Results through Positive Motivation & Reinforcement
& The Latest Stress Management Techniques

Fortunately for dogs, humans have begun to move beyond the negative idea that dog training is a lot of tugging, jerking, yelling and "No, No, No!"

However, some people are still trying to train their dogs using corrections, expecting to end up with a "trained" dog, and are disappointed to get only so-so behavior from Phydo. They ask themselves why, and often write it off as having a stubborn, stupid, mean, aggressive or whatever-they-can-think-of type of dog, placing no blame on the kind of training they are using or that they themselves may be the root of the problem. Puppies are not born lunatics; they are not natural-born leash pullers, "mouthers" or biters. Difficult and out-of-control-dogs are created by the people around them as well as their environment.

You have no doubt seen or heard the cartoon joke of one dog meeting another – "What’s your name? Mine is No-No-Bad-Dog." Funny – yes. But sad, too – sad for a dog that has such potential. However, with proper training that dog can become a great companion dog. It is a matter of correct training as well as stress management. A healthy dog is never too old to be RE-TRAINED.

To have a well-mannered dog is the wish of most owners. It is a realistic goal. We start your dog as early as six weeks of age (Private Classes). Group Class training starts with our Puppy Kindergarten (for puppies 8 weeks to about 6 months of age), which we highly recommend. Socialization is extremely important and cannot be "made up" down the road. (That’s why we send our human children to Preschool and Kindergarten at such a young age.)

We employ many of the same techniques used to train Killer Whales and Grizzly Bears which you have seen at Sea World and in Hollywood. (Try using consequential negative training on them! BIG OUCH!)

We use what works, what keeps the puppy and adult dog happy,
outgoing and obedient without the trauma of yelling, jerking,
tugging, hitting or intimidation.

“My owners needed a lot of help with me. Fran really straightened me out in no time flat.” “Sasha” Parisi

PRIVATE ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING Private sessions are usually held in your home, as this is where you and your dog reside and by and large where there are usually fewer distractions. Specific behaviors can be addressed there. You are not locked into any set schedule. We do recommend that you participate in a minimum of four to five sessions so you develop a sound understanding of how to read your dog and how best to respond or not respond to Phydo’s various behaviors and to develop the habits necessary for building solid foundation behaviors.

Our first session together (adults and older children) is an intense CANINE BEHAVIOR 101 Class. You are welcome to take notes, and we have found that those puppy parents who do so progress faster than those who do not. This session runs 1½ hours. During the following sessions, we start working with you and Phydo in a class no longer than 40 minutes to one hour (Tired people and dogs do not learn). Sessions may be held one week apart or spaced to a few or several weeks apart, depending on the time you have available and your ability to work with your dog as well as your dog’s training needs. We want to keep things on a positive, progressive schedule. For those of you who live a distance away (such as Manhattan), you are welcome to come visit us for training, provided the weather is cooperative. Do give us a call to check our schedule, or to discuss your dog’s particular problem/s.

GROUP SESSIONS
We teach the science of dog training. We want you and your dog to have a great relationship based on positive training and common sense.

All of our group classes are much more than “SIT”, “DOWN”, “COME”, “STAY”. Commands are only as good as your dog's attention/focus foundation. This foundation must be strong and based on Associative Training before switching to Operant Training. All behavioral issues such as high stress, over-excitement, housebreaking, mouthing, growling, biting, jumping, pulling, separation anxiety, etc. are addressed so that you can work through your dog's issues (if any) to attain more focused and calmer behaviors so that you can move on with your relationship with your dog.

All Group Sessions are limited to no more than six dogs (eight for Puppy Kindergarten) to give you the personal attention needed to be sure you move forward with your training. There are six classes in each session. The first class, orientation, runs about two and a half hours and your dog gets to stay home while you go back to school. All other classes are one hour in length with your dog attending. Classes are held Raspberry Ridge Sheep Farm
(nationally recognized herding and teaching facility.) On-line registration, flyers and directions are available below. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Students have come to us from a wide area. PENNSYLVANIA - Easton, Allentown, Bethlehem, Bangor, Mt. Bethel, Martins Creek, Bucks County, Berks County, Monroe County (Bushkill, Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Long Pond, Pocono Summit, Swiftwater, Sciota, Scot Run, Marshalls Creek, Cresco, Canadensis, Newfoundland, Greentown, Swiftwater, Tobyhanna . . .), Bucks County. NEW YORK -Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Middletown . . . NEW JERSEY - Somerville, Bridgewater, Branchville. . .

