FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Dog Trainer, Hamilton

What is your training philosophy?:
I don't believe dog training can be a one size fits all approach. Every dog is unique in personality and experiences, which has shaped their current behaviour. 
I believe in clear communication, teaching the dog to understand that their choices matter (so they learn to make better ones), and I believe in being fair. We want to teach you to be your dogs #1 priority.

What tools do you use?: 
Because all dogs are different, they will require different motivators or rewards. I believe that all dog trainers should be familiar with, and know how to use all tools available to them. Some of the tools I use are: slip leashes, martingales, prong collars, e-collars, food, toys, my dogs, my cat, my family.

Won't a prong collar hurt my dog?: 
No! We teach your dog to understand leash pressure, and how to turn pressure off by following the leash. In this case, the prong collar is much more humane than allowing your dog to choke themselves by pulling on a flat collar. 
The tips of the prong collars are blunted/rounded, not sharp, and when pressure is applied, it is distributed around the entire neck, rather than just the trachea area in the case of a flat collar. 
Note: Prong collars are used for training, and should not be left on a tethered dog, or a dog in a crate for safety reasons. 

What is the deal with Shock Collars? 
Modern day E-collars have come a long long way in the dog training world. Have you ever heard of Dr. Ho's the tens units that use muscle stimulation as a form of therapy? That is what modern day e-collars are. They're small tens units, similar to what is used in physiotherapy. That being said, the collars that are sold in the chain pet stores like Petsmart, or Pet Valu, I believe are inhumane as they only have a few level settings, all of which are quite high, and I don't think it's fair to the dog to train them that way.
Quality trainers using e-collars today use them as a clear, gentle, and precise form of communication. They are absolutely humane when used correctly as directed by a qualified trainer.

Is there a guarantee that I'm going to get the results I want for my dog? 
Due to the many variables involved in creating a calm, well behaved, balanced dog, including owner commitment, it is unethical for me to provide a 100% guarantee. That being said, I will only choose dedicated owners, who are committed to putting in the work and the time required to help their dog succeed. So in our experience we will see breakthrough results and amazing transformations. As long as you are committed to doing the work required, we are here for you for the rest of your life with your dog. All board and trains will have lifetime access to drop-in classes, and pack walks in addition to ongoing communication with our team.