Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose In Dogs We Trust  
All In Dogs We Trust training classes are taught by owner, head trainer Melissa Millett who has been training since 1998 and has trained hundreds of dogs. Large classes have a second trainer to be sure that you get plenty of personal attention. Our training is recommended by Vets, Rescue organizations, groomers and breeders. Clients from In Dogs We Trust have taught obedience and manners to homeless pets for rescue organizations, entertained children at a birthday party and include ‘Toto’ from The Wizard of Oz’ production at the Grand Theatre.

Below is a list if reasons that makes our training unique:

Can I observe a dog training class?
Absolutely!  Not all dog training classes are the same and in fact classes can be very different. It is an excellent idea to come and observe the classes to see if the training is effective, how many dogs are in the class, are the puppies mixed with adults (not recommended), are the pet parents receiving personal attention and are the dogs or puppies stressed/afraid or is everyone having fun.

Can more than one person come to a session?
You are welcome to bring multiple family members to training classes. It is not uncommon to hear the hum of video games in the corner. Having well behaved children come to classes helps socialize puppies We do ask that only a maximum of two people handle the dogs during the class so that the dog doesn’t get confused.

What kind of collar should I bring to class?
 Bring your dog on a flat, nylon or leather collar and we will assess if you will need any extra equipment, how to use it properly and why we recommend this specific product over others. We do not use choke chains, (which can cause damage to the trachea) prong collars or shock collars at any time.

The majority of dogs trained at In Dogs We Trust, including intermediate and advanced dogs are trained on a flat collar without the need for extra equipment.

What should I bring to class?
For your first class you will need to bring:
Copy of vaccination records
Soft Treats and a favourite motivational toy
6ft Nylon or Leather leash
Flat nylon or leather buckle collar

If I can't make it to class.  What should I do?
There is always an option for a make-up class. Just email or call your trainer and let them know that you need a make-up!

Do you offer Guaranteed results?
There are so many variables when it comes to changing behaviour in a dog including genetics and early experiences that it is considered among professionals in this industry, unethical to offer a guarantee.  We have had excellent success in changing behaviour in almost all of the hundreds of dogs we have trained for obedience, aggression, fear, separation anxiety and other behavioural issues. We are also available for questions at any time during or even after you finish classes. We guarantee that we will give you the most up to date information and have a wealth of experience to offer alternative solutions.

How long will it take to change my dog’s unwanted behaviour?
It may take anywhere from one week to six months depending upon the issues, genetics and past experiences. Obedience issues can be changes fairly quickly while dog aggression can take more time. Unfortunately quick fixes usually include heavy correction and will only suppress the behaviour with other side effects. For more serious behavioural issues we will get to the root of what is causing the issue and resolve the underlying emotion that is driving the behaviour which will provide a long term solution.

Do you offer private dog training in the home? Are private lessons better because the issues are happening in the home?
We do offer and recommend private lessons for certain behavioural issues such as aggression, profound fear, separation anxiety, housetraining, food/resource guarding, excessive barking, etc. For dogs that have behavioural issues that can be resolved through obedience training like jumping up on the owner, mouthing and biting, won’t come when called or walk nicely on leash then we definitely recommend an 8 week course. As the clients enrolled in class joke, “it’s really owner training” and enrolling in an 8 week course gives you more time to absorb the information and learn how to handle your dog without having to absorb all of the information in one session or incurring the cost of multiple private lessons.

What is a clicker and do I have to use one?
About 50% of clients make the choice to use a clicker, others choose to use a voice marker. A clicker is an event marker that makes a distinct, crisp sound that communicates to your dog that they have done the correct behaviour. Learning is easier for your dog to understand with a clicker because of the consistent, clear communication it provides-the sound of the click never changes and means the same thing every time (yes you did the correct behaviour and a reward is coming). This makes learning stress free and fun for your dog. If you decide to use a clicker, you don’t have to use it forever, it is for teaching behaviour. Once you have taught the behaviour (or even if you have forgotten the clicker) you can put the clicker away and use a voice marker instead ‘yes!’

 You mention using food to train dogs; shouldn’t he just do it because he wants to please me? Will I have to use treats forever?
I want to include an excerpt from an article that I wrote regarding that question which was published in SNAP London newspaper: www.snaplondon.ca

“There are no properly functioning animals that have an innate desire to please. Dogs, like most organisms work on consequences-they are either working to earn a reinforcement or avoid an aversive.

 There is nothing more natural than a dog problem solving in order to earn food. Teaching with food conditions the dog to feel good when he responds to his owner. Then the rewards can be replaced with environmental rewards, toys, play or a variable ratio reinforcement schedule of food.  Many owners mistakenly teach their dogs to respond only when they see the food reward by using the food to lure and reward, then taking the food away altogether without rewarding. This teaches the dog that they see nothing, they get nothing.  If you fade the lure properly, then you won’t have that issue.”

Many who exclude and criticize the use of food in training use correction to motivate behaviour. In order to keep their dogs responding to their cues, the trainers use a choke chain, e-collar or other forms of correction throughout their dog’s lifetime. Praise will become rewarding to those dogs because it means that the dog has avoided a correction. Training with environmental rewards, toys, occasional food and consequences excluding pain and fear will prevent defensive aggression, increase the bond and create a happy, well balanced dog.  Your dog will still respond in the absence of rewards because there is a history of reinforcement for that behaviour and he has learned to feel good about responding to you.

Do I have to be a pack leader in order for my dog to listen to me?
Pack leadership has been marketed to be the most important solution to resolving behavioural issues with dogs but it is in fact only part of the solution. Jumping up, pulling on leash and counter surfing are just a few behaviours falsely blamed on dominance-in fact submissive or timid dogs will show this behaviour as well. Most active dogs will pull on leash simply because they haven’t been taught not to or it has become unintentionally rewarded by allowing the dog to drag you towards something reinforcing like another dog. Dogs will counter surf because they are opportunistic scavengers by nature and jumping up is a natural greeting in dog language. We will teach you how to provide non-confrontational leadership by controlling resources and change unwanted behaviour through training and understanding how dogs really view the world.

Read what the experts have to say about Dominance:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521112711.htm

My dog is aggressive to other dogs, would it be good to have him in a group class?
We do not allow dogs in group class who are aggressive and intend to do harm to others. If an aggressive dog is in a class, then the other dogs can’t concentrate because they are concerned what the aggressive dog is doing and keeping a safe distance. We do offer a Reactive (barking and lunging out of fear, but would choose flight over fight) dog class where the dogs can become socialized to others safely. These are smaller class where the curriculum is geared towards the needs of the individuals.

My dog is timid, would he be ok in a group class?
We have had excellent success in group classes with timid dogs as long as they still accept food and are not profoundly timid. Our technique of training which is free from correction focuses on setting up your dog for success and providing clear communication-which provides stress free learning.  Timid dogs associated the fun and stress free learning with the environment and begin to show great improvement in confidence building. We do also offer smaller timid dog classes occasionally as well where we discuss techniques for confidence building, alternative therapies and more!

What's a positive dog trainer or positive dog training? Don’t dogs need correction?
Dogs absolutely need boundaries and structure and they are more comfortable knowing what is expected of them. Positive training means that we don’t use pain, fear or intimidation but we definitely use consequences. We can modify almost any behaviour in almost any dog without causing pain, instilling fear or using intimidation. In order to do this we have to be fair to the dog and meet their needs-  most people love their dogs and want to do so-they just need to know how! Because of our techniques, our classes are filled with amazing people!

There is a popular saying amongst positive dog trainers:

“Violence begins where knowledge ends”
Abraham Lincoln