FAQ

monitoring activities at the dog park

Do you guarantee that my dog's problem will be fixed?

Unfortunately, dogs are individuals just like humans, and since every dog is different, each will respond differently to training methods, and some may not respond at all. Some dogs may have medical issues that underlie their behavioral issues. All training requires consistency and commitment from owners, and a failure to follow through consistently can undo any good done by training. What I can promise is that I will do everything in my power to help you and your dog with the situation, and that if a situation is beyond my knowledge or abilities, I will refer you to someone better qualified to help.

back to top

What training methods do you use?

Joy for Dogs uses the most up-to-date training methods, based on sound scientific research as well as practical experience, including the magic of clicker training, to create a strong teamwork relationship and bring out the best in clients' dogs.  Joy seeks to train in a humane and respectful way, and never deliberately abuse or injure a dog.  Joy for Dogs agrees with leading veterinary behavior specialists that punishing a dog can have many negative side effects.  Therefore, we don’t punish or correct dogs using devices such as choke, pinch or electronic collars.  Rather, we focus on teaching appropriate behavior, employing behavior analysis to understand the factors that may lead to problems, and providing alternative, acceptable methods to meet the dog's needs. 

back to top

Why do you not support training by punishment/corrections/electronic collars/prong or choke collars?

Because simply, if you achieve any training goals with these methods/tools, at best, you have a dog who complies out of fear of punishment, and at worst, you could have a dog who fears you or becomes aggressive to humans or other animals. Think about this situation-- your dog jumps all over people at the front door. You swat the dog with a rolled-up newspaper and shout "no" when he jumps. What has the dog learned? Not to jump? Not likely. The dog may associate the swatting with jumping, but more likely will associate it with visitors arriving. So what does the dog learn? That when visitors arrive, bad things happen. The dog will then learn to fear you or visitors and may become aggressive to you or others. Even if the dog understands that he's not supposed to jump, what is he supposed to do? Slink away? Hide under the dining room table? Teachers don't give students paper and pencils and wait for them to ask twenty questions to figure out that they're supposed to write an essay. Punishment does not teach the dog the behavior you want. Having said that, however, there are rare times and occasions when some of these methods are effective and necessary.

back to top

We just adopted a dog from a shelter; do you offer a training discount?

Yes!  I offer a discount on most training services for dogs adopted within one year from animal shelters or registered, non-profit rescue groups.  Just provide me with a copy of your adoption contract.  I have experience working with re-homed dogs and I want to help you train your dog so she stays in her new "forever" home.

back to top

Do you work with aggressive dogs?

At present I believe there are better qualified trainers than I for handling aggression; I will be happy to refer you to some. If you are unsure whether yours is truly an aggression problem, after I meet your dog I will determine whether there is a true aggression problem or simply an unlearned bite inhibition or puppy nipping problem. I'm happy to help your puppy learn not to nip children, pant legs or hands or not to chew furniture or other items, or to help your adult dog learn when/where/what/who it is appropriate to bite in play.

back to top

I've been to obedience class and my dog still won't come when I call her. How will you get my dog to come?

Your dog hasn't actually learned to come. She may have learned to come to you in an obedience class setting, but dogs don't generalize well, so you need to practice in different environments to make it a conditioned response. That means that you say "come," and your dog does not stop to think about what she'd rather be doing at the moment; she comes instantly, like a Marine dropping to the ground when he hears gunfire. It's not learned until it's instant - that's how you can protect your dog from cars, aggressive dogs or other dangers. We'll practice with your dog off-leash around various distractions and we'll continue as long as it takes - one reason dogs don't learn a concept is that handlers do not follow through and give up before the response becomes conditioned.