I train balance
You may have heard this term before, but what does it mean? Here at GET K9 Training, it means a couple of things.
i'M A BALANCED TRAINER
You may have heard this term before, but what does it mean? Here at GET K9 Training, it means a couple of things.
i restore balance
Canines exist in a mental balance between structure and affection. When we start to see bad behaviors (barking, counter surfing, human/dog reactivity, lack of leash manners, etc.) is when that balance has been disrupted. Nine times out of ten, the scale leans too heavily on affection and is not supported by enough structure.
structure
This refers to the rules, boundaries, expectations, and communication we instill in our dogs to ensure that they don't run the house.
affection
This is all the fun things we want to do with our dogs: cuddling, praising, treating, furniture privileges, and playing that we often freely give to our dogs.
...using balanced methods
To help put your dog in the best possible balance, we utilize both sides of the scale: structure and affection. We properly use tools such as slip leads, prong collars, and ecollars to better communicate (not just correct!) with our dogs, because we mark good behavior with appropriate playtime and praise. Dogs who come through our program are taught how to walk on the leash, stay in Place despite distractions, and work off an ecollar in addition to addressing and/or overcoming behavioral issues. The only brand of ecollar we use is Educator Collars (we prefer the Mini Educator!), because it allows for more subtle and precise communication without the jarring or long stim of other brands.
want to learn more about ecollars?
Read how we train and use ecollars on our dedicated ecollar page. The only brand of ecollar we use is Educator Collars (we prefer the Mini Educator!), because it allows for more subtle and precise communication without the jarring or long stim of other brands.
i restore balance...
Canines exist in a mental balance between structure and affection. When we start to see bad behaviors (barking, counter surfing, human/dog reactivity, lack of leash manners, etc.) is when that balance has been disrupted. Nine times out of ten, the scale leans too heavily on affection and is not supported by enough structure.
structure
This refers to the rules, boundaries, expectations, and communication we instill in our dogs to ensure that they don't run the house.
affection
This is all the fun things we want to do with our dogs: cuddling, praising, treating, furniture privileges, and playing that we often freely give to our dogs.
...using balanced methods
To help put your dog in the best possible balance, we utilize both sides of the scale: structure and affection. We properly use tools such as slip leads, prong collars, and ecollars to better communicate (not just correct!) with our dogs, because we mark good behavior with appropriate playtime and praise. Dogs who come through our program are taught how to walk on the leash, stay in Place despite distractions, and work off an ecollar in addition to addressing and/or overcoming behavioral issues. The only brand of ecollar we use is Educator Collars (we prefer the Mini Educator!), because it allows for more subtle and precise communication without the jarring or long stim of other brands.
want to learn more about ecollars?
Read how we train and use ecollars on our dedicated ecollar page. The only brand of ecollar we use is Educator Collars (we prefer the Mini Educator!), because it allows for more subtle and precise communication without the jarring or long stim of other brands.
A quick note:
Just like with people, dogs can form associations, too! Remember Pavlov’s experiment with the dog and the bell? The dog learned to form a physical response to an external trigger. This association is made without the dog even thinking. Similarly, dogs form associations with just about everything: you, feeding time, guests coming over, other dogs on the walk, etc. A lot of times, the association your dog has formed is a positive one (a good habit that aligns with our expectation of our dog). Where issues can happen is when your dog forms a negative association (a bad habit that does not meet our expectation of our dog).
Positive Associations are habits that our dog has formed that meet our expectations for a certain situation. When guests come over, a positive association is your dog to remain on Place to observe the guests until you call them off. During the board & train program, your dog will learn what positive associations are in different given scenarios.
Negative Associations are habits that our dog has formed that do not meet our expectations for a certain situation. When guests come over, a negative association is your dog barking and jumping up or trying to bolt. After the board & train program, you will help your dog reassociate the previous negative associations with the new positive ones they learned.
the process
Step One: research
Please read through all of this page as well as our ecollar page and watch our training videos. Before you join the GET Team, you should familiarize yourself with the various methods and tools we use in our programs. We want you to be comfortable and excited to work with us! After you finish with this page, please go check our Programs & Prices section. There you will find the different services we offer and the prices for each of them. We believe that being up front with our clients is always the best policy, as everyone will know what to expect from the get-go. If you couldn’t tell, we are very big on expectations!
step two: consultation
Once you are satisfied that GET K9 Training a good choice for you and your dog, please fill out an application here. We encourage you to include as much detail as possible, as this will allow us to get a better idea of how to help you and your pup. It will also provide us the context under which we can develop the best gameplan for you both. Within 1-3 days, we will call you to chat further about the issues you are experiencing and get clarification on your application answers. This is also your time to ask our Head Trainer any questions you may have about us and our practices. We will go over the best gameplan for you and give you realistic expectations for your dog.
step three: schedule
If we are a great fit for each other, we can schedule your board & train! We will find dates that fit both our schedules. But keep in mind: due to popular demand, I am often booked out a month or more in advance. Once we find a date that works, a $500 non-refundable deposit is necessary to hold your date, and we require the remainder of the balance due by drop-off (no exceptions). After the deposit invoice is sent, your dates will be held for 72 hours (at which point the invoice will expire). After the deposit is received, I will email you the Board & train Packet, which will have all the info you need for your dog’s training, including the date/times, address, and checklist of things to bring. At that point, you’re all set!
step four: support
Training does not end with us; in order for your dog to be a success story, you the owner will need to keep up with all the training. This may require a shift in your understanding of dog care and a lifestyle change in regards to your interactions with your dog. During the Virtual Session and the Go-Home Session, you will learn how to communicate, understand, and work with your dog using the new tools, tricks, and techniques. You’ll also be given a game plan to outline what you should be doing with your dog to help solidify his behaviors in your home. I will be available for unlimited calls and in-person support after your board and train – I want to help you and your dog live an amazing, balanced life together!
watch us in action
Pick a program that best fits your schedule and goals. All plans are scaled to meet breed, size, age, and health requirements.