M (maggie) M (mae) K9 (this ones obvious)
From a very young age I have always felt as though my connection and understanding of animals was something I could use for good, something I could make a life out of. After many years in the dog training world, with so many families behind me, I feel beyond lucky to now own a company that has mastered the process of meeting a dog and creating a game plan to cultivate a more happy, confident and full personality dog with training that LASTS! Nothing is more interesting, motivating and exciting for me than seeing a dog transform with the help of their OWN leader. It would be my pleasure to create a plan that works for both you and your dog!
Core Values "Clear is kind" - Brene Brown
Approaching from the largest perspective possible: One of the most important steps during the initial phase of training is understanding exactly what daily messages the dog is getting. What does day to day life look like, which leaders are giving what signals, when and where are they exhibiting certain behaviors and how it is being reinforced. You would be surprised what small details can make a massive difference in what approach I would take to adjusting behavior. Any and all details are important for me to know in making that custom game plan.
Consistency among leaders: A very constant theme that usually results in a plateau of dog training is a lack of consistency. Would you run 1 mile and expect to be a marathon runner? Would you practice a new language for one day and expect to be bilingual? I certainly would not! So why not take the same approach with teaching your dog a new skill or new way of life. You have to be consistent in your message, always, until it becomes a habit. With this concept also comes the importance of communication among all leaders to ensure your dog is getting the same message from every leader within the household.
Respecting the dog you have: The canine society has painted this message that every dog wants to be pet, that every dog wants to be friends with other dogs or that all dog owners should allow their dog to be pet or approached by another dog. This is, in my opinion, one of the most toxic standards within the canine community. Dogs have personalities just like humans do. Some dogs enjoy making friends, some dogs prefer to be alone. It is imperative that your dog is able to handle themselves with composure within potentially some uncomfortable situations due to this societal message. However, it is my goal to teach all owners how to handle their dogs in public in a way that breeds successful interactions for everyone.
Positive + Negative = the least confused dog: MM K9 is a balanced training approach. Wouldn't it be frustrating to you if you were learning a new skill, and your teacher only told you when you got it right but never made it known what was wrong? It is unfair to only tell our dogs yes and never guide them with a "no." Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement used together in every behavior is what breeds the least confused dog.