1.  How will you train my dog to behave?

 Actually, I teach you to train your own dog using positive reinforcement.  You will use tools such as praise, toys and food that your dog will love to solve behavior problems.  You will even use positive rewards for problems like aggression and jumping up.  That way,  instead of getting into a confrontation with your dog, you and your dog are on the same side and working towards the same goal. 

2.  My dog only obeys when he wants to;  how can you change that?

When you come down to it, all of us only do things we want to do.  Therefore, we don't make your dog do what you want, we make your dog want to do what you want him to do. 

3.   My dog is like my baby.  I don't want to scare or hurt him in order to train him.  What can you do to make him behave better without being too rough?

 Many of my clients worry that I will upset their dogs (and them!) by using harsh training methods.  Actually, the opposite is true.  My client's dogs are usually crazy about me and are thrilled when I show up for subsequent visits. 

4.  How quickly will I see results?

 Most of the time, clients report an improvement in their dog's behavior within days.  This does not mean the problem is solved!  The long term solution can take much longer but things will begin to get better quickly.

5. If you always bribe a dog with food, how can you get him to behave when you don't have food?

Food is a training tool; it keeps the dog's attention so that he'll be able to learn new things.  Over time, we "fade" the food, meaning we gradually reduce the frequency of food as the dog learns what he should do.  Eventually, the only reward he gets is praise. 

6.  I believe it's important to show a dog who's boss so that he'll respect you.  Do you agree?

The relationship I like to see between owners and dogs is more like teacher/student.  The dog shouldn't be scared of you.  He should enjoy doing what you want.  There should, however, be no doubt in anyone's mind that it's the owner making the decisions.

7.  How much time a day will the training require?

This does vary depending on the issues your dog has.  You can expect to do a total of at least 20 minutes of direct training a day.  More importantly, you'll change how you handle the dog throughout the day.  For example, you will have your dog sit on command before feeding him.  In many cases, I will encourage you to increase the amount of exercise your dog gets. 

8.  Do you think it's possible for a neglected or abused dog to become a good pet?

Absolutely! I have worked with hundreds of such dogs with much success.  My own dog, Mickey, was a breeding dog in an Amish puppy mill for a year and a half.  He was caged all the time and was covered in urine and feces when the place was shut down.  He had been debarked with a metal rod in his throat and had very little human socialization.  He is now a friendly and housebroken pet.

9.  In what geographic areas do you train? 

I train in the Harrisburg area.  Towns included in the area are Harrisburg, Hershey, Hummelstown, Middletown, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Elizabethtown, Mt. Joy, Annville, Marysville, Columbia, Meyerstown, and Lebanon.  I will visit dogs out of my training area but there is an additional charge for travel time.