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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" to experience life through their relationships with others. The notion
of dominance in dogs is currently challenged by many in the dog world, since the natural social structure of wild dogs is
vastly different from that of wolves. It has been said that there are more similarities in the social structure of
dogs and people than there are between dogs and 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 drives our training philosophy.
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
Having clear expectations for your dog's behavior requires
some thought, but once you take the time to decide how you wish your dog to behave, it is a very simple thing to accomplish
it. Conversely, people who only focus on what the dog is doing "wrong" typically experience a greater level of
frustration.
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.
We believe there are no inherently bad breeds; with a genetically sound temperament, it is up to us to meet each dog
at their level and provide what they need to be happy, secure, & well balanced. In a word, clear leadership. So give
us a call! We'd love to meet you and your dog!
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