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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I begin training my dog?
Great question! The best answer is as soon as you bring your dog or puppy home. Our groups are set up to help you create a clear path of communication from the start.
A newly adopted dog is learning something from the moment you bring them home. They just might not be learning something that you want them to know. The longer you delay teaching your dog what you expect from them, the longer they have to learn habits you'd prefer they didn't have.
Starting off on the right track with learning to communicate clearly with each other will allow your pup to make good choices while avoiding making mistakes. It takes more time to shift an unwanted behavior to a more desirable one than it does to just teach what you want from the beginning.
Let us help you create the relationship you are looking for with your pup.
Your dog training options can be found HERE.
I HEARD THAT I SHOULDN'T LET MY PUPPY OUT IN PUBLIC UNTIL THEY'VE HAD ALL THEIR SHOTS?
Unfortunately this recommendation can backfire on you. It's not wrong, just misguided. Yes, we need to be smart with where and how we allow our puppies to interact with their environment and we can still allow them to be outside and meeting new people and puppy-safe adult dogs while minimizing the risk of exposure to serious illness. If we take that advice and keep our pups isolated until they've received all their vaccines, at 16 to 18 weeks of age, we've missed out on the window of opportunity to expose our pups to the world that we expect them to live in.
Once your puppy reaches about 4 months of age that window of time closes and locks, forever. Think of that time period as a file cabinet that we can add anything we want to the cabinet until a specific point in time. Once we pass that point the file cabinet closes, the drawer locks and nothing more can be added. We can't go back and try to make up for the experiences that didn't happen. We also can't go back and undo an experience that was frightening to our pup either if we wait until the pup is 4 months old before we address their fear.
Mindful, planned and safe activities that are also fun are key in setting your puppy up for life. You can help your puppy grow up to be an emotionally stable and well adjusted adult dog, one who is a pleasure to be around by joining our Puppy Kindergarten group. Studies show that puppies that missed out on early social exposure have much higher problems as adult dogs with anxiety, aggression and destructive behaviors. Many struggle with dog-dog interactions due to lack of learning social skills as puppies. You can decrease your puppies chances of developing unwanted behavior problems by following a safe program of outside experiences with other healthy puppies in Kindergarten.
If your pup is already 4-5 months old you can still work on exposure with planned outings and activities. Learning really never stops and joining our Basic Manners group class with your adolescent pup will provide you the structure your pup needs and support during those difficult adolescent months. We can help you with weekly activities and exposure outings that will help your pup mature into a well behaved adult dog.
To find out more about Puppy Kindergarten click HERE. Details on our Basic Manners group are HERE. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's Position Statement on Puppy Socialization can be found HERE.
What type of collar and leash do you recommend?
Another great question. We recommend a martingale/limited slip collar and a simple 6 foot lead with a handle on your end and an appropriate size and weight snap on your dog's end. The martingale can prevent your pup from pulling out of the collar and getting loose without over tightening and choking them. Martingale collars come in adjustable sizes with a general range of 6-8 inches between the smallest to largest circumference. If your puppy is still growing be sure you select a collar that fits your puppy when adjusted to the smallest size. That way you can increase the size of the collar as your puppy grows.
We prefer you use a martingale collar while in our training classes and when out walking your dog. While some of the smaller toy breeds and dogs with super thick necks might do best with a well fitted harness, harnesses are made for dogs (and other animals) to PULL! Not what we want if our goal is polite leash skills.
Choosing a lead that feels best to you is also important. You'll want something that is lightweight and comfortable in your hand and is the right size and weight for your pup. Avoid any chain on the leash, any additional handles or elastic or bungie sections. We don't want the lead to provide any 'give' or 'stretch' as this is also allowing the dog to pull, even if just a tiny bit.
Flexi leads are never allowed in any of our classes as they are very unsafe and encourage pulling. Be sure that you have nothing attached or hanging off your lead; stuff those poop bags in a pocket.
Check out our RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS page for some ideas.
What kind of training techniques do you use?
We use only science based, positive reinforcement training techniques which are focused on authentic connection between you and your dog. Training with us will be fun for both ends of the leash, building a relationship based on trust. Don't confuse positive reinforcement with permissive or think that your dog will only do what you ask if you bribe them with cookies. With our methods there are rules and expectations for the dog and there are consequences for not complying with requests. The difference is HOW we encourage the dog to respond in the way we want.
Be careful about who you pick to work with you and your dog. A quick review of a website or a short conversation can offer a fairly clear snapshot of what the training methodology of the trainer and facility is. Words like Balanced, Compliance, Correction, Alpha or Pack Leader are clues that the facility or trainer might be willing to use punishment in the name of training. Ask the trainer what sort of tools will be used with your dog. Check out what formal training the person has as well as any professional certifications they have earned, if any. Many trainers have ZERO certifications and have no professional training at all. Just because a person claims to ‘love dogs’, has trained dogs to high level titles competitively or has lived with dogs their entire life, doesn’t mean they have the knowledge, training or understanding of dog behavior or the ability to safely, fairly and humanely train your dog.
