Home › Forums › WSB Reader Recommendations › Dog training/instruction recommendations
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September 8, 2008 at 5:57 am #587996
abstractParticipantDoes anyone have any recommendation for local dog training? We are looking for classes and also the possibility of private instruction to focus on specific issues. West Seattle would be best but we are open to other areas as long as it’s not too far. Thanks!
September 8, 2008 at 7:04 am #638151
ellenaterMemberI don’t, but if you haven’t already, rent The Dog Whisperer. It helps us a lot.
September 8, 2008 at 3:03 pm #638152
GenHillOneParticipantA few suggestions came up in this thread:
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum/topic.php?id=189&replies=44
September 8, 2008 at 3:22 pm #638153
JoBParticipantIf your dog doesn’t have serious aggression problems, i recommend sound Animals with Jeff Tinsley… He is a West seattle guy and will do private follow-up work. His classes are held on the east side of Magnolia.. by the sports fields.
I was recently referred to the Academy of Canine Behavior in Bothell for dogs with problems. I think they have classes, but they also have a puppy camp where you board the dogs for 2 weeks or 5 weeks depending on the issues and they deliver a trained dog back to you.
also for problem dogs.. packworks in Monroe is incredible. They evaluate your dog and then work with you so that you understand the problems and what you need to do to correct them. It was worth every penny for us.
September 8, 2008 at 6:25 pm #638154
guidosmomMemberI was also considering finding a dog trainer. I read the previous thread. Those of you who have tried Packworks, did you have to go weekly? Or was it more of a one time type thing? It sounds like a wonderful place, but I can’t see driving up to Arlington on a regular basis.
September 8, 2008 at 6:29 pm #638155
JoBParticipantguidosmom..
we went once.
we may go again if we become stuck… but so far we don’t feel any need.
we signed for a 2 hour consultation with 2 dogs and ended up staying for 3.
it was worth every penny.
September 8, 2008 at 9:50 pm #638156
guidosmomMemberThanks Job, I just scheduled a personal session with Jeff Tinsley for this week. Luckily neither dogs have any real serious aggression issues. Our biggest issue right now is trying to walk both of them together on a leash and encountering other dogs. They both go ballistic. Walking them alone they are fine. We have a few other behavioral issues we’d like to work on, but nothing too serious. I can’t wait to see what kinds of ideas he has and what he recommends. Since one of the dogs is very new, we also wanted to make sure we are doing everything correctly and not introducing any bad behavior early on. :)
September 8, 2008 at 10:15 pm #638157
JoBParticipantguidosmom..
i think jeff is great for that… he has a real way with dogs and you can tell that he has met more than a few…
yuki’s problems were a bit extreme.
September 8, 2008 at 10:30 pm #638158
homedkParticipantWe had a good experience with Academy of Canine Behavior & I think they do a great job training the dogs. We took our dog to their Board & Train program & his behavior was really great afterwards.
Recently some friends took their dog there for training. The dog had aggression & barking issues. The dog’s behavior seemed much improved upon its return. However, a few months later it is as though the dog has not been trained at all.
I realize that each dog is different, but in my opinion the failure of the recent training has more to do with the owners not understanding that they have to carry on with training after the trainer leaves off.
Dogs really need consistency, & tons of praise as a reward for good behavior. Bad behavior needs to be prevented, or corrected as soon as it happens.
I’ve watched this dog revert to bad habits mainly because it is given too many opportunities to manage its own behavior. It spends a lot of time in its yard alone, barking & growling for little or no reason. The owners don’t see most of the bad behavior.
When home, the owners don’t consistently remember to use the training terminology that they & the dog were taught. The dog was taught the word “quiet”, so words like “stop that” are irrelevant to the dog.
The owners don’t consistently correct the dog (one family member does, but the others in the household just tune out the bad behavior).
I’ve never seen them practice commands with the dog & praise the dog when the dog responds appropriately.
Just wanted to mention this, so that after having your dog professionally trained, the results will be long-lasting!
September 9, 2008 at 1:30 am #638159
hopeyParticipantI have surveyed several different dog trainers in the area, as I am interested in training my own service dogs in the future. I’ve been to Family Dog in Kent, Riverdog in Issaquah, Ahimsa in Ballard, Puppy Manners in Bothell, and Jeff Tinsley’s training in Magnolia.
I was underwhelmed by Jeff Tinsley. He may be better in a one-on-one consultation, but I felt he taught the training class on auto-pilot, and couldn’t handle it when I wanted to use a different word for a command. On the last day of class, he and his “helpers” were more interested in socializing, although he made sure to call us out as we left without signing up for the next round of training. (“Sure you don’t want to sign up for the next class right now?”)
It seems the better trainers are out in the boonies. Becky and Dave at Puppy Manners are hands down the best trainers I’ve experienced so far. Sometimes I think the “voting” for things like Best Trainer (at CityDog magazine, for example) is padded, but Becky and Dave really deserve their “Best” rating. Their classes always sell out (another good sign) but click on the Waiting List link and you’ll be the first to know when the next session opens for registration. They always have a Saturday class, which makes getting out there a little easier. http://www.puppymanners.com
Riverdog in Issaquah is another good training facility. They have several trainers, and I was impressed enough with their lead trainer/owner Denise Stringfellow that I’ve applied for an apprenticeship with them. http://www.riverdogk9.com
I also recommend all of the books written by Patricia McConnell. She is both a great easy-to-read writer and incredibly knowledgeable about canine behavior. She has a “Family Dog Training” book which I think is excellent. She recommends it as a six-week program, but of course you can go at your own pace. You can find all of her books at Dogwise.com. Try this link for the training book: http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB917 .
