1-1 TRAINING GUIDE
Trainer/Behaviorist: Walter Mott
Contact Info: training@wolfmanscanines.com
Office Hours: Tuesdays & Fridays: 9am-12pm
**EACH 1-ON-1 TRAINING SESSION IS 45 MINUTES LONG + 15 MINUTES OF FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS**
TRAINING OVERVIEW:
This is our owner’s guide to 1-1 SESSIONS/INTRO GROUP CLASSES! It is intended to serve as a generalized guide for how we will go about basic obedience as well as behavior modification with dogs who are under-socialized, dog-dog reactive, dog-people reactive, and other behavioral issues that may be encompassed by these specialized programs.
At Wolfman’s Canines, we choose the best methods for each dog in order to achieve a basic understanding of the principles of desired dog behaviors. Our lead canine behaviorist, Walter, will apply these basic principles of dog behavior and psychology through relationship centered, science backed methods each day your dog is in his care or under his guidance. Wolfman’s Canines is under the direction of Walter Mott, Co-Founder, Professional Dog Trainer, AKC Certified Evaluator, SIRIUS Dog Trainer Accredited, Dunbar Academy Educated. While his wife, Hannah Lairmore is also a Co-Founder & Administrative and Communications Director (and the one you will communicate with during onboarding and for scheduling).
EVIDENCE BASED METHODS
Each dog begins by learning (either from “scratch” or as a thorough review) foundational good behavior principles. Then, through repetitions in different high-distraction environments, the goal is for your dog to gain the ability to generalize a variety of training concepts. The end result is that your dog is attentive to you, no matter the environment, and has the ability to navigate most all situations with ease and confidence. At Wolfman’s Canines, your dog will be shown a new way of life through the process described above, also known as CLASSICAL CONDITIONING. Classical conditioning is a learning process that creates a conditioned response through associations between an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus in their environment. We will create positive associations where negative triggers once existed, in order to create pathways for operant conditioning to start taking shape. Through OPERANT CONDITIONING, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence (whether negative or positive) for that behavior. Our consequences are simple redirections either by leash redirection or lure away from the unwanted behaviors. By redirecting that energy, we can harness it into a wanted behavior, such as an automatic sit when you come home or completely ignoring the barking dog across the street. Turning a negative reaction into a neutral or positive response is what we are after!
INDIVIDUALIZED CARE-PLANS
Another factor that adds to the success of every training program we offer is the way they are custom tailored to your specific dog’s needs. The result of this individualization is that you gain the ability to maintain a calm sense of control of your dog in your everyday environment, even under the most distracting of circumstances. Of course, the longer period of time that your dog participates in our program, learning from a professional dog trainer, the more time positive behaviors are reinforced in high-distraction situations, and the more solidified his or her obedience will be. The stronger the dog training foundation is that is set, the easier it is for you to sustain the desired behaviors in the long run. At Wolfman’s Canines we are more interested in long term behavioral change and adaptations and less on short term, “easy fixes.” Our methods and techniques are always evidence and experience based.
SUPERVISED SOCIALIZATION
Most people enjoy taking their dogs for walks, to the park, and on other adventures. After all, canines are considered ‘man’s best friend,’ so it is natural to share companionship. However, socializing dogs is imperative to make them good canine citizens that you can easily take in public. The end result of consistent and positive dog-on-dog socialization is that your dog will learn or enhance their ability to navigate most all public spaces with ease and confidence. Whether you desire “loose-leash” walking, better manners, increased socialization, advanced “off-leash” walking and obedience, or want to address specific behavioral issues such as dog aggression, separation anxiety or excessive barking, our experienced & professional dog trainer will work with you and your dog to reach your goals. Your dog will also regularly participate in our supervised play groups. This supervised socialization will ultimately play a pivotal role in creating opportunities for dog-on-dog training as well as a regular exercise outlet. Your dog will be consistently trained and tested under real-life dog-to-dog and dog-to-people scenarios so that he or she knows how to behave and can be controlled in any stimulating environment, even with a wide variety of distractions.
What makes Wolfman’s Canines unique is our pack of 6 dogs (THEWOLFPACK) that will be involved in your dog’s transformation process through structured socialization and dog-on-dog enrichment activities. We have a pack member for every personality type, age, and energy level!
