Dog training to me is helping owners to have a well behaved, well socialised dog, whether it is a puppy or a rescue dog that they have adopted. A dog that is happy to come back to you and has trust and respect in you is a dog that you will enjoy for its 10-18 years.
The first 16 weeks is an important time to start teaching your pups, my 10 week old Shih Tzu was lying down with an upper hand signal.
I welcome you come along & watch some classes before you purchase your puppy as you can then start the basics at home before you both join in with the class.
Training is ongoing throughout the dog's life but you really want the basic commands. They are STOP, COME, walk on a LOOSE LEAD and STAY. If you have those four things you can teach your dog anything over and above.
Training needs to be fun and consistent. When you've got over that 2 year benchmark, then your dog is trained properly and you have a friend for life.
I've had people that came to me 15 years ago with their puppies and they are coming back with their new puppies. Owners and dogs have come to me from as far as Glasgow, Dundee and Pitlochry.
If there are any hurdles or hiccups, there's always a way around it. There is more than one way to teach your dog a certain behaviour, not all dogs are the same. I have taught Chihuahuas, Great Danes and Wolf Hybrids, even a lovely Borzoi.
Although people keep coming to me for years, it's not because their dogs are naughty but they enjoy giving their dogs unusual things to do, which are always fun activities for both dogs and owners. I enjoy seeing the end results of owner and dog team work and I look forward to working with you and your dog. I particularly welcome other family members who would like to be involved in your dog's training.
If you would like your dog to try agility (good exercise for you both) or fly ball (if you prefer your dog to do all the work) I welcome all ages and abilities. Fun agility is also suitable for aspiring young handlers.
I have been training dogs for over 25 years & I am a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT Member no: 647) who advocate KIND, FAIR, & EFFECTIVE methods of training, we do not use choke chains.