Home Dog Trainers In Phoenix
Home Dog Training Is The Most Effective Way To Train A Dog
Home dog training will address your dog's behaviors .. not just obedience.
When you train at home, your dog feels less stress and is less distracted.
Home training will strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
Home dog training teaches your dog to listen to you .. not just the trainer.
The type of training that you choose for your dog is a significant factor in the decision process when venturing into dog training. There are different methods and different formats for conducting dog training. The method and the format that you decide to use will have great influence on the level of your success.
There are really only three types, or formats, of training; Classroom Training, Home Dog Training and Board and Train.To read more about the different methods, please visit either our Dog Training Basics page
or our Dog Training Methods page.
or our Dog Training Methods page.
Types (Formats) Of Dog Training:
You can click on a category name to go to that topic:
At A Better Dog, we only do in-home dog training.
We've done all three in the past and the truth is that classroom training is not efffective for behavior problems and board and train doesn't work because the owner needs to go through the training too. That's the only way it's going to be effective.
Classroom Training
"Enroll in a local dog obedience training class to learn the basics. Then most teaching and training should be done in your home. It is best to begin training in an area that is familiar to your dog and with the least amount of distractions as possible."
according to "Perfect Paws"
Classroom training for a dog really centers on obedience. It's not possible to address the various behavior problems of the students in a classroom setting. The trainer cannot sit and discuss your dog's problems while the rest of the class is waiting for the next instruction.
If all your dog needs is training on obedience words, an obedience class can take care of that. If you want your dog to actually respond to those words, that's a behavior issue.
"Thanks for checking in and for
the great re-cap you emailed us,
it was very helpful! Things are
going much better with Ranger.
We have had many moments
over the last two weeks when
we have said “Steve is a
genius!!!!” We’ve definitely
made progress with the
things we’ve talked about.
We’ve been pretty good about
all the techniques you taught us
regarding pack structure. We
have even gotten to the point
where he will remain in a “Stay”
with treats on his paws and not
move till we say (even if
we are out of sight)!
Thank you so much!"
the great re-cap you emailed us,
it was very helpful! Things are
going much better with Ranger.
We have had many moments
over the last two weeks when
we have said “Steve is a
genius!!!!” We’ve definitely
made progress with the
things we’ve talked about.
We’ve been pretty good about
all the techniques you taught us
regarding pack structure. We
have even gotten to the point
where he will remain in a “Stay”
with treats on his paws and not
move till we say (even if
we are out of sight)!
Thank you so much!"
Kirsten & Ranger
Paradise Valley .. Arizona
Paradise Valley .. Arizona
"Hey Steve! I just wanted to
send you an update on how
Audi is doing. She's fabulous
and we're on our second foster
dog. I think it's really helping
her deal with distraction and
still listen to us at the same
time because I've noticed a
HUGE improvement! We've been
working with long distance
recall and she's getting much
better at coming to us when
called but there is still more
work to be had. Everyone
comments on how she looks to
us for 'permission' before she
does something and they all
think it's really cool. I'm like
'yeah, I know, she's my girl!'
Talk to you soon."
send you an update on how
Audi is doing. She's fabulous
and we're on our second foster
dog. I think it's really helping
her deal with distraction and
still listen to us at the same
time because I've noticed a
HUGE improvement! We've been
working with long distance
recall and she's getting much
better at coming to us when
called but there is still more
work to be had. Everyone
comments on how she looks to
us for 'permission' before she
does something and they all
think it's really cool. I'm like
'yeah, I know, she's my girl!'
Talk to you soon."
Katie & Audi
Ahwatukee .. Arizona
Ahwatukee .. Arizona
"He listens to his trainer real good.
He just doesn't listen to me.
I still can't get him to do nothing."
He just doesn't listen to me.
I still can't get him to do nothing."
Boxer Evander Holyfield
after his Akita completed a board and train program
after his Akita completed a board and train program
"If your dog has a specific behavior problem, you'll need to see a professional outside of a classroom context. Problems like resource guarding, touch or handling issues, phobias, separation anxiety and aggression toward people or other animals require intensive treatment plans and individual attention from a qualified behaviorist. Other, less serious behavior issues that trainers and behaviorists can't usually address in a group class include house training problems, excessive barking and destructive chewing."
according to the ASPCA's Virtual Pet Behaviorist
from "Finding Professional Help For Your Dog"
from "Finding Professional Help For Your Dog"
Home Dog Training
We've conducted obedience classes in the past and we've done many board and train cases. They're not as effective as in-home training.
As stated above, classroom training only addresses the mechanics of how to teach obedience. What happens when your dog knows the "sit" command, but he won't respond when you give the command. Should you need to physically make him sit every time?
When we conducted board and train programs, we would always include our lifetime program with the board and train. That way the owners could also go through the program. This is a crucial piece of a board and train program that is usually missed.
The truth is that dog training is very much about people training. The idea that you can send your dog to a trainer and he will come back to you a different dog, and stay that way, without you making any changes yourself, is false. It will not work that way.
The odds are good that your dog will always perform for the trainer because he has elevated himself into a lead position with the dog (hopefully in a good, humane way). If the trainer doesn't teach you how to do the same thing, your dog will be abusing you again within a week or two.
These are the main reasons that we only do in-home training. It's much more effective, it's healthier for the dog and it strengthens your relationship with them.
"I like them all - pointers, setters, retrievers, spaniels... what have you.
I've had good ones and bad of several kinds.
Most of the bad ones were my fault and most of the good ones
would have been good under any circumstances."
I've had good ones and bad of several kinds.
Most of the bad ones were my fault and most of the good ones
would have been good under any circumstances."
Gene Hill
author of several books about life with dogs, including "Tears
and Laughter", "Sunlight And Shadows" and "A Listening Walk..."
author of several books about life with dogs, including "Tears
and Laughter", "Sunlight And Shadows" and "A Listening Walk..."
Board and Train
If you've read above, you've seen that we don't believe in board and train and the reasons why.
We strongly recommend that if you decide to take on a board and train program, make sure that thorough owner education and training, to elevate you above your dog, is included in the program.