Training Philosophy
We believe in the power of the pack as a teaching tool for dogs. This also means that studying the way dogs communicate with each other is important. Have you ever seen a dog give another dog a treat for good behavior? Have you seen a dog move towards another dog in order to use spatial pressure to claim their space? While we can teach dogs words, it’s also important that we learn to speak to them in their language as well. We believe the best approach to training is a balanced one. Not only do we train your dog commands like sit, place, down, come, heel, and out, but we also work to limit unwanted behavior such as: jumping, mouthing, humping, resource guarding, aggression, separation anxiety, leash reactivity, barrier reactivity, crate escaping, fear from coddling/neglect/abuse, and non-compliance for known commands. Many dogs are either under socialized with other dogs or improperly socialized with other dogs. Often we hear the question “Why does my dog get along with all the dogs in your yard, but I can’t take him to the dog park?” Our response is typically “Who is in charge of the dog park?” If you said “Nobody,” you would be correct! Here at K9 Pack we are in charge of the yard. The rules of the yard are: no humping, no bulldozing other dogs, no barking incessantly at other dogs, no harassing other dogs, no biting, no digging near the fence line, no jumping on people, and no bad behavior. These rules are enforced by a number of different corrections. We use special pressure, leash corrections, prong collars, and e-collar corrections. We believe tools help to teach our dogs what the word “no” means, in a way that they understand. You do not have to teach an alternative behavior in order to correct misbehavior in your dog. Tools also help us communicate with our dogs in a way they understand, such as moving towards the pressure of a prong collar in order to release it. Tools also allow us to reinforce commands and correct for noncompliance of a known command when our dog decides to break the rules.
Training Tools
While they look barbaric, we believe prong collars are one of the best training tools available today. Because of their unique design they put pressure all the way around the dog’s neck in order to give an effective, yet safe, correction. This makes them safer than the standard flat collar that puts most of the pressure directly on the dog’s trachea. We only recommend Herm Sprenger prong collars and Kimberland micro prongs, as they are the best the industry has to offer. Prong collars are a wonderful aid to dog training; however, they are not a “magic pill” fix. You can’t just put a prong collar on your dog and expect them to never pull on the leash again. Dogs pull on the leash because it works! All dogs that undergo leash training here at K9 Pack are taught that coming towards the pressure of the prong collar is the only way to turn the pressure off.
E-collars are another wonderful tool, and one that we recommend for all aggression cases, all dogs that owners wish to have off leash reliability, and all dogs completing one of our training programs. Yes, these are also known as “shock collars.” Did you know that since the invention of these tools in the 1960s they have come a long way? They no longer emit an electrical shock (at least not the ones we use); they are muscle contractors and release a stimulation similar to a tens unit. Yes, at high levels they can cause your dog discomfort, but if your dog is jumping on your elderly grandmother, chasing your cat, or growling at you they should feel discomfort for this inappropriate behavior. E-collars can also be used at low levels to put pressure on a dog for compliance. Not all e- collars are the same and there are brands out there that can cause harm to your dog. We love E-Collar Technologies for their reliability, quality, outstanding customer service, and effectiveness.
The only brands we are willing to work with are: E-collar Technologies, Dogtra, Garmin, and Sport Dog
What does a typical first prong collar session look like?
What does a typical first e-collar session look like?
Two, Three, and Extended Week Board and Train
This training is conducted in our home in an overnight boarding situation. Pups will be integrated into our pack and learn social skills, manners, crating and obedience commands. We specialize in severe aggression, fear, reactivity, and major behavioral problems. The amount of time required depends on the severity of the issues. All dogs are crated during board and trains for their safety. We have one go home session at our home, and then one at your home or a local park (within 20 miles), and then we offer one follow up session for whenever you need it. We will teach you everything your dog knows in order for you to be successful at home. There is a lot of homework including reading a book, information for you to read and watch, and implementing the proper structure at home. We are here for email and phone support after your dog has completed our program.
Two Week Board and Train for Basic Obedience $1600
This includes sit/stay, down/stay, heel, place, and come all proofed on real world distractions. This also includes crate manners, waiting at thresholds, and for meals.
Three Week Board and Train for Advanced Obedience and Behavior Modification $2,200
This includes basic obedience on and off leash, as well as out and the double down. The three-week program addresses mild leash reactivity, nipping, mild anxiety, jumping, and milder behavior problems.
Additional Weeks are $600/each
This includes all obedience and is for dogs who resource guard, break out of crates, dog on dog aggression, dog on human aggression, severe anxiety, severe reactivity, and major behavioral problems.
**Cost of training equipment not included typically $250 - $330
What does a Three-Week Board and Train Look Like?
One on One Training Sessions
These sessions are designed to tackle small/non dangerous issues. We are happy to cover teaching common commands, correcting misbehavior like jumping and mouthing in these sessions. These sessions may be conducted at our home, a public park, or your home (within 20 miles). In these sessions, we teach you how to train your dog, and you have to put in the reps. For the safety of all involved we do not work with aggression cases in one-on-one sessions, only board and trains.
One on One sessions are $115/hour.
**Cost of training equipment not included typically $250 - $330, minimum of two sessions.
One on One Training Session Package
This package includes five one hour and fifteen-minute sessions. We will teach leash manners, educate you about lifestyle choices for your pup, sit, down, place, come, and heel. We will also teach you how to correct bad behaviors such as pulling on the leash, jumping, mouthing, crating, house training, and more! These sessions are designed to teach you how to train your dog so there will be homework for you to go over and practice with your pup including reading a book. We will teach, show, and guide you on how to do the training but you have to put in the reps for this option to work! These sessions will start conducted in our home, but we may decide to meet at a park or at your house for later sessions depending on your dog’s needs. Dogs with a bite history are not eligible for this option.
$650 for 6.25 hours of instruction
**Cost of training equipment not included typically $250 - $330
******There are no guarantees when working with animals. ******
If you are interested in hiring us to work with your dog, please fill out the contact form below. We will be in touch with you about scheduling a free phone consultation to help you decide which program is best for you and your pup.
Contact us about training:
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