There are countless methods/techniques used in dog training, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with all of them through my almost thirty year career! I have trained alongside many different trainers encompassing extensive backgrounds; all positive trainers, veterinary behavioralists, agility trainers, field/sport dog trainers including a world known field trial dog handler and judge, and everyone in between! Learning, studying, and experiencing all these different methods/techniques has allowed me to incorporate the best of all of them and has made me the trainer that I am!

my training style

The importance of incorporating safety and health into training and creating a full picture of what each individual dog needs, ensures every aspect is carefully thought out and the benefits continue through the rest of their long and happy lives!

Balancing a dog has less to do with methods and techniques, and everything to do with being a confident pack leader, having rules and knowing how to communicate them, and most important a thorough understanding of what your dog needs from you to live their best life! See “A Dogs Mind” for more!

Not only have I worked with many different trainers, but also with several veterinarians and pet nutritionists as well! 

I encourage positive behaviors and discourage negative ones. 

If a dog doesn’t understand that what they are doing is unacceptable, they don’t know they need to correct it. The goal is to be able to effectively communicate what you expect, and when you do that, nuisance behaviors are gone for good… and within days! Dogs always want to please us, we just have to be clear and consistent with what we want and they will happily comply!

the importance of balanced training

Here's how it works!

I provide direction through the use of collars because one intuitive way dogs communicate is though their necks! In the instance of when a mother dog teaches her pup boundaries, she scruffs them by their neck, and when dogs communicate they are ready to play, they mouth the neck of the other dog! We simulate this by the use of a collar and leash, and that is how we are effective in communicating to a dog what we expect, by understanding how they instinctually receive the direction of the pack leader or natural parent. The type of collar that is needed to achieve this is different with every dog and will depend on many factors and variables… how stimulated your dog is during the behavior you want to eliminate, and where they may be physically at the time, are just a couple. When we meet for our first lesson, we will go over your dogs behaviors, your personal goals for them, I will assess the puppy/dog at that time and we will make a plan together how to confidently move forward!