Lucky Dog Animal Rescue strongly believes in Positive Training, and we encourage all dog owners to educate themselves about the different methods of dog training before choosing a trainer or a training program.
What is Positive Training?
Positive training rewards dogs with treats, praise and play rather than punishment. Think of it as the “carrot” approach to training your dog – rather than using the “stick.” Positive training has proven to be more effective as well as less stressful for both owner and dog than punishment-based training.
The Humane Society of the US, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers all promote positive dog training as the most effective and humane way to train dogs.
Positive methods, unlike harsher ones, are not known to create fear or anxiety issues in dogs. Dogs comply because they enjoy the training – not because they are afraid.
Positive trainers look for the root of a behavior problem, rather than just suppressing a behavior and taking the risk it will re-emerge later.
Training is based on how dogs learn. Strength isn’t required to train a dog.
Positive training allows dogs to use their brains during training. Mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise to the welfare of a dog.
Dogs learn to trust their owners. While this is important for all dogs, it is particularly important for shelter and rescue dogs.
Positive training is unlikely to cause injury to people or animals.
Positive training includes management methods that permit dog owners to set their dogs up for success – for example, no-pull harnesses to help with polite leash walking, baby gates to separate dogs from visiting children, and interactive toys to help occupy and provide mental stimulation for dogs.
Picking a Trainer
Picking a trainer is a very personal decision as you need to find a person and program that suits you and your pup! However, there are certain minimum qualifications any dog trainer should have. Be careful: some organizations, like the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (A.P.D.T.) allow individuals to become “full members” just by paying dues. Being a “full member” of APDT does not mean that person is a certified dog trainer – only being a “Professional” member does.
What you really need to look for is the certification the individual trainer holds. A trainer’s certification should be prominent in all promotional materials. Although certifications are not mandatory for someone to begin training, they do indicate that a trainer has dedicated a certain amount of time and preparation to their training business. Not all training certifications are the same so, if you don’t recognize the certification, be sure to ask what education a particular trainer has, how long they have been training dogs, and what references they have in the dog community. (A reference from the owner of a doggie daycare who has experience with multiple trainers should carry much more weight than a reference from a new dog owner who has no point of comparison.) Some certifications which we recommend include:
ACAAB (Animal Behavior Society)
CPDT-KA (Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers)
CDBC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
CAAB (Animal Behavior Society)
CABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
CCAB (Association for the Study of Animal Behavior)
DACVB (American College of Veterinary Behaviorists)
ABCDT (American Behavioral College Dog Trainer Certification)
Your Dog’s Friend also provides a great list of positive trainers in the DC metro area. Although we haven’t had the opportunity to work with them, we trust the judgment of Your Dog’s Friend! http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Positive-Trainers.html
Lucky Dog works with and highly recommends the following trainers. Be sure to ask them about discounts for adopted Lucky Dogs!
Spot On Dog Training is focused on giving you the tools you need to create a strong foundation that will allow you to establish and maintain a happy and healthy relationship between you and your dog. They accomplish this through positive reinforcement training. Spot On Training stands for positive based training with evidence based outcomes. Heather is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a certified trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Julie’s positive approach to training makes learning fun for both dog and pet owner. She offers only positive reinforcement training techniques. Through years of experience, she has relied on a training method that utilizes praise and repetition to achieve the desired results for your dog. She also utilizes these same positive approaches to modify behavioral problems.
Training by Julie and Associates, LLC will now be donating $20 from any class enrollment or four private (in your home!) lesson package directly back to Lucky Dog. Just say Lucky Dog sent you!
Fur-Get Me Not offers a unique Levels training program that allows you to train on your schedule, at your pace. At Fur-Get Me Not we believe that training is about compassion, respect, and building a long-term relationship by bridging communication between human and canine. Their instructors use positive based training methods, promote responsible dog ownership through the AKC Canine Good Citizen program, and are either Certified Professional Dog Trainers or working towards their certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Fur-Get Me Not is also a mentor training company for aspiring trainers through the Animal Behavior College.
