Training Philosophy

Don’t Blame -- Train!

In addition to providing the highest quality daycare and boarding Sunny Dog Place is also a state-of-the-art training facility.

We are dedicated to gaining a deeper understanding of dogs and improving the relationship between people and dogs. We work with owners to solve many types of behavior problems. Our style of dog training is the ‘open tool box’ of training. The Learning Center for Dogs offers several types of obedience classes, problem solving workshops, bootcamps and private lessons for dog owners to choose from.

We are experienced dog handlers and trainers dedicated to continually expanding our knowledge, exploring different training styles and methodologies to meet the individual needs of dogs and their owners while maintaining a safe and positive environment at all times. In our experience, once we educate owners about what their dogs really need and show them how to apply the right training tools and techniques, they can take charge of the situation. We have found even the most difficult dogs can be dramatically improved. At the Learning Center for Dogs our training methods are based on years of studying many different types of training techniques that can help you & your behaviorally challenged dog. Our approach is as follows:

• A Positive Approach: Leadership, exercise, leadership and earned affection are at the heart of all our training programs. We take a positive approach to training by incorporating the right training tools and techniques that help the dog improve its behavior and help the owner achieve his or her goals. "Dog Whispering", treat training, clicker training, or correction-based training all have a following, but we do not subscribe to a rigid philosophy. We are familiar with most styles of training and are always seeking more effective tools to add to our ‘training tool box.’ This philosophy keeps our training foundations solid but allows us to incorporate new ideas to our training repertoire as seem appropriate with the end goal being a more balanced, enjoyable relationship between you and your dog.
  
  
• Training for Real Life Situations: During training our dogs are exposed to various situations (other dogs, skateboards, bikes etc.) so they are exposed to a variety of real life encounters. We also teach owners about their dog's body language. A dog's posture can give valuable clues to help the owner deal with potentially problematic events such as, meeting new dogs, greeting strangers, and tolerating small children.
  
  
• Rewards & Motivation: We begin by finding the most effective reward system for your dog (food, toys, praise, petting) and eventually transition him to a praise only system. Along the way he is given ‘random reinforcement’ which keeps him hoping for a treat, although he does not always get it. This has the effect of keeping his performance level high even in the absence of an expected reward.
  
  
• Distinguishing Myth from Fact: There is a great deal of confusing information and misinformation about dog training. At The Learning Center for Dogs, at Sunny Dog Place we can help owners separate training myths from facts and develop a plan that makes sense for both the dog and the owner. We believe in positive reinforcement and when necessary we advocate mild correction. It is very important for dogs to understand where their boundaries of behavior lie. The dog should understand that you are the “Alpha” (dominant) one in the pack. We show you how you can be an Alpha in your dog’s eyes while giving him the earned love and affection he deserves.
  
  
• Owner Commitment: The owner’s commitment to the training process cannot be emphasized enough. The owner must change his own behavior as he trains his dog. This requires an understanding of how dogs perceive their world and how the human /dog relationship must be balanced. We teach clients to communicate clearly with their dog. By understanding and giving your dog what he needs will help you both achieve a more balanced, relationship. In our experience it is often the owner, and not the dog, that falls short in the training process. There are many reasons for a failure to follow through, but it is to the owner's advantage, and the dog's, to make a serious commitment to a program that will result in years of happy interaction with 'our best friend'.
  
  
• Last Resort Training: If you have tried everything and feel you must have your dog put to sleep or rehome him, there is still a chance we may be able to help. We have succeeded with aggressive, unruly, disobedient and hyperactive dogs, as well as those who are fearful, anxious and timid. You owe it to your dog to give it one more try.