PUPPY KINDERGARTEN
We highly recommend our Puppy Kindergarten session for puppies under six months of age. It is a great starting point to begin the socialization process so important in creating a well-grounded puppy - one ready for life’s adventures and misadventures. Puppy Kindergarten also helps with food and dog aggression, fear issues, and encouraging the puppy to pay attention to its family rather than everything else. Puppy Kindergarten skills cannot be "made up" down the road, and it is important that the puppy attend a Kindergarten class at the right age (just like our human children).

Occasionally, we will make an exception to the six-months of age cut off point. Some smaller breed puppies that haven’t had Kindergarten are best placed into that class but must first be qualified by the training professional.

For those puppies starting Puppy Kindergarten at an early age we encourage attending a second Kindergarten session before moving on to Obedience. For those dogs looking to become Therapy Dogs we especially recommend starting early and having two Kindergarten sessions (12 classes), then moving on to the Obedience level.

For the first class (orientation), we have the puppies stay at home. Only the Puppy Parents attend. Orientation is extremely important. You need to understand why your puppy is doing what it is doing and the motivation behind it.

BEHAVIORAL OBEDIENCE
Obedience Training is more than just obedience commands. It’s a matter of teaching foundation behaviors before moving on to commands and more complex or difficult behaviors. Our sessions are unique in teaching both the handler and Phydo to pay attention to each other while encouraging calm behavior. We also include SIT, DOWN, COME, STAY.

"I'm cute but neurotic. 'Aunt' Fran helped me through my fears, and gave my 'mom' lots of helpful tips to continue my training at home. I'm not 100% yet, but I'm working on it!" - Disney Korp

Each dog and handler/s are taught at their level as each home-dog situation is different. It is not a case of everyone doing A this week, B the next and so forth. If you and your dog have not mastered A, it is senseless to move on to B. And yes, training your dog takes time and effort. There are no shortcuts.

Many handlers/owners will sign up their dogs for repeat sessions. We just pick up where you left off, and if you are having a behavior issue, we will address it then and there, or refer you to someone who can help. Dogs with serious "issues" are best taught in a private, one-on-one environment.

BEGINNING AGILITY Before starting this class we recommend attending the above Behavorial Obedience class to develop the attention behavior so important in this sport. We make it a point to help you teach your dog to feel comfortable with the Agility Equipment and to hit the "contact zones" and to follow commands, verbal and nonverbal. Basic equipment includes but is not limited to the Dog Walk, Tunnel, Teeter Totter, Table, Jumps and Weave Poles. Some people are happy just to master one piece of equipment in a session, before moving on to another. "Sydney was adopted through Sheltie Rescue and arrived at my house afraid of everything and everyone. He was very sweet and loving but never properly socialized. Fran gave me the tools and techniques I needed to help him gain confidence in himself and the world around him." - Barb Corle

GROUP TRAINING LOCATIONS:

Raspberry Ridge Sheep Farm, North Bangor/Mt.Bethel, 2167 Lake Minsi Drive - Classes are limited to six dogs (eight for Puppy Kindergarten). Raspberry Ridge Sheep Farm is an easy drive from the Stroudsburg/East Stroudsburg, Tannersville/Scotrun and Marshalls Creek/Bushkill areas.

Raspberry Ridge Sheep Farm is a well-known herding & canine teaching facility. Owned by an outstanding trainer, Carolyn Wilki also holds two-day Aggression Seminars, AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Classes, Aggressive/Difficult Dog Rehabilitation, Herding Training (private & group), Competition Obedience & Tracking, Camps for you and your dog as well as Fun Days. This nationally known farm is the site of Sheep Herding Trials twice yearly.

Remember, You Can Make a Difference in your Dog’s Life.

Will it be a Positive One?

Fran D. Kramer
Common Sense Canine
Behavioral Training & Pet Services
Stroudsburg PA 18360
570-424-2219