Training Program

Thank you for considering Suzanne Kalafian,CPDT as your trainer.

Obedience training is the first step to a well behaved Dog. Whether your dog is 12 weeks or 8 years old he can learn and become a dog you take pleasure in.

I am ready to train you and your dog to be life long companions. I want you and your dog to have a rewarding relationship. To do this I will have to help you interpret your dog and your dog to interpret a human. Sound difficult? Not really. With patience, consistency and the proper techniques, life for you and your dog will prove to be very rewarding.

My job is to transfer my knowledge and expertise onto you. I will lay the ground work and show you how to teach your dog his commands. I will help you with any problems you may be having and find solutions. Your job is to, in turn, use the techniques I have shown you to reinforce the commands and good behavior until our next lesson. You should integrate training into your regular routine and always be happy. If you find yourself getting frustrated make your dog sit, give the ok to be done and stop. Always finish with making your dog execute a behavior no matter how simple so you can end on a high note with a behavior well done. Be patient and consistent and your dog will do very well. Training does not happen overnight it will take months of reinforcement. This will be some work up front but it will pay off in the long run.

Each dog learns a little different and fine tuning is necessary. My classes are also geared toward pets. I do not do any show training, so you will find that my classes contain practical everyday obedience methods.

Successful trainig depends on how much time and commitment you put into it. I can only give you the tools you need to be successful. I can show you by handling your dog that it is possible and help you find the technique that is best for you.

I cannot perform miracles, but I will always give 110% of myself to help you have the well behaved dog you want. I will be with you every step of the way. When the 6 weeks are over you need to continue with all the methods shown and your dog will become very consistent and reliable. I offer continuing training classes all the way thru the Canine Good Citizen certification. If you have any questions or concerns during or after our training please call me. I am always available to discuss your concerns.

I look forward to working with you and your dog. Be kind to your dog and he will be kind to you.

Training is a Lifelong Commitment!

For the next 6 weeks we are teaching our Dogs to heel, sit, down, stay and come. We are teaching them patience and how to pay attention to us. We have set aside time each day to work with them and repeat over and over what we expect from them. Yea! We made it through the 6 weeks and our dogs have graduated. Now what?

My dog knows all his basic commands and does them when he chooses, he is still crazy in the house, and he doesn’t always listen. Am I doing something wrong? Does he need more training?

Does any of this sound familiar? I am sure it does, I hear it all the time. Training is an on going commitment for the rest of your dog's life. It is time for you and your dog to spend quality time together and have fun. Dogs see Training time as a job and they really enjoy jobs.

When your 6 weeks of Basic training is done, it would be time to make a commitment to yourself and your dog, to continue to set those 15 minutes aside for him each day. Put his leash on and take him for a walk, while you are out practice the automatic sit, ask him to sit and stay. You can incorporate all his commands into your daily walk. At night while you are watching TV call him over and put him in a down stay, ask him to hold it for 15 minutes to a half hour. Those times when the crazies hit and your puppy is running around like a nut in the house. Tell him enough and ask for a sit stay for 15 minutes. After this give him a rawhide or filled Kong to work on for a little while.

Playing fetch or Frisbee is another great training opportunity. Throw the ball call him to come and drop it. Tell him to sit and stay, then throw the ball, release him with the "ok" and tell him to go get it. Wow! The things he can learn while having fun.

So, remember training does not stop just because class has. You have a dog for his whole life and that means you need to be responsible and make a commitment to make him the best dog he can be.

Private Lessons

Basic Obedience

Canine Good Citizen Preparation

Canine Good Citizen Program

• Accepting a friendly stranger
• Sitting politely for petting
• Appearance and grooming
• Walk on a loose leash
• Walking through a crowd
• Sit and down on command/staying in place
• Coming when called
• Reaction to another dog
• Reaction to distractions
• Supervised separation

Puppy Consults