Hope this helps…
September 9, 2008 at 1:33 am #638160
JoBParticipantgood luck with your apprenticeship…
September 9, 2008 at 1:36 am #638161
hopeyParticipantThanks, JoB! I don’t think it will happen until this winter, but they have promised me a slot. :)
September 10, 2008 at 12:20 am #638162
JoBParticipanthopey,
i had a decent experience with Jeff … my dog’s issues were simply more complicated than could be handled in a class setting at that time.
i have thought of taking him back.. he loved the socializing with other dogs and was doing well.. it was the people he couldn’t handle at the time.
Jeff encouraged us to keep working with yuki…
i have remained grateful to him for that. Because of his faith in this little dog.. we were able to convince ourselves that perhaps there was a better option out there for yuki and persevered until we found one.
i am always glad to get leads on other good trainers… I don’t think yuki will need them.. but who knows when i am going to run into someone who does.
a really good trainer trains the owner.
That is one reason i am not as enthusiastic about some of the drop off a problem dog and pick up a good dog programs. if people don’t realize their own neglect is the problem, it won’t do any real good to train the dog… but if they are willing to invest their time afterwards.. i imagine it can be a real blessing.
Anyway.. let us know how it goes when you get into the program…
September 10, 2008 at 3:57 am #638163
hopeyParticipantThanks, JoB. I never said Jeff wasn’t a decent trainer, just that I wasn’t impressed with the way he ran his classes. I’m completely open to the idea that he is better at training one-on-one. Each of us has different gifts.
I agree with you on the drop-off programs. They have their place, but if the owners are not motivated to change their behavior as far as how they interact with the dog, then the training and the behavior changes will not stick.
Riverdog in Issaquah does not have a drop-off program, just to be clear. They are a “normal” dog training facility with classes, though they do also have an on-site doggy daycare and grooming. (I am actually quite looking forward to doing some apprentice work with their groomer too! My doodles are hard to groom!) They have “Training Camps” which is doggy daycare with a training focus, but the dog goes home every night & weekend. Unfortunately that’s not very practical for West Seattle-ites unless they happen to work in Issaquah.
September 10, 2008 at 3:54 pm #638164
JoBParticipantdo they work with abused and/or agressive dogs?
September 10, 2008 at 5:44 pm #638165
RainyDay1235MemberMelissa Lynch with Mountain High Dog Training does in-home one-one-one training with abused and/or aggressive dogs. She also volunteers with Homeward Pet, and gave us 2 free in-home lesssons b/c we adopted such a special-needs dog and wanted to help us out. She is great, and I know she makes house calls to WS!
September 10, 2008 at 6:01 pm #638166
JoBParticipanti may contact her.
we got great help with hubby’s issues walking the dogs from packworks.. and that info has also changed how we view play at the house.
and of course i work with them every day at home..
but i would like help getting yuki from the stage where he has figured out people might have something to offer to figuring out how to get them to give it to him.. and he has to get past his instinctive reactions first. He was very abused.
and also with mochi’s dog agression… right now she doesn’t play nice with others.. except of course with yuki:)
they have made tremendous progress on leash.. now we work on off leash in controlled circumstances.. very controlled circumstances:)
September 10, 2008 at 6:24 pm #638167
hopeyParticipantJoB, I am not sure if either Riverdog or Puppy Manners has specific programs or trainers specializing in aggressive dogs. Those are the trainers I would recommend most highly for the “average” dog owner wanting their dog to sit, stay, walk nicely on leash, etc. I know that Becky at Puppy Manners specializes in training Delta Therapy Dogs. Obviously I’ll know more about Riverdog’s specialties once I begin their program. :)
It seems like you have gotten good recommendations from others on the board here. I know you’ve been working very hard with your dogs, and it is fantastic to see that you want to continue to help them!
ETA — just noticed that Melissa @ Mountain High worked at Riverdog too! Check her “Meet The Trainer” page.
July 12, 2010 at 7:52 am #638168
KirajeanMemberDoes anyone have information on the Service Dog Academy in West Seattle?
July 12, 2010 at 4:05 pm #638169
wundrgrrrlParticipantWe took their 6 week basic training program for adult dogs at the community center and it was awesome! Mary is excellent with all types of dogs and the training methods really worked as long as we humans were consistent :)
I would certainly recommend SDA… it was very enlightening
July 12, 2010 at 4:40 pm #638170
flowerpetalMemberAlso consider 4 On The Floor dog training. Mirna Pacheco is in high demand in Seattle and South King County and she lives in West Seattle. We have received invaluable ideas from Mirna. Mirna and her husband Eric provide classes; dog sitting at the pup’s own home; dog walking, and dog transport. Additionally, Mirna works tirelessly to help families successfully adopt rescued dogs.
Here’s the website: http://www.4ontheflooronline.com/index.html
January 4, 2011 at 7:02 pm #638171
specialkrs1MemberJohn Panchot is the best trainer in Washington if not on the west coast. He works one on one with the people and their dog. He holds one on one training classes at Westsideyogadoga.com M-W 10:30 – 2:30 p.m. You can email kelly@westsideyogadoga.com to register or call him directly at 206.409.5209.
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