KissAble Canine, LLC provides pet owners a fun and effective solution for their dog obedience needs. Head trainer, Lisa Tudor, holds her Certified Professional Dog Trainer certificate and specializes in understanding dog behavior. She is a professional member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, a Mentor Trainer for the Animal Behavior College and certified in Pet First Aid through the American Red Cross. KissAble Canine offers in-home, private training, behavior modification and family friendly workshops!
VIVIAN LEVÉN SHOEMAKER POSITIVE DOG Certified Professional Dog Trainer/Knowledge Assessed Associate Member, IAABC CGC Evaluator #56306 Ph: (703) 628-6637 www.positivedog.net
Kinga Niecko KINGA’S K-9s 1600 Clarendon Blvd #W206 Arlington, VA 22209 703-505-5695 Kinga’s K-9s provides at-home behavioral training and modification services in the D.C. metropolitan area. Private sessions are held at the client’s home and other environments where the dog is exhibiting issues. Discount available for rescued dogs. www.kk9s.com
Classes We Recommend
Your Dog’s Friend (Rockville, Md) offers a variety of classes – weekend, evening, and weekday; short-term, ongoing, and mini-series; training & behavior, dog sports, and testing prep, all taught by experienced instructors who use positive, rewards-based training methods that are enjoyable for you and your dog!http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Class-Schedules.html
Fur-Get Me Not (Arlington, VA) offers a unique “levels” class program which allows each dog and owner pair to progress at their own pace. Participants can come as often as they wish, choosing from different times when the classes are offered.
http://www.furgetmenot.com/
Spot On Training (DC) offers a fantastic 7 week puppy class focused on helping puppies become well socialized grown up dogs. Ask about the Spot on Gives Back program which donates a part of your registration fee to Lucky Dog! http://www.spotondogtrainingdc.com/Spot_On_Training/Puppy_Class.html
Trainers & Training
DC Metro Area Trainers/Behaviorists & Day Care
Benefits of Positive Training
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue strongly believes in Positive Training, and we encourage all dog owners to educate themselves about the different methods of dog training before choosing a trainer or a training program.
What is Positive Training?
Positive training rewards dogs with treats, praise and play rather than punishment. Think of it as the “carrot” approach to training your dog – rather than using the “stick.” Positive training has proven to be more effective as well as less stressful for both owner and dog than punishment-based training.
The Humane Society of the US, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers all promote positive dog training as the most effective and humane way to train dogs.
Picking a Trainer
Picking a trainer is a very personal decision as you need to find a person and program that suits you and your pup! However, there are certain minimum qualifications any dog trainer should have. Be careful: some organizations, like the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (A.P.D.T.) allow individuals to become “full members” just by paying dues. Being a “full member” of APDT does not mean that person is a certified dog trainer – only being a “Professional” member does.
What you really need to look for is the certification the individual trainer holds. A trainer’s certification should be prominent in all promotional materials. Although certifications are not mandatory for someone to begin training, they do indicate that a trainer has dedicated a certain amount of time and preparation to their training business. Not all training certifications are the same so, if you don’t recognize the certification, be sure to ask what education a particular trainer has, how long they have been training dogs, and what references they have in the dog community. (A reference from the owner of a doggie daycare who has experience with multiple trainers should carry much more weight than a reference from a new dog owner who has no point of comparison.) Some certifications which we recommend include:
Your Dog’s Friend also provides a great list of positive trainers in the DC metro area. Although we haven’t had the opportunity to work with them, we trust the judgment of Your Dog’s Friend! http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Positive-Trainers.html
Lucky Dog works with and highly recommends the following trainers. Be sure to ask them about discounts for adopted Lucky Dogs!
