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Choosing a dog trainer and an effective dog training method is one of the most important things that you can do for your dog. Your dog will learn how to behave from you. If you are not teaching them properly or with consistency, they will make their own rules and decisions on how to behave. Take your first step toward a better dog today by calling Phoenix Valley Dog Training. |
"As a dog owner, one of the first questions you may ask is, "Does my new companion need training?". Yes, and so do you! Whether you are intentionally teaching him or not, your canine friend is always learning - and this is true not just for puppies but also for older, adult dogs. If you do not teach your pet your rules, he will invent his own. Training allows caregivers to safely and humanely control their dog's behavior. Positive training enhances the bond between dog and owner, and helps ensure that your dog will respond happily to your instructions. |
(according to the U.S. Humane Society): |
It's essential that the dog trainer you select uses humane training techniques that encourage appropriate behavior. Look for a trainer who ignores undesirable responses or withholds rewards until the dog behaves appropriately. Training techniques should never involve yelling, choking, shaking the scruff, tugging on the leash, alpha rolling (forcing the dog onto his back), shock collars or other actions that frighten or inflict pain." |
At Phoenix Valley Dog Training, our dog training methods include positive reinforcement and humane, dog-friendly exercises to teach your dog proper and acceptable manners and behavior. We can address all of the problems that you are experiencing with your dog, including everything from raising a well developed puppy to controlling fear and aggression. Behaviors that we can address and correct include: |
Dog on Human Aggression Dog on Dog Aggression Housebreaking Problems Jumping and Mouthing Separation Anxiety Biting and Chewing Destruction of Property Leash Control and Manners Aggression Over Resources Behavior Training |
Obedience Training Commands Correction Training Commands Recall / Coming When Called Unwanted Puppy Behaviors Crate / Kennel Training Control at the Door Marking and Mounting Nervousness/Timidness Stealing From Counters/Tables Doorbell Manners |
By training your dog to respect the pack structure within your home we expect to have them under control and looking to you for their cues on how to behave within three sessions. If more sessions are needed, you will receive them at no additional cost. Our programs provide unlimited sessions without additional fees. |
"Training your dog is an absolute necessity. Just like children, dogs come into the world filled with love and curiosity, but not manners. They need to be taught how to get along in the family. That includes eliminating outside, behaving properly in the house, and being polite to people and other animals. This is a demanding, yet enjoyable job that begins the moment the dog enters your house and your life. |
(according to the American Kennel Club): |
Training makes dogs happy. By nature, dogs prefer a society with rules, where everybody knows his place. |
You set the stage for the successful education of your dog. You must be confident and consistent when training. Your goal is to get the dog to respond to your request, delivered in a cheerful voice. Training any dog takes time. It's up to you to set a positive, happy tone for training." |
When you teach dogs the rules of your family, they feel secure knowing exactly what they are and aren't allowed to do. |
Your puppy was born with their drive and their temperament already in place. Through humane, positive reinforcement training and the use of dog-friendly methods, you can have a great impact on the on-going development of their personality and the control of their drive and temperament. |
Your first few weeks with your new puppy will have a lot of impact on how they develop and and how their personality grows. In all honesty, you probably aren't going to know how they were treated or how their time was spent prior to arriving in your home. It's up to you to make their future a positive and nurturing one. |
Every effort should be made to socialize your puppy. Expose your puppy to a wide range of different sights, sounds, and textural feelings (ie. tile, carpet, concrete, asphalt, etc.). Also, let them meet dogs and people of varying sizes, colors and ages. |
Following are the stages of your puppy's psychological and physical growth: |
7 to 18 Weeks: Human Socialization Period - The puppy now has the brain waves of an adult dog. His attention span is short but he is a clean slate. This period is when the most rapid learning occurs. Learning at this age is permanent so this is a perfect time to start training. The greatest impact on their future social behavior will be made by anything that happens to the puppy during this period. Although puppies can continue to learn to be comfortable with new things, it is not as easy after this period. The window of opportunity is closing. |
