Focused Choice Dog Training

11/27/2024

Oscar , Archie, Beau Beau. copper and Penny Then there is Jax Boogie and Mackie

10/31/2024

Nana Jalil is so tired after training today!

09/10/2024

09/10/2024

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jDriAM64g5HXsWwA8

★★★★★ "I am so grateful that Heather was “flexible” and both “able” and “willing” to work with us when we mistakenly showed up on the wrong day yesterday. I worked to absorb everything that she shared with me and my pup in our one hour training session together. My dog thorough...

09/10/2024

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pJgMpSCxN2q6cdaL9
HAVEN PARKER

★★★★★ "Heather is an incredible trainer. She is so friendly and kind and we noticed immediate results with our dog. I highly recommend her because of her experience and skill."

09/10/2024

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tEqHq3iYLAu6K1UQ6
TALLADEGA Y.

★★★★★ "Heather trained our black lab, and we are very impressed. She is very good at teaching the dog but also at training us, the owners, to help train the dog. After only 3 lessons, it made a huge difference and our dog is very well behaved and listens to our commands. We will use her ag...

09/10/2024

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EhFAkLxPXfsDWME76
CASH

★★★★★ "Heather is fantastic to work with, very knowledgeable and won over my fearful dog very quickly. I am happy to have some direct items to work on that were specific to what my dog needs. I feel very positive about working with my dog now and having a clear direction to go with her. 10...

09/10/2024

https://maps.app.goo.gl/T9EjDVJ71V8CHero7
RUFUS F.

★★★★★ "Heather has a gift when training dogs. She knew the right ways to speak to our puppy and used several different strategies that we had not seen before. She is patient and gets into their world. Rufus stayed focused on her most of the time he was with her. He is 12 weeks old , so sta...

09/10/2024

https://maps.app.goo.gl/773d5HhSUaTJK89Y9
RAVEN AND GABE

★★★★★ "Heather was very knowledgeable, professional and did a great job with our dogs. Heather sent videos and pictures daily, keeping us informed on all the great progress our dogs were making. The videos will be great to help with their continued training here at home. She also went over...

09/10/2024

https://maps.app.goo.gl/p64gpwZU71RbAur79
STELLA B.

★★★★★ "Heather is so knowledgeable and professional. She is helping my dog Stella overcome her reactivity to other dogs when leash walking. Stella attended her doggy daycare last week and Heather sent me a video and pics. We will certainly be continuing our training and daycare with Heathe...

09/10/2024

https://maps.app.goo.gl/o94Fs4oZEQzpxeZ18
ANDY M.

★★★★★ "Heather is a very knowledgeable and thoughtful trainer. She takes the time to get to know both the owner and the dog fully. She explains why your dog behaves the way he does and gives suggestions to retrain and refocus the behavior. Her interaction with my dog was caring and purpose...

09/10/2024

Less Commanding, More Rewarding

Excerpt from Chill Out Fido! by Nan Kené Arthur
Dogs are persistently manipulated with verbal commands, equipment, and physical prompting to perform behaviors (such as pushing them into a sit) become reliant on their pet parents to do everything for them. This is equal to doing a child’s homework for him or her. A child might get better grades if an adult did his homework, but he or she would not learn the skills needed to function successfully in the world. This same concept is also true for your dog. If you have been doing his "homework" via constant reminding or demanding obedience, telling him, "No," all the time, and/or using leash manipulations and physical prompts to keep him in line, he will not have learned the skills needed to function calmly in life.
Dogs, like children, must learn to problem-solve when life comes at them, and providing your dog a motivation to perform behaviors through rewards will help him learn those skills. In order for that to happen, however, he will need different, and well-practiced behaviors that will give him the answer to the question, "What do I do when (fill in the blank) ________?" If your dog’s current answer to that question is to spiral up and become wild, out of control, inattentive, or reactive, he has very few tools from which to choose.
When your dog has a limited number of tools, he will continue to use the ones that are the most readily available and familiar since those are the easiest to grab. If your dog’s behavior toolbox includes impulsive or reactive behaviors and little else, he has no choice but to use the tools that have served him best in the past.

09/05/2024

Now taking reservations for red Australian multigen labradoodle pups due October 6th for December 1st go home. They will be between 35-45 lbs, fully grown. Gorgeous reds and coppers expected. Reservation positions are limited, so reach out to us asap if you'd like to talk about if this litter is a good match for you. More info on our website http://prizedoodles.com or message us. Christmas babies!

07/29/2024

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