Paws Pet Supply - Dog Training

Paws for Training Behavioral Consults

Here is a sad statistic. Death (euthanasia) due to behavior problems is the number one cause of dog mortality in the United States. More dogs are "put to sleep" for this problem than for disease or trauma. Make sure that your dog does not become part of this grim statistic.

Behavior Modification programs have proven to be useful for:

� Resource guarding: Guarding food, toys or humans from other dogs or humans

� Separation anxiety: A panic disorder that only happens when the dog is alone.

� On-leash aggression: An otherwise nice friendly dog turns into Cujo when on a leash, lunging at oncoming dogs.

� Stranger aggression

� Fighting household dogs

� Jumping on guests when they arrive at your home

� Dragging you down the sidewalk for a walk

Behavior modification involves applying the sound and proven principles of learning theory to change a behavior. The basic idea is to change your pet's behavior from one that is undesired to one that is desired or more acceptable. Behavior modification not only involves your dog, but it also involves teaching you and your family how to interact with your dog to correct problems and help prevent future problems.

Counter-conditioning is changing how your dog feels about something. It is the process whereby a dog's fearful feeling about strangers for example is changed to "Wow, have you noticed that treats come out of the sky when strangers are around? Cool!"

Many problems need both techniques. Some problems may require pharmacologic intervention. All require commitment. You may be instructed to make certain management and life style changes or to practice particular behavior exercises on a regular basis. There are proven techniques to help many dog problems.

After a short telephone interview an appointment will be set for a Behavior Consultation. Prior to the consultation you will be asked to fill out our Behavioral Questionnaire, which must be returned to Paws for Training 48 hours prior to your appointment. The purpose of the Questionnaire is for us to know your dog's routines, interactions, and relationships, as well as obtain a detailed description and history of the problem behaviors your dog is demonstrating.

A consultation includes:

� Observing your dog's behavior and evaluating your dog's temperament

� Discuss the possible origins of your dog's behavior issues

� Discuss a risk assessment (how dangerous is the dog or the situation?)

� Discuss options for management and/or behavior modification

For a limited time the initial consultation is $75. You will be given specific exercises to practice with your dog and an email/phone call support weekly for 4 weeks. Obviously, many serious problems require repeat training sessions, price will be determined at time of assessment. The number of required visits will depend on your goals for your dog. An estimate will be given at the end of the consultation. All consultations and training sessions take place in your home where your dog lives. This is where he misbehaves most often so this is where training is most effective.

Paws for Training dog trainers conduct the one-on-one training in your home, without the distraction of other dogs or the stress of being sent away for training at a kennel.

Take charge of your Pack. Learn to be a Pack Leader.

Certified Dog Trainers on staff.

Call to set up an appointment 865-938-7297. Isn't it about time?

OBEDIENCE CLASSES

If you are considering taking your dog through an obedience class, be advised: training requires patience, dedication, time, and work!! In class, we do not train your dog; we teach you to train your dog. This necessitates working at home, preferably five to six times a week, outside of the class environment.

There are many books that provide reasonable instruction on teaching your dog. However, it is our opinion that socialization is critical to a well-behaved, well-adjusted dog, and that is why a class environment is important. Also, it can be quite difficult for a new owner to figure out why their dog is not learning simply by reading a book-even the best books cannot cover every scenario. A good instructor can evaluate your dog's behavior and your training technique, and make suggestions for correcting any problems.

Our Beginner Obedience class is designed to help you learn about responsible ownership, as well as prepare your dog to live a long, happy life with you and the other people s/he comes in contact with (neighbors, guests, and veterinarians, for instance). Classes are for one hour, one evening a week.

The Beginner class is designed with elementary skills in mind. It is an eight-week class in which we teach sit, down, stay, walking on a loose leash, and coming on command. Preventive health care tips are discussed, and any problems that are encountered at home, such as housebreaking, are addressed. Classes cost $120 for an eight-week session.

In the class, dogs under six months of age are taught the same skills as the older dogs and have some interaction with the "adults." Because they have shorter attention spans, we do not work the stay command the same way with youngsters as with older dogs.

While the skills taught in our classes can be taught solely at home, it is nearly impossible to then take your dog to another location and get the desired response unless you have trained for such inevitabilities. A class environment provides the distractions necessary to achieve the desired result-regardless of the circumstances. (People in the dog fancy call this type of training "proofing" a dog.)

We do not assume that every person who enrolls in a class wants to compete in American Kennel Club (AKC) Obedience Trials. However, our methods were developed with the idea that every class participant will eventually compete; in other words, none of the techniques we teach will have to be "unlearned" in order to progress to a competitive level.

On occasion, and depending on demand, we may hold an Advanced Beginner Obedience class. The Advanced class is tailored to the needs of those enrolled and includes ring procedures for those wishing to compete in AKC events.

Whether you just want a dog with whom you can live peaceably, or that High-Scoring Dog in Trial, we believe we can help.

TO ENROLL IN A CLASS. . .

Give us a phone call to get a class application, and we will let you know where to get one. You will also need the sheet of information outlining the health records we need to see in advance and listing what you will need to bring to class. There will be a registration deadline, and prepayment and proof of vaccinations are required to ensure your place in an upcoming class.

If we do not have a class scheduled at the time you phone, we will notify you as soon as the next class date and time are set.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO ACHIEVE?

No instructor can guarantee specific results. However, we want our class participants to succeed to their highest potential and attain their personal goals; therefore, we work with every dog and owner as a unique team, each with their own needs, background, and abilities.

