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Obedience

Maddie with Cap and GownAn Alpha Canine specialty is in-house Obedience Training both for behavioral Problems and for competition, for ALL BREEDS. The Obedience Course usually lasts four weeks, and dogs are trained to Heel, Sit, Stay, Down, and Come - with verbal commands and hand signals, which provides an excellent foundation for off leash obedience. With unlimited assistance after the training, the owner is taught to handle the dog in the manner it was trained.
"Reputation Clip" "Training Clip"

The most important area in training is Obedience. With several methods of obedience training available, I believe the Alpha Canine system is proven, causes virtually no stress, and is totally humane. Dogs learn very simply from positive and negative events that happen to them on a daily basis. Some things learned are good and some things learned are not so good, but one thing is certain; negative reinforcement causes stress on your dog much the same way it does humans. Behavior learned from positive reinforcement is learned without stress and without diminishing the bond between the owner and their dog, or between dog and trainer while at the training center.

Fun video of Gena and Skys tricks

Girl with YorkieAt Alpha Canine, we utilize the same techniques that marine mammal trainers use, and now experience far better results while causing the dog no stress. By utilizing total positive reinforcement we are able to teach the dog the desired behavior utilizing "Skinners Rule of Operant Conditioning". Simply put, your dog learns because he is reward driven to learn and has fun doing it. Corrections are used only in the proofing phase and only with the proper and correct touch. We actually are able to communicate with the dog as the dog becomes accustomed to experimenting with behaviors in order to get his or her reinforcement (reward). It's a matter of shaping the behavior to the cue or command BY THE SKILLED TIMING OF A PROFESSIONAL TRAINER.

Richard McRae and McGeeTiming is the most important factor in utilizing this method. We can communicate with the dog only if the dog is very clear as to what it does to cause the reinforcement; but this comes only with precise timing and will work no other way. This is why having a professional trainer train your dog is so important. A professional trainer skilled in this method minimizes confusion, maximizes productivity, positions the dog where the chance of error is highly unlikely, and correctly uses the principals of "Variable Schedules of Reinforcement".

There are other methods being utilized in dog training today mostly because less than 10% of the trainers are skilled in our method. There is the "Snatch and Jerk", using the pinch collars and choke collars, that is still being used by over 90% of the trainers today. Before I learned a better way I also utilized those methods. Positive Reinforcement sometimes takes a day or two longer, but the dog greatly benefits from the absent stress and hardship caused by the harsh methods. Let's face it, the most important factor in deciding where to have your dog trained... is your dog. At Alpha K-9 you have my promise that your dog will be treated as a family member and not just another dog.

The price on our professional "Four Week Obedience Training Course" is $1,200.00 with half down and half at the end. I am up-front with everyone that calls in reference to our competition. Some of our competeters charge half the price of our training and some of them keep the dog half the amount of time. I encourage everyone interested in having your dog trained to check out our competition. Talk to their references and talk to several veterinarians and then make a decision that you are comfortable with. Please feel free to visit "Our Reference List".

Randy Hare Owner and Trainer

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