after mastering a command with us, clients leave equipped to build further skills on their own. For ongoing support, we share our cell numbers so clients can ask questions without needing extra appointments or expenses.
Our training starts with teaching heel and a courtesy sit, recommending a second lesson followed by recall—getting your dog to return when called. These are the two essential commands every dog should know. We do believe it is not necessary to train commands you are not going to use. If you follow our training advice, the remote collar will not be a lifelong tool.
Our Board and Train are different than most. We want dogs to be exercised daily so they will be in our play group when they are not out training. We do not believe in leaving a dog in a run/kennel and just pulling them to train and putting them back in. We take them off the property and work them around high level distractions when working on the heel with a courtesy sit. We work recalls always in a fenced area whenever off the longline. Your dogs are our upmost importance to us.
Board And Train
Board and Train are offered with restrictions as follows:
- Your dog must be neutered if 9 months or older (or showing dominant behaviors)
- Must pass a temperament assessment that all dogs are required to pass prior to staying with us.
- Must be current on all vaccines we require to attend (Rabies, Distemper and bordetella
- Accept purchasing a remote collar from us as we only train with certain collars.
- Understand that we teach 1 command a week and there is still homework expected from you to get your dog to 100%. We will work on behavior issues along with one command per week.
- No aggression issues with people or dogs (leash reactivity is not counted as aggression)
- A Training Consult is completed so we are all on the same plan and make the training successful.
- Allow your dog to participate in daycare group play knowing they are supervised and are pulled out of the play area to train on the command and behavior issues that were discussed during the training consult.
“I cant say enough great things about dogspot!! Carlene ( owner) will help you figure what your pup needs! She and her great staff have been wonderful with socializing Dingo!
More recently i have had Tim training him … he’s so good with the dogs!! My Dingo is still big and strong:) but he listens to me now and responds as he should– thanks to Tim! And everyone at dogspot!”