Canine Training in Ojai Valley

This is intended for people who have a dog that they want to train but doesn't have time to go to scheduled classes, or want classes but they are too far away, or just want more flexibility in their training.  You can teach just those behaviors you want and get one-on-one training that is not available when you are in a group class setting. Not appropriate for dogs that are aggressive to people.
  • Want a catered training plan specific for your dog and your goals?
  • Do you want your dog stop pulling on the leash? Or recall while off-leash at the park?
  • Does your dog jump on people when they come over or have problems with mouthiness?
  • Interested in teaching your dog a few fun party tricks? 
  • Do you have a dog who doesn't do well in a group class or other dogs but still needs training?
  • Do you have a  shy dog that has not shown any aggression and just needs some cofidence building?
 Then try out this training option! You can hire me to help you train your dog, or I can train them even while you are at work! The methods used for training are humane, positive reinforcement based, and consistent with American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). More on my philosophy and methods can be found here.

Below are a list of just some of the general training behaviors and tricks that people have been interested in teaching their dogs. We can teach any behavior that you want. Every behavior can be taught at a beginner or advanced level, based on your dog's current level of performance. The number of behaviors covered each hour varies, but is usually between 3-5.

  • Sit
  • Stand
  • Tug
  • Down
  • Roll Over
  • Recall
  • Off-leash work
  • Stay
  • High Five
  • Find It (find treat, toy, another person, etc)
  • Take It
  • Drop It/Give
  • Leave It
  • Look at Me/ Focus/ Attention
  • Give your dog a name ( ideal for puppies, strays, or if you think the dog's name was used in a negative way before)
  • Fitting and correct usage of walking and training devices (collars, head halters, body harnesses)
  • Wait at the door
  • Sit Pretty/ sitting upright
  • Clicker training
  • Targeting‑ Teaching the dog to touch it's nose to objects or hand (can then be used to teach how to close doors, heeling, recalls, teach them to station when people come over, etc)
  • Bow
  • Weave through your legs
  • Crawl ( must know down first)
  • Come when called
  • House soiling
  • Digging
  • Ring bell to go outside
  • Go lie down on mat/bed/in other room
  • Crate Training
  • Loose leash walking/Heeling  Click here for a short clip that shows a walk before training and after several sessions. She is being worked for dog aggression here, but you can still the change in her attentiveness. The last half you can see how I trained the behavior in the first place: switching directions and using food for the correct behavior.  I now hold value where as before she did not know I was at the end of the leash. I could walk her easily then with a light hold on the leash and no tension. You can see significant imporvement in only a few sessions without using a choke chain, prong collar or any leash corrections.

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              **Fees for General Training, click here and choose in-home consultations** 

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If this sounds like what you are looking for, then I look forward to working with you! If you want to schedule an appointment, you may call (888)798-9473 or email Heather ("Contact Heather" button on bar to left). We require that the following history form is filled out before the first visit. It will take you 45-60 minutes to complete.

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