Training is offered for anyone from the novice to the professional. Helping mold and develop the dog owner/handler relationship is what I believe in.
A more detailed class description can be found in the additional information section. Hello, my name is Michael Gerace, owner and trainer of Confident Canines LLC. My career started with handling working dogs at the Lancaster County Prison. During that time, I handled three dogs. A Rottweiler, a German Shepard and a Belgian Malinois. I had the privilege to handle the prison’s last Rottweiler as we
ll as the first purchased dog at the prison. I certified with these three dogs, two of whom were brought from “green” to fully certified. After working at the prison for over 6 years, I started working for the Lancaster City Police in 2000. I began in the patrol division and joined the K-9 unit in 2002. I was partnered with a Czechoslovakian imported German Shepard, Cico for 9 years. Cico was certified in both patrol and narcotic detection. He came to me as a 14 month old green dog and was certified annually through various professional K-9 organizations. As a team, we made numerous arrests and located large quantities of illegal narcotics, guns and money. Currently, I am the first line supervisor in charge of both the Mounted and K-9 Units with the Lancaster City Police. I have advanced training in K-9 behaviors, training methodology, decoying, K-9 Unit supervision as well as K-9 first aid. I am the trainer for both the Lancaster City Police K-9 Unit as well as the Lititz Borough K-9 Team. My trainer’s certification was obtained through Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana. I am certified to train dual purpose Police K-9s in patrol and odor work as well as tracking. I am a judge and certifier for AWD (American Working Dog) association, NNDDA (National Narcotic Detector Dog Association) as well at the UPCKA (United Police and Correction K-9 Association). I have previously worked for a large pet store chain conducting all manners of K-9 obedience training and behavioral issues. I have trained hundreds of dogs ranging from miniature Italian Greyhounds to the working dog. I believe in continuing education therefore, regularly attend various trainings at both the handler and the supervisory / trainer level. Prior to your initial class, I meet with all new handlers and discuss K-9 anatomy, K-9 Psychology, first aid as well as things that should and should not be done during training even or at home. I offer recommendations regarding at home behavior issues and will implement those recommendations into training for each handler based on individual needs. Classes are conducted in a relaxed, fun group setting. Handlers and dogs are trained with others that have similar abilities. If behavioral issues arise during class, they are addressed and redirective / corrective training methodologies are used. Any questions are answered and skill sets are worked on until the handler feels confident and has a complete understanding of the training being conducted. Basic Obedience – beginner
During this course the handler will learn the basic obedience commands. This includes the heel, sit, down, stay, stand and the recall. All of these commands will be done on leash. While learning these basic obedience commands handlers will be introduced to the use of signals that are used in conjunction with these basic commands. This is a four-week course that is conducted once a week for 4 weeks. I recommend that these classes be attended consecutively. Advanced Obedience
This course is intended for the experienced handler and dog; generally after the completion of a basic obedience level course. During this course, dogs will learn all of the basic commands off-leash and hand signals are used more frequently absent verbal commands. Distance training is focused on as well as distraction obedience. Tracking
Handlers are trained in the basics on man tracking as well as area searches. Should handlers choose to, this training will allow those to become part of a S.A.R. group or assist in locating lost or missing persons. This a great way for you and your dog to truly bond and become a team. Tracking is great activity to help stimulate your dog and harness some of their natural abilities. I also offer protection training with your dog. This is very specific training and only those whom I personally evaluate will be allowed to participate in this training. Cost for the initial training is $450.00 for the 4 week course. After that, should you choose to continue to train, cost is $50.00 per class. I also offer in home / private training. Please contact me for pricing as prices vary based on whether you come to me or I come to you.
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Training is offered for anyone from the novice to the professional. Helping mold and develop the dog owner/handler relationship is what I believe in.
Hello, my name is Michael Gerace, I am the owner and trainer of Confident Canines. I started my career handling working dogs at the Lancaster County Prison. During my time there I handled three dogs, a Rottweiler, a German Shepherd and a Belgian Malinois. I had the privilege to have the last Rottweiler at the prison and the first bought dog at the prison. I certified with all three of my partners, two of whom were brought from “green” to fully certified.
