Just as humans can develop bad habits, so can our dogs. And for many dog parents, they just don’t know how to go about breaking the bad habit on their own. So, for those of you who have been inquiring about what dog training really is, how it’s done and what can be done to make your pup the joy you’ve always known he/she can become, perhaps this post will help answer some of those questions you may have.
We have a great dog trainer here at Good Dog Hotel. His name is Adam. Adam is unique in that he is very soft handed, similar to our ‘dog whisperer’. He doesn’t raise his voice and is not an overly physical trainer. Some trainers can be almost mean but Adam uses positive reinforcement and gains trust with every dog he works with.
Adam doesn’t stop there though. He spends ALOT of time with the owner. Training is something that doesn’t just stop at the end of the session, which is why it is as important to work with the dog’s parents to teach them what to do, what not to do, how to use positive reinforcement, and learn how to pick out then break bad habits.
Adam began his training career with the Hamilton County 4-H program where he trained competitively in obedience. He co-founded the county’s agility project and was awarded multiple blue ribbons and championships at a county and state levels in both obedience and agility trials. He went on to continue his professional education in training at the Tom Rose School for Professional Dog Trainers in High Ridge, Missouri. While there, he extended his knowledge into household pet and police dog training techniques specializing in obedience, agility, tracking, protection and scent detection.
Most recently, Adam has been working with the Good Dog Hotel & Spa to build and develop the Good Dog Training Academy. From private sessions to eight-week courses, Adam works one-on-one with every dog that comes in. We even offer a boarding school to train if the family is going away.
Questions about something specific?? Sound off now!
Good Dog Hotel and Spa is excited to see such growth and support from our great city of Indianapolis. We are so happy to be in the heart of Broadripple off the Monon Trail. Springtime gives us the opportunity to meet pups and parents from all over as the sun begins to warm up, and we begin to get out. Our growth has been amazing. Not only has this been occurring because of YOU, our loyal clients, but also because of our committed staff. So, we’ve decided to take the next few weeks to highlight our staff.
Meet Chad. Chad has been our daycare manager for nearly a year and a half now. Chad’s sense of humor keeps everyone laughing here at Good Dog. He always has something funny to say! He is always smiling and his consistent sunny demeanor makes him refreshing to be around.
Chad’s dog, Domino, is 2 years old. He’s a black lab/pit bull mix. He loves that Domino is a mutt, and has a great balance in his disposition because of the mixes of breads. Domino will take ALL of his toys out of his toy basket at home and put them in Chad’s lap, one by one, letting Chad know that it is time to play! This is one of Chad’s favorite things about Domino.
Chad also thinks that Domino is a really good listener, but sometimes he talks back. Chad’s favorite thing about working in the daycare is that everyday is different. The mix of dogs and their moods change on a daily basis. His favorite daycare dog is Hawkeye, who he calls his ‘little buddy.’
His other favorites are Scout, Butch and Annie, and Calvin. Chad loves working at Good Dog because it is very gratifying. “You feel like you’re making a difference with the dogs and get to see how they grow and improve with their socialization and behavior,” says Chad.
A funny fact about Chad is that he can whistle and hum at the same time. Stop by and meet Chad. He’s great!
Do you ever wonder what happens to those pooches that are homeless? Have you ever seen a dog that you know by seeing him/her that they’ve had a rough life? What can we do to help these pups? Good Dog doesn’t really have an “official” adoption program, but we have done a couple of them as a way to give back. So far, we’ve helped two dogs find forever homes.
Jack
Jack was the first dog. Jack’s parents had to move because of a job change, and they couldn’t take him with them. They would’ve had to take him to a shelter or a pound had we not taken him in. We were excited to give Jack a place to stay.
We had our trainer work with Jack daily and were able to place him in the daycare to be sociable with the other dogs. We gave him lots of love and ended up having an amazing family adopt him.
Ottis
The second dog we worked with was Ottis. Ottis came into our family when one of our staff saw him at just 8 weeks old, running across 38th street. He didn’t have any tags, a collar, or microchip, and he appeared to be abandoned. We took him to a vet, got him all of his shots and just like Jack, gave him lots of love!
Because he was so adorable and just a puppy, we found a home for him very quickly with one of our current Good Dog families. That means we get to see more of him as he grows up.
Regardless of a move or abandonment, we are passionate about helping dogs get the care and homes they need and deserve. This also makes for building a healthy and happy community. Have you ever run across a pup that you’ve taken in? We’d love to hear your story. Email us or post a comment.
