Here at Cody's Dog Training we aim to assist owners and their dogs to create a healthy relationship built on loving leadership and respect. We believe that people are all unique and dogs are too. Just as humans learn in various ways, a training program needs to be tailored to each specific dog and their owner. For that reason, we value individual training sessions in the dog and owner’s home where learning can be realistically applied. While there are many learning methods that can help a dog to achieve any goal, Cody’s Dog Training values teaching humans the principles of a dog’s psychology and then use leadership skills, positive reinforcement and behavior modification type exercises to achieve any goals for the dog and its owner.  

So, how do we put that into practice? Or what do we mean by that? One of my clients asked me those questions, she wanted to know what makes me different from other trainers so that she can make an informed decision about who she would like to use to train her and her dog. She wanted to know more about how I train more than my philosophy. In response to that, I would say that first I gather information over the phone about the owner and their dog--what do they see as the problem? Then I meet with them in their own home to gather more detail. I watch to see how they communicate with each other, what is their energy, and see who is the leader: dog or human? I will try to address the issue that they are having straight on whenever possible so that they see success or hope for that issue. Once an owner can see some change in the behavior that matters most to them, then I can begin education in other areas that might need help. For the dog, I read their eyes and posture as well as behaviors, both positive and negative. If they are not the leader, then I educate the owner how to take back that role. Showing a good posture, teaching proper walking, shaping verbal commands are simple ways for the owner to become the leader. If a new skill is needed, then I show an owner how to break it down into small steps, perhaps using food, so that the dog begins learning incrementally. This is where the training that I learned from Guiding Eyes for the Blind comes into use. Positive reinforcement is used throughout the process. Sometimes all that is needed is to teach the timing or position of the body/hand during training and it changes the outcome very quickly.

Perhaps I see that the dog has more fear based issues. I watch to see how the owner handles the leash while walking or how he deals with household skills. I can use the skills that I learned while studying with Cesar Millan, on how to use calm assertive energy and provide leadership to the dog. Something as simple as changing the leash and collar system can provide the answer to instilling confidence to the owner so that the dog now can relax. Helping owners know that what is inside of them is communicated down the leash is a huge teaching point for some people. Teaching ways to create the leader/follower role while walking are used. Using breathing, meditation or visualization can be a tool to better communicate positively.

Using a strategy of rewarding positive and ignoring negative behaviors can correct many undesirable behaviors. These are cause and effect / simple actions, i.e. when a dog barks at a visitor then it is removed from the room. It is returned and stays in the room as long as it is quiet. If it barks then it is removed again from the room. Dogs learn very quickly what gets them what they ultimately want, to be with their pack, so they change their behaviors in order to do so.

At other times, it is our pack of well trained dogs that can teach a dog with an issue the skills that it needs for good dog behavior. Under supervision, our dogs can communicate with and show proper behavior either to dogs or humans. Exercising with the pack also helps drain stress and energy for the dog in training. Also, for an owner to handle a well-trained pack of three to six dogs can be a huge step in knowing where they want to be with their dog.

Recently I’ve seen that most owners that contact me are missing having a plan in place in order to get from point A to point B. Teaching owners how to work through or problem solve with their dog is a big component towards them having a well-trained dog. Then if they can practice, practice, practice, they can take on most anything that a dog will communicate to them.

Through a variety of tools and skills, we work towards short term and long term goals that will build a healthy, loving relationship between a dog and its owner.