One-on-One Dog Training
 
home
in-house session
behavioral training
your new dog
behavior problems

your new dog

Every animal is an individual, just like humans. And a one-size-fits-all strategy for animals works about as well it does for people--that is, not very well! One-on-One training is fully individualized and gives you a way to reach your dog directly according to his needs and inclinations. You'll learn a lot about dog behavior in a general way, but more important, you'll learn about your dog's behavior.

Not sure how to choose the right dog for your family? Ask how I can help!

Your puppy

Did you know that your puppy can begin training the day you bring her home? Just like human babies, puppies are little sponges, soaking up and learning from experiences at a fantastic rate. And like human babies, they pass through developmental windows. You'll have only one opportunity to make the most of these developmental periods, and training during these times is especially productive.

You'll learn what makes your puppy tick, your puppy will learn to work with you instead of against you, and you'll both establish a bond around co-operation and understanding.

Ask about our PUPPY PLAYSCHOOL classes co-organized with the Big Bad Woof in Takoma Park, DC!

Your adopted dog

You've had dogs before, but this dog is different! Dogs that come from shelters or rescues or who have a "checkered past" often arrive with baggage in the form of perplexing behavior problems. Some are a bit manic, some very shut down, some may never have lived inside a home before.

It's tempting to try to psychoanalyze, but it's better to just start with the behaviors that you see, shaping them up and providing lots of structure. We may never know what your adopted dog has been through, but we can surely help him to make the adjustment to living with you in your home.

While most rescue dogs haven't seen actual abuse (though some certainly have) most have been pretty thoroughly neglected, and many have learned some profoundly dysfunctional ways of interacting with people, other animals and the environment. With patient behavioral training, your adopted dog can learn new co-operative responses to replace the old knee-jerk maladaptations.

Training can help even easy-going, untroubled dogs more rapidly and successfully make the transition from a life of chaos to the routine of your home.

Your older or special-needs dog

Our older or special-needs friends sometimes need a little help to adjust to the infirmities that accompany advanced age or disability. Dogs are marvelously adaptive, and with the benefit of a little additional understanding we can help them adjust to blindness, deafness, orthopedic problems and general moodiness. Often, behavior problems in older dogs are the result of physical changes, such as hearing loss, that we may not have noticed, and a little training for this particular situation can really help renew a bond that has been shaken by unresponsiveness or depression.

Caring for a special needs dog can be uncommonly gratifying. I lived for many years with an orthopedically challenged blind, diabetic dog who required much care. She and I developed a nearly telepathic bond that was beyond special. I would be pleased to help you improve the quality of life for your elderly or special needs dog.

Laura Costas, One-on-One Dog Training, 301-650-2326
This website is dedicated to the memory of Delta, 22 February 1995 - 21 August 2005.