Puppy Trainer Needed

[Sheila]

Hi Everybody!

My little 3 month-old Goldendoodle, Buster, needs a good class or trainer.  Anybody have any recommendations?  We live in Palo Alto.  Thank you so much!

[LucyR]

Yes, I have a recommendation for you.  Wendy Hilton at http://justrewardsk9.com      Ozzie and I have done APDT rally classes with her through level 4 and titling!  I have recommended her to several other people for puppy classes, socialization, and beginning training.  She uses totally positive training methods and is really good at what she does.  If you will email me privately at [e-mail] I will give you some names of people NOT to use because of their compulsive training methods, which are outdated and ineffective-especially for doodles.  Wendy teaches classes at various places but the closest to you would be in Redwood City.  She really is the best and Ozzie and I have had many trainers as he has advanced through his career in Obedience, Rally, and now K9 Nose work. 

[Sheila]

Thanks, Lucy.  My email address is [e-mail].  I am very interested in your experiences.  I have looked at Steve who does One Day Dog training.  He is not about treats.  That seems to be the new controversy, to use treats or to discipline with a pinch collar.  Or maybe a combination?  There is so much to figure out.

[LucyR]

Hi Sheila,  I just sent you an email message in response to your question regarding One Day Dog training.  NO NO NO...this is aversive training and not recommended at all by the quality and experienced trainers.  I urge you to contact Wendy.  She is the best and would be able to help you with Buster.  Another good trainer is Trish Wamsat at Adobe Dogs in Los Altos.  http://www.adobedogs.com/

Three months  is very young to expect consistent behavior.  This little guy is just learning how to negotiate the world.  I would suggest taking him to one of Trish's or Wendy's puppy socializaiton classes and discuss how to move forward with them.  However under NO CIRCUMSTANCES would I embark upon prong/pinch collar training with your 3 month old puppy.  This is not the way to go!

[Rachel Murfit]

Hi Lucy and Sheila!  I am also looking for a puppy class and see that Trish has one starting soon!  I think we are going to try it out!  Thanks for the recommendation and for starting this discussion!

[Michele Kiss]

We go to Nancy Weller of Pawsitively Fabulous and really like her. She may be a little far south for you (in terms of scheduled classes) but I know she does private training too. 

Avoid punishment training... Think of it this way: Do you do a good job because your company pays you well and appreciates it? Or because they berate you and punish you if they don't? Same applies for our dogs. Positive reinforcement wins over punishment, both for actually properly reinforcing the behaviour, and for creating a good relationship with you and your pup.