Frequently Asked Questions
What tools and philosophies do you use in your training?
Hadley Training Co. utilizes a variety of tools in our programs from food, prong collars, slip leads, spacial pressure, praise, e-collars and more! We find that dogs thrive with the balanced use of rewards and corrections. Balanced training allows us to reward our dogs for the wanted behaviors, and correct the unwanted. In turn, this creates very clear expectations and makes it easier for your dog to make good, smart decisions and offer more desirable behaviors.
At HTC, we prioritize relationship-based training, a significant aspect of which involves collaborating with owners to provide them with empowerment, support, and a foundation for success. This is just as much about the humans as it is the dogs!
What is a prong collar?
When introduced and used properly, a prong collar is actually shown in studies to be the most humane collar you can use with your dog. This training collar allows for an incredible level of clear communication between you and your dog in a way that makes most sense to them. In addition to this, I purposely use a specific brand of prong collar that is high quality and yields the best results!
What is an e-collar?
An e-collar, sometimes called a remote collar, is a tool used to transmit Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) to deliver a stimulation to the neck muscles. This causes the neck muscles to tingle, or at higher levels, to contract. This is NOT the same as a “shock collar” which typically only has 3-5 levels of painful static shocks. We use e-collars from E-Collar Technologies; each unit has at least 100 levels of stimulation. We believe e-collars are fantastic communication and correction tools, and we work with your dog to determine their working level and help guide them to make good choices. The proper use of an e-collar is truly life-changing!
Why do you talk so much about mindset?
Well, the way we see it, a healthy mindset is the key to your dream dog. You know, the dog you’ve always wanted. Polite, respectful, calm, able to be off leash, or walk nicely on a leash - that dog everyone wants to be around, and people stop in the street to say “wow, that’s a great dog!” We can teach any dog basic obedience, but without changing their mindset and teaching them to make good decisions, there will always be a need to manage. We work with our clients to determine their goals for their dog, and then we work with their dog to shape behavior and mindset in a way that allows for our dog to see the world in black and white and consistently make good choices.
Is there a guarantee I will receive the results I’m seeking for my dog?
During training, your dog has the opportunity to make incredible progress and you will be provided with helpful information, hands-on help and support that will give you the tools to be a better owner to your specific dog. Your specific lifestyle and goals are kept in mind throughout the process to set you and your dog up for success back at home and long after we wrap up lessons. With that being said, the work owners put in between and after lessons is truly what dictates the progress of the dog! Consistency is key and we do everything in our power to ensure you have all of the education and support needed to be successful at home. A 100% guarantee would be unethical to promise clients with those factors in mind.
Will there be homework during/after my dog is in training?
Yes! Owner involvement and commitment is very important. During training you will be learning alongside your dog and once training has wrapped it will be crucial you continue to put in the work it takes to have a happy, healthy, balanced relationship with your dog! Training is never “over” but your dog will have a solid foundation that you can continue to build upon. My goal is to set owners up for success so that they can confidently continue the work, enjoy life with their dog and set their dog up for success! If you think of the training as a lifestyle vs a “quick fix”, you are already headed in the right direction.
How do I know this program is right for my dog?
Chat with us! Give that “Get Started” button a click and send us an email, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have and see if we’re a good fit. It’s a priority of ours to be sure we are on the same page with our clients before booking. We also have some great trainers in our network, so if we aren’t the right fit, odds are we can point you to someone who is.