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Toll Free Number: 877-360-MyK9 (6959)
Metro Atlanta: 770-721-MyK9 (6959)
  
Georgia K9 NTC’s training philosophy is fairly simple and straightforward. We believe the key to good dog obedience training that works is based on three factors:
1) Socio-environmental Exposure and Maintenance
2) Understanding K9 Behavior
3) Proper Obedience through Balance.
To begin with, dogs do have emotions but they are not human rationale based. They are instinctual responses to stimuli based on genetic hardwiring and social adaptation. Even though dogs think about the things they do, they do not appear to have the ability to rationalize their emotional responses. Simply put, dogs just do not think the way we do and when we train them like we are working with a human, the training becomes confusing and conflicting.
Dogs require dog structure, not human structure. The way one would treat their child is not the way a dog should be treated. When a dog is handled in this fashion, the dominance paradigm shifts and the dog begins to create its own structure. This K9 developed structure rarely fits the human home with any degree of normality and behavioral problems are bound to occur.
Such behavioral problems may manifest themselves in the form of:
1) Aggression to people or animals
2) Possessiveness of people
3) Possessiveness of objects
4) Housebreaking issues
5) Destructive behavior
6) Excessive barking
7) Submissive urination
8) Overeating
9) Excessive water consumption
10) Health problems
The reason for many behavioral problems is often based on the fact that the dog owner is treating their dog like a human child with human structure and emotions. Dog’s do not understand this relationship. When a dog does not understand its place in the world or what is expected of it in K9 terms, the dog will often show symptoms of insecurity and will manifest unwanted behaviors. The bottom line is a dog needs to be taught in dog terms, not human.
Social Structure
We believe that one of the best ways to establish the beginnings of good behavior and sound temperament is pack structure with other dogs. There are no better teachers of good dog behavior than other dogs. When training our clients K9’s a very big part of their day is spent socializing with a “play group” suitable to the dog in question. In fact, much of the training time is spent in this controlled environment. Our facility has multiple large and fenced dog runs throughout the property. Each run incorporates woods in a park like setting with plenty of room for all out play and running. There is very little kennel time at Georgia K9 NTC except during evening hours when each dog is housed separately in its own size appropriate kennel.
Lots of social time helps to acclimate our trainees to their new environment quickly and with little anxiety. Once the new dog is accepted and is playing in it’s pack, we begin our formal training.
K9 Behavior
Dog behavior manifests itself through body language first. Subtle clues about what your dog is thinking about doing can be read through eyes, ears, posture, tone, and tail set. These clues are true canine language and when the dog owner can begin to read these “words” then real dog relationships can be formed.
Every dog obedience training regimen must incorporate the ability to read and understand K9 body language. Without this ability, critical mistakes are bound to occur. The problem with such mistakes is that they are rarely forgotten. Georgia K9 NTC trainers teach dog owners about dog behavior and how to read it properly.
On the same note, dogs read human body language and posture much the same way they read other dogs. Reading and understanding a pet’s body language is not enough. Every pet owner MUST moderate his or her own behavior and body language to form a proper relationship. Often times, bad dog behavior is due to the owner telling the dog such behavior is perfectly fine through tone, verbiage, posture, and gesture. Georgia K9 NTC trainers not only train the dog but the owners as well.
Proper Dog Obedience Training Through Balance
WHY IS DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING IMPORTANT?
Dog Obedience Training plays a huge role in the quality of a dog's life, allowing him/her to live a longer, happier life with his/her human family. Obedience training provides a dog with leadership, socialization, communication, and attention. It provides a clear and consistent line of communication between you and your dog. Dog Obedience Training sets the foundation for a healthy relationship as well as helping to prevent behavioral problems from arising.
The key to dog obedience is understanding that the human is the leader without exception. Georgia K9 NTC trainers will teach your dog the necessary obedience skills and in turn, teach you how to properly interact with your dog to enforce these skills. You must always remain the leader you were meant to be.
Sometimes it necessary to correct your dog for unwanted behavior. A correction should only be a temporary and for what is going on at that moment. Since dogs learn by association, your correction should be just that; a negative association for an unwanted behavior and with appropriate timing. Most unwanted behaviors in dogs are a misunderstanding of what is right and wrong.
You cannot expect your dog to come into a new house and know the rules. Nor can you expect to sit a dog down, rationalize and explain the rules to it. Your dog is going to test his/her boundaries to see what is and is not allowed. Dogs do not act out of spite or stubbornness, therefore you cannot hold a grudge toward your dog when he/she does something wrong.
Rewarding your K9 for positive behavior is as important in the learning process as is correction. Physical praise is positive reinforcement for what is going on in that moment in time. This means if your dog sits when you say “sit”., petting him/her is comfirmation that he/she did the right thing. Another example, if your dog is whining and crying, coddling and petting him/her is confirmation whining and crying is the proper way to act.
Georgia K9 NTC Trainers will teach you how to properly correct and reward your dog in every situation.
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