Active Paws Dog Training

I grew up with a myriad of pets and anytime I wanted to bring a dog into the house my parents required me to take them to training classes. I loved not only learning from those classes but had a particularly close bond with the dog I would bring.

When I started my pet care business in 2003, I found myself dealing face first with some challenging dogs. Some that would pull, others that would jump and yet others that would pee upon my arrival. My husband Gerard and I consulted with some trainers, even about our own dogs having recall issues but the training never felt right. It was aversive, using choke chains, prong collars, and other tools that didn't make you feel good about using them on your dog. Finally, after meeting Martha Francis from Fetch Dog Training, I was introduced to the world of positive reinforcement training using tools like clickers. It was then that training clicked, literally. Bad behaviors extinguished new and good behaviors rewarded. I was able to have success with client dogs learning that loose leash walking was rewarded and pulling meant they went nowhere. Dogs that jumped suddenly stopped offering the behavior because I learned to stop rewarding it, even with attention. When a dog came running to the door and immediately sat down high praise! Training became fun, it felt good and I knew I found yet another aspect of dog walking I loved.