Why should I train my dog?

[Howling Success K9 Services]

Here are just a few reasons why obedience training benefits both you and your dog:

* To have your dog under control and responsive to your commands.

* To learn how to communicate with your dog so that he knows what you expect of him.

* Your dog’s quick response to an obedience command may save his life.

* You will build a stronger bond and a better relationship with your dog during the training class.

* Your dog will learn how to be polite and under your control at all times, even in public,around other dog and with many distractions

* Obedience training is a subtle, non-threatening way of gaining control over a dog. Once your dog has been properly socialized and trained, you can do and share more experiences with your dog. You will both share a more enriched life.

[Amigos de Animales]

I love dogs! But I don't like dogs without manners, those that jump up on me or threaten me or MY dog. I'm learning, from Kris, how to communicate with my very exuberant and energetic lab cross, so that others can appreciate her for the sweetheart she is. My dog is my family, my best friend.. and I know from experience that training a dog to ALWAYS come (or stay) could save her life. I do not understand how some people can profess to 'love' their dog but not take the time and energy to give it the best care possible, including learning about health, nutrition and training.

fran hogan

[Ruby McKenzie]

Dog training is essential to the well being of both the owner and the dog. Recently me and some other volunteers have had the opportunity to be up close and personal with dogs out of control and dangerous not only to us, but to their owners.
In our Panamanian culture and certainly out in the campos it is not common for the dogs to be trained to do anything. they do not work, mostly they are tied up and used as alarms. Rarely do their owners pet them, hold them or walk them and almost always they are not taught to play. Kris offers training for all sizes and ages(YOU CAN teach old dogs new tricks!). I so believe in this that I have one of my workers with his 9 month old 57 variety female in the class. Both the dog and Jesus are learning a lot!. It is very exciting to see Jesus with Princesa, training her, telling her "good dog." not letting her get away with stuff(very un-panamanian it seems to speak with authority to their animals). I would encourage all of you to take the step first to have your dog trained or re-trained and to help your workers get their dogs trained. It just seems the right thing to do to make this a better community. Ruby McKenzie, Fundacion Amigos de Los Animales

[Bob Wolfe]

My wife and I recently acquired a Doberman pup. When full grown, the dog could weigh as much as my wife. That prospect, along with the fact that until a year ago, my wife was deathly afraid of all dogs, led me to Kris at Howling Success. Like children, dogs often learn better from someone other than their parent/owner.

Kris is the real deal in dog training. She has seen it/heard it all, and always has a sound solution for any issues. My wife is now unafraid of dogs, and it is a real treat to watch her going through the paces with Sheba.

Undisciplined children and undisciplined pets are no fun for anyone around them. An undisciplined dog can make you miserable when pet ownership should be a delight. When trained properly, you never have to ask the question, "But what will we do with the dog?" With proper training while she is a puppy, we look forward to many years of good times with Sheba as part of the family.

[Lotti Gambetta]

As we all know, dogs are pack animals and as a pack member they all need guidance and structure. They look at us as their leaders and most of them do not want to be the leader! When we fail to give them the rules they need to live a happy life they get confused. Training them is the best way to protect them from any danger and to make them well mannered companions. There is nothing more rewarding than to have a dog as part of the family and not as an outside so called "beloved" pet that is fed (sometimes) and left alone to guard its territory. Dogs need our company more than anything! I have had the priviledge to own several dogs throughout my life, but never have I enjoyed them more than when I started getting really involved in going to puppy kindergarten, obedience and advanced obedience traning.It has been a long journey. Living in Hendersonville NC, we had the honor to train with Maureen Robinson at Dog Works Agility and we learnt a lot of new tips to understand a dogs mind. I trained at her facilities with my three Olde Englisgh Bulldogs: Flo, Panzer & Matilda. Everything was going great until Panzer's male hormones & dominance started interfering with our daily routine. At one point, I almost put him down cause he became really protective of the house and of myself to the point that if he thought I was in danger, he would not let me move, and if I tried, he would have probably bit me. Maureen first advise was to neuter him, separated him from the rest of the pack and went to beginner obedience and 2 advanced obedience classes. After a lot of work, Panzer turned out to be my best buddy.We sadly lost him a year and a half ago, and we still miss him dearly. Panzer taught me to be persistent, patience, loving, and in exchange he gave us all the confort and love he had. Dogs have so much to give and we so much to learn from them but this can only be achieved by proper trainning. Dogs are incredible learners and there is not such thing as a bad dog, or a stupid dog; there are just "BAD", irresponsible owners that simply think dogs will out of the blue do whatever they are told to. A well mannered dog does not happen all of a sudden, it only happens with lots of patience, love, structure, discipline and "trainning." Each dog is different, each dog learns at its pace but they ALL learn if we only teach them properly. So many dogs could be saved from utanasia with the right training. We now feel extremely lucky to have Kris in Boquete!! She is an angel to all of us that care for our babes. Kris has been the answer to my prayers, after all, DOG is just GOD spelled backwards! We are looking forward to trainnig Abbey & MIa, our two gorgeous Great Dane Pups and reinforcing old comands with the rest of our pack.... Flo, Max & Matilda.

[Howling Success K9 Services]

I want to thank everyone responded to this forum. I truly beleive dog taining builds a better bond between dog and owner. If I did not believe this I would be wealthy by now not frequently giving my services for free.
Let's keep introducing real obedience training into Panama and hopefully one day we can broaden activities and include more than just simple obedience.

[Amigos de Animales]

I, for one, would love to teach Toes about the Agility Course. She's got the energy, the intelligence and coordination for it and it would be fun for both of us.

[Jan L. Smith]

I have a 5 yr. old Boxer. As a puppy at 6 pounds, he was already a becoming a handful. My vet recommended I try some training with Kris so I could control my puppy. I called and immediately began private puppy classes. All was going well. By the time he weighed 50 pounds, I realized I needed more help because he was such a handful. I called Kris again and she said he was now old enough for group classes. We started classes! It was hard because my dog was such a handful. He was always so excited about everything we did whether it be going to the beach, dog park, or just going for a walk. He would bounce around and as he got bigger, his bouncing would literally pull me around the block. During classes with Kris, we (my dog & I together) learned how to communicate. He learned what was expected of him and that he had to cooperate if he wanted "play time". I then took an intermediate class. There were days when I was almost in tears because I was having trouble getting him to listen. Kris was very patient with us and continued to help me learn how to handle him. Now, he is 5 years old and weighs 75 pounds. We do all kinds of things together. We recently went to the annual Pet Fest in our local area. There were hundreds of dogs there and my dog was very well behaved. He is such a joy and is a real companion for me and my husband. I'm so thankful that I had Kris' experience and training with him. I would recommend classes to anyone with a dog!! It will not only help you to have a positive experience with your dog but it can also save your dog's life when you need him/her to listen and obey without a second delay.

[patricia kraemer]

please...send me information about your class...prices
my dogs seems to be on drugs sometimes..
He jumps as hi as my face.
and runs like dont ever want to see me again..:(

[Howling Success K9 Services]

Hi Patricia, the cost of both puppy and adult training is $55. Which class are we talking about? I have a puppy class and an adult class coming up. Look in "events" where both classes are posted and let me know which one you will be signing up for. The adult class only has one more slot available. My number is 647.8418. Thanks for the inquiry, Kris Berg.

[patricia kraemer]

I will be busy for now but will sign for the next training for sure, thanks