Dog Training Wisconsin

By Kay James - Dells Events Newspaper

Pam Collar has always loved animals and has always had dogs and other animals. For many years, she worked in retail, but with the current economy, she decided she needed a new direction for her career so she became a dog trainer. She has not just decided to call herself a trainer, although her two dogs, Portuguese Water Span-iels, Beau and Molly, are well-behaved and trained dogs. She took an online training course through the Animal Behavior College of Santa Clarita, California. After completing the curriculum, before being certified, she worked with professional dog trainer Kim Wagus of Beaver Dam. Collar shadowed Wagus while she trained dogs and then taught a class for Wagus. Collar also volunteered with the Sauk County Humane Society as part of her own training in learning to train dogs and their owners. Collar said her philosophy of training follows that of Victoria Stillwell, the professional trainer who stars in the Animal Planet show, "It's Me or the Dog." Stillwell and Collar stress using lots of treats and positive motivation to teach a dog commands. "Start with treats and kind words," Collar said, and "start as young as possible!' Collar also stressed the need to be consistent in the commands and signals used. "If you give a command, stick with it. It keeps him on track so he won't get confused" she said.

If the dog disobeys the command, she said to start over. "Walk away and refocus!' Collar said to start training as young as possible. She will be offering classes for puppies up to six months of age beginning June 11 at Pet Retreat, on County Highway P, through July 16 and June 14 through July 19 at Pamper Paws, Highway 13. The puppy classes begin at 6 p.m. They will be followed at 7 p.m. by classes for older dogs who are beginning basic obedience training. Classes cost $90 for a session. The puppy classes will include social skills for the dogs as well as crate training, and walking on a lease. Collar is also willing to come to a person's home to help train a dog or to work individually with dog and owners. In discussing her new business, she also gave the following training advice for some of the common problems dog owners have with their dogs: Barking:People can train their dogs not to bark, but not by screaming at them when they are barking. Her advice is to ignore it and then praise the dog and give it a treat when it is quiet. She also noted that some people might want a dog that barks, such as one that barks when people come to the door.

Jumping on people: Turn away from the dog and tell it off. Do not use down because that is the command to lie on the ground. She said a person can also step on the leash and say off. Teaching the dog to come when called: She suggested a long leash and treats and praise when it comes when called. Some dogs are not motivated by commercially prepared treats, and she suggested using little pieces of steak, hot dogs or cheese. Some dogs are more motivated by a favorite toy. She said her dog Beau is motivated more by his Frisbee than treats. He gets to play with the Frisbee when he obeys. She does not recommend shock collars for dogs unless an owner cannot get the dog under control any other way. In that case, Collar said to have a professional first show how to use it. "Never go out and try it out on your dog!' In the future Collar hopes to find a facility where she can have agility and rally classes. She is also planning to add canine good citizen classes for those owners who want to take dogs to hospitals or nursing homes or have their dogs become therapy dogs. For information on her classes or individual lessons, call Collar's training school, Treat, Play, Love, LLC, at (608) 963-6050.