FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions How do I house train my puppy or new dog? House training your dog can be a difficult, frustrating process, and time and patients are key. Using a crate at night and when you aren't able to keep an eye on your dog is very helpful. A crate will teach your dog to hold it until they are let out of the crate, a dog should be taken outside as soon as they are let out from their crate and praised for going to the bathroom outside. For more tips on how to house train your dog give me a call at (413) 525-9888. My dog won't stop barking? Dogs bark, but excessive barking can be an issue. The first step is to determine why your dog is barking, are they lonely, bored, frustrated or frightened? Then the next step is to correct that behavior , give me a call at (413) 525-9888 and we can determine the best training technique for your dog. How can I stop my dog from chewing? Like other bad dog behaviors dogs can be crewing for many reasons. Young puppy's are most likely teething and older dog left home alone all day just might be bored. In both these cases the best things to do is dog proof your home, don't leave shoes or other items around the house. Also provide your dog with plenty of chew toys and exercise, a well exercised dog will be too tried to chew and give me a call at 413-525-9888 and I can help you through the process and provide you with other dog obedience tips. My dog is showing aggression towards other dogs, what should I do? A dog's aggression toward other dogs can come from their natural desire to determine social rank. Early and ongoing socialization plays a key role in preventing your dog's aggression towards others. Another way to help socialize your dog is attending group training classes, or give me a call today at 413-525-9888 to learn more about our group classes. When training with me, you will learn engagement techniques that will condition your dog to pay attention to you at all times and to let the world go by without reacting aggressively or negative. How do I stop my dog from jumping on people? Dog jumping up on people always starts out as cute when your dog is a puppy, but as they grow this habit not only becomes annoying it also become dangerous. If a child or elderly person come near your dog and they jump up to say hi, they could knock that person back and cause injury. One way to start to teach your do to not jump up is when they jump on you, turn away from them and say off in a firm voice, then redirect their attention to a sit command, once they sit reward the good behavior. To learn more tips on how to stop your dog from jumping call me at 413-525-9998. I am interested in Dog Town training services, how do I sign up for group classes? or private dog training classes? For group classes call VCA Boston Road Animal Hospital at 413-783-1203 x0 and ask for Candice. For private sessions call me at 413-525-9888 or email kmdogman@verizon.net How long are the private and group training lessons? Private Sessions run an hour to an hour and half. Group sessions are on hour per week. How many weeks are group and private dog training classes? Group training class runs for seven weeks and private sessions can be one to how ever many are needed to train your dog. Give me a call at (413) 525-9888 and we can determine the best training technique for your dog. What is the cost for the group class? Group class runs $184.60 for the seven week course Where are the group classes held? Group classes are held at VCA Boston Road Animal Hospital 1235 Boston Road, Springfield, Ma. 413-783-1203 How much is your private dog training package? I offer two dog training packages: 4 sessions for $325 or 6 sessions for $475 Single sessions are $85 ea. What days and times are group classes? Puppy Groups meet Monday evening from 6-7 Adult Group meet Monday Evening from 7-8 Next session starts Mon. April 30, 2012 We have already attended a group training class, but my dog still exhibits some behavioral issues, would be benefit more from a private lesson or another group class? It would depend on what the problem was. If the dog is having trouble with other dogs I would place then in the group class and have them work through the problem. If it's an environmental issue at the home, neighborhood, etc. We would hold a private session at that location. My dog is aggressive towards other dogs; would group classes help with his behavior? Yes they would! A good portion of group training is spent teaching the owners proper engagement excises that will build a strong bong with their dog. This, in turn, teaches the dog to pay attention to its handler and not the other dogs. How many years have you been training dogs? I have been working with dogs in one aspect or another for 40 years, at the professional level since 1991.