8 to 10 or 11 Weeks: Fear Imprint Period. Avoid frightening the puppy during this period. Any traumatic, frightening or painful experience will have a more lasting effect on the puppy than if it occurred at any other time in its life. |
13 to 16 Weeks: Seniority Classification Period or The Age of Cutting. Puppy cuts teeth and apron strings! Puppy begins testing who is going to be pack leader. You must discourage any and all biting because such biting is a sign of dominance! It is important that you are a strong and consistent leader. Formal training must begin. Such training will help you establish your leadership. |
4 to 8 Months: Play Instinct Period. Flight Instinct Period. Puppy may wander and ignore you. It is very important that you keep the puppy on a leash at this time! The way that you handle the puppy at this time determines if the puppy will come to you when called. At about 4-1/2 months, the puppy loses his milk teeth and gets his adult teeth. That's when puppy begins serious chewing! A dog's teeth don't set in his jaw until between 6 and 10 months. During this time, the puppy has a physical need to exercise his mouth by chewing. |
6 to 14 Months: Second Fear Imprint Period or Fear of New Situations Period. Dog again shows fear of new situations and even familiar situations. Dog may be reluctant to approach someone or something new. It is important that you are patient and act very matter of fact in these situations. Never force the dog to face the situation. DO NOT pet the frightened puppy or talk in soothing tones. The puppy will interpret such responses as praise for being frightened. Training will help improve the dog's confidence. |
1 to 4 Years: Maturity Period. You may encounter increased aggression and renewed testing for dominance, but if you have spent a lot of time with your puppy, this will not present a problem at all - in fact you will probably hardly notice this, it is just something to keep in mind. Continue to train your dog during this period. Your dog may have another fear period between 12 - 16 months of age. |
Every stage of your puppy's life, including adulthood, requires you to be your dog's leader. You, not your dog, will have to be the leader of the pack if your pup is to develop into a well-mannered family member instead of a burden. Psychological dominance and alpha behavior are important concepts that every dog owner should learn and comprehend. |
0 to 12 Days: Neonatal Period - Includes early development and reflexive behavior. The puppy can't see or hear well and stays close to it's mother and littermates. |
13 to 20 Days: Transitional Period - The eyes open, they will begin to see, hear and respond to taste and smell. They will begin to walk. |
21 to 23 Days: Awareness Period - Puppy is able to use senses of sight and hearing. Learning begins. |
21 to 49 Days: Canine Socialization Period - They're learning that they are a dog. The puppy learns the species specific behaviors that make them a dog (biting, chasing, barking, fighting and body posturing). The puppy will learn to accept discipline from it's mother, how to use submissive postures, bite inhibition, pack hierarchy (through play with litter mates) and how to relate to littermates. |
Primary Socialization Period - 3 to 6 weeks / Secondary Socialization Period - 7 to 18 weeks |
"This period is especially important for the development of a stable emotional temperament and affective tone. Many social and emotional deficits observed in adult dogs are believed to result from removing puppies too early from the mother and littermates." |
Steven R. Lindsay - Dog Behavior Consultant and Author |
From now to the 18th week of their life, the puppy's basic character is being set by what they are taught. |
(portions courtesy of "Perfect Paws") |
Obedience Training is one of the best things you can do for your dog or puppy... and yourself. Obedience training doesn't solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solving just about any problem. Training opens up a line of communication between you and your dog. Effective communication is necessary to instruct your dog about what you want them to do. You can teach them anything from "stay" (don't bolt out the door) to "sit" (don't jump up on the visitors) to "off" (don't chew the furniture). |
Obedience training is also an easy way to establish the social hierarchy. When your dog obeys a simple request of "come here, sit" they are showing compliance and respect for you. It is NOT necessary to establish yourself as top dog or leader of the pack by using extreme measures such as the so-called alpha roll-over. You can teach your dog their subordinate role by teaching them to show submission to you in acceptable ways. Most dogs love performing these tasks (obedience commands) for you which also pleasantly acknowledge that you are in charge. |
