K-9 Obedience Training Center Philosophy

K-9 Obedience Training Center teaches obedience training through food motivation. Intimidation of your dog is NOT part of our training philosophy. Out goal is to positively motivate your dog, instill confidence, and allow your dog's personality to flourish. There are times during obedience training when your dog will make mistakes and need to be corrected. Properly correcting your dog is extremely important. You must remember that correcting your dog's behavior during obedience training is part of positive reinforcement for your dog. After making a correction, always welcome your dog back with praise and/or a food treat.

The proper method of correcting your dog starts with the proper equipment. As you train your dog, it is important to use a lead of appropriate length (6' works well), and to use a training collar (choke chains and pinch collars work best). When your dog exhibits behavior that you would like to correct ( this includes behaviors such as forging ahead or lagging behind while heeling; not obeying basic commands such as sit, down, or come; displaying aggressive behavior toward people or other dogs), you will use a correction to modify the unwanted behavior. The following is a general description of the proper way to correct your dog. In this example, your dog is at your left side; with your right hand through the loophole of the lead and your left hand on the lead just below the loophole, you will give a quick tug on the lead, bringing our right and left hands across the front of your chest. It is important to tug quickly and then release, and to vocalize the command you are trying to correct. (Give the quick tug and say "Fluffy sit!"). As your dog corrects the unwanted behavior, make sure you give him/her enthusiastic PRAISE! Wait a few seconds as the dog continues with the desired behavior (in this case sitting), then reward your dog with a food treat and continue praising your dog. The dog now associates the desired behavior with your positive reinforcement and approval.

Off-lead Training is the next step in Obedience Training for your dog. This course will teach your dog all the fundamentals of basic obedience while off-lead and in very distracting situations.

The course is similar in outline to Basic Obedience Training, but instead of using the regular lead, you will begin by using a very light and long lead (light string of fishing line, about 30' in length).

As the lessons progress in Off-Lead Training, you will gradually cut 2' to 3' sections off the light lead. Eventually, the lead will disappear altogether.

Your dog will heel, sit, stay, down and come to you, all without the use of a lead.