Take A Paws focuses on training methods that are positive reinforcement training. We are currently two friends that have spent many years training dogs for ourselves and other organizations. Recently we have seen a trend in dog trainers not properly helping and training the owners what they need to know. Dog owners getting ripped off by so called certified, licensed, bonded, insured, members of non existent organizations, dog trainers.
We specialize in behavior and dog training. Teaching and educating the dog owner what is the best way to deal with your dog in a way that is perfect for anyone who wants an in-depth understanding of their dog training and behavior. It isn’t just jerking on a leash, putting on a prong collar, or shocking your dog until it obeys. It is learning to communicate with your dog and teach it in a positive, loving, fun manner. Many dogs are just fearful and just need to be shown how to communicate with humans and other animals. What you may think is aggression, a dog trying to dominate, and just being defiant and aggressive, is just a confused dog that is scared to death and does not know how to communicate.
Take A Paws primary training methods are focused on love, praise, positive reinforcement, and routines teaching your dog manners and where they fit in with the family. Each dog needs to learn the pecking order, clicks, just who is in charge. Yes there may be some form of Alfa and Dominance, but these are dogs, pets, our family members not wolves. Since humans are not wolves or of the canine breed we need to learn how to communicate with our dogs. On the other hand you have to also remember you dog is not human and you cannot treat it as such.
So our goal is to train the dog owners to communicate with your dog, teach it how to be secure, have self-esteem, and help your dog to not be afraid of everything, living with you in a way that both you and the dog can be happy and enjoying each other’s company.
95% of the dogs in the US end up in shelters not because they are aggressive or dangerous but because they are not trained properly and misunderstood. They have grown up living in a world that they have had to fend for themselves not understanding one thing their owner is trying to teach them. Then you have the owner thinking their dog is trying to dominate them, trying to control them but it is actually it is the dog wanting to know how to behave, what to do, in fact most of the time you both want the same thing but don’t know how to tell each other.
You are both speaking a foreign language. Neither one can understand each other. If you go into a foreign country and try to speak to someone, they do not understand one thing they are saying and they do not understand you so how would you react. The one thing that everyone understands is the word yes, and then you move on from there. It is not any different with dogs. You must communicate yes and no but in a way that you open the line of communication, you can begin to talk to each other and enjoy each other’s company, learn each other’s rules, routines, joys, fears and so forth.
This is our goal to build a trust, confidence and communication in a routine offering training needed to become a better team and family. Our trainers together have over 30 years’ experience, we have a passion in raising our dogs and wish to teach you our skills so that you can have the same love and understanding of your pet. With our personalized training owners and dogs receive what is needed to be successful throughout their training and develop better communication skills with their pets.
We have both worked towards an education in Psychology which helps us understand our dog owners. Then we have studied dog behavior through several different organizations and we both have many certificates and continued education in dog training. Seminars with Cesar Millan, Karen Pryor, Ian Dunbar and many more. We have strived to learn different training techniques because no two dogs are the same and no two dog owners are the same.
We have raised dogs and have competed in AKC, UKC and even some out of country sport competitions. Between each of us we have a combined experience that covers the basics all the way up to top level competition as well as service dog training.
We each bring different skills to the table as dog trainers. We try to focus on preventative training. Training when a dog is young so that it will not grow up with problems and be what is called bomb proof. Then we have the passion to help dogs that did not receive that training and help you as a dog owner learn how to treat your dog. With the treatment plan and training you can take your fearful dog and make it that loving dog that you always wanted. Remember though these are dogs and it may take weeks, months or even years. Our goal is not to spend every second with you through this but to teach you the skills that you may do it yourself and build that bond that you need with your dog. We don’t want to put a band aid on your dog’s problems with wish in our hearts that you are able to treat the problems and have a friend for life with your dog.
In our behavioral modification services we will evaluate your dog and give you an honest opinion on the dog and it’s situation. Like I said above many dogs are just fearful not dangerous. But there is still the few that should not be around children, small animals, or anyone because they are just that aggressive. If we do not feel the dog can be helped by us (which is very few) we will give your our recommendations. We would rather be honest than to give you false hope and someone get hurt or killed by a dangerous dog.
Dog training is not instant thing and it takes work. There is no instant fix. After we work with the dog, give you the skills and you do not implement them you are dooming your dog to a life of insecurity and possibly being euthanized. But if you do what you need to and you want to have that amazing family member with manners and love between each other we are here to help. But remember these are dogs, each raised different, bad or good breeding practices, damage already done, or even lack of training practices. We do not guarantee 100% that you will have the perfect dog. It is up to you and what you want to put into it. If you are not 100% committed it will not work so please do not waist our time because we have so many dog owners that do want to help their dogs and it would be taking time from them. But if you want the dog evaluated and want to know what the next set is please feel free to contact us. Whether it is behavioral evaluation for rehoming to just how to train it to keep it, puppy training, basic obedience, advance obedience, conformance, or sports please we are here.
We offer in home training, group classes, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, AKC Trick Dog certification, evaluating and training for ESA and Service dogs. Please check out our site for additional educational material that may help with prior training or homework for during classes. We are also putting together various videos that you can access as a client that will help you as you work with us. You may also go to the videos to get an idea of how we work. Our goal is to give you the tools to make your dog your own, the dog you always wanted, and the training for your future dogs as well. Please keep checking back for the videos or like us on face book so you get notification as soon as they are available. We are just starting out and at present have dog training classes with other groups.
Remember if you take a pause just a few times a day no matter what you are doing you will build an amazing bond with your dog.
Thanks again and we hope to hear from you.
