DOG Training

Just a bit about Obedience Training:

I know your Dog is your Best friend and I want to be your Dogs New Best Friend.

At the International K9 Foundation we do all types of training with all types of dogs. We specialize in Behavior modification and Problem solving. First, think of your dog as a person and not a dog. When you do this, you can start to understand the Mental and psychological aspects of training and behavior. When you think about behavior Modification it’s easier if you think in terms of cause and effect. A dogs experience can effect and or change his behavior just as training will have an effect on the dogs’ behavior. Just remember, we want the training to have a positive effect on the dogs behavior. At the International K9 Foundation an evaluation is done to obtain a accurate picture of your dog overall. Something like this includes Personality, Drives, Temperament, lifestyle and experiences. All of these areas have an effect on your dogs overall behavior. Evaluating these areas will help us determine the method of training, how it’s applied, and how much training is needed.  Think of obedience training as a means to interact with your dog, a way to communicate. You can use obedience to correct for inappropriate behavior in a way he or she understands. A basic obedience program can solve about 90% of all your behavioral problems simply by giving you a level of control over your dog.  Example: A shy and submissive dog, the dog that tucks the tail, starts to pee and lies at your feet. Training can have a positive impact on this dog. Obedience can help build confidence and self esteem, thus modifying the dogs’ behavior. Also, obstacle course work can be used to strengthen and build the same areas in the dog. Sometimes the dog can be so submissive that obstacle course work has to be done before the actual obedience training is done.  Well, you don’t have to but it does make a big difference in the obedience. So, bottom line…If you have a weak dog or would like to see a little more confidence in your dog, the obedience training can help. If you have an overly aggressive dog, the obedience training can give you a level of control and a means to correct his behavior. Now, keep in mind that not every trainer can do this for you but I can. A basic obedience program includes 5 commands and takes about 5 days before your dog is done. That’s right, 5 days. These basic commands are the commands you will need to interact with your dog on a daily basis. Somewhere down below I have a list of all the commands I teach and the programs. This basic program will solve about 90% of the behavioral problems you are having right now. Something else to keep in mind, the more obedience training you have; the greater the control, confidence and self esteem of your dog. When doing obedience training we are actually teaching your dog vocabulary words, yep..thats right. The motion or action of each command is the definition. This stimulates the learning, thus causing the dog to focus on us, thus giving us greater control. Now, take it from me that exercising your dog until his tongue is hanging out, will not solve your problems. The problems will still be there once he’s rested. Okay, just a few more things…I teach Heel on the left side, stepping off with the left foot, so when you lead with the right foot the dog stays put, that’s implied stay. Next, all training and programs come with lessons, that’s right..I said lessons. You need to know what each command looks like so you can tell if your dog is doing it right or not.  You will also need to know how to correct your dog if he or she is not doing the command correctly.

Jeff McCall