Through training and breeding dogs professionally over the past 20 years, John has developed an obedience program that fits successfully into the lives of his clients. The key to this success is based on two essential components: the use of the electronic training collar and the opportunity for clients to consult with John once the dog has completed the training and gone home.

Early on, John tried the traditional methods of obedience training from teaching obedience classes to giving private lessons. However, John and Wendy found that neither method was a practical way to teach obedience because once the dog returned to the unpredictable settings of every day life at home, the dog reverted to its old ways. How many people live in a controlled environment such as a gymnasium where they can predict every situation, where every dog is on a leash, and where nothing unexpected happens? With today’s busy lifestyles (work and play) and distractions (unexpected visitors, cars, bicyclists, runners, cats, chipmunks, etc.), how can training dogs in such a controlled and artificial environment prepare them and their owners for the varied situations of everyday living? It can’t!

At Kirby Mountain Kennels, John trains the dog and then, most importantly, teaches the dog’s owner how to reinforce the dog’s training when they get home and experience different and challenging situations. This part is crucial as the owner becomes the trainer. At this point the owner is training his/her dog and has a training coach available just a phone call away. The 15 Day Obedience Program at Kirby Mountain Kennels is for all breeds and for any dog at least 5 months of age or more; there is no dog that is too old to learn.

Most owners have spent countless hours training their new puppy or newly acquired adult dog. In many cases, the dog has learned some basic commands like “come,” “stay,” or “sit” from its owner. Also the dog may have learned how to walk off a leash with its owner and how to refrain from jumping on people. However, owners often seek the help of a professional trainer because their dogs are not consistently compliant. Why? Dogs are experts at sizing up people and situations, and though the dog may obey the owner who has spent the countless hours training basic commands, other family members, friends, and visitors become the un-trainers of that very same.

During the 15 day session, the dog’s training is tailored to the owner’s needs and the dog’s abilities. The training begins with an assessment of the dog’s abilities. Once the dog’s abilities are assessed, John will work with the dog in a controlled environment reinforcing the desired, good behaviors. When the dog is not being trained or supervised, it is in the kennel where it has plenty of room to exercise but no chance undoing its training. Gradually, the dog will be introduced to a variety of new and unexpected situations (cats, bicycles, gardens, strangers, cars, hiking trail, etc.) where desired behaviors are reinforced and undesired behaviors are eliminated. The next step is conditioning the dog to the electronic collar (e-collar). The e-collar is not used to train the dog but is used to reinforce the already trained commands. With a touch of the transmitter, the handler can redirect the dog’s attention and bring it back under safe control.

Many question the need for the e-collar. When John began training dogs professionally, he did not like or use an e-collar. He was like most people who don’t like things they know nothing about. In the early 90’s he went to a variety of dog training seminars with a variety of nationally known professionals, but one in particular changed his training practices. He had the opportunity to watch and train with a master dog trainer, Jim Dobbs, who did wonders with the e-collar.  Jim did not scream, yell, hit, intimidate, or kick the dog in any way. What Jim did do, as John does now, is use the e-collar to take the dog that knows and won’t comply and transition it to a dog that complies.

Remember that a petrified dog is not a learning dog. The electronic stimulation (pulses measured at 1/1,000 of a second) gets the dog’s attention. This method is easier on both the dog and the handler. However, training a dog to the collar is not as easy as slapping the collar on the dog and pushing the button. Use of the e-collar is a process that should be tailored to the dog’s abilities and then consistently used.

When a dog’s training is finished, the owner comes to pick it up and receives a training session with John, the dog, and the e-collar. At this appointment, the owner learns to command the dog properly and learns how to handle the e-collar comfortably. In addition, the owner will learn how to reinforce the desired behaviors and how to deter the unwanted and dangerous ones such as chasing, jumping up, and pulling on a leash. Most importantly, owners will learn how to have their dog come 100% of the time with any kind of distraction.

This obedience program is one that has been proven to work by the response from the numerous repeat clients, referrals, letters and phone calls documenting people’s satisfaction with their, “new and improved,” family member. Many have brought multiple dogs at the same time and some return for more advanced training.

If you are experiencing challenges with your dog, if you do not have the time to train it, or if you are at the point of giving up your dog out of frustration, give John and Wendy a call. Try the 15 day program and they can help you enjoy the family companion you desire.

©Kirby Mountain Kennels 2003-2010

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