Whether it's paw prints on the new couch, chew marks on the good shoes, or the perpetual potty training issues, many folks come to a point where they realize that they need help with the care and training of their dog.
That's where Sara Bartlett comes in. Bartlett is the owner of Odie's Obedience in St. Cloud, and she specializes in helping dogs and their owners learn to live together.
"You won't believe how many people want and need help with their dogs," Bartlett said. "This job keeps me busy."
Odie, a recovering "Brat Terrier," has helped Bartlett hone her training skills. She first met Odie while working with shelter animals in a veterinary assistant program.
"Odie did not know any commands and he continually made messes in his kennel," Bartlett said. "When I first started working with him, my instructor had us using a choke collar. Odie had a hard time learning that way, and neither one of us liked it very much."
Bartlett tried a different approach, using positive reinforcement, treats and a different type of collar that goes around a dog's muzzle called a "halti."
"Odie has been with me for two years, and now he knows 40 commands," she said.
Odie showed Bartlett a few tricks as well.
"He has taught me so much," she said. "If he was the perfect dog, I wouldn't know half of what I know now."
Bartlett conducts most training in the home of her clients, where she says both dog and owner are most relaxed and ready to learn.
"I find that dogs learn faster when the training is in their home," she said. "There are fewer distractions."
Bartlett offers several different types of services, from one-time sessions to advanced obedience classes to tricks and games you can play with your dog. She works with dogs of all ages and breeds.
"The first session is where we all get to know each other. I have a questionnaire we fill out to help people figure out what they want from their dog," she said. "Everybody's a little different."
After the first session, Bartlett works with the dog and the owner on basic commands such as sit or stay.
"What we are really working on is helping the dog and owner work together," she said. "I'm coaching the owner as well as the dog. I'll teach a command and run through it a few times and then hand the leash over to the owner."
"We work on voice commands, body language and hand gestures that send clear signals to the dog." Bartlett said. "When the command is obeyed, then we reward the dog with toys, praise, attention or food.
"Dogs are more likely to repeat the behaviors that they were praised for rather than to stop doing the behaviors they were punished for. And it's more fun for everyone when you keep things positive."
Most clients have four or five sessions with Bartlett.
"My favorite part of the job is when I come to that last session and see the progress they have made," she said.
|