Our methods focus on the dog doing as we ask out of the joy of being right vs complying out of fear of the consequences. Read that again, it's the basis of how we train and what we'll be teaching you. We never want a dog to question our intentions or to respond out of the fear of punishment. Our methods might be a bit different than how you may have trained your previous dogs. The outcome we are striving for is a dog that trusts you and is a willing partner in working with you. We are creating a relationship built on kindness, clarity and clear expectations.
If you are looking for that excited spark in your pups eye, their enthusiasm to learn, try and explore new options with you, join us. Your dog will thank you.
Is the trainer I will be working with Certified?
Kelly is an Accredited Dog Trainer with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - IAABC-ADT, a Professional Dog Trainer with the Pet Professional Guild - PPG-PDT and is a Certified Fear Free Professional.
Each one of these organizations requires their professionals to follow a very specific Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics when dealing with animals & their humans. These organizations also require ongoing re-certification and educational units in order to maintain professional standards and status. This requirement ensures the trainers have current educational knowledge both in training and behavior.
Kelly is a Professional Premium Member of the Association for Professional Dog Training International - APDT. She is affiliated with the American Kennel Club - AKC as a Canine Good Citizen, Temperament Test and Trick Dog Evaluator, a STAR Puppy and FIT DOG Instructor and is a Judge for Farm Dog and FETCH events.
I'm not sure which class to start with.
We offer a variety of group classes to meet your goals and your dogs needs. Check out the CLASSES section for complete description of each courses focus along with any recommended prerequisites.
For baby puppies under 20 weeks you'll want to join our Puppy Kindergarten group. If you have a newly adopted adolescent or adult dog Basic Manners is a great starting point. We offer a variety of fun performance sport classes to keep your pup engaged and thinking.
You may prefer to work privately, allowing us to focus on your exact needs and around your schedule. If you are still on the fence with where to begin reach out to us HERE and we'll help you find the perfect starting place.
Are classes ever canceled?
It happens. Classes may occasionally be re-scheduled due to bad weather or another unexpected event. You will be notified if we need to cancel a class meeting unexpectedly. Please check your email and/or text prior to coming to class if the weather is questionable prior to leaving for class. We'll also text to be sure everyone knows we are not meeting.
We will add additional class meetings as needed at the end of the session so you will not lose a class. Some clients prefer to block off an extra week just to be sure they can attend all class sessions, especially during the snowy winter months.
what if I need to miss a class?
With group classes there are no scheduled make-up sessions for any missed class sessions you are unable to attend. Make up sessions can be scheduled by appointment (and for an additional fee) subject to availability. You can request a private make-up session at an additional fee if you feel you need a bit more help with that week's skills. Most people feel that the handouts provided at the end of each session provide enough detail to stay up with the class even if they miss a day.
You will receive a handout at the end of each class that summarized the skills to work on for that week. You can ask that we email you that week's homework if you are unable to attend a class session.
What is your refund policy?
What should I do if my dog or puppy is sick on class day?
Can I bring friends or family members with me to class sessions?
Family members are encouraged to attend class and friends are always welcome. With our goal of a well-behaved dog out in public it’s really helpful to have new and different people in class that we can use as distractions.
Children are always welcome in PUPPY classes with their own designated human. If young children attend class, PLEASE have an additional adult present to supervise them.
Discuss with me prior to bringing any children to any class so that we can be sure to prepare for the safety of both the child and the other class members and their dogs.
I have more than one dog and they all need training, can I bring them all to the same class?
Well, that depends. For our Life Skills and Manners classes each dog will need their own human to work with them during class sessions. It is generally ok to have multiple family dogs in the same class session but some dogs might be overly distracted about what their housemate or other human is doing across from them and they may learn better in a class on their own. You know your dogs best but if you are unsure of what might work best for your situation reach out and let's chat.
For our Dog Sport classes that have only one dog working at a time it is possible to have two dogs and one handler. Part of what the dog is learning is patience and self control while waiting for their turn to work.
Class enrollment is based on the number of dogs and class fee's are per dog/handler team.
Where do we meet for group classes or private lessons?
Is Eastern Sierra Dog Sports licensed and insured?
YES! Eastern Sierra Dog Sports has business licences for both the City of Bishop and the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Classes are held in Bishop, Mammoth, Crowley and various other locations in both Inyo and Mono Counties.
We carry insurance specifically for Professional Dog Trainers through The Business Insurers of the Carolinas, Inc. This coverage allows us to teach group and private sessions and offer seminars and workshops throughout the Eastern Sierra.