EXPECTATIONS & GOALS
We only have one expectation, and it is that you will put the same, if not more energy into the success of your dog than we do. With that being said, every dog will have individualized goals for their specific needs. These goals and targeted behaviors will be outlined in detail between you and the trainer prior to the start of your program. Although two dogs may have similar issues, their course of treatment might be significantly different. Our goal is to help facilitate a major quality of life improvement for both dogs and their owners.
We will go about this by always working at the speed of which the dog can handle. We never ask for more than we can replenish. We recharge the dogs with lots of positive reinforcement, stimulating socialization play sessions, and of course treats! We will start in the kiddie section of the pool with lots of floats and slowly work our way into the deep end.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
Basic Manners & Obedience
Sit, Stand, & Down
Take it/Leave it
Woof/Shush
Loose leash walking
Recall* (Level of distraction proofing varies by dog)
Place
Every dog owner can be a dog trainer!!
AT-HOME EXERCISES
Homework will be assigned both pre & post board & train. This is to ensure the highest level of success possible with the new set of life skills we help teach your pup! PRE-TRAINING HOMEWORK is for you and your companion to build a general understanding of the training methods and concepts that will be used while training takes place. This is the time to buy the recommended tools and get you and your companion familiarized with them. It is best to sign up for the DUNBAR ACADEMY prior to boarding your dog so you can become familiar with the methods and terms that will be used during your dog’s training. Included in your discharge summary is your POST-TRAINING HOMEWORK, that will consist of guides and recommendations from our trainer on what to work more on.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Below is a basic representation of what each week of this (1-1) SESSIONS program will entail, and the week will vary. Although each dog is unique in its needs and abilities, the skills they learn will all be the same. How we get there will be as unique as the dog, and we only move at the speed at which the dog can handle. We NEVER put your dog in situations they’re not prepared for and never ask for more than we replenish.
SESSION/INTRO CLASS 1-3
Decompression & Trust Building
SESSION/INTRO CLASS 2-4
Classical Conditioning in non-triggering environment
SESSION/INTRO CLASS 4+
Classical Conditioning in triggering environment
You only need to spend 15- 30 minutes daily to achieve & sustain progress in training!!
REQUIRED TEXTS:
These required texts are full of pertinent information regarding the development of your dog. Click the links below to access each text.
REQUIRED ONLINE COURSE:
Dunbar Academy Behavior Problems Course – Free online course for you to enroll in before your training program begins. **Just input your name + email, create a password and then you have access to this FREE COURSE.**
RECOMMENDED READING:
This link will take you to the free downloads section of Dog Star Daily. Please go to the Downloadable Articles and Behavior Blueprints and see if any of these materials hold any relevance to your training needs!
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS:
RESOURCES:
OWNER FOLLOW-UP:
For all Wolfman’s Canines clients, we offer a month FREE trial of the Dunbar Academy. This is to help strengthen your understanding of the methods used and how to better communicate with your pup before, during and after their training program has been completed.
INSTRUCTIONS TO SIGN UP FOR DUNBAR ACADEMY:
1. Click this link, it will navigate you to "The Dop Dog Academy" page with a green banner on the top saying "100% off the first payment of $20"
2. Click the blue "Subscribe Now" button.
3. Input your relevant credit or debit card information and click "Complete Purchase".
--->>> Like all free trials, a credit or debit card on file is required. There is no penalty, however, to cancel after the first free month. I recommend clients put a notice or alert in their calendar to remind them to cancel after 1 month if they wish to do so. And so with this, you will have access to ALL courses for FREE for this first month.
4. Enjoy your FREE month trial!
LIFETIME WARRANTY:
In addition, as a WOLFPACK MEMBER (all programs included), you are eligible for a LIFETIME REFRESHER SESSION - one time a year for the life of your dog! You can schedule this at any point in time by visiting our scheduling page from our website or by clicking the following link—> SCHEDULE ONLINE. We offer this follow up training as we are big purveyors of making sure there is a long-term return on investment for everyone involved!
1-1 SESSION/INTRO GROUP CLASS MATERIALS:
Dog Food (for the #/wk boarding + plus 1x extra week)
1x Medium Bag of Treats (high reward)
Mandatory Medication (flea/tick meds will not be administered)
Collar w/ Dog Name + Owner Information
TOOLS USED/PROVIDED BY WOLFMAN’S CANINES:
Kongs (size dependent on dog)
1x 6ft Leash (non-retractable)
Slip Lead (loose leash)
30’ Long leash (recall)
1x Bowl for Food
1x Bedding/Pad or Blanket
Tug toys (play breaks)
Crate + Kennel (size dependent on dog & stress reduction measures needed)