“Keep safe that which you have tamed.”

I remember seeing that quote tacked onto someone’s kitchen bulletin board years ago.  It was something I had always believed but never was able to verbalize. 

To me, training is a necessity for every dog in order to insure that they are indeed kept safe. They need to learn not to run out in front of a car or to chew on an extension cord just like a child needs to learn these things.  And just as there are many ways to raise a child there are just as many theories on training dogs.  While there is so much to learn about dogs that it would certainly take a lifetime to learn it all, I think aside from the technical aspects of training one should remember three things: to be kind, be firm and be fair. 

I began training as a child, working with family pets and also the Boxers my father bred over the years.  I could talk for hours about that and my more recent experiences but quite simply I am just fascinated by the way these creatures behave and move and react.  It’s why I train.  Done right, both owner and pet will enjoy the experience and learn to trust one another.  Your dog just wants to please you and if you take the time to find out how to tell her what you want, as well as listen to her, then you and she will have many happy years together. 

My methods are all positive, which means your dog will become more confident.  It also means that there is no pain, rough treatment or scare tactics used in my classes. Prong collars or choke collars are not allowed.  I also incorporate “everyday living” into my classes.  Many people attend training classes and find that their dogs listen very well, at home and during class.  Get them out in public and all hell breaks loose.  So we spend a good deal of training time in public places.

Dog Direction is fairly new to Tucson.  I moved here a little over three years ago from New York.  But New York dogs and Arizona dogs are the same; beautiful, smart and always good for a laugh.  Remember to take a look at the rest of my website and of course you have to look at the pictures of the smartest dogs in the world…my dogs Rowdy, CW and Bravo!!! 

Hope to see you soon.

 Debora

Debora with Bravo, CW and Rowdy

debora hogan, tucson dog trainer, grooming, boarding, dog, clicker training, reactive dog, dog aggression snake , dog traineravoidance, canine, puppy dog training, dog obedience, dog direction, tucson dog training