ASK YOURSELF THE RIGHT QUESTIONS FIRST!

​DO WE HAVE THE TIME?       IS THIS THE RIGHT DOG FOR US?
Puppies AND adult dogs are both time and labor intensive.  Each individual dog is different – even within the breed.  Time spent setting your puppy (or dog) up for success EARLY ON will determine the outcome of the adult dog.  Time invested early on will pay you back in triplicate for years to come.

Problems avoided are problems that won’t need to be fixed later…

Before you purchase a dog, please ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do I have enough time to spend on training?  This includes being available throughout the day to help with potty training if you have a young puppy or an older dog that is not yet potty trained.
  • Is the puppy or dog the right breed for me and for my family?
  • Is this the right INDIVIDUAL dog for me and for my family?


Answering these three questions honestly IN ADVANCE of taking the dog home or making a commitment will help you avoid an impulse decision.  Making a commitment to the wrong dog can result in heartache for both human and canine counterparts.  Being  proactive and planning ahead will set EVERYONE up for success! 

SUCCESS STORIES

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Serving Ventura County and beyond...

We offer group classes, private lessons, advanced classes, puppy lessons, in-home training,  CGC’s and “Tune-ups”.  Our training classes are held in  Simi Valley.  

​​Thinking about becoming a dog owner?

We encourage you to read and contemplate this poem.


  

PHILOSOPHICAL NOTE:

Dogs are living, breathing, thinking animals.  They are not ornaments that can be stowed away in a closet somewhere. They are social animals and must be a part of your family.  Dogs are our most loving and honest companions.  If you cannot commit yourself to providing 100% of your loyalty to a being who gives back nothing less…. please, place him with someone who will.                               Tony Ancheta – Koehler Dog Training



Interested in helping your dog become a viable member of the community? 

CONSIDER DOING THERAPY WORK!

 There are many different types of work your dog can do to help others.   Some dogs visit libraries so that children may read to them.  Others visit hospitals, convalescent hospitals, veteran homes, and the list goes on. The first step toward doing therapy work is to own a well-mannered dog. Although there are presently no visitations being held, we WILL get through the Coronavirus crisis --- so why not consider starting your training now?    Your dog will be that much closer to being able to bring joy to others!   

Courses


In the words of trainer Dany Canino, "You can take a trained dog anywhere and it will be relaxed and comfortable..."   Read about how our training has helped students create lifelong partnerships with their canine companions...

Our novice training course will teach your dog to stay when told, come when called, and walk politely on or off leash in just 10 weeks!  .

education

Tips and Advice


The time and effort you invest in teaching, encouraging and rewarding good behavior will earn you a lifelong companion you can trust to be the best friend you and your family will ever have.  This is ESPECIALLY true during the time of the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Earning a Canine Good Citizen Certification (or CGC) is a great way to start          your career in therapy work. 

A few of the components necessary to pass a CGC test include "reaction to another dog", "accepting a friendly stranger", and "reaction to a distraction". Congratulations to Team Chandler (the Standard Poodle) with his handler Marsha, and Team Tuff (the Pomeranian) with his handler Dorann for passing their test with flying colors!  Also pictured here is ASH the Cattle Dog who loves to read with the children at the library!

​​​​“Reliability off lead should always be the most significant criterion when evaluating and comparing training methods.” (Bill Koehler 1990)​.

TRAINING & SOCIALIZATION

A MUST for a Well-Adjusted Adult Dog of ANY Breed






When you see a dog that is comfortable and relaxed in a setting outside of its own home, you can bet the dog had the right start in life.  It’s no accident that a dog can be calm and content in different surroundings.  The dog you are observing has most likely had positive experiences with humans of all shape, age, size and color.  It has most likely had positive, non-threatening experiences with other canines.  Chances are it was exposed gradually to new sounds, smells, movements, objects and surroundings of all kinds.  In other words, it has been properly socialized.  You can bet that dog has also had some good training.

It takes time, patience, work and dedication to make a nice dog.  Just as we would never expect our children to raise themselves, we cannot expect that from our dogs.  We urge you to invest the time in training and proper socialization for your canine friend.  


We are always so proud of our dedicated dog teams!

    WHY US?


Please visit our memorial page to read about some of our beloved dogs and fellow dog lovers...

​​​​​service dog trainers local dog trainers school for dog trainers

 805.217.0850



Congratulations to those of you with new puppies!

Please note that due to the high demand for training, we may take a bit longer than normal to respond to your e-mails and calls. 

Please don't give up!  If you do not hear from us within a week please help us out by giving us a call or an email reminder. 

                                                    We are currently booking all upcoming private lessons approximately two weeks in advance.                                                    

We appreciate your understanding. Jennifer & Cindy