In order for a dog to understand what is asked or expected of them, it is only fair to communicate and inform them when they are doing something right and when they are doing something wrong. I incorporate positive and negative reinforcement to achieve this. This is called Balanced Training.

Training Tools

I use the following tools for training and communicating with your dog. (Training collars and leads are only used in training sessions and are never left on the dog!)

Toys/Play:

I use toys and play to the best of my ability with your dog to help motivate them to want to learn. This is also a way for me to bond with your dog and to foster our relationship. (Some dogs don’t have a strong play drive so I do my best to bring that out of them and use it in the training program).

Food: 

Depending on your dogs motivation level or the issues they arrive with, I may use healthy and high value treats to help with their motivation to learn. However, your dog WILL NOT leave here relying on food to get them to obey.

Slip Lead:  

The nylon slip lead is used to give a dog quick, effective feedback to stop an unwanted behavior and/or to guide a dog using gentle leash pressure into the command I am training them to do (i.e. heel, place, down, etc.). It is NOT used to pull the dog, choke the dog, or cause harm or injury to the dog.  It is used to interrupt and correct unwanted behaviors so we can redirect to a wanted behavior. Slip leads are only used on dogs that respond well to gentle leash pressure.

Prong Collar:

The prong collar works on the concept that evenly applied pressure is gentler and more effective on a dog's neck than the quick jerk and impact of a choke chain or the steady, relentless pressure of a flat collar. When correctly fitted and used, it is only a fraction of the pressure dogs use with one another. Prong collars can be used with the subtlest of pressure and are incredibly effective. Prong collars are used on all dogs that do not respond well to gentle leash pressure.

Long Line and/or GPS Tracking Collars:

I use long lines (30 foot leashes) to transition to off-leash relability. For flight risk dogs, I use top of the line GPS tracking collars.

E-Collar / Remote Training Collar:

There are so many benefits to this tool when it is used properly. Contemporary e-collar training utilizes the softest, most gentle remote communication. The e-collars of today are nothing like those of the old days. They are one of the most humane and effective approaches to dog training available today. This special tool will help you deliver consistent and fair feedback and communication, as well as it gives each family member the same ability to handle the dog. The e-collar evens out the playing field so that you don't have to be the dog behavior expert. It's much easier to learn the mechanics of an e-collar compared with mastering proper leash handling skills and subtleties. Also, a dog trained on an e-collar knows that you can communicate, control, and affect them even at a distance. E-collars give you 100% reliability and affect the state of mind of the dog even from afar. This tool also gives people who have certain physical disabilities the opportunity to handle their dog. Some dogs have spinal problems so severe that no pressure should ever be put on them; these are often dogs who would benefit more from the judicious use of an electronic collar, which uses no overt physical force at all. There is also a vibration setting that can successfully bridge communication between owners and their deaf dogs. During the One-on-One Advanced Program, I will teach you how to introduce the e-collar to your dog with confidence and accuracy so your dog will be excited to work with you. During the Board-and-Train programs, I will train your dog to be off-leash using the e-collar and then teach you how to effectively use it at the go-home session for continued success.

How I use the E-Collar:  The Educator E-Collar can be gradually increased in intensity by 1 digit increments so I am able to fine tune it to the lowest level needed for your dog's learning. When I tap the remote button, the collar delivers a ‘tingle’ or ‘pulse’ to the dog, similar to the feel of a tens unit which is used for muscle therapy on people. Contrary to popular belief it DOES NOT send an electric shock to your dog or ‘burn’ your dog. They also have a ‘vibrate/pager’ feature, which feels like a cell phone vibration, which can be used to call your dog back to you from far distances, or can be used to get the attention of deaf dogs. HIGH LEVEL stimulation (shock) may be used to help stop very serious unwanted behaviors, which if not addressed, may lead a dog to death or euthanasia. High levels may be used on dogs that have displayed dog-aggression with the intent to seriously harm/kill, intense human-aggression, or car chasing. It is also used to train a dog to avoid snake bites. High level stimulation is rarely used here at Lead Off Leash K9 Training. You will be notified at the consultation if there is the possibility of it being used during your dog's stay.