Positive-Based Dog Trainers and Behavior Consultants . . . ALL STAR DOG TRAINING in Sacramento is whose dog training classes we generally recommend to those in need of a competent trainer. They offer group classes as well as agility classes and private sessions. They also offer Sacramento area residents a free first lesson or a free phone consultation for their recently adopted shelter or rescue dog and offer free classes for current foster dogs. For a positive-based behavior professional . . .
Call Leah: 916-339-0744
Email: AllStarDogTraining@gmail.com
Sirius Dog Training is who we generally recommend in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sirius was founded by Veterinary Animal Behaviorist, Ian Dunbar, DVM, and currently has 19 Bay Area locations. They offer group classes as well as private sessions.
Call: 800-419-8748
For Contact Phone Numbers for various locations, Click Here
For Sirius Dog Training Class Information, Click Here
Veterinary Behaviorist, Sophia Yin, DVM is who we recommend for classes or private sessions if you are located in the Davis area.
Just one item of interest on Dr. Yin's Nerdbook Home Page is information on the UC Davis Shelter Dog Project.
She also has a web site called AskDrYin, where you will find information on her dog classes.
Email: Sophia@nerdbook.com
Please go to the attachments section at the bottom of this page and click on the fourth attachment for a handout containing a Listing of Positive-Based Dog Trainers in the Sacramento Area (many of whom offer discounted rates) and click on the fifth attachment for the What to Look for in a Dog Trainer handout. Getting a Good Start . . .
We believe that a great starting place for dog owners is the basic foundation of Benevolent Leadership contained in this article by Pat Scott. Dogs, like all species of animal, have a social order within their human/dog families, and neither dog nor human will ultimately benefit when the dog is the one in charge of running the whole show, so to speak. Please keep in mind that that in no way means that dogs should be dealt with by using methods involving harsh and/or physical confrontation or "domination."
Developing a positive relationship with your dog based on mutual respect and understanding is a much more effective, not to mention more humane, way to accomplish our goals. In addition to Pat Scott's benevolent Leadership article, please read Pat Miller's article on why you should never alpha roll a dog.
Information on working toward obtaining/maintaining a relationship with your dog in which all parties are happy and content by simply being in control of your dog's resources can be found by reading Judith Adams, MSc.'s The Learn to Earn Programme article as well as Pat Scott's No Free Lunch article.
We also have noticed that lay people frequently misinterpret and mislabel a specific dog behavior as being "dominant" when that is not, in actuality, the underlying reason for a particular behavior at all, which is why it is best to contact a professional for help.
To quote Soraya V. Juarbe-Diaz, DVM, DACVB, CAAB: "In all social groups there must be rules; someone must make the decisions or there will be chaos. However, there is a difference between being a violent or erratic dictator and a consistent and fair mentor. The first is feared and disliked, the second is followed happily. Both the rules and the way in which they are imparted make an ENORMOUS difference in the way in which learning takes place."
With so many different types of dog training methods available, it is easy to get confused when choosing a behavior professional, which is why we have provided the What to Look for in a Dog Trainer handout to help guide you. In order to ensure its accuracy, we had this handout's contents reviewed by a Veterinary Animal Behaviorist and got a stamp of approval.
We also have found Crate Training to be of benefit to countless dogs over the years for many different reasons, but please keep in mind that misuse/overuse of the crate will likely be counterproductive or harmful to your dog. Here is an article by Pat Scott which will guide you in the appropriate way to Crate Train your dog.
Your chances of getting off to a good start will also be increased if you get your puppy spayed or neutered at a young age. In addition to various health benefits associated with spay/neuter, many unwanted behaviors in dogs, such as roaming, aggression toward other dogs, excessive urine marking and inappropriate mounting, are reduced after neutering.
Various Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Resources are available.
Here is a link to veterinary behaviorist, Sophia Yin's article for puppies called Leadership Without Force.
Behavior and Training Help from Dumb Friends League . . .
Dumb Friends League provides a vast array of training and behavior information for dogs, cats and small animals, and they offer help in both English and Spanish. They also have a behavior helpline.
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