Training: Group / Private / Obedience / Problem Solving
Goldy, Charlotte Bell, and Ptamie
You may contact us at Yellow Brick Road at (310) 606-5507
Our Philosophy
We view dogs as creatures different from, but not less than ourselves, deserving of the same level of respect, compassion and understanding which we would give to other humans. Screaming, hitting, and humiliation are not part of our repertoire. This does not mean we believe that giving oin to a dog's demands or letting a dog "run all over you" is a good thing, however! We favor the approach of "firmness cloaked in gentleness".
Essentially, we treat our own dogs and the dogs entrusted into our care as "children". We think that barking at or jumping on people is no more appropriate in dogs than it would be in humans. And just like kids, dogs rise or fall to match our level of expectation.
Humans and dogs differ from one another cognitively, but emotionally we are pretty much the same. If we are nervous, insecure "parents", our dogs will be insecure as well. This can manifest as fearfulness or aggression, depending upon the dog's individual temperament. Establishing a strong bond with the dog, creating a relationship of mutual respect and caring is at the core of our training method. All obedience is built upon this foundation.
Our training style is similar to the techniques of Cesar Millan ("The Dog Whisperer") who we had the amazing good fortune of training with back in 2002 and 2003 during 5 separate 5-hour workshops. We've found that Cesar's basic recipe of "exercise, discipline, and affection" and setting "rules, boundaries, and limitations" helps to give dogs what they need to become well-balanced family members. By incorporating many of his ideas into our own philosophy and style, we've developed a training method which we believe is easy for dog owners to understand and put into practice in their daily lives.
Our Specialties
* Basic obedience training and "housebreaking" for puppies and older dogs
6 week course covering all basic commands - come, wait, sit, down, stay, heel as well as some problem solving such as dealing with jumping, chewing, and puppy biting. We want your training to be relevant to managing your dog in real world situations, so classes take place at various locations including quiet city streets, the Green Belt, malls, city parks, and The Strand. Call for location of first class. Cost: $150 Enrollment limited to 10 dogs Next class date: Saturday, January 28th @ 2:00 PM Pre-registration required. Call: (310) 606-5507
Intermediate Obedience Class
6 week course which picks up where the Basic Obedience Class leaves off. Includes more problem solving as well as: training your dog to wait at open doors, beginning off-leash recall, improving "heel" command, reading dog body language, as well as requests of class participants. Prerequisite: Completion of Basic Obedience Class
Call for location of first class. Cost: $150 Enrollment limited to 6 dogs Next class date: Saturday, January 28th @ 10:00 AM Pre-registration required. Call: (310) 606-5507
Free Group Support Class
Every Saturday at 4:00, we host a group support class in Sunny Glenn Park in Torrance. (See map and directions below.)There is no charge for this class, and anyone is welcome to attend, regardless of their dog's training history. We do not teach obedience in this class. Its purpose is socialization and to improve each dog's ability to concentrate on his owner's commands in the presence of distractions.
Although dozens of dogs participate in this class, each week we usually have only 15 to 20 dogs in class. This is because people use this class when they need it. You can't "get behind" because the structure is set up to support the needs of each participant in the class. The only "rule" we have is that before and during class, we ask owners to restrain their dogs from approaching other dogs, since many of the dogs who attend the class are there because they have issues with other dogs on leash.
If you would like to join us, just show up at the park at 4:00.
Free Group Support Class location
Class Day and Time: Saturday 4:00 - 5:00 Location:Sunny Glen Park, Torrance Directions:From Manhattan Beach, North Redondo Beach or Hermosa Beach Take PCH south to Beryl, Turn left on Beryl, Turn right on Prospect, Turn left on Del Amo, Turn left on Redbeam. From Torrance, Palos Verdes, or Rolling Hills Take Torrance Blvd west to Anza, Turn right on Anza, Turn left on Del Amo, Turn right on Redbeam From the 405 Freeway Exit Inglewood, Take Inglewood south to 190th Street, Turn right on 190th, Turn left on Anza, Turn right on Del Amo, Turn right on Redbeam
Sunny Glen Park is on the corner of Del Amo and Redbeam, 1 block east of Prospect, on the north side of Del Amo.We meet along the west edge of the park, along Redbeam.
Private Training
Our private training is arranged at your home or at another location.
This training is appropriate for problems specific to your home environment: stranger aggression, running out the door, housebreaking, etc.
During the initial session we will go over all the basic obedience commands (Come, Sit/Stay, Down/Stay, Heel, Off). Your dog will be introduced to and rehearsed in each of these commands first by me and then by you.
We will discuss the training philosophy we will be using, discuss basic dog psychology and practice mastering voice intonations and body language.
We will also address any problem areas you will have identified prior to our meeting.
Ongoing follow-up via email, phone calls and participation in our group support class is encouraged at no additional charge.
Cost: $175.00 per session (approximately 1.5 - 2 hours)
On-Premisis Boot-Camp Training* On-Premises Boot-Camp Training This type of training is especially useful for problems which are outside of the owner's ability (or time) to manage.
Typical problems improved by boot camp are aggression, destructiveness, out-of-control, wildness, pulling on leash, lunging at other dogs, jumping on people, running away, poor obedience, separation anxiety.
Location:: The dog stays with us 24 hours/day at our facility in Manhattan Beach. In certain circumstances, we may have the dog reside in the trainer's home overnight.
Cost: Mostproblems - $1500 for total program (approximately 6 weeks)
Dog-to-human aggression - $2500 for total program (approximately 16 - 24 weeks)
* We take only 1 dog into boot camp at a time, so there is a waiting list for this training.
Day Boot-Camp Program
This program is for the same type of problems as On-Premises Boot Camp, but the dog stays with his/her owner at night and is brought to be worked in our facility during the day, Monday - Friday. The owner must spend at least 30 minutes working with the trainer each day when the dog is picked up and there is homework!
Cost: $100/day
PLEASE NOTE: We never turn away a sincere dog owner for inability to pay for training which is needed to keep the dog from being euthanized or taken to a shelter. If you have financial difficulties, please discuss your situation with us... we'll see what we can do to help your dog.
