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Your
Dog is Unique
Because each dog is different,
using a one-method-fits-all approach is not always effective. At Custom Pets,
we methods that are appropriate for your dog, based on his breed and
personality. Whatever method is best for your dog, you can be sure that he
will be treated kindly, with the respect that a beloved member of your family
deserves.
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(I did not stage this picture. For once, I
actually had my camera
close at hand while Josie was doing something cute!)
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Q: Is it okay if my dog sleeps
on the bed with me? I've been told that if I let her do that, she thinks
she's in charge.
A: Yes, you can certainly
spoil your dog and still be the leader of your pack. Josie (left) is not
only allowed to sleep on the bed with me, I insist on it (she keeps me warm
at night!). My trick for maintaining leadership - if I'm not on the bed,
Josie can get up and down as she pleases. If I am on the bed, however, I've
taught her to politely ask permission before joining me.
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My
Training Philosophy
As a dog trainer with over 20 years of
experience, I know what it’s like for an owner to have a dog he or she simply cannot control. Because there are as many training
methods as there are trainers
to use them, you as an owner must be
careful that the training
practices used by the
trainer you choose are methods
that you understand
and are comfortable with.
Dog training is usually accomplished by
either using force
(choke chains or prong collars,
corrective jerks, physical
placement of dogs in desired
positions), or not using force.
I have found over the years that
training dogs using a
force-based system simply didn’t give
me the results I wanted
for my own performance dogs – a partnership
between
dog and human based on trust and mutual
love and respect,
and a dog who complies because it is
fun, and because
he wants to do so, not because he is
afraid not to.
Because of this, I started to
experiment with other ideas,
and found that a smarter, more humane
method of training
which uses no force or confrontation
was available.
With this manner of training, we
persuade your dog in a
non-physical manner to perform a
behavior, then
reward the attempt with some type of
reinforcement; usually
food, play, or attention.
This method of training produces
intelligent dogs who respond better,
learn faster,
and just plain have more fun working
with their owners, all
without hurting the dog either
physically or emotionally.
I have used these
methods exclusively for the last
several years, and have hundreds of
grateful owners and dogs
who now have a
relationship built on trust and mutual respect.
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"Lori has this amazing
way of communicating
with dogs, and earning
their trust. She
understands why they
behave as they do, and
seems to sense what
they are feeling.
Her training is simple, always positive, and
happy. The dogs
are so eager to please
her. This approach
is the most effective I
have ever seen, and
it makes for happy
dogs and owners."
Kathy Pruitt,
Buckley, WA
Kathy, Chai T, and Peaches
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What To Expect In A Custom Pets Dog Training Program
If you have not
yet read our training
philosophy, you should consider
doing so before continuing with this article. This will explain why we have
the following expectations for students of Custom Pets Dog Training programs.
-- Obedience
Training is Trick Training - Ever notice that your dog easily performs a
trick, but won't come you call? We're going to teach you to train your dog in
a way to get the same results as trick training. It'll be fun for both of
you, which will result in faster and more reliable compliance.
-- No more
"NO!" - The most commonly-used word in
households with young dogs is "No!", often said loudly and angrily.
As a training tool, this habit at best unproductive, and at worst, can make
problems worse. We are going to teach you how to solve behavior problems
using a method that makes much more sense to your dog (and is therefore more
effective!), so we will strongly discourage the use of the word
"No" during class.
-- Dog Treats - Yes, we are going to use treats during training. It's
a scientific fact that dogs learn faster with a high-value reinforcement when
learning new behaviors, and food is almost always a high-value reinforcement.
It's also a scientific fact that bribes decrease motivation, so we're going
to teach you how to correctly use food for training, and how and when to use
other, less motivating reinforcements.
-- No Force
Training - The traditional way to teach "Sit" was to pull up on
the dog's collar and push down on his rump. Other behaviors were often taught
in a similar way, pushing and prodding the dog into desired positions. In our
classes, we use a smarter and safer "hands off" approach. The
benefits include less strain on growing joints, safety for family members
(where is your child's face when using the 'rump-push' method?), and no
lasting dependence on that physical cue.
Why
Train Your Dog?
Consider:
- The untrained dog who bolts out the
front door and into speeding traffic.
- The digger who tunnels is way to
freedom - and the dog catcher.
- The chewer who shreds your couch.
- The not-quite-housebroken puppy who soils
your new carpet.
- The out-of-control dog who ends up
at the local animal shelter because the distraught owner is unable to
cope with the destructive behavior.
Too many ill-mannered dogs,
especially large dogs, spend their lives tied to a tree or banished to the
yard. Well-trained, manageable dogs, on the other hand, are welcomed into the
house as part of the family.
Training a dog requires time,
commitment, consistency, and a knowledge of dog behavior. Of course, time is
something that is in short supply for most people. Let Custom Pets make it
easier for you - we'll supply the time and the knowledge, and we'll teach you
to handle the rest. In no time, you'll have the companion you've
dreamed about.
Isn't that why you brought her
home?
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Josie
- Jack Russell Terrier
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Ellie
- Australian Cattle Dog
(My Miss Ellie, W-FD)
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Contact Lori today for more information!
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