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Pet Dog Board and Train
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At Skyfall Kennels LLC, we believe that a balanced training approach using the Operant Conditioning Theory is the best method to clearly communicate with our dogs. What is the Operant Conditioning Theory? Operant Conditioning consists of four quadrants of learning, Positive Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Reinforcement, and Negative Punishment. Let's explain each quadrant! You might find you use some, if not all, of these everyday with your dog!
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Positive Reinforcement-This is an easy one. This is essentially capturing or marking a desired behavior by paying the dog in such a way for a behavior with something the dog enjoys. This then encourages the dog to repeat the behavior. An example of this is as simple as paying the dog with food, a toy, praise, or anything the dog enjoys for a desired behavior you are trying to teach and instill in the dog. This quadrant helps build up positive behaviors!
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Negative Reinforcement-This is when the dog is displaying an unwanted behavior, and a negative stimulus that the dog finds annoying or uncomfortable is applied until the dog has stopped their unwanted behavior then the negative stimulus is removed. The dog then discovers that this unwanted stimulus comes on when they do the behavior and goes away when they preform the wanted behavior. This removing of the negative stimulus at the correct time will help build wanted behaviors in the dog. An example of this can be when a dog pulls on a leash. The tension on the dog's collar causes an uncomfortable feeling on the dog's neck and breathing. A more sensitive dog might find that it is uncomfortable for them to pull against the leash, and this uncomfortable feeling goes away when they don't pull and remove the tension on the leash to stay in correct heel position. Obviously, the majority of dogs are more stimulated by their environment to notice this uncomfortable feeling when they pull, or they are too driven to pay attention to it! This quadrant used to help build positive behavior. This quadrant is my personal favorite due to the fact that it teaches the dog to think on their own and engage their brain due to the self discovery of when the uncomfortable feeling is applied and when it is removed. It is amazing to watch their minds work! Also, a dog that has leaned to use their brain and problem solve is the easiest dog to work with and live with! It's the difference between the brain being on vs a dog so driven by environment or set in their routine that their brain sort of "shuts off" in a sense.
Positive Punishment-This is when a negative stimulus is applied to an unwanted behavior in order to stop or dissuade this behavior. This is separate than Negative Reinforcement in that is is simply a "stop doing that" reaction instead of a "hey, don't do that, but do this". An example of this is when a dog is curious about a fire and gets too close resulting in the dog's nose getting burnt. The dog will quickly learn not to get so close to the fire. This can also be when a dog is barking in the house, and their owner yells at the dog very harshly. A more sensitive dog might not like this yelling and will learn to quit barking. You have probably noticed that this yelling method doesn't work on most dogs! This quadrant deters and elements negative behavior.
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Negative Punishment-This is when something of value to the dog is removed following an unwanted behavior. An example of this can be when a dog resource guards over their toy, and you remove their toy in order to stop this behavior. Another example of this that explains this quadrant better can be taken from a portion of our protection sport/police dog training where we teach a dog to bite. The dog has grown via training to really enjoy a bite pillow or sleeve and holds it to great value. We also prefer our dogs to bite with a full grip meaning the dog's whole mouth is used to grip the bite, including the molars. This is where the dog's bite is strongest. Anyways, if a dog is not biting full for one reason or another after numerous tries, we will tease the dog with the bite pillow or sleeve, then remove it and try again in a later session. Here the dog learns it must bite full or this item of high value will be removed. This helps to stop the unwanted behavior of not biting fully.
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Skyfall Kennels LLC offers two different obedience packages.
Basic On-Leash Obedience
The basic on-leash obedience package covers all behaviors needed for your dog to become an excellent, well mannered member of society while staying on leash. This includes "Sit", "Down", "Place", "Come", and respectful leash walking at a heal by your side without pulling or lagging. Please keep in mind that we personally do not use the command "Stay". This is because when we ask your dog to sit or down, this means the dog must stay in that position until told otherwise. If you ask your dog to sit and he sits but then gets up when you move, that wouldn't be siting now would it?
This package is a two week course. Please drop your furry friend off Monday morning before 11am (or a time specific time you have requested) with all your dog's food, bowls, toys, blankets, chews, leash and collar, and whatever else your dog may need for two weeks.
