When choosing a dog trainer, consider their experience, training methods, and certifications. Look for someone who uses positive reinforcement techniques and can demonstrate a history of successful dog training outcomes. It's also beneficial to choose a trainer who is a member of reputable professional organizations, such as the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) or the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).

The start of any dog training program begins with our trainers working to get your dog to trust and want to engage with us. Our certified trainers use a combination of operant and forward classical conditioning to guide the dog with clear signals. This allows the dog to learn with confidence and retain information. Our trainers are fluent in using various methods of training to teach the dog (and owners!) in a way that best suits that dog’s particular needs. We create a learning environment to build momentum and fully engage the dog through experience and practice.

The best commands to start with are basic ones that lay the foundation for good behavior. Begin with commands like "Sit," "Stay," "Come," "Heel," and "Down." These commands are not only essential for your puppy's safety but also help establish a communication channel between you and your puppy.

Puppy training can begin as early as 8 weeks old. At this young age, puppies are very receptive to learning new things. Starting early can help prevent the development of bad habits and establish good behavior from the start. However, the training sessions should be short, positive, and engaging to keep your puppy's attention.

The best environment for training dogs initially is a quiet, distraction-free area where your dog can focus entirely on you. This could be a quiet room in your home or a secluded spot in your yard. As your dog becomes more proficient in responding to commands, gradually introduce more distracting environments to help them learn to listen and respond in various situations.

The duration of dog training depends on several factors, including the dog's age, temperament, previous training, and the specific goals you have. Basic obedience training might take a few weeks to several months of consistent practice. Remember, training is an ongoing process that evolves with your dog's age and needs, emphasizing the importance of patience and consistency.

Positive reinforcement is a brilliant approach that should be used whenever possible; however, there is the obvious condition with +R is that the dog finds your reinforcer more valuable than competing reinforcers. The problems and limitations with positive-only training become apparent in the unanticipated moment when the dog has found something to do that is far more compelling or self-rewarding than the treat or toy that the handler is holding.

“Balanced training” is the third division of training which society defines as an approach that uses both reward-based and aversive methods to shape behaviors. Other methods used today such as Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) this is another force free method, based primarily around systematic desensitization and closely monitoring your dog’s body language and reactions in order to avoid flooding or reaching over their threshold.Science-based training is another evolving method , much like balanced dog training, seeks to understand the connection between all four quadrants of operant conditioning, in addition to classical conditioning, sensitization and desensitization vs. flooding, and modifying psychological associations in dog training and how they interact with the canine psyche.This school of thought is quite new and frequently changing as scientific knowledge grows through research projects and experiments. Mirror training is basically a ‘do as I do’ style of training, where a handler tries to get their dog to copy them, or mirror their actions in order to learn. Dogs are great social learners, but this method is very time consuming and works under limited conditions.Relationship Based Training combines several different training methods , but focuses on a more individualized approach for both dog and human. It is the relationship between dog and human that drives everything . This method strives to meet the needs of the dog and the handler, to foster communication, and to strengthen their bond. Basically it's about being mutually beneficial and working as a team.