A Little Background

Before I knew anything about dog training, I knew about calm-assertive energy and about being a pack leader. There’s a lot of debate today about the specifics of dog dominance and hierarchy and the technicalities of both. However, one thing is for certain: dogs crave order and stability, and they will always follow a calm-assertive leader (if one is available). Dogs don’t just want a leader, they need one.

Breeds traditionally thought of as “dominant” (shepherds, terriers, Rotties, Dobies, etc), just so happen to be my favorite breeds. Because of this, when I started volunteering at Helen Woodward Animal Shelter at 16 years old, I made it a point to always take these breeds out and get used to handling them. 

I got a lot of experience! Knowing no training techniques whatsoever at the time, I applied calm-assertive energy and my knowledge of how to be a pack leader to these dogs. I was able to stay in control of dogs that weighed almost 200 pounds! Surely these dogs must have needed a prong collar to control? Nope. None of them had prongs or chains. It was just me, my voice, energy, and a slip lead.

My Training Style

Calm. Consistent. Leadership. That’s what I call my training style. I base a lot of my training philosophy off of my days at the shelter; particularly when it comes to the tools that I use. I do not use many tools to train dogs. My main tools are just a slip lead or a martingale collar. I am not against the appropriate usage of certain dog training tools in specific circumstances. However, I think it’s important to not rely on just tools to train our dogs.  I believe the most important dog training tool you can use is… YOU!

My training centers around the foundation of all successful dog training: your relationship with your dog. If you want to develop an amazing relationship with your dog, there are certain things that must be accomplished. Firstly, you must make consistent rules for your dog to follow. Secondly, you must maintain a calm and neutral emotional state; even when your dog upsets you. Lastly, you must hold your dog accountable for inappropriate behaviors through the use of ethical corrections (when the circumstances call for it). In conclusion, I will teach you to be a calm, consistent, leader that your dog can look up to and rely upon.

Sounding like something you’d be interested in learning more about? After you’ve checked your zip code here to make sure I service your area, click here to book a 20 min free training consult with me!