Your pup will learn new skills everyday of their stay which will be split into two or three 20 minute, separate sessions each day. On Tuesdays, you will receive a photo of your furry friend, and on Thursdays you will receive a video going over all your pup has learnt. Once a week, your pup will take a trip to a local, dog friendly store or park in order to test his/her skills off our property.
Guess what?! Your best friend will be able to go home for the weekend! On the Friday of the first week, please show up after 12pm (or a time specific time you have requested) to pick up your pup. At pickup, you will receive a lesson with your dog going over all he/she has learnt durning the week. You will also receive some homework to practice over the weekend in order for you to become familiar with what your dog has learnt, and your dog can begin building up good, new habits with you and in their own environment. Please drop your dog off with us the following Monday before 11am so that they can finish their last week of the course! You will also receive another lesson the last Friday at pickup after 12pm.
After your dog finishes the course, you will be given more homework so that you can continue to progress with your dog and expand on what he/she has learnt. One week after your dog finishes the course, you will be invited back for a followup lesson in order to address any concerns or questions that might have developed over the week your pup has been home. Please note that this followup lesson is free of charge!
Price for Basic On-Leash Obedience Course:
$2,000
Advance Off-Leash Obedience
The advanced off-leash obedience package covers all behaviors needed for your dog to become an excellent, well mannered member of society both on leash as well as off leash. This includes "Sit", "Down", "Place", "Come", and respectful on leash walking without pulling or lagging as well as an off leash heel with the dog remaining by your side even when the leash is off. In this package, the time in which your dog has to stay in a position is increased as well as the distance between you and your dog while he remains in his/her sit or down. Your dog will also learn certain off leash manners such as a recall, off leash heel, and generally sticking with you even while not in a heel. Do keep in mind that some dogs such as hound breeds or huskies will be more genetically predisposed to wander when not in a heel command; therefore, the reliability of the dog to want to freely remain with their human may vary; however, you will still be able to recall your dog or heel with your dog off leash if you feel their drive to wander isn't suitable in the current situation.
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This package is a three to four week program. In general, most of our dogs in this program can complete it in only three weeks; however, some dogs do take more time than others, and as to not rush these particular dogs, we do recommend adding a fourth week to their program. If it is recommended or desired that the dog remain for a fourth week, this week's price will be discounted. Skyfall Kennels LLC does reserve the right to deny a fourth week, but your satisfaction is always our goal.
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The schedule is the same as the basic obedience course in that your dog will be able to go home with you on the weekends! Drop offs are Mondays before 11am, and pickups are Fridays after 12pm. At pickup, you will receive a lesson with your dog going over all he/she has learnt durning the week. You will also receive some homework to practice over the weekend in order for you to become familiar with what your dog has learnt, and your dog can begin building up good, new habits with you and in their own environment.
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After your dog finishes the course, you will be given more homework so that you can continue to progress with your dog and expand on what he/she has learnt. One week after your dog finishes the course, you will be invited back for a followup lesson in order to address any concerns or questions that might have developed over the week your pup has been home. Please note that this followup lesson is free of charge!
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Price for Advanced Off-Leash Obedience Course:
$2,500
Please keep in mind that our courses and dog training in general is not a one time, fix all process. Your dog will never stop learning and will never quit testing their boundaries. Dogs are very opportunistic animals. If standards are not maintained, they can very quickly fall back on old habits. Dogs are also pack animals, and within the pack, there must be a leader. If you do not fill that position, then you are actually forcing your dog to fill the spot. Someone has to call the shots. Now, this does not mean that you, as the leader, need to be overbearing or unfair to your dog. Remember! You are a pack. A pack must stick together, its members must look after each other, and your dog needs to know that he/she can trust you.
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Here at Skyfall Kennels LLC, we are extremely passionate about providing a way of clear communication between you and your furry friend. Our training style is sculpted in such a way that your dog clearly understands what we are teaching, and your dog learns how to manipulate their environment via the Operant Conditioning Theory in order to win and become happy and stable. Due to this lower rate of confusion, your dog will be less stressed and more confident during the process. You will also find that your dog may be less anxious in the home and out on walks once they they have learned that they do not have to oversee everything. Their leader has it covered.
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We are extremely excited to hear from you about how we can help you and your best friend! Please don't hesitate to call or message us to schedule an in-person consultation and demonstration!
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