Training Adventure Dogs

If I had a dollar for every time that a stranger saw me with my dogs or client dogs and said, “I wish I could bring my dog to a restaurant… a store… a public event” or “wow, I wish my dog was that well behaved”; I would have quite the savings account!

Whenever I hear these comments, there is always one thing that comes to mind, trained dogs get to have more fun! They get to go in public, on longer walks, have off leash adventures, go on vacation, road trips and more. As a dog mom, it brings me so much joy to be able to paddle board, hike, travel, etc. with my dogs knowing that training enables me to let them live their best life while also keeping them safe and under control.

It is all too common of a public misconception that assumes training turns dogs into robots and suppresses their personality… so “happy dogs” are unruly and out of control. Furthermore, in talking almost daily with dog owners, it seems as though owners feel like training is only for “bad dogs” …and they are often defensive in explaining that they love their dog, that their dog is smart and a good dog, but… and then the list of behaviors they want to exterminate starts.

My reply to potential clients and their concerns are always the same –

It is not a matter of bad dogs and good dogs, it is simply un-trained dogs and trained dogs. “Bad” is a relative term associated with unwanted behaviors, but the truth is those unwanted behaviors have manifested as a result of what has been ALLOWED by that dog’s owner. Now, you may have un-knowingly been allowing these “bad” behaviors but, those behaviors can be remedied through training. “Good” dogs are viewed as good simply because they have been TAUGHT manners and obedience. No dog comes pre-programmed. They are constantly learning through their interactions with you – what is allowed and what is not allowed.

In reflecting on your relationship with your dog, be honest, how is it fun or enjoyable to have to be so limited on what you can do with your dog because of their behaviors? How much fun do you have being frustrated that you can not stop or eliminate unwanted behaviors? When considering training, I want you to know this – I am in the business of helping dogs and their owners live their best lives, together which means helping you make your training goals, a reality. My passion as a dog trainer is to help owners learn how to effectively communicate, motivate and engage with their dogs… not to create robots or make dogs miserable.

So, I want to help inspire and motivate ALL owners to train! Training does nothing but help YOU – the owner achieve your personal goals with your dog… it does nothing but ENHANCE your life and your dog’s life. Training allows for ENDLESS possibilities for adventures and memories that you can have WITH your dog.

Then why is training the exception and not the standard in the pet dog world? Because there are no shortcuts in training. Training is a commitment and a lifestyle that requires consistency, structure and effort. Whenever you see a well behaved dog in public on or off leash, know that you are seeing the result of hard work. Admire and praise that owner for doing their best to make their personal goals for their dog a reality.

That reality does look differently for every owner and their dog. Some dogs are aggressive or reactive so that training and their goals may be to simply walk their dog on a loose leash with a muzzle on in public – under control. Some dogs are easily excited and overstimulated by other dogs and people so their training and goals may be to simply have a rock solid recall off leash in public. Some dogs are family dogs and their owners strive to have their dog well behaved at home around their kids. So, training may look different for every dog, but one thing is for sure. Training opens the door to more freedom, effective communication and maximum fun for your dog.