Dog Training, Springfield MA

Yes! After working with thousands of dog owners all over Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, I know that jumping is one of the biggest challenges owners face. That's why I've put together a mini dog training video, "How to Stop Your Dogs Jumping Problem in 10 Minutes or Less." Click here to watch the video.

My dog doesn't come back when I call him, what can I do?

Coming when called is the most important command that you can teach your dog. It can literally save his or her life. Dogs don't come to their owners for a number of reasons.

At Bay State Dog Training, we show dog owners how to avoid the mistakes that most people (and trainers) make when teaching the command "come." We then show the owners how to set their dog up to successfully complete the command, 100% of the time. Click here to watch some of the dog training exercises that we use to successfully teach the command come.

My dog pulls on leash and nothing I do seems to work, can you help me?

Dogs pull on leash because of something called "Opposition Reflex." This is a reflex that is natural and normal in all living things - including you. Whatever it is that you are applying pressure to will resist with counter-pressure.

A perfect example is to push down on your dog's head. Your dog will resist with counter-pressure, or his Opposition Reflex will kick in. On human terms, think about when someone demands that you do something. Your natural tendency is to resist when any kind of physical or mental pressure is applied.

At Bay State Dog Training, we show dog owners how to get their dogs to walk on leash by eliminating Opposition Reflex. This can be done simple and easily and should take no more than one or two sessions. To learn some more leash walking tips, click here.

I've tried everything to solve my dog's house training problem, what can I do?

Housetraining boils down to three things: good management skills, teaching your dog where it is appropriate to eliminate, and proper cleaning.

The first step that I always recommend is to rule out any physical problems. If your puppy is six months or older, you would want to check with your vet to rule out anything like a urinary track infection.

The second step is to make sure you are cleaning up after your dog properly. Many of the commercial cleaning products on the market today have ammonia as their main ingredient. Ammonia smells like urine to your dog, so if you are cleaning up your dog's urine with a product that smells like urine (to your dog) it can create a vicious cycle.

To read my entire 13 page article, "How To Housetrain Your Dog In 10 Days Or Less," click here.

I'm interested in your training program, how does it work?

First, we provide a free training and behavior assessment, because every dog and owner's needs are different. We want to customize the training program so that we are addressing your particular dog training and behavior issues.

Then, based on the assessment, we develop a customized training program and meet with you and your dog in the comfort of your own home. Depending on your particular goals, we have three different levels of training.

Click here to learn about Bay State Dog Training's three different training levels.

I would like to train my dog with you, what is the first step?

Thank you for your interest in the Bay State Dog Training program. We strive to provide Springfield MA area dog owners with quality, proven dog training techniques and methods that have been used successfully by thousands of dog owners all over Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

To get started, click here to register for our free training and behavior assessment.

I work all day, will you come to train in the evenings or weekends?

Yes! At Bay State Dog Training, we understand that dog owners today are very busy. We will come work with you and your dog when it is convenient for you. We provide dog training on nights, days, and weekends.

My dog already knows how to sit and lie down, but has some behavior problems, can you help with those?

Absolutely! In my book, "The Amazing Dog Training Man," I explain how you can solve your dog's behavior problems using my M.U.T.T. Method, which stands for: Manage, Underlying, Teach, and Time.

Whenever you are dealing with a behavior problem, the first step is to MANAGE the behavior while you are working on ways to solve the problem.

Every behavior is the result of an UNDERLYING problem. For example: the underlying problem with digging could be a number of things. Your dog could be hot, bored, frustrated, nesting, or genetics (all Terriers dig).

Once we identify the underlying problem, we can start to TEACH your dog the appropriate or acceptable behaviors.

The last T stands for TIME. An unacceptable behavior is usually developed over a period of months or even years. Behavior experts agree that for real change to occur, it takes at least 21 days. Sometimes a behavior can be changed in less, sometimes a little more, but it is important to remember that it does take some time.

That's why we developed the M.U.T.T. Method for dealing with behavior problems. By combining management, with an understanding of the underlying problem, we can then teach the new behavior and allow enough time for success.

I think my dog is starting to become aggressive. He growls and has snapped a few times, what should I do?

Aggression is an extremely serious problem. If your dog is showing any signs of aggression, the first step is NOT CONTACTING a trainer. The first step is to contact your vet and rule out any medical problems.

Dogs can become aggressive due to pain, vision problems, thyroid problems, a tumor, etc... I've seen many dogs that are acting aggressive become non-aggressive again simply by being placed on thyroid medication (if that was the problem). I've also seen dogs acting aggressive because of hip problems. Once the dog was placed on medication to ease the pain, the aggression stopped.

Once any medical problems have been ruled out, then I highly, highly recommend that you register for our free dog training and behavior assessment. Aggression is like a snowball going down a steep hill. It will get bigger and bigger and be much more difficult to deal with as time goes on.

Aggression is a behavior that has to be dealt with by a professional. With over 18 years of experience working with shelter dogs, protection dogs, and security dogs, I can help you with this problem. If your dog is showing signs of aggression and you don't contact me, I still strongly urge you to contact a professional trainer who has experience dealing with aggressive dogs.

My dog loves to steal food off the counter and other items that are left around the house, how do I stop her?

This is a very common behavior problem for a lot of dogs because "counter surfing" is often (un-intentionally) rewarded. If your dog jumps up on the counter and finds a ham sandwich, your dog has now learned that counters = yummy stuff. The more yummy stuff your dog finds, the stronger this behavior will become.

In this video on counter surfing, I explain step by step how to stop this behavior using a bagel, a piece of string, a tupperware bowl, and a dozen empty soda cans.

I want to visit nursing homes and hospitals with my dog, can you prepare him for this?

Certain places, such as hospitals and nursing homes, require that your dog have a Canine Good Citizen certificate or be certified by Therapy Dogs International. We can help train your dog to pass these requirements.

The Ultimate Online Dog Training Course

Click Here

Amazing Dog Training Man, The Book

Click Here

Secrets Of A Professional Dog Trainer DVD

Click Here