What dogs do I own?
Where can I see the Lake Effect Crew?
What is Dog Days?
What dog(s) would you like to have?
How often do I get bit?
Will having my dog neutered/castrated change the personality of
my dog?
Do you have any golden or scottie puppies available?
Do you offer group classes?
Will you train on the underground fence I installed?
What do private trainings consist of?
Will my dog get socialization in a private session?
How many sessions do I need to buy?
How long is a session and do I pay by the hour?
How much is a private training?
I want to get rid of my dog, will you take him? |
|
Q - |
What dogs
do I own? |
|
A - |
I own a
total of 13 but that is including co-ownerships. The grand
total is 5 Golden Retrievers, 2 Scottish Terriers, 1 Basset
Hound, 1 German Shepherd, 2 Collies, 1 Golden/German Shepherd
Mix, and 1 Bernese Mountain Dog. The 5 kids that live with
me are Bentley (Golden Retriever), Brooks (Golden Retriever),
Beatrice (Scottish Terrier) Berkshire (Scottish Terrier), and
River (Golden Retriever) |
|
Q - |
Where can I see the
Lake Effect Crew? |
| A - |
click on this link
Where To See Us |
|
Q - |
What is Dog
Days? |
| A - |
click on this link
Dog Days |
|
Q - |
What dog(s) would you like to have? |
|
A - |
There are many breeds I would love to own!
If dog limits weren't an issue and I had the time an money, I'd
own an enormous pack. I will always have at least one
Golden and one Scottie because they are "my" breeds at heart.
In the future the wish list include; Saint Bernard, Airedale
Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Flat Coat Retriever, Great Dane,
Newfoundland, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Mastiff,
Giant Schnauzer, Cairn Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Norfolk
Terrier, West Highland Terrier, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Puli,
Bearded Collie, Neapolitan Mastiff and Old English Sheepdog to
name a few. I am sure there are others I'm not thinking of
but the bottom line comes down to the right temperament, health
and personality of any breed. The toy group for an example
doesn't do much for me but I've trained and known several dogs
that are toys that I would have brought home in an instant. |
|
Q - |
How
often do I get bit? |
|
A - |
Since I've been
training professionally I have not been bit. As a kid I
was bit several times. When I was four years old a German
Shepherd went for my eye and I had to have plastic surgery.
At 10 a Cocker Spaniel literally hung from my upper lip.
At 14 a Chow attempted to take off my arm. You would think
with so many bites as a child that I would have ended up afraid
of dogs but I think it just made me want to understand them
more. As an adult I've had several dogs attempt to bite me
but I've learned and I am very aware of the warning signs before a
bite.
I fortunately do
not deal with the purely aggressive dogs in my normal line of
work. I have to give a dog a reason to be bite me, usually my
'instant rapport' with them is the complete opposite. |
|
Q
- |
Will having my male dog neutered/castrated change the personality and
character of my dog? |
|
A - |
It can calm some dogs
but that isn't always the case I've never seen any negative
character changes. With bitches you particularly have to watch
their food intake - as their metabolism slows down after
spaying.
Most vets and behaviorists will agree that for pure male to male
dominance / aggression having your dog castrated will change its
behavior towards other dogs for life, in a positive way. It is
usually the male client of the house who 'feels' that castration
should not be discussed. :) |
|
Q
- |
Do you have any Golden or
Scottie puppies available? |
|
A - |
No we do not. At the moment River is
too young and doesn't have her clearances yet which will be a
must before we even consider breeding her. We may possibly breed our Scottie
(Berkshire) in the near future if you are interested in one of
her puppies feel free to email and let me know you'd like to
added to the waiting list. |
|
Q
- |
Do you have any group
classes? |
|
A - |
At the current time we are not teaching group
classes. We hope to in the future but currently don't have
a facility or quite frankly the time. We are very busy
doing privates and of course our contract with Invisible Fence. |
|
Q
- |
Will you train my dog on
my underground fence I installed? |
|
A - |
NO is the definite answer. I make
nothing if you buy and Invisible Fence brand fence so buy
whatever makes you happy. But I feel very strongly that
the cheap brands out there just plain don't work. They
give people a false sense of security and they can be just plain
dangerous. Yep they work for some dogs. They don't
work for all or even most. Invisible Fence brand works
period. I've put well over 1000 dogs on it and not even
one that I have trained hasn't been contained. When it
comes to under ground fencing you get what you pay for and I
suggest you go with those who invented it. And no I'm not
being paid or given anything to say this. I just love the
dogs I work with way too much to do anything but something safe
for them. |
|
Q
- |
What do private trainings
consist of? |
|
A - |
I come to your house for an hour or two and
teach you how to teach your dog while getting your dog started
on the desired behavior. Each training session is tailored
to your situation and what you need. Some dogs already
know the basics when I get there so we don't cover that.
Not all dogs jump etc. We will cover your issues and your
goals. |
|
Q
- |
Will my dog get any
socialization in a private session? |
|
A - |
If socialization is an issue....I own thirteen
dogs and we can have a regular dog party at your house, my
house, a park or where ever. My dogs are all well
socialized and put up with most things, they are also very good
at letting a poorly socialized dog know what is and isn't acceptable
dog to dog behavior. I usually bring at least one of my guys
on most trainings for demonstration and socialization purposes. |
|
Q
- |
How many sessions do I
need to buy? |
|
A - |
One or ten if you'd like. I don't make
anyone buy packages. I can usually cover all the basics
and general behavior problems (ie. jumping, digging, barking,
chewing, housebreaking) in one to two sessions depending on how
many problems you have and how many questions you have. If
you want your dog to retriever beer/pop from the fridge that's
obviously going to be more sessions. |
|
Q
- |
How long is a session and
do I pay by the hour? |
|
A - |
A session is in theory an hour but I
admittedly talk quite a bit. I do this because I like to
help make owners lives better with their dogs and dogs lives better
with their people. If you are asking lots of questions and
genuinely want to know more I almost always stay. To be
honest I don't think I've ever had a training that lasted only
an hour. Some of it will depend on your dogs attention
span. Of course you pay per session not per hour, you wouldn't
want to pay per hour on one of my too much caffeine days. :) |
|
Q
- |
How much is a private
training? |
|
A - |
There are several factors. How far you
live from Wyoming, Michigan, what you want to do, how many dogs,
and how you heard about us. People that are referred via
word of mouth, advertising (of which there is very little) and
particularly this website get a discount. (Good news for you!)
But to give you a rough idea if you live in the Grand Rapids
city limits it will be 55 bucks for a session. |
|
Q
- |
I want to get rid of my
dog will you take him or help me find him a home? |
|
A - |
No I won't take your dog. I have plenty
but thanks for the offer. Next, you originally signed up to love
this dog for it's limited time on this planet, own up to your
responsibility. Pets are not disposable. BUT
sometimes there are valid reasons for not being able to keep
your beloved pet. First thing to do, look online for your
breed's Club of America ie. Golden Retriever Club of America,
every breed has one. Find your local chapter of breed
club. Find the rescue and contact them about you
surrendering your dog. If you have a mixed breed there are
many no kill organizations that take in unwanted animals.
Be prepared to be given a hard time these people are over
worked, under paid if paid at all, and tired of dealing with
other people's dump offs. And the best thing you can do is
be honest with them. These people are constantly lied to
about allergies and people needing to move. It's
occasionally true but rarely is the case. Lying is likely to get
you turned down. IF this is a dog that I have personally
trained then please immediately email me. I may be willing
to add them to my animals for adoption page to help you. |
