🐾 Frequently Asked Questions 🐾

-Will training change my dog's personality?

Not at all!! The biggest differences you'll see is that they will be under voice command, and also that they have an off switch. These things create for you a life where you can trust your dog in real world situations, release them to play and have fun, and then also ask them to turn it off and lay down. Calm on command.

-What is your Training Philosophy?

My approach is simple: clear communication, fair boundaries, and real-world results. We teach dogs to think, make good choices, and work calmly around distractions. Training isn’t about perfection — it’s about balance, structure, and building a solid relationship based on trust and respect. I use a balanced training approach, meaning that I do both positive reinforcement (mostly this!) as well as fair, appropriate corrections when needed. It is imperative that you communicate to the dog both what you want and what you don't want. The foundation of training is pressure on/pressure off using food rewards, leash pressure, spacial pressure, and ECollar pressure. 

MY TRAINING METHOD (Pressure/Release + Rewards + Fair Corrections)

How I Train (And Why It Works)

🟦 1. Pressure On / Pressure Off
I teach dogs to think, not just react.
Gentle pressure guides the dog to make the right decision, and the instant they do — pressure turns off.
This builds clarity, confidence, and a dog who knows how to problem-solve instead of panic.

🟦 2. Reward for the Right State of Mind
I don’t just reward behaviors — I reward calm.
A calm dog is a safe, reliable, well-behaved dog.
Treats are great for motivation, but they’re not the foundation of long-term behavior change.

🟦 3. Fair, Balanced Corrections
Corrections aren’t punishment. They’re information.
Fair, clear, and consistent boundaries remove anxiety, stop unwanted behaviors, and help dogs settle into a healthy mindset.
A dog with rules is a dog who feels safe.

🟦 4. Proofing in Real-World Distractions
Training doesn’t matter until it works outside your living room.
We practice around people, dogs, noises, movement, and everyday life.
Your dog learns how to stay calm, focused, and responsive anywhere.

-What tools do you use?

I use leashes, slip leads, bonkers, prong collars, ECollars. 

-What is a bonker?

It is a wrapped up towel with rubber bands around it used for corrections and also to interrupt behaviors. It can also be made from rolled up newspaper or an empty paper towel roll.

-When should I start training my puppy?

The moment your puppy comes home. Training isn’t about formal commands right away — it’s about structure, shaping behaviors, routines, and clear expectations from day one. Puppies learn fastest when consistency starts early.

-What if my dog doesn’t listen?

Dogs don’t “ignore” us out of spite — they either don’t understand, aren’t motivated, we're giving mixed messages, or the environment is too distracting. Go back a step, simplify the situation, and make sure your communication is clear and consistent.

How do I stop my dog from pulling on leash?

-Leash handling skills are really important for owners to learn. The leash and collar are a communication tool that allows you to give clear guidance to your dog. Start in low-distraction areas, reward a loose leash, and use fair pressure-release to teach your dog how to make good choices.

What’s the best way to stop unwanted behavior?

Prevent, correct, and teach what you do want. Redirection will NEVER stop an unwanted behavior. Structure, supervision, consistency, and clear, corrections solve most behavior problems. Corrections can be part of training, but they should always be fair, timely, and clear.

-Should I use treats?

Yes! — food is a great motivator, especially in the learning phase. But the goal is a dog who listens because of clarity and trust, not just because you have food. Fade treats gradually as your dog understands. Also, there are many dogs who won't take treats as soon as they become even a little stressed, so you must have alternatives to help the dog learn.

-Do I need special tools or equipment?

Yes. You need tools that help you communicate clearly and fairly. That could be a flat collar, prong collar, slip lead, or e-collar — depending on the dog and the handler. Tools don’t train dogs; people do. The tool just helps you be more effective and give clearer communication.

-What’s “pressure on, pressure off”?

It’s how dogs learn through feedback. Pressure (from leash, body, food, or environment) turns “on” to guide or interrupt a behavior, and turns “off” the moment the dog makes the right choice. It teaches dogs to think and make good decisions calmly. When taught properly, the dog learns that they control the pressure by making the right choices.

-How do I handle crate training and whining?

Stay consistent. The crate should be a safe, calm space — not a punishment. Ignore whining unless you’re sure your dog truly needs to go out. Most dogs settle faster when owners stop giving in to every protest. It's also important to crate the dog while you're home so that the dog doesn't associate it only with everyone leaving. And the crate should not be in your bedroom.

-Why is structure so important?

Because freedom without guidance leads to chaos. Structure creates clarity, which builds confidence and trust. The more predictable your dog’s world, the easier it is for them to relax and make good choices. One of the MOST COMMON mistakes that owners make is that they give their dogs freedom that they HAVE NOT earned.