Please explore our training options, designed to build a better relationship between you and your dog, and let us be your trusted partner in building the best relationship possible between you and your beloved pup.
Approach
Our approach to training employs a keen awareness of dogs as a very unique species – something that is missing from many of the contemporary methods and which allows for a non-food based training technique. Your dog is not a dolphin. He is the product of thousands of years of selection to partner with humans. While dolphin training methods work on any animal, wild or domestic, there are methods that can and do work with dogs that cannot be applied to other species. Dogs have been developed to have a keen sense of belonging in our human social families. We feel it is important to treat dogs with that understanding
Passion
Our training methods are based on the sound principles of excellent communication, fairness and consistency, establishing and reinforcing boundaries and offering the dog the tranquility of strong leadership. But, unlike so many other canine professionals, we also understand training is only one component required to help a dog become a fully integrated companion animal. Our approach provides the complete package because a dog doesn’t only need training. It also requires proper management and exceptional socialization to feel comfortable, calm and happy. We are passionate about helping dogs become truly secure and content in their homes by helping their owners become exceptional leaders.
The Human Element
Along with our passion for dogs comes our dedication to educating their humans. There are some excellent dog trainers in the world. However, they often do not have the patience, skill or even the desire to deal with the more challenging component of the canine-human team. It is truly far easier to rehabilitate and train a dog than it is to teach a human how to be an exceptional leader for his/her canine companion. Our commitment to accomplish both tasks sets our program apart.
No Need for Bribery or Bait
Although we recognize a place for food and toys in some aspects of a dog’s training, a dog trained at DarnFar Ranch will not require food bribery to willing obey commands. Our approach to dog training and socialization results in a highly compliant and happy dog without the need for treats. A collar and leash, exceptional timing along with calm confidence and the proper attitude are the primary components of our method. We prefer hands-on contact rather a “remote”/ electronic technique because, in our experience, dogs touch each other as an effective form of communication. We do not use electronic collars and we don’t use treats to bribe a dog. We employ a balanced approach based on rewarding a dog for good behavior and providing fair, consistent corrections for unacceptable behavior. Still, the most important element to our approach is a wholly calm, confident (not cocky), relaxed leadership style.
Board & Train Options
Two Week Basic
Covers typical “lack of self control” issues and lack of general training.
- Most exercises performed on a 6 foot lead
- some dogs may perform off-lead work in this time.
- Covers critical Socialization & proper Management plus these Trained skills:
- Heel, Sit, Down, Stay, Come.
- Manners are addressed:
- jumping up, nipping issues, charging out doors, excessive barking
- Cat or other animal chasing can be accomplished for some dogs
- Dogs with aggression or other social issues are not suited for this two week session.
- Minimum age: 6 months.
- Two weeks minimum.
$500 / week ($1000 for 2 weeks)
Extended Plan (3 weeks)
Covers typical “lack of self control” issues and lack of general training, plus more challenging behavioral issues which are not related to serious aggression.
- Basic, two week training (above) plus additional education.
- Resolution of cat and other animal chasing, and more serious nipping / biting issues.
- Some exercises are performed off lead.
- Many psychological problems can be accomplished
- This training duration is more appropriate for older dogs that have more ingrained bad habits
- Terrier and Toy dogs are best served with this training duration
- these dogs often have a belief they are quite high ranking and it takes time to convince them otherwise (Patience is critical for these dog = extra time)
- Minimum age: 6 months
$500 / week ($1500 for 3 weeks)
Antisocial / Aggressive (3+ weeks)
We are familiar working with dogs that have serious aggression and severe psychological issues. Our training, management and socialization program lends itself well to these sorts of dogs. We consider it our specialty. We must work more intensively with these dogs. Dogs that are required to enter the Anti-social /Aggressive program are:
- Dogs that believe they can control people or dogs with intimidation or force
- Dogs that have bitten or tried to bite a human
- Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs or animals
- Dogs that display abnormal fear-based behaviors, which could include fear-aggression
The program includes all of our basic canine education, plus:
- exceptional re-programming / rehabilitation / socialization in the presence of distractions which would normally trigger the dog’s anti-social behavior.
- Minimum age: 6 months.
- The minimal stay is three weeks and we reserve the right to assess the dog’s progress and recommend additional time if necessary.
$750 / week ($2250 for 3 weeks)
Special Needs (3+ weeks)
Dogs with handicaps such as deafness, blindness or physical disabilities need extra attention and care. Our training, management and socialization program lends itself well to these sorts of dogs. Patience is critical and a handicap may mean extended learning times are necessary. Time cannot be a factor in accomplishing the task. Dogs tend to hide their deficits as a natural coping mechanism. For this reason, we ask that you enroll your Special Needs dog for three weeks (or more if deemed necessary.)
- Most exercises performed on a 6 foot lead
- some dogs may perform off-lead work in this time.
- Covers critical Socialization & proper Management, Basic commands
- Cues / commands will be modified for the dog’s disability (hand signals for a deaf dog, vibration and other interventions for blindness etc..)
- Manners are addressed:
- jumping up, nipping issues, charging out doors, excessive barking
- Cat or other animal chasing may be accomplished for some dogs
- Dogs with aggression or other social issues are not suited for this program
- Minimum age: 6 months.
- Three weeks minimum.
$600 / week ($1800 for 3 weeks)
Requirements for Board & Train
- Dogs must be at least six months of age
- Current on vaccinations (Rabies, Distemper/Parvo and Bordetella)
- Owner provides food, or pays +$1.00/day
- Drop-off & pick-up by appointment only
- Failure to arrive within 30 minutes of your appointment may result in rescheduling
- Intact male dogs over 14 months – apply a $25/week extra handling fee
- No bitches in season during training
- $100 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your training spot
- $50/week aggressive/anti-social dog rate may be applied if you are not honest in your assessment of your dog’s true potential for aggression.
- 50% of the training fee (minus the $100 deposit) is due at drop-off, remainder due at pick-up.
DarnFar Ranch, LLC 