What is your Training Methodology?
We are predominantly Positive Reinforcement, however, we will use a tool with the consent of the client & what is in the best interest of the dog.
Many factors play a part in communicating with our dogs, therefore the ways in which we communicate should be vast!
We firmly believe in training the dog in front of us. No two dogs will be trained the same way and that is due to genetic makeup, environmental factors etc. We utilize your dog’s genetic makeup to our advantage when training. So if you have a Retriever, odds are they like to retrieve things! We use anything that motivates your dog! This could be food, toys, love and affection and movement! Context of each individual circumstance is different as well- therefore we analyze the context of what is occurring and help you create a game plan that’s best suited for your circumstance.
We utilize all 4 quadrants of operant conditioning in addition to classical conditioning to help dogs reach their full potential. We are firm believers in utilizing all sorts of tools to help achieve the goals you have for your dog. These tools can range anywhere from martingale collars, slip leads to pinch collars and e collars for off leash reliability! Training is NOT one size fits all!
How do I know which training program is most beneficial for me?
During our consultation, we discuss numerous things that may play a factor in which program is best for you! We talk about your timeline on when you want these goals accomplished, your lifestyle, etc. We want to make sure you understand the process and what we expect from you as a client. During the consultation this is your opportunity to get a professional opinion about which program fits your specific situation best!
Will I have to train my dog after their program is completed?
Yes you will! While 4 Paws does a lot of the foundation work for you, if you do not follow instructions set forth by us, your dog can regress. If the dog does it for me thats great, but if they don’t perform for you, whats the point? It is important to take time every single day create a new routine that includes training. Creating structure, boundaries and clear expectations for your dog will make all of the difference in upholding the training they have. Training is much like driving a stick shift car. If you don’t practice that regularly and you need to drive a stick shift, there will be some components that you forget and may take you a while to get back to being fully confident in performing that task again- dogs are the same way. The best way to make sure your dog doesn’t regress is to practice every single day! 4 paws will be there to guide you and help you every step of the way!
What makes you different from every other trainer out there? And why should we pick YOU?
What sets us apart is we are HOME BASED! This means that all of our client dogs have a designated bedroom within our home, not in an outbuilding on the property. This room is temperature controlled and set up with a camera on our smartphone. We can control the temperature of the room in addition to peaking in on dogs when we are away for a lesson or just to make Sure they are settling and getting adequate rest. Due to the luxury of having a small operation, daily cleaning takes place to ensure that your dog is in the cleanest environment possible.
We are all about Quality over Quantity. You will never see more than 5 client dogs at a time on social media(we also have 6 of our own that make appearances sometimes too ;) ). We understand small operations are not for everyone but we do truly believe, its the best option for a majority of dogs!
We also have the luxury of creating a calm working environment because we are not overcrowded with dogs barking 24/7 in a facility. We can give accurate update to clients on how every dog is doing daily.
Picking us as your trainer, you can ensure we are taking care of your dog like we would our own. The likelihood of them being stressed here is very slim due to our quality control of the types of dogs we allow to come here.
What type of perks do we get as a client?
We offer 3 client perks to ensure success even long after training!
Pack Walks: Pack walks are an hour long class where we work on distraction training in different locations. This can range anything from strolling down broadway, working on patio manners at a brewery or a hike and anything in between. These classes are a flat fee of $20 per class per dog!
Llfetime support: As long as you own your dog, well be your trainer FOR LIFE! You will always receive free email, phone, video & text support. In person guidance sessions are discounted by 50%. We will never leave you high and dry EVER!!!
Boarding privileges: As long as your dog stays up to date on their crate training & up to date on vaccines he/she will have boarding privileges. During boarding stays, dogs will receive 1 designated training session per day to work on an area of desire per the client. Your dog will of course get walks, yard time with their friends(if applicable) or alone time with me if they don’t like other dogs! You can always add on more sessions or adventure outings! See the boarding page for other activities you can add on!