Frequently Asked Questions

What type of training do you do? What is your training style/philosophy?

My training style revolves around clear communication. I strongly believe that when you can tell your dog both yes & no in a manner that THEY understand, you both get to have a more fun and enjoyable life together.  This type of training - where we reward and encourage the things we want to see more of, and stop the things we want to see less of - is often referred to as Balanced Dog Training. My programs don't focus on obedience commands as "tricks", but rather on your dog's overall mindset so that they can relax, have a calm state of mind, and begin to make good choices on their own. When owners have dogs that they know are reliable & trustworthy, their dogs are much more likely to be able to be part of their daily lives. When dogs don't drag their owners down the street barking at every car, bike and runner they see, they get to take long walks in the park or hikes through the forest. When dogs have a solid recall, they get to go run through fields or race along the beach. When dogs reliably stay in "place" or in a "down", they get to spend the evening on the patio of the newest neighborhood restaurant with the rest of their pack.  The ability to communicate that comes with balanced training leads to great increases in confidence and helps foster a truly amazing bond for both human & dog.

Are we a client/trainer dream team? Are we the right fit?

If you're interested in working with me, I highly recommend that you check out some of my free content first! You can watch training videos, before & afters, and Q&As on my Youtube channel, Facebook & Instagram. This is the best way to get to know more about me, the way that I train, and the tools/techniques I use. 

It's also important that you realize that dog training is a team effort! At the end of the day, I’m really a human trainer. I can teach you to read your dog's body language and how to communicate with them using certain tools and techniques, but it will all mean nothing if you’re not ready to do the work. What does that mean exactly? It means being willing to make the changes in environment and/or relationship necessary to give your dog a happier, more balanced life. Issues like pulling, jumping, growling, barking, marking, nervousness, and anxiety all rarely exist in a vacuum – us humans (often unknowingly) contribute to these unwanted behaviors. In addition to following through on assigned homework for obedience commands, your dog may need less affection or more structure (not forever!), and as the “pack leader” you need to be ready to put the well-being of your dog first (even though you really want to snuggle on the couch). 

This aspect of training can be very difficult for some people. It makes us feel good when we see our dogs happy when we praise them, or give them treats, or let them sleep in our beds. But when these actions feed into a dog’s separation anxiety or nervousness or adrenalized behavior, no amount of training will ever really stick until we address these situations. For this reason, it's really important that everyone in the household is on-board and involved with your dog's training. Your follow-through in how you conduct home life with your dog will determine your training outcome. Putting in the hard work now is what will ultimately give you a dog that will be more balanced and capable of making good choices so that you can love on them and have more fun! If you're willing to commit to the time, energy, and structure requirements that training entails, then I can't wait to help you!

Which program does my dog need?

The program that would work best for you and your dog depends on what you would most like to get out of training. If you feel that your dog has no bad behaviors other than dislocating your arm every time you take them for a walk, then the 2 session Walk Program or Foundations Program might be exactly what you need! But maybe you’re looking for something more, maybe you really love the idea of taking your dog on hiking trips and travel adventures. The Freedom Program would be the best fit in this situation since it focuses on off leash training to create a reliable bond between owner and pup. Are you struggling with behavioral issues (like separation anxiety or intense leash reactivity)? I can create a custom program for your dog with your training goals in mind to help get your dog to a happier, calmer mind space.

Do you use food rewards/treat training?

I absolutely use food rewards during the beginning stages of working with a dog! This is usually used in the learning phase, and then replaced with other rewards like gentle praise (verbal and physical), inclusion in "pack" activities, and play. Food can be a great motivator, but there are many dogs that will listen only when bribed - and sometimes not even then! I'm focused on training dogs to learn to listen regardless of the presence of treats so that owners can have confidence in their dog anywhere they go.

What training tools do you use?

I use plenty of different tools, which ones I use all depend on the personality and needs of the dog that I'm working with. The two tools I use with very few exceptions are remote collars and prong collars for their superior communication abilities. You can read a little bit more about them below, and you can watch my videos on prong collars and e-collars and how they work. Other tools I may use include slip leads, treats, place cots, a Pet Convincer (compressed air meant to interrupt unwanted behaviors), long-lines, bark collars, agility equipment, the treadmill, toys and more! I use a variety of different tools and techniques for each dog to help them become more confident, more relaxed, and happier versions of themselves.

I’m unfamiliar with prong collars and remote collars/e-collars. Why do you use them? Can you tell me more about them?

I use prong collars because they are one of the best tools for communicating with your dog. Unfortunately, since they look a little scary they are also an often misunderstood tool. Misrepresented by some as being dangerous or cruel, when used correctly a prong collar is actually one of the safest, gentlest, and most humane ways to communicate with your dog on leash. You can learn more about prong collars and how they work in my intro to prong collars video!

