Easy and Fun Dog Training-Let Us Show You How!

Big changes for Mount Hood Dog Campus! We lost our lease, and are no longer operating out of the actual Campus building in Sandy. However, that will not stop us from providing the best training assistance for you and your dog. Private lessons in your home or in public are still available, and offer many advantages over classes. See the Services page for more info. Call with any questions you may have.

Thank you for visiting!

971-285-5301

Training is a conversation.

It is a journey, not a destination.

If we are to be successful, our approach must consider the true nature of dogs.

We love dogs! We love living and working with them. And we love teaching people about dogs & their ways. Achieving your goals with your dog can be fun for both of you. It can also be accomplished without setting aside huge blocks of "dog training" time. We will show you how to incorporate the education of your dog into your lifestyle.

Whether you are starting out a puppy or wanting some manners in an adult, understanding how dogs view the world & relate to others can make the process go much more smoothly. Dogs need clarity; some will call it leadership; others see it as simply reinforcing desired behaviors. I think there is merit and value in each outlook, and a large degree of overlap. Being social animals, dogs are "hardwired" with the understanding that life depends on having someone in charge. This notion is currently challenged by many in the dog world, since the natural social structure of wild dogs is vastly different from that of wolves. Dogs' social makeup is more open, fluid and changing than that of the wolf. Unlike wolves, their groups are often made up of unrelated animals, and status is often a moment-by-moment, ever changing, fluid dance. While this is true, I believe that we mustn't throw out the proverbial baby with the bath water, and try as some are doing, to negate the role of status in dogs. All social animals, whether birds, dolphins, or dogs are aware of and use status and status-gaining behaviors to function in the group and attain desired things. It is in how we chose to operate within this understanding that defines our training.

If our behavior does not provide clarity for our dogs, they will simply do what comes natural to a dog, which invariably means "problem" behaviors. The dogs are simply being themselves, doing very doggy things; but typically these ways of acting like a dog are usually unpleasant for us!

jumping up
pulling on leash
not listening
guarding food or toys

A dog who respects people will naturally behave in a manner that requires very little "training". Conversely, a dog who lacks respect will often engage in behaviors that are typically annoying at best and dangerous at worst.

The good news is that you can become a benevolent leader of your dog without the use of harsh methods. In fact, overly aggressive training methods can actually communicate to a dog that you are NOT in control, & produce a downward spiral of more bad behavior, more violence, etc. A dog's view of leadership is one of calm, quiet confidence. That is why yelling at a dog rarely gets the response you desire; that behavior tells the dog you are not in control!

Our training approach is relationship based, because that is how your dog sees it. We believe that there must be mutual respect & understanding present to achieve true cooperation. Clear communication is key to this process, and we strive to be, above all things, fair, both to the dogs and the people we work with.

We seek to impart the information and skills that will enable people to first understand and then communicate effectively with their dogs. We respect the individuality of each dog/person team, and use the methods & techniques that will provide an efficient result while working with each team's inherent abilities, not fight against them. Programs are designed to accomplish desired training goals while enhancing the relationship between dog & person. People are coached to be the confident, strong leader that dogs are "hardwired" to follow. Extensive learning theory study and familiarity with many breeds has led to an appreciation for each dog's unique talents, strengths, and learning styles. This, in turn, makes clear the most appropriate methods and inherently desirable rewards. We believe that approaching every dog with the same technique, while requiring less skill from the trainer, shortchanges the dog & is likely to lead to frustration for the handler.

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