Frequently Asked Questions
 
Q. What qualities make a dog a “dream dog”?
A. Only you can decide how you want your dream dog to act. Some suggestions are: 
 · Eliminates in appropriate areas.
 · Calmly accepts handling and restraint from you and others.
 · Greets your friends, family and strangers politely at home and in public.
 · Walks on a loose leash without pulling.
 · Can be left alone for reasonable amounts of time without stress, panic, elimination or destructiveness.
 · Will calm down quickly after being excited or aroused.
 · Does not bark excessively.
 · Is not fearful of everyday events such as loud noises or thunderstorms.
 · Will come to you immediately when you call.
 · Will share his “good stuff”, such as food, toys or other objects with you.
 · Will share sleeping places with you and get off when asked.
 · Will leave things alone when asked, e.g. your valuables or the cat.
 · Will respond to simple requests such as “sit”, “down” and “wait”.

 
Q. Is it ever too late to train my dog?
A. It is far easier to prevent behavior problems than it is to fix them. Most young, inexperienced dogs have not yet developed unwanted habits. However, it is simply not true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The best time to start training is now, regardless of your dog’s age. 

 
Q. Who in the family should attend class?
A. All interested family members, including well-behaved children over the age of six, are welcome to attend. We ask children to remain in their seats unless they are actively participating in supervised practice. We also ask children not to pet or interact with dogs other than their own unless asked to do so.

 
Q. Do I always have to carry food with me?
A. The short answer is no. Using food as a lure and a reward during initial training is very effective; however, it is important to phase out food rewards as quickly as possible. It is important to keep in mind that food is only one of many ways to motivate and reward the dog. Dogs love all kinds of things: belly rubs, car rides, leash walks, other dogs, swimming, playing Frisbee and tug-of-war, and retrieving sticks and balls. You can use anything and everything that your dog loves as a reward for great behavior.

 
Q. Do I have to become the “alpha dog” in my dog’s life?
A. You do not have to be dominant or aggressive to be your dog’s leader. By establishing your role as Keeper of the Treats and Other Good Things, you will automatically become “alpha”. For more information on canine hierarchies, read “The History and Misconceptions of Dominance Theory.”  

Q. What is the difference between basic training and behavior modification?
A. “Basic training” usually refers to teaching your dog to demonstrate good behaviors—such as “sit” or “stay” on cue. It can also including minimizing normal but undesired behaviors, such as jumping up or chewing. We use “behavior modification” to address instinctive or emotional behaviors that are a problem—for example, separation anxiety or aggression. A fearful dog is not choosing to be fearful, so behavior modification programs can be more complex.