Personal Training
A new client once called me and said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with my dog. I’ve been taking him to classes at Petco and he sits, then we come home and he acts like he’s never heard ‘sit’ before!” Her dog would only perform skills in the environment he had learned them in. Other dogs and people can’t learn in a group environment because they become over-stimulated in a new space surrounded by large groups of dogs. Learning a new skill and then immediately teaching that skill to another living breathing being is very challenging and I do not feel most people consider that when signing up for dog training classes... For example: think about this "when taking a group spinning class... you do not have to train the bike"
Whatever the reason, my Personal training is a unique approach designed to prevent unwanted behaviors and allow you the best pro-active chance of bonding with your dog. We start in your home with an Initial Behavior Consultation, an excellent opportunity for you to discuss your dog’s needs and your own training expectations. Then we work in real life environments. Coffee shops, riding in the car, the vet’s office, neighborhood parks, child-friendly zones and anywhere else you want your dog to be with you or your family.
Here is a recent e-mail I received following an Initial Behavior Consultation with a new client who had recently adopted a 3 year old dog: Thanks Gina! Everything you showed me last week is working out really well with Lucy. I'm feeling very encouraged! Let me know when you have room on your schedule. I DO want to start training with you. ~Jess
This radical new perspective is taken from the concepts of THE THIRD WAY conceived and developed by my Mentor and Colleague Chris Bach, will help you shift your entire awareness of the dog/human experience and the results are undeniable. Allow me bring the classroom to you!
I focus on helping you solve and prevent your own problems, by helping you figure out what is realistic for you and your dog, and providing you with a toolset you can use to drive your dog-human relationship. I will provide you with a framework in which to understand WHO your dog is, and how to create a loving, nurturing, and satisfying relationship. Along the way, you will both learn skills to help navigate the Real World. In other words, I focus on fostering a loving, satisfying relationship between you and your dog. Most mainstream programs still do not approach training as a dog-human relationship based on reasonable expectations.
Teaching one’s dog skills such as sit, stay, down, etc., has its place. You’ll learn those things while working with me, too. BUT, those skills alone (depending on how they are taught) are not the solution to pulling on the leash, excessive barking, chewing your slippers, swinging from the curtains, or sashaying across your countertops. They are simply tools. They are always inadequate for solving real problems without the framework of understanding your dog’s nature, drives, and perceptions (not to mention yours). I focus on the dog as an individual FIRST; build the toolset around you and your dog; and create opportunities to satisfy your and your dog’s needs, drives and desires.
What we know about dogs grows every day. New knowledge is constantly being added about training, behavior, and dogs in general. Likewise, I continually add to and challenge my body of knowledge, beliefs, and toolset. My expertise derives from both theory and real-world practice. I SEE what works and what doesn't…every day…and I work to continuously expand my understanding of WHY. I use the foundation of THIRD WAY conceived and developed by Chris Bach. No two dogs are exactly the same. Your dog is an individual. Bet you are, too. The training methods used will depend on your dog and you. I customize our lessons to set you up for success, as a balanced team, into a compassionate, dynamic, and intuitive training program. This approach puts the trainer's focus (that would be YOU) on enhancing desired behavior, and managing the dog to stop or prevent undesired behavior or responses.
A new client once called me and said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with my dog. I’ve been taking him to classes at Petco and he sits, then we come home and he acts like he’s never heard ‘sit’ before!” Her dog would only perform skills in the environment he had learned them in. Other dogs and people can’t learn in a group environment because they become over-stimulated in a new space surrounded by large groups of dogs. Learning a new skill and then immediately teaching that skill to another living breathing being is very challenging and I do not feel most people consider that when signing up for dog training classes... For example: think about this "when taking a group spinning class... you do not have to train the bike"
Whatever the reason, my Personal training is a unique approach designed to prevent unwanted behaviors and allow you the best pro-active chance of bonding with your dog. We start in your home with an Initial Behavior Consultation, an excellent opportunity for you to discuss your dog’s needs and your own training expectations. Then we work in real life environments. Coffee shops, riding in the car, the vet’s office, neighborhood parks, child-friendly zones and anywhere else you want your dog to be with you or your family.
Here is a recent e-mail I received following an Initial Behavior Consultation with a new client who had recently adopted a 3 year old dog: Thanks Gina! Everything you showed me last week is working out really well with Lucy. I'm feeling very encouraged! Let me know when you have room on your schedule. I DO want to start training with you. ~Jess
This radical new perspective is taken from the concepts of THE THIRD WAY conceived and developed by my Mentor and Colleague Chris Bach, will help you shift your entire awareness of the dog/human experience and the results are undeniable. Allow me bring the classroom to you!
I focus on helping you solve and prevent your own problems, by helping you figure out what is realistic for you and your dog, and providing you with a toolset you can use to drive your dog-human relationship. I will provide you with a framework in which to understand WHO your dog is, and how to create a loving, nurturing, and satisfying relationship. Along the way, you will both learn skills to help navigate the Real World. In other words, I focus on fostering a loving, satisfying relationship between you and your dog. Most mainstream programs still do not approach training as a dog-human relationship based on reasonable expectations.
Teaching one’s dog skills such as sit, stay, down, etc., has its place. You’ll learn those things while working with me, too. BUT, those skills alone (depending on how they are taught) are not the solution to pulling on the leash, excessive barking, chewing your slippers, swinging from the curtains, or sashaying across your countertops. They are simply tools. They are always inadequate for solving real problems without the framework of understanding your dog’s nature, drives, and perceptions (not to mention yours). I focus on the dog as an individual FIRST; build the toolset around you and your dog; and create opportunities to satisfy your and your dog’s needs, drives and desires.
What we know about dogs grows every day. New knowledge is constantly being added about training, behavior, and dogs in general. Likewise, I continually add to and challenge my body of knowledge, beliefs, and toolset. My expertise derives from both theory and real-world practice. I SEE what works and what doesn't…every day…and I work to continuously expand my understanding of WHY. I use the foundation of THIRD WAY conceived and developed by Chris Bach. No two dogs are exactly the same. Your dog is an individual. Bet you are, too. The training methods used will depend on your dog and you. I customize our lessons to set you up for success, as a balanced team, into a compassionate, dynamic, and intuitive training program. This approach puts the trainer's focus (that would be YOU) on enhancing desired behavior, and managing the dog to stop or prevent undesired behavior or responses.