(portions courtesy of "Veterinary Partner") |
Leashes are wonderful things for dogs. Leashes mean getting to go out of the house and yard to all sorts of interesting places. Leashes mean enjoying the outside world, protected from myriad dangers. With a little training, your dog will happily greet the sight of the leash, and walk along on it easily without pulling. |
Does this sound too good to be true? There's a trick to it! The hardest part is remembering to use the trick every single time you and your dog use the leash together. Once you form the habit, your dog will too. |
It's really we humans who cause this problem because by holding the leash tight, we teach dogs that a tight leash is normal. That's why it is so quick to retrain a dog on this. And forever afterward, you'll have an easier dog! |
When the dog pulls on the leash, pressure on the dog can cause damage, no matter what type of collar you use. The constant pressure also reduces the dog's ability to feel your motions with the leash, resulting in the need for excessive pressure to restrain the dog if that should become necessary. This excessive pressure can cause temperament problems in some dogs. |
When you get used to this handling, it's very good-natured and happy on your part, and the dog has a great time, too. You'll always need to react to a tight leash with some sort of change in direction for the life of the dog, but it becomes second nature. You won't look foolish to the neighbors, you'll look fantastic. |
(portions courtesy of "The Dog Breed Info Center") |
There are many different methods with which you can housebreak your pet. Whichever way you choose, it is important to understand your puppy. Dogs want to please; the trick is to make them understand what it is you want from them. |
Housebreaking your new puppy is going to take patience. You should begin to housebreak as soon as you bring your new puppy home. Puppies need to relieve themselves approximately six times a day. A puppy should be taken out immediately after each meal since a full stomach puts pressure on the colon and bladder. |
A puppy is not physically able to control the muscle that allows him to "hold it" until he is about 12 weeks of age. Before this time, good housebreaking routines should be practiced to avoid having your puppy urinate and defecate all over your house. Watch for signs of urination or defecation, such as turning in circles. Take your puppy out often. |
Dogs do not think the way humans do. When you are unhappy with your dog, it assumes that whatever it is doing at the exact moment you show disapproval - is the thing that is upsetting you. For example: |
If your puppy relieves himself on your floor and you show your disapproval five minutes after he has committed the act, the puppy will think that the mess on the floor is bad. He will not relate to the fact that it was the act of relieving himself on your floor that you disapprove of. The dog will eliminate, see the mess and get worried; you are now going to be unhappy. This is the reason so many dogs will relieve themselves in inappropriate places and look really guilty about it, yet they continue to do it. Dogs want to please, right? |
"The pleasure was all ours. You have made a tremendous difference in our home. We had a loving, but unruly, dog before we met you. Moose is now truly a fantastic member of our family (pack) and Tracy has taken to him like I never thought imaginable. She was sick of his poor behavior and now she spends a ton of time with him. We are working hard at using the right commands and WE are coming along good. Moose is behaving very well and has taken us as leaders without any argument at all. Thanks to your teachings, we are better owners and appreciate our Moose more than we could have ever thought possible. Thank you! And we look forward to seeing you whenever you may be in the area with other clients. And we'll be in touch along the way to keep you apprised of Moose's progress. With our warmest appreciation, THANK YOU!" |
Neil and Tracy Queen Creek, Arizona |
Dogs are social animals and without proper training, they will behave like animals. They will soil your house, destroy your belongings, bark excessively, dig holes in your yard, fight other dogs and even bite you. Nearly all behavior problems are perfectly normal canine activities that occur at the wrong time or place or are directed at the wrong thing. For example, the dog will eliminate on the carpet instead of outside; the dog will bark all night long instead of just when a stranger is prowling around outside; or the dog will chew furniture instead of their own toys. The key to preventing or treating behavior problems is learning to teach the dog to redirect their natural behavior to outlets that are acceptable in the domestic setting. |
