Mailing Address:
Copyright 2002 All Rights Reserved
6614 N. Camelot Rd.
Peoria, IL 61615
Phone:
(309) 693-7585
E-mail:
dtplus@dogtrainingplus.com
Positively making a difference, one dog at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start training my puppy or dog?
How much does it cost to train?
What will I need for training lessons?
From what geographical areas do your clients attend?
What special equipment may be recommended?
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At Dog Training Plus, we choose to train our canine companions using positive methods. We have selected our positive training techniques based on principles of learning theory and a history of success in many fields of teaching. Using positive training techniques is not the same as being permissive. These methods teach dogs to perform acceptable behaviors in a reliable manner. We find that these techniques work with all puppies and dogs while providing the following benefits:
When can I start training my puppy or dog? Right away! Our methods are effective with all ages of dogs, even puppies as young as eight weeks of age. We raise our expectations as puppies get older, and exercises become more complex. It's the difference between kindergarten and college courses. Start by establishing the rules and teach your puppy or dog what to do. Management and training plus socialization help your puppy or dog become a well-mannered, confident companion. Our curriculum is designed to teach manners and basic obedience to your puppy or dog; it has a series of challenges for you and your dog. However, each lesson is developed around your individual needs. During a lesson, your consultant will demonstrate techniques of the lesson. You and your dog will practice the techniques with our coaching. You will have homework to do with your dog. You can teach your dog by working as little as fifteen minutes each day. If you have questions or need help before the next lesson, you can call or e-mail your consultant at no cost. All of our lessons develop basic obedience skills that are necessary for your dog to focus and learn new skills. Basic obedience builds a foundation for all other skills and will assist with behavioral issues. Basic Obedience Basic obedience develops skills such as controlled walking, come when called, get into position (sit, lay down, and stand), and wait (stay). Solutions to common problems like jumping, barking, chewing, and pulling on leash are covered. Other problems such as bolting out of the door or inappropriate digging are addressed as needed. Socialization Skills for Puppies These specialty skills are now incorporated into every puppy lesson. Through positive exposure to people, other puppies, and environmental activities, puppies learn to handle new experiences and become familiar with meeting other puppies, dogs, and people. The outcome of positive socialization is that puppies will be less likely to develop behavioral problems in the future. Rally Obedience Rally Obedience develops your dog's obedience skills in a format that is fun for everyone. Rally Obedience was created by combining obedience exercises with a numbered course and adding a few unique moves. At each station, you read a sign that provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. You can talk to and encourage your dog by patting your leg, giving hand signals, and praising them in the ring. Canine Good Citizen Course and Test These lessons will give you the opportunity to teach higher level obedience skills to your dog, including loose leash walking, sit stay and down stay, come when called, and working through distractions. Your dog will learn behaviors that will lead to the achievement of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certified awarded by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The program is open to both purebred and mixed breed dogs. As described by the AKC, "The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the CGC test receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club and ..they are automatically recorded in the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Archive." For more information, go to the AKC Website. Flyball Lessons in Flyball will introduce you and your dog to this exciting sport. Your dog will learn basic skills involved in this relay race for dog teams. If your dog enjoys ball games, introduce him to this sport.Fun Agility Lessons in fun agility focus on introducing you and your dog to the basics of agility equipment. Obstacles include weave poles, a variety of jumps, tunnels (pipe and chute), pause box and pause table, dog-walk, teeter totter, and A-frame. Your dog will enjoy learning in a safe and relaxed environment.Tricks Tricks show you how to use your training skills to have fun with your dog. You can teach your dog a favorite trick or choose from our list of 101 tricks. Everyone enjoys teaching old tricks to a new dog or new tricks to an older dog. Lessons can include Dancing with Dogs, an introduction to the world of canine musical freestyle. Freestyle incorporates music with easy to learn routines. The result is fun and exciting training for you and your dog. Our lessons focus on canine companions and their families. We encourage families to participate and train together. We incorporate real-life training into our lessons in place of drill-like obedience exercises. Our uniquely positive training tools are easy for all family members to learn and use. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a supervising adult. How much does it cost to train? Lessons are priced as followed:
Private lessons: $65 per hour for basic obedience Private lessons: $90 per hour for behavior and aggression issues Behavioral Review (includes interview, evaluation, written report, and recommendations): $250 per review You will need a 6-foot leather or nylon leash attached to one of the following: a buckle or snap collar (leather or nylon), a head halter, or a harness. We will be happy to recommend an appropriate leash, collar, or harness. We do not use or allow the use of chain collars (choke or training collars), pinch or prong collars, or electronic collars that deliver a shock. In preparation for a lesson, please do not feed your dog for about two hours before the lesson. For rewards, you may use a combination of your dog's meal and small, soft treats. You will get a list of rewards and motivators at your first lesson. From what geographical areas do your clients attend? Our clients come from a wide geographical area to get the special services that we provide, including private in-home training, individualized training, and group training. People seek out Dog Training Plus because of our uniquely positive approach, our humane and effective teaching methods, and our willingness to include families in our training classes.
Click here
to see a map that shows the geographic areas from which people have
attended. The following list shows the cities in which our clients
live: Adair, Bartonville, Benson, Bloomington, Brimfield, Bushnell,
Chillicothe, Creve Coeur, Danvers, Delavan, Dunlap, East Peoria, Edwards,
Eureka, Farmington, Green Valley, Groveland, Hanna City, Havana, Kewanee,
Lacon, Mackinaw, Macomb, Mapleton, Marquette Heights, Metamora, Morton,
Normal, Owaneco, Pekin, Peoria, Peoria Heights, Princeville, Rutland,
Sparland, Streator, Topeka, Trivoli, Washburn, and Washington.
What is a
Gentle
Leader?
The
Gentle Leader is one
of the training tools that we use to stop dogs from pulling and lunging.
Because it gives you control by applying pressure to the back to the neck,
the Gentle Leader
won't choke
your dog.
What is an
Easy Walk Harness?
The
Easy Walk Harness is one
of the training tools that we use to stop dogs from pulling and lunging.
Because it gives you control by redirecting the dog's front end,
the Easy Walk Harness won't choke
your dog.
Our
"Prevent-A-Bite" program is available to community groups, including
4-H, Scouts, and other educational groups for children and young
adults. Are you
interested in competition? We can provide you with the tools,
training, and information that you will need to be successful. As AKC evaluators
for the Canine Good Citizen test, our services are available to training
clubs and other organizations. We will plan and organize the event and then
test participants. Please contact use for pricing and associated fees. Do you need
more information about any of our services? Please call us at
(309) 693-7585.
Stop
back again for more tips.
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