No. I train you to train your dog, and step in only if needed. This is important because you have to know what you are doing, since you are the one who is going to live with the dog and maintain the training. Besides, your dog will listen better to you than to me, and that is what we want, since training builds an incredibly strong bond between the dog and trainer.

There are no quick and easy answers for developing a therapy dog. Personality and demeanor are significant factors in the dog becoming a useful visiting therapy dog, and many dogs just do not have adequate interest in the job to be successful or useful.

A harness does one thing really well. It will reduce pressure on the dog's throat and neck. It doesn't stop a dog from pulling, it just makes it more comfortable for him to do so. It may actually cause a dog to pull harder!

When you install the pet door a certain amount of training may be necessary. If you are having a problem getting your dog to use the door, put the dog on one side of the door and yourself on the other side. Then use a snack to lure your dog through the door. It should only take a few times to get your dog use to using the door. If you are still experiencing problems, try propping open the door so your dog can easily access the outside without the flap.

The best answer I can give you is, as soon as possible!! If you are planning on getting a puppy, you should look for and enroll in a puppy class as soon as possible! I normally want to have a puppy have two sets of vaccines (mostly we are concerned with Distemper and Parvovirus) but for some breeds, I’d rather have the puppy in a class, observing, even if they don’t play for the first week or two.

Forever!! Any time you and your dog are together, one of you is training the other! More seriously, plan on taking your puppy to classes fairly regularly until he’s at least one year of age. For my classes, this might be Puppy Manners, then Foundations, then Beyond the Basics or CGC (Canine Good Citizen).

No. When matching dogs and people, we select a dog with strengths and abilities that meet your needs. We also look for specific traits in potential service dogs. While your dog may be the best pet ever, we would not be able to guarantee that your dog would specifically make a good service dog for you.

Wrong!!! Because we are a SEARCH AND RESCUE dog team, we cannot stress the importance of search and rescue training for the handlers, not just search training for the dog. It will do the victim no good if your dog makes the find but you cannot find your way out, or communicate your whereabouts to the authorities. Therefore every member must pass NASAR SAR Tech II. LaSAR provides the training necessary for you to successfully challenge the test.

The dog needs to be well socialized. Exposing a dog as much as possible to new sights, sounds, smells, other dogs and people of all ages will help your dog in becoming well socialized. The dog should have some basic obedience skills, and when learned, these skills should be part of the dog and handler's daily activities so that they become second nature and a way of life.

All the reputable trainers we know of need only 2 to 3 lessons to teach basic obedience. The mark of an amateur or a hobbyist is that they do not know how to teach Off-Leash and do not advertise it. Be warned, if someone tells you that it takes weeks and weeks of classes to train your dog.