Frequently Asked Questions
Satisfying Your Curiosity
What Kind of Training Do You Use?
We use a system based on the work of William Koehler and Dick Russell for our traditional obedience, emphasizing classical leash work as the foundation of good handling. When we layer over ecollar work for specific use, offleash reinforcement, or assistance to those with disabilities, it is taught in the style of Pat Nolan.
But Why Don't You Use "Positive reinfocement only" training?
Because "positive reinforcement only" training is more about marketing towards good intentions than reality. Our work with primitive dogs, terriers, feral dogs, and aggression cases has demonstrated that restricting training to a narrow aperture of food/play rewards will end up being actually aversive to dogs who are genuinely afraid or temperamentally indifferent to those shallow attempts at connection. Instead, our training is based on simple physics, problem solving, and teaching the dog to achieve what they want and their own comfort through a cooperative paradigm.
Why don't you use large groups of dogs for play and "socialization"?
We have observed that one of the riskiest things boarding and daycare facilities do is large group socialization. When "large field socialization" was conceived of by Dick Russell, his setup was a 5 acre space with every dog being accompanied by their handler - whereas what you see in many daycare settings is one or two handlers in charge of up to 20+ dogs. This is often a recipe for disaster. Instead, we prefer to allow the dogs to make overtures of engagement to another dog across a barrier, then allow those dogs to play one-on-one if they so choose. Our goal is always to send your dog home safely, and to make sure they are reinforced only for calm, sensible behavior while they stay with us.
Can I have pictures and videos of my dog while they stay here?
Of course! We take pictures and video fairly regularly, and post the better quality specimens to social media. If it's been a while since you've seen your dog, feel free to prompt us for a picture or video and we'd be happy to get them posted as soon as possible (being a small facility that might be in a couple of hours after chores are done). We also have a private login to our Blink camera system we can share with you to access.
Why is the grass tall? Why are there farm animals?
Because the dogs think it's cool. Really! They love the complex 3D environment the prairie trails we keep cut give them, and they love watching and smelling the farm animals maintaining the soil and environment around them. The farm animals also provide some of the best pest control there could possibly be, without a drop of chemical pesticide.