After working at the prison for a little over 6 years, I began working for the Lancaster City Police in 2000.I started in the patrol division and joined the K-9 unit in 2002. I was partnered with a Czechoslovakian imported German Shepherd, Cico for 9 years. Cico was certified in both patrol and narcotic detection. He came to me as a 14 month old green dog and was certified annually through various professional K-9 organizations. As a team, we made numerous arrests and located large quantities of illegal narcotics,guns and money. I am currently the first line supervisor in charge of both the Mounted and K-9 Units with the Lancaster City Police. I have training in K-9 behaviors, training methodology, decoying, K-9 Unit supervision as well as K-9 first aid. I have previously worked for a large pet store chain conducting all manners of K-9 obedience training and behavioral issues. I have trained hundreds of dogs ranging from miniature Italian Greyhounds to the working dog.
I received my Trainer Certification from Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana. I am certifed to imprint dogs on narcotic and explosive odors as well as patrol work to include tracking. I am also a certifier for American Working Dog (AWD) K-9 Association as well as a judge for United Police Correction and K-9 Assosication (UPCKA). I believe in continuing education and as such I regularly attend various trainings at both the handler and the supervisory / trainer level. I encourage all of my handlers to do the same.
Prior to your first class, I meet with all new handlers and we discuss K-9 anatomy, K-9 Psychology, first aid as well as things that should and should not be done during training even when at home. I offer recommendations regarding at home behavior issues and will implement those recommendations into training for each handler based on individual needs. Classes are conducted in a relaxed, fun group setting. Handlers and dogs are trained with others that have similar abilities. If behavioral issues arise during class, they are addressed and redirectionional /corrective training methodologies are used. Any questions are answered and skill sets are worked on until the handler feels confident and has a complete understanding of the training being conducted.
Basic Obedience - During this four-week class, handlers will be shown: Proper handling techniques and how to properly use the leash. In addition students will learn how to praise as well as how to give corrections on leash. The handler will learn how to properly reward for desired behavior; getting the dog to focus and excited to work. The commands learned will be: The heel, sit, down, stay and the recall (come back to me). As each of the aforementioned commands are taught, hand signals will be introduced. Your dog will also become acclimated to working around other dogs and people as well as gaining some socialization skills. Any and all behavior issues will be addressed as well. During this four-week training, distractions will also be introduced: balls, frisbees, water bottles, other people and dogs, etc… All in an attempt to distract your dog (this is done to simulate real world distractors that take place at the dog park, store, at home etc…). Our goal is to have a well-trained dog despite what is going on around them.
Advanced Obedience - This course is intended for the experienced handler and dog; generally after the completion of a basic obedience level course. Handlers will work on of the above with introduction to off-leash techniques, specifically introducing the learning of the heel, sit, down and stay off-leash. Handlers will learn how to maintain and encourage their dogs to maintain focus during these exercises. The dogs and handlers will begin their introduction to obedience and commands done at a distance as well. The focus will be on off leash handling, distance commands and the use of hand signals. Dogs and handlers will start “in motion” commands and gear toward and obedience certification through the agency of the handler’s choice. The dogs will also be introduced to obstacle negotiation (agility). I have a complete agility course on site. The course will be used during training to focus on various aspects of obedience and control with your dog. The course also provides and outlet for you and your dog to have some fun and burn off some that young (and older dog) energy! Dogs must be at least a year old to be allowed to negotiate the jumping obstacles. I do this to keep your dogs safe and protect those young growing bones.
Tracking - Handlers are trained in the basics on man tracking as well as area searches. Should handlers choose to, this training will allow those to become part of a S.A.R. group or assist in locating lost or missing persons. This a great way for you and your dog to truly bond and become a team. Tracking is great activity to help stimulate your dog and harness some of their natural abilities. There is an additional $25.00 charge for tracking. This is both a dog and handler intensive training activity. Not only is it important for your dog to be in good physical health, you too must be in good physical condition. I also offer protection training with your dog. This is very specific training and only those whom I personally evaluate will be allowed to participate in this training. Cost for the initial training is $300.00 for the 4 week course. After that, should you choose to continue to train, cost is $50.00, tracking is an additional $25 per session. If you have any questions my number is listed on the page please feel free to call me or PM the page and I will respond as quick as I possibly can!