I use remote collars, another misunderstood tool, for very similar reasons. Remote collars (not shock collars, see below) function almost like an invisible collar and leash, allowing me to communicate with dogs that are both close and far away which makes them great for training a reliable recall. Remote collars are also great for resolving common issues such as jumping, leash reactivity, digging, and more. Since remote collars have 100+ levels, I’m able to use the lowest levels possible to communicate with each dog. This versatility combined with instant feedback for the dog are some of the reasons why remote collars are so popular among working dogs like K9s, service dogs, therapy dogs, hunting dogs and wilderness rescue dogs, as well as family pets. I also have an intro to e-collars video, and you can see me using both tools on my social media pages!

 

Are E-collars/remote collars the same things as shock collars?

Some owners are worried that an e-collar is the same thing as a “shock” collar or have heard horror stories about dogs being burned by them. Neither of these things are even possible with modern, high-end remote collars like the models from E-Collar Technologies and Dogtra that I use. These remote collars use the same technology as a TENS/EMS unit does for physical therapy for humans (as someone who has had 8 leg surgeries, I am very familiar with these!). What your dog feels is a mild, tingling sensation that causes no physical harm. In fact, most dogs work at levels so low that a lot of humans can’t even feel them! Before we start working with the e-collar, one of the first things we do is have everyone find their “working level” (the lowest level you feel it at) on their own hand before we ever put it on your dog. That way you can see exactly what sensation your dog is experiencing!

My dog has separation anxiety/fear issues. We shouldn’t use an e-collar for their training, right?

Actually, an e-collar is one of the best tools for dogs dealing with fear or anxiety! It feels counter intuitive, but e-collars and prong collars are often the only tools that a dog with such an elevated state of mind even notices. You can visit my about page to read more about my own personal story with my deaf dog Ellie who had a truly terrible case of separation anxiety before her e-collar training!

Small dogs and puppies don’t need e-collar or prong collar training, right?

Is my dog too young/small to train?

I think we're all aware of the reputation that small dogs have gotten from the world at large. How many small dogs (Chihuahuas, Pugs, Miniature Pinschers, etc.) have you met that are bratty, bitey, or just don't even know the basic commands? I'm guessing the answer is too many. Small dogs need training just as much as larger dogs, and can be trained in the same way as larger dogs with the micro e-collar and micro prong collar!

Puppies can also begin training with me as young as 16 weeks old (if you have a puppy younger than this, checkout my free Puppy 101 mini-series and E-book)! I use slightly different protocols and tools for puppies this young, which focus mostly on using their daily kibble to teach basic commands and manners (less long duration), getting them used to the structure of daily life, exposing them to new things (sounds, textures, places, people, pets), building confidence, and getting used to being handled. At 16 weeks we begin introducing puppies to prong collars and begin working on obedience commands while increasing duration and distractions. Puppies can then begin e-collar introduction in order to proof off-leash recall and obedience once they are more mature, usually around 6 months old.

What happens if I don’t get the results I want from training? Is there a guarantee?

Due to all of the different variables that go into creating a well-behaved, balanced dog – including owner commitment, consistency, and follow-through – it would be unethical for me to offer a 100% guarantee. That’s why I only choose to work with the most dedicated owners. Their dogs are able to undergo amazing transformations as a result of their owners’ diligence and hard work (because like I said in a previous section - dog training should really be called human training!). Dog training is a team sport, and I will be here to guide you through the process before I even meet your dog, through our lessons together, and long after your dog goes home. All clients receive phone & email support both during and after their training (for the life of the dog). The success of the humans and dogs that I work with is my utmost priority.

I’ve tried other trainers before and didn’t get the results I wanted. How is your program different?

One of the reasons other training programs fall short of their client’s expectations is due to the fact that some have a tendency to focus almost solely on teaching commands as tricks – and not much else. Clients are taught how to get their dogs to pay attention when bribes are present, or how to avoid people/places/situations that trigger their dog’s bad behaviors, but not how to actually address the issues at hand. When you train with me, we will focus not only on listening to commands in all sorts of situations, but on building communication and mindset changes with your dog to address behavioral issues quickly and directly.

I can’t afford your programs, but I really need help with my dog - what can I do?

New Tricks accepts payments through PayPal, which has a Credit program for 0% interest if paid within 6 months. It might also be worth seeing if you qualify for a new credit card with a 0% interest offer by using a website like Nerd Wallet. If neither of these options work, I have free training videos as well as free training advice I put up on my Facebook page or Instagram. 

How can I hire you?

To hire me, all you have to do is to fill out the training questionnaire! After you fill out the questionnaire and submit it, I will contact you to talk more about your goals and options for your dog!

What vaccinations does my dog need? Do they need to be spayed/neutered?

Your dog needs to be up to date on their Rabies, Bordetella, & Distemper vaccinations. I also require a recent fecal float to test for parasites. Your dog does not need to be spayed/neutered in order to train with me.

I’ve been told that (this behavior) can’t be stopped in (this breed).

While some breeds may be predisposed to certain behaviors (howling, resource guarding, digging, etc.), you can stop most unwanted behaviors with proper training - regardless of the breed of the dog. So yes Husky owners, your dog has hope!