Mia was extremely difficult to teach. She was nipping, jumping and out of control behavior. She was not cooperative at all.

After several lessons she began to develop eye contact and attention skills. 


Walking was a huge issue. She was pulling and sniffing. Nothing worked. Once I fitted her with the pinch collar she suddenly began to walk better. Now she is a pleasure to walk. I can teach her proper heel position and she responds to left and right turns, fast and slow, circles and she sits when halting. 

She enjoys her walks through the courtyards much better also.

I am training long lead come when calls to her. The pinch collar is not a forever collar. Sometime in the future I want her to learn to behave on her walks without it. But for now in her training days it is an essential tool. 

Ruby was very aggressive as I entered the yard. The owner had her on the lead to restrain her. Once we got the muzzle on I was able to begin teaching proper behavior through formal obedience training.

We began with simple heeling. Its a controlled walk, teaching Ruby no pulling, no lagging and no sniffing. Walking on a loose lead and lead correcting faults with a simple pop and praise. Also used verbal encouragement along the way. When halting we were teaching Ruby to sit. Lots of petting and praising to build confidence.

All family members worked her.

Also began teaching the come when called or recall exercise. Teaching Ruby to respond to her name, come directly to you when called and sit/front to accept praise. Used the lead to teach. All family members worked her.

Walked the neighborhood. One of Ruby's worst faults is her aggression. As I walked her by other dogs she became agitated and began to charge. I immediately corrected her in a very timely manner. The correction needed to be firm with eye contact to teach her never ever do that again. After the second correction I was able to walk Ruby by the other dogs.

Its a learning process. By the way she had her muzzle on.

After the lesson I wanted to take the muzzle off. The owners were amazed that no one has ever been able to pet her without her biting, (except the immediate family members) until I did it.

A successful first lesson. Nice. 

Yesterday I went on a consultation and I knew the 1 year old German Shepard would be nasty. I had told the owner to be sure it was on the lead.

As I approached the backyard fence, the dog charged me with a very fierce bark and jaws chomping. The fence was only 3 feet and if the lead was not on her, she would have jumped over to get me.

I told the owner to get the dog in seated position, try to get eye contact and tell her to sit/settle using firm voice tone and firm hands.

Once this was accomplished she just sat still. When I moved forward she charged again and the owner did the same procedure.

After placing a muzzle on the dog, I was able to work it. I took it for a walk around the neighborhood. Corrected her at times when she showed signs of aggression towards another dog walking by.

All in all, I believe this dog can learn wanted behavior vs. unwanted behavior.

If the clients are committed, I would be willing to teach Ruby how to be a well behaved dog through formal training.

My first lesson is Monday 6/17. Training Ruby and having success will be a challenge. We need to start and try. I will follow up next week.

I got an email from a client that his dog is regressing and that he thinks it is a good idea to continue training with me. I worked with Sherman and his owner for 4 weeks and 8 lessons. 

Here is Stella. 4 month old English Bulldog. Very cute. I usually do not train with treats as I want my students to focus on my eyes and listen to requests. Their reward is petting and verbal praise.

At times though I need to work with treats as a motivator with puppies that are treat motivated. It is difficult when trying to teach heeling (controlled walking) and the come when called if the puppy is not cooperating. You can not use the lead to tug or guide them. They are just too small and sometimes very stubborn.

So treat training is the way to go. Of course they only get a very small treat after the puppy comes when called, sits to accept petting and verbal praise and establishes eye contact. Then a treat is acceptable.

Likewise, on the walking if the puppy walks nicely and sits when halting, after eye contact and praise, then a reward is in order. 

Stella is doing very nicely with only 4 lessons. The entire family is interested in the training process and that is wonderful!

Eventually, when Stella realizes the fun she is having walking around the neighborhood and coming to their owners, we will begin to eliminate the treat training.

This is Sherman. A 4 month Portuguese Water Dog who would not sit still. He is  a very friendly with high energy puppy.

Hugh the owner hired me to teach Sherman to be a companion while keeping his high spirit.

In four weeks now, Hugh can enjoy walks with Sherman without him pulling and sniffing down the sidewalk. He can sit still and lay down and stay and he comes when called. Just as important Hugh can now enjoy is meals without Sherman jumping up.

Of course, continued training is necessary to advance Sherman's attention, eye contact and proper responses. Keep up the good training! 

I offered the proper techniques for Hugh to train his puppy. Anyone can say Sit,Down,Heel,Come and Stay but how to communicate with your dog is key.