Hello!
I'm Sandy Hawker, Dog Trainer!
I specialize in the fundamentals... building a solid human-canine relationship through training that is budget-friendly and fun!
I believe that the person helping you train your dog should have a solid foundation in canine behavior, plus experience training dogs and their humans.
Drop me a line and see how I can help!CONTACT
What kind of help do you need?
- Recall
- Leave it
- Drop it
- Loose Leash Walking
- Walking on a Long Line
- Reactivity
- Managing Distractions
- Settling Down in Public
- New Environments
- Resolve Jumping
- Resolve Mouthy Behavior
- House Rules
How do you approach training?
I believe in transparency. When choosing a trainer, two simple questions will get you important information you need about their methods.
"What happens if my dog gets it right?"
I will celebrate with praise and rewards that your dog loves, including food, toys and life rewards!
"What happens if my dog gets it wrong?"
I will respond with patience, a gently worded "Try again" or "Too bad" followed by no reward, or a calm and brief (10-30 seconds max) time-out. A time-out may simply be turning away and ignoring the dog, walking behind a door or baby gate, or gently picking up the dog and placing them in a safe time-out area that is not their crate.
I determine the best combination of the above evidence-based, humane techniques by doing a thorough consultation with you to determine your dog's temperament and preferences, as well as your needs and goals. I accommodate the learning styles of dogs and their humans!
But what about people who say dogs have to be dominated to be trained?
More good news... Thanks to decades of studies we know that your dog is not trying to dominate you or be the alpha. We know that causing pain and intimidation are not the same as enforcing rules and boundaries. We know that relationships grow best with solid communication. We know dog training can be informative and fun!