Have you ever felt that your training methods have altered the relationship you have with your dog? Do you feel you have a good communication system with your dog? Do you have fun with your dog? Let me show you the way to a positive association that will open the channels of communication for each of you.POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
I train with positive reinforcement. In other words, I begin by using a clicker and with the use of this reward marker, along with a food payoff, the dog comes to love training. Does this mean that if you train your dog using a clicker and food that you are always going to have to resort to a clicker and food to get the behaviors you want? Definitely not! The clicker is used initially because the timing is so exact that it enables you to mark the behavior you are looking for, communicating to the dog that “Click” “YES!” that right there is what I want, and the click also tells the dog he has earned a reward. To him the reward is the same as someone paying us for working. Initially this reward is a treat that the dog values very highly.WHAT THE REWARD MARKER DOES
By opening the lines of communication with your dog, you are finally on the same wavelength. Dogs are not born understanding human communication, they are very visual creatures, and rely a great deal on our body language and tone of voice to try to figure out what we are communicating to them. After you have opened this line of communication, you will be amazed at how much your dog loves working with you, and how much fun you can have together.EQUIPMENT USED
Your equipment list is very small. One cotton 6’ lead, one flat buckle collar, or Premier Martingale Collar, a clicker and treats. In some instances, a dog may have to be initially fitted with a head collar or special training harness so the handler can control the dog until no pull behaviors can be trained. At which time, even these devices will be phased out.CLICKER TRAINING IS FUN!
Anytime you are interacting with your dog, you are involved in a training session, either you are training the dog, or (mostly) you may find the dog is training you. With our training methods, you spend tiny little bits of time working with your dog in several sessions a day. You can even train from your armchair during TV commercials.AVAILABLE TRAINING OPTIONS
1. Private Instruction: I offer private instruction sessions with you and your dog in your own home for situations where the class atmosphere just can't work. Maybe at this point doggie is a little out of control, and entering a class would be too stressful for you, the dog or both. These sessions can be purchased on an hourly basis, or in blocks of sessions. Heads up! The pair of you will receive homework to do from session to session.
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2. Puppy Preschool: For all pups over 10 weeks and who have received their second series of vaccinations. The time from 8 weeks to 16 weeks is very important for the social development of your puppy. Interaction with other puppies, and humans is essential to help create a well-rounded happy adult dog. Puppy Preschool also works on basic manners, and instructs you in how to deal with issues in Crating and House Training.
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3. Family Dog Classes: Due to time constraints of today's lifestyle, all of our Family Dog Classes are taught in levels. The student purchases a block of six classes, and has up to six months to attend the six classes. The classes will meet weekly on the same day and time unless otherwise posted on our caledar, see our Google Calendar. The dog/handler team has up to six months from purchasing the class block to complete the six classes. At which time an additional block of classes must be purchased, no exceptions.
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4. The Training Levels A trained dog needs to understand a certain number of behaviors and be proficient in the behaviors in order to go on to competition, or service work. We must also understand that dogs don't learn like humans do. You can't just plunk a word for a behavior on the dog and expect him to understand all of the mechanics involved in performing the behavior from beginning to total profieciency off lead a few hundred yards away.Training a behavior from beginning to end is a process that must be addressed in tiny increments. Our training levels address those increments. Our Levels system will enable you to train your dog to move on to anything you want the dog to be able to do. This system is the foundation for the greatest dog you could ever wish for.
The classes are set at different levels of skill for the dog/handler team. As the team becomes proficient with the level of behavior being taught, they progress to the next level. This process is easier on the dog/handler team and instructor in that there are no missed classes. You pay for the block of six classes and you have up to six months to complete them before you forfeit and have to purchase an additional block of six classes.
Levels are from 1-7. The team can work through as many or few levels as they wish. However, the team can not move beyond level One until the instructor has passed the team on a Level One proficiency test. All other levels are open as the dog passes testing by each behavior.
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5. Dog Trainer Apprentice Programs Do you wish you could change your life and do something as rewarding as helping others to train their dogs? Contact us about our Trainer Apprentice Program. Our Dog Trainer Apprentice program works at your pace, be it four hours a week, eight hours a week or sixteen hours a week. You can work it into your schedule to learn a skill that can change your life.
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6. Behavior Modification: In the world of the dog, everything is rewarding, or the behavior doesn’t happen. In other words, dogs do what works. If your dog is doing something that works great for him, but isn’t on your list of desirable behaviors, there is a better than good chance that we can change that. Original behavior modification consultations for problem behaviors require a two-hour interview at your home, and in some instances, a veterinary examination and consultation.
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COMING SOON
7. The Veterinary Olympics: This class will enable your dog to love his/her vet as much as the vet loves your dog. We will teach your dog that handling by strangers can be a good thing. We will specifically address all body parts; nail clipping/filing, people desensitization, generalization, bathing, tooth brushing and even temperature taking.Website
I am currently in the process of updating my website to include my dog training pages. In the future, I hope to include articles on training and general doggie information.However, come visit now, and tell me what you think!
All Creatures Country Club * 345 Kitchen Branch Rd * Greeneville,
TN 37743 * (423) 639-2920
All Critters Bed N Biscuit * 113 Kennel Lane * Greeneville,
TN 37743 * (423) 639-5975
Kennel Lane House * 89 Kennel Lane * Greeneville, TN (423) 552-1416
