Training Philosophy
What is our obedience training program, and what are our training methods?
During our Obedience Training Program, we will teach your dog to reliably respond to commands, including “stay”, “sit”, “place”, “wait”, “heel”, “recall”, and teach skills including leash walking and socialization skills across many different environments and distractions.
Our programs are all conducted through private sessions, and each program is personalized to the unique needs of your dog. We use science-based training methods to ensure long-lasting results after training is complete. These training methods include classical conditioning, which teaches your dog to develop positive associations with certain experiences, and operant conditioning, which reinforces good behaviors through rewards.
We do not use strong aversive stimuli such as electronic collars, as these can cause significant problem behaviors. We make sure that training is always rewarding for your dog, helping them to develop a lifelong love of learning, be more confident, and be ready to explore Kansas City with you.
Benefits of Obedience Training
It’s always more fun when you can include your dog in more of your daily life. Kansas City has so many dog-friendly things to do and we want you and your dog to fully experience all of them! Perhaps you have always dreamed of taking your dog to Bar K or getting BBQ together at the Char Bar or one of Kansas City’s other dog-friendly restaurants?
After completing our Obedience Training Program, your dog will have better manners, be more confident in different environments and around distractions, and have high-level obedience skills both at home and in public.
Training Programs
In this program, Dr. Echterling-Savage will provide a personalized virtual training program to teach your dog high-level obedience commands and manners. This training plan includes ongoing support, and expert guidance to guarantee long-term success.
As one of the few certified Behavior Analysts specializing in Applied Animal Behavior and among just 50 CAABs nationwide, Dr. Echterling-Savage is a leading expert in her field, with a wealth of knowledge for supporting your unique training goals. With a doctorate in the field, published research on canine behavior modification, and 25 years of practical experience, she is a trusted authority in behavioral modification training. Dr. Echterling-Savage’s consultations provide a unique opportunity for those seeking significant progress in their dog’s behavior and training.
You will meet with Dr. Echterling-Savage virtually to discuss your training goals and develop a personalized training plan that teaches high-level obedience commands and good behaviors. Following your initial session, she will provide ongoing guidance and future consultations to ensure steady progress in your dog’s training.
Through a personalized training program, your dog will be taught good manners and obedience skills. Behaviors and obedience training that we teach in this program can include, but are not limited to:
Program Includes:
Depending on the distance, travel may be complimentary or require a small additional cost.
Having worked with dogs of various breeds and sizes for over two decades, we’ve honed our expertise in teaching obedience commands to any dog in the most efficient way possible. Our Board and Train program adopts a pragmatic approach to dog learning, with each session planned in advance based on decades of dog behavior data. Through our extensive experience, we’ve determined the optimal amount of time and number of trials required for your dog to achieve mastery of any command.
The latest research in animal behavior strongly suggests that positive reinforcement strategies are more successful than aversive methods, as shown in a 2015 study by Protopopova et al. According to our resident CAAB, Dr. Echterling-Savage, “Aside from being more ethical than aversive training methods, classical conditioning, and positive reinforcement are also more effective in teaching dogs obedience behaviors and treating problem behaviors.”
Your dog will be trained by our co-founders and leading experts in the field, each with over 20 years of hands-on training experience. Our team is also supported by and mentors our dog trainer Shelby Shipp.
Our Board and Train Program is offered for clients who live in Kansas City, St. Louis or Nashville. We teach high-level obedience commands while focusing on lifestyle prevention, which addresses behavior and obedience challenges to improve your everyday life, and language prevention, which prevents unwanted behaviors from developing or escalating as a dog gets older.
Before the training program begins, we ask that you submit a completed “Indirect Assessment of Canine Behavior” to provide us with information about your dog’s behavioral history. Dr. Echterling-Savage will then meet with you for a virtual consultation to discuss your training goals and your dog’s unique needs and challenges. This assessment and virtual consultation allows her to create a personalized training program to ensure it is the most effective in achieving your training goals.
Sean Savage will personally pick up your dog from your home and drive or fly your dog to his home in Tampa Bay, Florida. Your dog will always be with Sean during travel, including staying with him in the cabin when traveling by plane, or being in the car with him during travels. Your dog live at his home for four weeks, becoming a member of the family, and training both at home and across Tampa Bay.
During the retreat, you will receive regular correspondence and updates on your dog’s training progress. At the end of the four week board and train, we will bring your dog come back home, where you will receive 4.5 hours of return and follow up lessons. These lessons will help ensure your dog easily transitions their new skills to your home and neighborhood by teaching you how to manage all that your dog has learned.