Achieving the results you desire depends largely on your determination to succeed. If you are not willing or able to spend time training each day outside of class for the number of weeks you and your dog are in training, then you may only see a small degree of accomplishment. On the other hand, if you train 15 to 20 minutes a day and follow class instructions, then you can easily achieve the class goals.

To ensure that you are satisfied with our services, participants are encouraged to ask questions during class. Also, a series of "homework" sheets are given out at the end of each class. Should you encounter difficulties during the week, we encourage you to telephone for assistance. If you don't succeed, we don't succeed!!

For more information, call:

PAWS PET SUPPLY

(865) 938-PAWS (7297)

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Jackie McCrary, owner of Jackson's Dog Training, possesses more than 20 years of experience in the sport of dogs. Her expertise encompasses breeding, raising, training, and showing Miniature Schnauzers, as well as kennel management, grooming, and general animal care.

Jackie has been involved in American Kennel Club (AKC) obedience training and competitions since 1985. Three of her dogs have earned AKC Companion Dog (CD) titles, and she has trained eight dogs to Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) certifications. She considers the CD titles a major accomplish-ment, since few Miniature Schnauzers typically earn this title each year. Her dog, "Tinker" was Highest-Scoring Terrier in Trial in November 1994.

Jackie has served as a Pre-Novice judge and a CGC Evaluator for several area clubs.

Much of her knowledge was gained through affiliation with one area kennel club, where she taught and assisted with obedience classes, aided in conducting CGC tests, and assisted with conformation classes. Jackie served three terms as President, one as First Vice-President, and one as Training Director of the club after first becoming a member of the Board in 1986.

Her care and training expertise has been utilized by two show kennels, a boarding/ show kennel, and several area grooming shops.

When she was breeding and showing, Ms. McCrary was a member in good standing with the American Miniature Schnauzer Club. She completed the requirements for, and was admitted as a Provisional Member of, the prestigious National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) for 5 years.

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

Every dog comes into a new home with a specific genetic background and unique set of life experiences. Jackie believes this should be taken into account during training and should be used as a framework for training.

Motivational techniques (food, toys, verbal praise, and petting) are utilized for training. While some correctional methods are used (if needed), Jackson's Dog Training recognizes that positive, motivational techniques are more effective, and no corrections are harsh.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND A CLASS?

All breeds of dogs, including mixed breeds, can benefit from obedience training. Training strengthens the dog-owner bond, establishes the household structure within which a dog is to live ("structure" is critical to a dog's emotional well-being), and sets the groundwork for you and your dog to live a long, happy life together.

The ideal time to begin training is when a dog is between two and five months of age. However, unless your dog has an acute physical problem, even older dogs benefit from a training class. Contrary to the popular adage, old dogs can learn new tricks, and no dog is too old to participate in our classes.

Puppy Training Classes

This 7-week class for puppies 16 weeks and older provides an opportunity to socialize your pup with other dogs as well as people, and give your dog the skills she or he needs to become a great adult dog.

The class will cover commands such as "sit," "down," "leave it", and "come," "focus" as well as how to deal with common puppy behavior issues such as chewing, jumping and housetraining.

All participants should arrive with their pup on a 6-foot leash, with plenty of treats and a blanket, mat or rug for their puppy to lie on.

Read On.

When you get a new puppy, there are so many supplies to get and so many things to do that you may feel overwhelmed. Puppies are a lot of work! But they are also a lot of fun -- and way too cute. Their biggest problem is that they stay puppies for such a short period of time!

This is the most important time of their lives because it's the time when puppy personalities are forming and what happens to them now has an impact throughout the rest of their lives. And what *you* do or don't do now also has lasting effects.

You are most concerned right now about the Front End and the Back End -- biting and chewing and also peeing and pooping. Whatever goes in must come out. But I'm concerned with the future -- what happens if certain events do or don't take place during critical developmental periods. It's preventative behavioral medicine, and you play a big part.

And speaking of medicine, veterinarians and trainers are looking out for your puppy in different ways. Your vet is concerned with him medically, and trainers -- including myself -- are concerned with him behaviorally. Unfortunately, your vet may advise you to wait until your puppy has completed his shots before taking him to the outside world. But by the time he finishes his puppy shots, the critical periods are over. Fortunately, many vet schools are changing their policies because they, too, realize the importance of these critical developmental periods.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has realized the importance of early socialization and issued a new position statement, "The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated." (emphasis added).

No one gets a puppy intending that he will be turned in to a shelter because of behavior problems, but that's exactly what happens to 50% of the dogs born each year in the US. They are dead by their second birthday because of behavior problems, many of which can be prevented. The fact that you are reading this shows that you care enough for your puppy that that won't happen, so give yourself a pat on the back!

Both in the group classes and private lessons, we talk about how to minimize your puppy's biting and chewing so you don't become a human pincushion and so your furniture doesn't look like termites have attacked it. I can show you some simple strategies to accomplish this.

And we also talk about prevention of problems. Did you know that most dogs who have aggression issues don't like to be touched -- or only like to be touched when and where THEY want it? I demonstrate how to touch your dog so he loves it, and then you practice it.

The other important issue is socializing -- and socializing means much more than getting him used to other dogs. It's acclimating him to the sounds, smells, places, people, and things that he will encounter during his lifetime in a positive manner. We talk about how to do that in a safe way.

Please call (865) 938-PAWS (7297) so we can get started right away! We're looking forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,
Tina Shepherd
ABC Certified Dog Trainer