Trainers We Recommend
Heather Morris, Spot On Dog Training, CPDT-KA
(202) 629-2967
Heather@spotondogtrainingdc.com
www.spotondogtrainingdc.com
Spot On Dog Training is focused on giving you the tools you need to create a strong foundation that will allow you to establish and maintain a happy and healthy relationship between you and your dog. They accomplish this through positive reinforcement training. Spot On Training stands for positive based training with evidence based outcomes. Heather is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a certified trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Julie Jacobus, Training By Julie, A.B.C.D.T
(443) 852-4912
info@trainingbyjulie.com
www.trainingbyjulie.com
Julie’s positive approach to training makes learning fun for both dog and pet owner. She offers only positive reinforcement training techniques. Through years of experience, she has relied on a training method that utilizes praise and repetition to achieve the desired results for your dog. She also utilizes these same positive approaches to modify behavioral problems.
Training by Julie and Associates, LLC will now be donating $20 from any class enrollment or four private (in your home!) lesson package directly back to Lucky Dog. Just say Lucky Dog sent you!
Tammy Rosen, Fur-Get Me Not, CPDT-KA
(703) 933-1935
4140 S Four Mile Run Dr, Arlington, VA 22206
Trainer@FurGetMeNot.com
www.FurGetMeNot.com
Fur-Get Me Not offers a unique Levels training program that allows you to train on your schedule, at your pace. At Fur-Get Me Not we believe that training is about compassion, respect, and building a long-term relationship by bridging communication between human and canine. Their instructors use positive based training methods, promote responsible dog ownership through the AKC Canine Good Citizen program, and are either Certified Professional Dog Trainers or working towards their certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Fur-Get Me Not is also a mentor training company for aspiring trainers through the Animal Behavior College.
Lisa Colon Tudor, Kissable Canine, CPDT-KA
(571) 312-1940
Lisa@kissablecanine.com
www.kissablecanine.com
KissAble Canine, LLC provides pet owners a fun and effective solution for their dog obedience needs. Head trainer, Lisa Tudor, holds her Certified Professional Dog Trainer certificate and specializes in understanding dog behavior. She is a professional member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, a Mentor Trainer for the Animal Behavior College and certified in Pet First Aid through the American Red Cross. KissAble Canine offers in-home, private training, behavior modification and family friendly workshops!
VIVIAN LEVÉN SHOEMAKER
POSITIVE DOG
Certified Professional Dog Trainer/Knowledge Assessed
Associate Member, IAABC
CGC Evaluator #56306
Ph: (703) 628-6637
www.positivedog.net
Kinga Niecko
KINGA’S K-9s
1600 Clarendon Blvd #W206
Arlington, VA 22209
703-505-5695
Kinga’s K-9s provides at-home behavioral training and modification services in the D.C. metropolitan area. Private sessions are held at the client’s home and other environments where the dog is exhibiting issues. Discount available for rescued dogs.
www.kk9s.com
Classes We Recommend
Your Dog’s Friend (Rockville, Md) offers a variety of classes – weekend, evening, and weekday; short-term, ongoing, and mini-series; training & behavior, dog sports, and testing prep, all taught by experienced instructors who use positive, rewards-based training methods that are enjoyable for you and your dog! http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Class-Schedules.html
Fur-Get Me Not (Arlington, VA) offers a unique “levels” class program which allows each dog and owner pair to progress at their own pace. Participants can come as often as they wish, choosing from different times when the classes are offered.
