My Training Philosophy
My KPA instructor, Nan Arthur, emphasizes exercises to help dogs develop focus and calmness. Identifying all the potential causes of canine overexcitement can be a complex process. In addition to her excellent book, I've actively sought out knowledge from other renowned trainers through their continuing education courses listed below. This exposure to various perspectives and methodologies allows me to develop my own creative approach to dog training, with a focus on generalizing foundational skills to real-world situations.
The most challenging aspect of dog training, and by extension, human training, is finding the right pace for generalizing skills. Clients might be surprised to see our peaceful boarding environment, devoid of other training dogs. This approach may seem counterintuitive, but it allows us to meticulously establish foundational behaviors with minimal distractions before tackling more stimulating settings.
Therefore, my program removes dogs from their usual hectic routines and environments. We start fresh, building a solid foundation before gradually progressing towards more challenging goals. Once intermediate goals are achieved at the farm, amidst my family and the natural surroundings, we can then transition to training in a small town, followed by more stimulating environments.
Dogs and people learn best in a relaxed state. When excitement levels rise, learning efficiency diminishes or ceases altogether, leading to overreactions.
My background in science, particularly data creation and analysis, shapes my approach to dog training. Just like science relies on measurable observations, effective dog training does too. That's why I leverage software tools to track your dog's progress throughout their stay. We'll create detailed training logs, video captures, and summaries that allow me to evaluate my methods and make adjustments as needed. This data becomes a valuable learning tool for you as well. Similar to biology, where noticeable changes often take weeks, dog training requires patience. While some daily progress might be subtle, you'll see clear advancements over time.