The loose leash needs to be your new habit, for all situations. Never stand there, or walk along, with the leash tight again. The dog will quickly think you WANT it tight if you go back to that habit, even after you've taught the dog to walk on a loose leash. It's so natural for the dog to pull when the leash is tight that most dogs, even trained dogs, will nearly always do it when someone tightens up on the leash. In fact, the dog may HAVE to pull on the leash when the leash is tight, to keep from being off balance. |
"Hey Steve, thanks for checking in on us. Bubba's doing great. I can't believe he's so reliable with his commands now. We had my sister over yesterday and were showing him off. You're totally right that a really solid stay is much more impressive than tricks. We were using every distraction that you taught us to show him off. It was very impressive. When we were dropping the treats, you could see how much he wanted to break the stay and attack them but he performed like a champ! I was so proud of him (she made the comment that before the training I couldn't even get him to sit with any consistancy - she's right). I was really worried that he would come back and only listen to you (I know I'm not the most commanding person). But when you showed me how to elevate myself into the pack leader role, it all made sense. I'm following your suggestions as best I can and he really does show me more respect now." |
Nikki Mesa, Arizona |
"At 3 months old when I brought this boundless ball of energy home I knew he was going to be a handful. After interviewing four local dog trainers, I chose Steve with Phoenix Valley Dog Training. Their practice and philosophy of taking the time to get to know each individual dog and owner demonstrates their commitment to providing an effective and tailored program that is suitable to the specific needs of clients. In addition to the basic training sessions, Steve's availability to answer questions and concerns as they have surfaced has been a great resource to guide Cooper and I through some challenging situations. Although Cooper and I still have a long road ahead of us, I am very happy and satisfied with the work we have done over the last five months and I am looking forward to all the great training adventures to come." |
Danielle Phoenix, Arizona |
"Thanks for the timely follow up. I was going to write last night to tell you that Dudley and I had two of the best walks yesterday. They were in fact the best walks I have ever had with a dog companion. Dudley was well mannered and focused the entire time. He responded well to "heel" and we worked on his "sit " when I stopped. We need more work on that!" |
Tim and Kate Chandler, Arizona |
Second Email: "Dudley and I just got back from a great walk. We met three women, mother, daughter, grandmother. We were heeling along, we stopped, Dudley sat, waited while they passed and went on. The mother commented on how well mannered Dudley was and the grandmother thanked us for stopping to let them pass. IT WAS FREAKIN GREAT!!!!!!!!" |
"...After researching on the Internet, I found Steve's web site. Perfect! Our little Sidney needed to learn how to behave and she needed to learn it in her own...uh, I mean OUR own house! Steve was full of information on the first visit and he got a pretty good idea that Sidney was a dog who had her mind made up that life was going to go HER way. He also completely understood the "nighttime crazies"! Today she is a much calmer, better behaved dog than she was when we called Steve. She still has her moments when she barks, but she quiets down very quickly and clearly understands the "enough" command. She's the dog we wanted when we adopted her. Steve was so helpful; always there via email or telephone to offer support, encouragement, and ideas to resolve the issue of the day. When he came to the house, he demonstrated first hand how to teach Sidney to be a well behaved dog. I am so glad I found the web site and made that call!" |
Kathy Peoria, Arizona |
"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!' " |
Katie Ahwatukee, Arizona |
"Once again thank you very much for the expert training and knowledge you have given to my husband and myself. I truly did not know what to do anymore with Leopold when, for no reason, he started marking in the house. Now that we understand the pack structure and have established ourselves as pack leaders Leopold has not had an accident in the house in 5 months. Thank you again!!" |
Cindy Goodyear, Arizona |
Contact us today to discuss your dog's training and your dog training goals. We will be more than happy to answer your questions and help you make your dog training decision. |
Home Dog Training |
(c) copyright 2003-2010 Phoenix Valley Dog Training, LLC. - AZ Dog Trainers and Puppy Trainers. All Rights Reserved. |
All of the photos on our site are provided by Melissa Johnson Pet Photography in Phoenix, Arizona. We'd like to say thank you to Melissa for allowing us to use her dog photos. She did a wonderful job capturing Steve's dog Tigger and we highly recommend her services! |