| INTRODUCTION |
| SERVICES |
| METHOD |
| CLASSES |
| RATES |
| TESTIMONIALS |
| ABOUT |
| CONTACT |
| LINKS |
 |
Specializing in training your dog in your Vermont home
Services we offer
Personalized Dog Training
We meet with you and your dog in your home to determine the exact nature of the problem. This helps us determine the most efficient treatment plan for your dog. Once the exact nature of your dog's problem is diagnosed, we write a written report detailing conclusions and recommendations for your pet.
Free follow-up consults by e-mail or phone are included for two months after your initial consult, should you need them. If you do not have the time or feel uncertain about training your dog, we are happy to continue the training process for you.
As we train your dog, we thoroughly explain our methods. All of this information is to be shared with your dog's family veterinarian or a specialist who may be working with you to prescribe psychotropic medications. Many of the dogs we work with are either already on or are presrcribed medication. The use of psychotropic medications is a decision owners make in consultation with their veterinarian. We can also refer owners to veterinarian specialists who can help with medication plans which work in conjunction with our behavior plans.
Board and Train at Our Home 
If you prefer to have your dog trained here, we can provide individualized training plans to meet your dog's needs. We can help your dog learn to come when called, relax around valued resources, sit rather than jump up tp greet, wait to go through doors or just about anything you want your dog to learn. Your dog will enjoy the process as learning is hard work and most dogs get tired out with training, walking and cuddle sessions scheduled throughout the day.
Free follow-up consults by e-mail or phone are included for two months after your initial consult, should you need them. If you do not have the time or feel uncertain about training your dog, we are happy to continue the training process for you.
As we train your dog, we thoroughly explain our methods. All of this information is to be shared with your dog's family veterinarian or a specialist who may be working with you to prescribe psychotropic medications. Many of the dogs we work with are either already on or are presrcribed medication. The use of psychotropic medications is a decision owners make in consultation with their veterinarian. We can also refer owners to veterinarian specialists who can help with medication plans which work in conjunction with our behavior plans.
GENERALLY
We help owners understand why other training methods they've tried haven't worked. The “alpha” dog theory, though popular, is not scientifically proven and seems to have done more harm than good to many dogs.
There are NO studies about dominance hierarchies in domestic dogs living in homes. No one knows how dog “dominance” works. The closest studies have been done on captive wolf populations. These are very different creatures from “Fluffy” who wants to sleep next to your bed at night. “Why did the scruff shakes make him worse?” We can help get him over the fallout of the scruff shakes and alpha roles.
Follow the Leader Dog Training Services relies on proven behavior modification methods. Since nobody knows what's going on inside your dog's “black box” we need to rely on what we can see and can measure behaviorally. We know our methods don't hurt dogs and they almost always help immediately.
We also assess your dog's exercise and stimulation needs and explain how satisfying these needs help dogs become better pets and citizens.Want to Train with a Friend?
We offer semi-private lessons to friends or family members who want to train together. The cost is $50 per one-hour session with a four dog maximum. These lessons are not as formal as a class so that we may be flexible enough to address individual needs. A great gift for a friend or relvative who needs that nudge to get training! Daytime sessions are available.
Clicker Training
This is method of training is becoming more popular all the time. It is a great way to train food-motivated dogs to do just about anything from “Wiggle your ears” to “Be nice when the Mailperson comes by.” It is a multi-purpose method that can help all kinds of dogs.Puppy Training
We can help you teach you puppy or new adult dog to respect all of your house rules. Usually, the focus of this is teaching youngsters to do their business outside. However, sometimes, older dogs need to be trained to do this, too.
There are also some cases where owners have allowed indoor urination because they thought the dog was marking. Marking is no excuse for a dog to break indoor toilet rules. Marking is OK outside, but not inside. Time to train this away especially if you have a toy breed!
Don't forget to socialize your pup! This is especially important from 3 weeks to 18 weeks of age. Dogs who are in this period of development need to experience the world at large. Many dogs who live in Vermont live relatively isolated lives. If they don't get exposed to people, cars, the vet, other animals and all other aspects of their larger world, it is possible they will fear them once they do encounter them. This is a problem because lack of exposure can lead to fear aggression around these unknown things. The period of 3 - 18 weeks is magical for puppies. Exposure during this period helps them become comfortable. Veterinarian and dog behaviorist Ian Dunbar likens the advantage of exposing dogs during this period to the difference between flying and swimming to Hawaii. If your pup is pre-shots, then just carry him or her around the world. You will thank yourself later on! And so will your pup!
Manners training
Your dog should learn sit, down, stay, loose leash walk, off, leave it without too much trouble. We work with many adolescent dogs (8 months - 2 years) who do not do these things well. The training we use calls for time-out's, treats, access to toys, games, walks and lots of praise. We do not use nor recommend the use of choke or shock collars. The majority of owners use these tools incorrectly (not consistently and with poor timing) so that they often do more harm than good. There are better more effective methods in use today and those are the ones we rely on.
Also, you can take a look at books like Mine!, Fight!, Culture Clash and Dogs are From Neptune all by Jean Donaldson for some terrific insights on how humans can best train our dog friends. These books can most easily be found on the website http://www.dogwise.com/. Please be aware that many books found in commercial bookstores contain outdated information about dog training. They often recommend the use of shock and choke collars, scruff shakes and alpha roles which are not only totally unnecessary, but can set your training program back by hurting you dog.
Aggression help
If your dog is guarding food bowls, treats, toys, furniture, people or any thing else, you need to deal with this sooner rather than later. In all likelihood, he or she is going to climb the aggression ladder if nothing is done. Now it's a look that freezes when you come near, then it may be a growl, after that a snarl or a snap. Ultimately, it could become a bite. The time to deal with resource guarding is now.Seniors and Kids
While kids love dogs in their own way, dogs don't always return the affection. Why? Dogs have a very different set of social rules than we humans. For example, hands are scary enough for dogs, but throw them around an unsuspecting dog's neck, squeeze and you will likely see quite a reaction by the dog! The dog may wonder "What are you doing to me?" A snap may ensue. Often, this is the scenario when you hear that the dog “tried” to bite a kid. Dog bites are serious business. However, dogs rarely miss. If they wanted to make contact, chances are they would have. Did you know dogs can bite almost as fast as cats (cats can bite 6 times for every 5 times a dog can bite). Kids should always be supervised around dogs. Kids should be taught to respect dogs. They are living creatures who can become afraid and react accodrdingly. Most dogs can be taught to tolerate and even like children, but it's not an automatic relationship.
It is especially important the dogs be well-behaved around family members, it is especially important that your dog is well behaved. A jumping dog may knock over someone who is unsteady on their feet.
If you are choosing a dog for an older family member, a mature dog will likely be your best choice. It is not true that older dogs can't be trained. They can and often more easily than a young dog. They have fewer exercise requirements.