It is almost universally accepted that having a trained, well behaved dog is a good thing. However, many people do not realize the level of commitment that is necessary to achieve success, and unfortunately, many people do not realize this until after they get a dog.

Actually, dog training is really as much about training people as it is about training dogs. You can’t just send your dog off to a board and train program and expect to get good results, unless you are also trained so you know how to handle the dog when she comes back home. Then, you also have to implement what you are taught – not just in the short term, but for the life of your dog. Having a reliable, well trained dog is a way of life, and if you revert back to your old ways, then your dog will also revert back to her old ways.

Whether I am doing a one-on-one private lesson, or a board and train, I always spend a lot of time working with the owners, because it really doesn’t matter how successful I am with a dog if I can’t successfully train the owners to be able to handle their own dog. One of the reasons I use the tools and methods I do is because I find that those are the methods that work the best for the majority of dog owners.

So, if you are considering getting a dog, please consider if you really have the time and motivation to make a long term commitment to having a trained, well behaved dog, because untrained, out-of-control dogs can be dangerous to both their owners and the general population. If you already have a dog that has issues, and you are ready to make a change for the better, then I would love to talk with you.