You can't blame them, if you don't train them. The first year is the toughest. Just like us, dogs go through a few phases as young adults — they get confident and start testing how they can control their pack members. Too much affection and slacking leadership at this stage will come back to bite you later. Sometimes literally.
Obedience training is the foundation of all dog training. It's what teaches the dog patience, impulse control, and focus. Without those three skills, any dog is going to have a really hard time listening around distractions.
As balanced trainers, our staff is able to provide multiple solutions to common problems. Our trainers know how to use many different tools on the market and can recommend the best tool for your dog's temperament. No two dogs are the same, and we don't force any training tools or concepts on our clients. That never works. We respect our clients enough to be honest and open with them, to provide education on all options available, understanding that the client will ultimately pick what works best for their unique situation.
Before we get into sports and brain games, it's important to build a foundation of impulse control, patience, and focus. Without these three skills, dogs act out when they experience emotions like boredom, frustration, fear, or excitement.
It's essential that dogs learn to respect healthy boundaries to avoid reactivity, aggression, destructive behaviours, nuisance barking, separation anxiety, and other unwanted issues. But most of all — to keep your dog, your family, and your community safe.
Our 6-week class covers all the basic commands and helps address the most common behavioural problems. Each class is an hour and builds on the last to slowly challenge your dog in more situations. Class focus: building first-time response to commands around distractions, and building communication skills between you and your dog.
Prerequisite: basic obedience training. Designed to improve your on-leash obedience and begin transitioning to off-leash. New commands include: Sit/Down in Motion, Down from a Distance, Send Out, and Blind Recalls.
Private lessons provide 1-on-1 customized training that focuses on your dog's weaknesses — the best option for clients with busy schedules who can't commit to a 6-week class. Group classes are more budget-friendly and provide a socialization aspect.
We have an assortment of enrichment activities that satisfy breed instincts and give your dog a sense of purpose — building confidence and strengthening your bond by learning to work as a team. Dogs with self-esteem or reactivity issues can really come out of their shell in positive, mentally challenging environments.
"Great experience! Took our Border Terrier for his Basic Obedience training. Small classes are limited to only four dogs per session. Instructors and trainers are very personable, experienced, and express a genuine […]"— Lydia Coffey · Google review
That changes faster than you'd think — with the right plan and consistent work.
