Frequently Asked Questions
How Soon Should I Start?
The American Veterinary Behavior Association recommends training can begin as soon as your dog is 8 weeks old. The earlier the training, the less likely your dog will have developed unwanted behaviors and habits which take longer to train away!
Why In-Home Training?
Your dog will learn best in his familiar home environment, free of outside distractions and disruptions. Instead of attending to a classroom of dogs, Joe gives concentrated training and behavior problem-solving to your dog alone, which saves you time and gets rapid results
What Are Your Rates?
Canine Command charges a fraction of the cost of most trainers with 20+ years’ experience. We also provide student discounts. Canine Command trains quickly in convenient 4 to 5-hour training packages saving clients both time and money!
Can an Older Dog Benefit from Training?
Yes! Old dogs respond to positive reinforcement training just as well as younger dogs! Although unwanted habits and behaviors may take longer to extinguish, Joe has successfully trained hundreds of older dogs and turned them into Canine Good Citizens.
Do You Take Aggression Cases?
Yes, we do. Aggression cases require a higher level of training, experience, and expertise. Treating canine aggression requires understanding the motivations and triggers involved, including fear, predation, illness, guarding and status issues. Mr. DeSimone has successfully trained away aggression in a variety of shelter and client settings involving both dog on human and dog on animal aggression.
How Quickly Will I See Results?
Owners are always presently surprised, even after the first lesson, at how quickly their dog becomes calm and focused. Canine Command training is rapid and effective. The majority of owners only require 4 to 5 hours of training spread over 2 visits to obtain the results they want. Once you become a strong leader for your dog he will happily bond to you resulting in a harmonious household and a happy dog!
How Does Training Work?
Canine Command trains both the owner and the dog because no matter how well the dog is trained, if he doesn’t consider the owner as his leader, he won’t pay attention to them and follow his/her commands. Joe will come to your home and assess your household dynamics i.e. how family members and the dog’s environment influence his behavior. Then Joe will help owners employ the 3 M’s by modifying the home environment, modifying their dog’s behavior using positive reinforcement conditioning and no force corrections, and, if needed, use natural, holistic medications like CBD, Lavender, Colostrum, Valerian Root, Chamomile, St. John’s Wort, Passion Flower, Ginger, Melatonin, L-Tryptophan, L-Theanine etc. to assist in reinforcing good behaviors and extinguishing bad behaviors.
Joe also teaches clients leadership skills. Field studies show that pack leaders are the ones that control pack resources and set rules around who, how and when other pack members get those resources. Pack leaders also never lose their cool or get physical with their wolf/canine subordinates. Similarly, I teach owners how to control access to space, food, height, owners, outdoors etc. by demanding calm behavior for any of those privileges. I also train owners how to posture like leaders by controlling their facial expression, vocal patterns, and body movement so your dog understands what you want i.e. your dog “get you.” Posturing enables you to easily train your dog to obey your commands e.g. watch, sit, stand, down, come, stay, wait etc. as well as corrections e.g. off, quiet, leave it, drop it etc.