What kind of training do you offer?
What is a “Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT)”?
Why Use Positive Reinforcement (Reward-Based) Training?
When is the best time to start puppy training?
What kind of training do you offer?
We specialize in private in-home training for puppies, adolescent, and adult dogs. Sundogs Training focuses on coaching you how to teach your dog effectively using proven and gentle methods. Training your dog to engage with you enhances your relationship together. You will understand each other better and your dog will learn how to be the well-mannered family member you hoped for.
Private in-home lessons are the most effective and least stressful environment for both you and your dog to learn. Working with your dog in the comfort of your home, one-on-one with an expert, enables you to be able to teach your dog new behaviors without the distraction of a class setting. You learn it correctly from the start, and so does your dog. All of your questions will be answered and there is no pressure on either of you. If you have a dog that is fearful or easily overstimulated, this is the ideal setting for you.
We focus on teaching our clients how to effectively communicate with their dog to get the behavior they want, which results in a dog that is a well-mannered, well-adjusted family member. Our training is dog-friendly, using contemporary, reward-based methods that are recommended by the most highly regarded Professional Dog Trainers, Applied Animal Behaviorists, and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.
What is a “Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT)”?
Pat Miller is a world-renowned dog trainer, author and educator. Her business, Peaceable Paws, is located in Fairplay, MD. Peaceable Paws’ mission is to foster harmony between the human and non-human animals of our world through dog training and animal behavior consultation services and seminars; consulting services for animal protection organizations; and writings that support and promote a philosophy of respect for life. Her training methods incorporate a strong commitment to positive reinforcement and reward in place of old-fashioned coercion and use of force.
To achieve a PMCT2 Certification, one must have successfully completed at least four Peaceable Paws Academies, three of which must be Level 1 Basic Training and Behavior, Level 2 Behavior Modification, and Level 3 Advanced Training and Behavior Study. In addition, all PMCT2s must submit at least one approved behavior case analysis per year, and complete 30 CEUs every 3 years. These requirements ensure a well-rounded background in training and behavioral as well as continual updates on the latest research and techniques.
Why Use Positive Reinforcement (Reward-Based) Training?
Positive Reinforcement Training has many advantages –
- Your dog learns quickly!
- It’s fun! Dogs think it’s a game and their people love the relationship they develop with their dog.
- It’s fast and you can integrate it into your daily activities with your dog. Training sessions are short . . . 5 minutes at a time.
- It’s mentally stimulating for your dog and enriches your dog’s life.
- It’s effective. It teaches your dog to offer behaviors that you reinforce.
- Reward-based training is based on operant conditioning. It’s like a science because it IS a science.
- Your dog will learn to think, make good decisions, and develop self-control.
When is the best time to start puppy training?
The sooner you start training your puppy, the better! Years ago, we didn’t start training puppies until they were 6 months old because of the harsh and aversive methods that were used. But, today, because we use dog-friendly, reward-based methods, you can’t start too soon. So, as soon as you get your puppy, start training and socializing. But, please do not take your puppy to the dog park where you may expose your puppy to health hazards and unpredictable dogs.