http://www.furgetmenot.com/
Spot On Training (DC) offers a fantastic 7 week puppy class focused on helping puppies become well socialized grown up dogs. Ask about the Spot on Gives Back program which donates a part of your registration fee to Lucky Dog! http://www.spotondogtrainingdc.com/Spot_On_Training/Puppy_Class.html
Your Dog’s Friend also offers a variety of incredibly beneficial free workshops. http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Workshop-Schedules.html
Articles on Training Behaviors
Housetraining & Crate Training
Housetraining Your Puppy http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/housetraining_puppies.html
Housetraining Adult and Senior Dogs
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/housetraining_adult_dogs.html
Crate Training
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/crate_training.html
Urine Marking Behavior – How to Prevent it
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/prevent_urine_marking.html
Urine Marking – Why Dogs Mark Their Territory
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/urine_marking.html
Fear & Anxiety
Fear of Thunder and Other Loud Noises
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/fear_thunder_loud_noises.html
Fido’s Fear of Fireworks and Other Loud Noises
http://www.bingodogtraining.com/SoundSensitivity.htm
Anxiety in Dogs http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Anxiety-in-dogs.html
The Proactive Approach to Separation Anxiety
http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/the-proactive-approach-to-separation-anxiety
Separation Anxiety
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/separation_anxiety.html
Bringing Your New Dog Home
Bringing Your New Dog Home http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/bringing_new_dog_home.html
Successfully Integrating a New Dog into your Home
http://www.bingodogtraining.com/Guidelines%20for%20Integrating%20a%20Puppy%20or%20Dog%20into%20Your%20Home.htm
Introducing a Dog to Other Pets
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/introducing_new_dog.html
Introducing Your New Dog to Cats
http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/109/Introducing-Your-Cat-to-a-New-Dog.aspx
Dog Meets Cat
http://www.bingodogtraining.com/DogMeetsCat.htm
Tips on Introducing a New Dog to Your Household Pack
http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/tips-on-introducing-a-new-dog-to-your-household-pack
Dog-Dog Greetings on Leash
http://www.bingodogtraining.com/DogDogGreetingsOnLeash.htm
Destructive Behaviors
Dig This: How to Get Your Dog to Stop Digging
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/digging.html
Chewing: The Why’s and Hows to Stop a Gnawing Problem
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/destructive_chewing.html
Curing Doggie Boredom
http://www.bingodogtraining.com/PreventingBoredomInDogs.htm
Barking Issues
Barking: How to Get Your Dog to Quiet Down
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html
Barking: Why Dogs Sound Off
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/barking_causes.html
Everything Puppy
The Importance of Early Socialization
http://www.bingodogtraining.com/early.htm
Puppy Behavior Basics
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/puppy_behavior_basics.html
Puppy Nipping and Rough Play
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/puppy_nipping_rough_play.html
Dogs and Kids
Children and Dogs
http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Children-and-Dogs.html
Can We Help You Keep Your Pet? People and Kids http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/1kids.php
Understanding Your Dog
Dog basics http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/dog-basics.html
Dog Body Language http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Body-Language.html
Dog Language http://www.bingodogtraining.com/dog_language.htm
Dog Play http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Dog-Play.html
Overview of Dog Behavior http://www.yourdogsfriend.info/Overview-of-dog-behavior.html
APSCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist http://www.aspcabehavior.org/
The Magic of Management http://www.bingodogtraining.com/TheMagicOfManagement.htm
Using Food in Training: http://www.bingodogtraining.com/UsingFoodInTraining.htm
Meeting Your Dog’s Basic Needs http://www.bingodogtraining.com/meeting_your_dogs_basic_needs.htm
The Earn and Learn Program http://www.bingodogtraining.com/EarnandLearn.htm
Curing Dog Car Sickness http://www.bingodogtraining.com/CanineCarSicknessCures.htm
How to Become the Leader Your Dog Needs http://www.bingodogtraining.com/how_to_become_the_leader_your_do.htm
Leash Walking (http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/cures-for-leash-walking-woes)
Recommended Websites
www.openpaw.org (training tips)
www.helpingfido.com (training tips)
www.aspcabehavior.org (behavior tips)
www.animalbehaviorassociates.com (behavior tips)
www.dogloverscompanion.com (traveling with dogs)
www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com (kids & dogs)
www.DogGoneSafe.com (kids & dogs)
www.dogsandstorks.com (expecting parents)
VIDEOS http://www.petfinder.com/pet-training