Darrin Greene's On Command Dog Training

09/10/2025

09/04/2025

YouTube has literally 10's of millions of videos on "dog training"- and not a single 1 about how to train YOUR dog

09/02/2025

I wrote a long story about how to choose a dog trainer. Short version - nothing matters but RESULTS. REAL, REPEATABLE RESULTS

09/02/2025

How to choose a dog trainer or training coach.

It’s very simple - RESULTS MATTER. You may not want or need your dog to do what I’m about to describe, but shouldn’t the person training your dog and you be able to produce a lot more than you need/want/expect?

I’ll never forget the day I met my original coaches back in 2005. We met up at the “C&D canal retriever training area”. I was there to watch and learn.

The area we were working in was a huge field with shin high grass. Everyone arriving had a truck of some sort, rigged out specifically for transporting dogs. Some had camper shells with crates underneath while others were sporting purpose built aluminum dog boxes. Everyone had 1 or 2 dogs to train that day.

A short meeting was held atop a dirt mound, where the more experienced group members planned the first training set up for the day. The bird throwers headed out into the field then. It was our job to pop the starter pistol and throw the bird up for the dogs to “mark” and retrieve.

I remember wondering why we had white coats on and why we were sent 150 - 300 yards out into this field, when most hunting happened at 50 yards or less. I learned more about this later, of course.

Then it happened.

The dogs started training. One by one they came to the starting line. All under great control and ready to work. Guns were popped, birds were thrown and these dogs, one after the other, proceeded to identify and retrieve 2-3 birds in sequence at astounding distances. Running out, hunting to find the bird, returning it to their handler and then heading back out again for another.

Next time you’re at a soccer or football game, stand at the end of the field and look at the far goal. Now imagine your dog - 3x that distance away and under almost perfect control!

Then came the even more impressive part - hand signal training.

Imagine sending your dog straight out into this field for no other reason that the fact that you told them there was a bird there, somewhere. There was nothing for them to see. They had to run on blind faith and work as a team with their handler to find the prize.

And they did… over and over again…

The trainer would blow a whistle - like clockwork, pup stopped on a dime and looked back for direction. Then the trainer would point left or right and off the dog would go in the direction they sent them. Working as a team, these dogs were retrieving birds at 2-3 football fields.

I knew I’d struck gold, and I had.

5 years later my first ever serious dog training project came to fruition with my pup Ozzy earning his “master hunter” title after passing 10 tests in a row without a failure.

I then went on to train these same type of dogs for the USMC bomb dog program and eventually, to help folks like you with their pets.

I’ve trained a couple of personal dogs since. Young Boone being the latest.

If you’re looking for a coach or a trainer - I’d say this and only this to you.

Have them show you RESULTS. In person preferably.

Make sure the dog isn’t wearing any training equipment. The trainer hasn’t got a treat pouch or a ball, and you’re in a normal, distracting environment.

It’s easy to edit video and make things look better than they really are. It’s easy to talk about training methods and philosophies. It’s even easier to talk crap about other trainers.

Even google reviews can be misleading or bought. Keep in mind the person who wrote that review knew nothing about training when they hired someone, and may not have very high standards.

Secret time - it’s very easy for a trainer, even a bad one, to produce some improvement with a dog and owner who have no training at all.

When I hear trainers talk about how great they are I just say “Get your dog out of your car with no gear on and SHOW ME what they can do”.

SHOW ME.

There’s an old adage that’s very true in dog training and it goes like this…

When the tailgate drops - the BU****IT STOPS.

Results matter.

Follow along with me and Boone on our training journey together. I’m creating a play list on YouTube for our adventures.

Have a look, and if you’re impressed at all - give me a call and I’ll try to help you and your dog get better, together.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed the story.

This initial video is just us walking around Lowes last week. Have a look at the playlist for more fun stuff!

How to train your dog in public places

The best way to train your dog in a public place is not to train your dog in a public place.Rather, do your homework and be prepared before you arrive at a s...

09/01/2025

Boone is from field trial lines with high levels of prey drive. One of my main focus areas in training him has been “when I relax, you relax”. At 9 months old I’m happy (and relieved) to report - Boone is very good around the house and has no problem laying with me while I work, have coffee in the deck or watch a little TV. He’s still animated and happy in the field, but he has a great off switch also. Could be genetics, but as I tell everyone - don’t leave important things to chance. Being livable with@the family is #1 priority!

08/27/2025

My work mate just lays around all day and watches!