Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How should I choose a trainer
2. How do I know if my dog needs help
3. When is a dog old enough to train
4. How do I tell a friend their dog needs training

Chose a Trainer -- Answer

Your dog is important to you. It is important that you select the best professional to work with your dog. Below are some criteria you can use to select the best trainer for you.

· Excellent reputation
· Widespread experience
· Humane training methodology and gentle, effective handling skills
 A Gentle love and devotion to dogs
· Extensive behavior knowledge
· Good teaching and communication skills and a sense of humor
· Affiliations with reputable associations, organizations and training clubs
· Ethics before profit

Remember, there is no professional license to be a trainer. In  the final analysis what is truly important is that you and your dog are comfortable with the trainer and they can deliver results. Let us show you how Pack Leader can fulfill your most stringent requirements

How Do I Know? -- Answer

Some good guidelines are:

1. When the doorbell rings, does he bark and/or run to the door?
2. Does your dog demand attention by nudging at your arm?
3. Does your dog jump on visitors?
4. Does your dog ignore you when you call him?
5. Does your dog exhibit destructive behaviors?
6. Does your dog attempt to escape from your house or yard?
7. Does your dog have unexplainable housebreaking accidents?
8. Does your dog play roughly with children or adults?
9. Does your dog bark at passersby or just about anything?
10. When left alone, does your dog show visible signs of stress or anxiety?
11. Does your dog “Counter Surf”?
12. Does your dog show aggression or unfriendliness toward dogs or people?
13. Does your dog run ahead of you up/down stairs or through doors?
14. Does your dog pull you when on leash?
15. Does your dog mouth or nip people?

 A few things to keep in mind. . . the perfect dog is whichever dog is perfect for you. No one can tell you if a behavior is "wrong" except you. If a behavior is disturbing, however small, it should be corrected before it escalates to a bigger problem.

Old Enough To Train? --Answer

There is no such thing as too young. The very youngest puppies learn proper etiquette from its mother and siblings. You should provide that same leadership with boundaries of acceptability in your home. This is the beginning of your training with your dog which will continue throughout his life. Remember and old dog CAN learn new tricks!

Tactful Hint Dropping -- Answer

It is a difficult situation when you visit a friend or relative and their dog jumps and makes you feel uncomfortable. This is a delicate situation as you have the right to be un-accosted but you need to respect that the home belongs to your friend and most likely their pet, too.

While you cannot speak to things like proper table manners (unless it directly affects you), or barking issues, you can address things like being jumped on and "pestered" with licking, the infamous elbow nudge, etc. In these circumstances, remain calm and apply the appropriate correction starting with non-recognition. If the dog jumps on you, fold your arms in front of you and turn your back on him. Do this every time it happens.

While your goal is not to permanently correct a bad behavior, your actions will likely have two effects: 1.  the dog will likely learn that you will not tolerate that particular behavior and 2. the owners will begin to realize that others have different thresholds of acceptability and possibly make corrections. It will most likely at least open a dialog with you and the dog owner.

Always remember, though. This is not your dog. Discipline is not yours to dispense. The most you can do is avoidance activities that have a message. Discipline is the responsibility of the owner.