Interview with Otto: Dog Trainer and Owner of Supreme K9 Training
Adopting a new pet can be as fun as it is stressful, and sometimes we need a bit of help in potty training our dogs and teaching them some tricks and good behavior.
There are several benefits to dog training, and finding a dog trainer that works best with your dog is important. Ultimately, you have to find a trainer who will be most compatible with your pet’s personality and specific needs.
We interviewed trainer Otto from Supreme K9 Training to learn more about their background and philosophy on dog training in Hudson County.
What should dog owners look out for in a dog trainer?
Someone that listens, is supportive, and can adapt to you and your dog’s needs to help you succeed together.
Experience and a proven track record of success and happy clients is more valuable than certifications when it comes to hiring a dog trainer — do your homework, ask questions, ask for references.
What dog training education and experience do you have?
Education
Animal Behavior College (ABC-DT); apprenticeship under Blake Rodriguez of Dream Come True K9; seminars with Tyler Muto of K9 Connection.
Memberships/Certifications
Animal Behavior College (ABC-DT); International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP)
What dog training methods and philosophy do you use?
I am a relationship based trainer.
The ethos of relationship based training is fairly straightforward: treating the human-dog relationship as a partnership. Ultimately the goal is to teach dogs to cooperate with their owners because they trust and respect them, not because they want the reward and not because they fear a punishment. Like all relationships, it can be nuanced but some aspects include:
- Minimizing of conflict between owner and dog
- Viewing situations from the dog’s perspective
- Reading body language to understand what a dog is “saying” in different situations
- Understanding the “why” behind “bad behaviors” and not just prescribing a one-size-fits-all “fix”
- Ongoing advocacy
Can you tell us about a great success story you’ve had with a dog?
I have a track record of success stories – including basic obedience clients, fearful dogs, separation anxiety cases, as well as dogs with bite histories. I’m particularly proud of Jax and Sadie and their owners.
Do you offer a guarantee?
All training services will be faithfully provided in a professional manner and clients will be shown progress in their dog’s behaviors. However, nothing in dog training can be guaranteed because dogs are living beings and situations evolve. Also a very important piece of the puzzle is an owner’s level of commitment and consistency. The training programs will teach the dog, and it will teach the owner – but ultimately it is up to the owner to make sure to keep things up.
How do you make the learning fun for the dog?
I make learning fun through how the training is progressed — fairly assessing what a dog does and does not know, and progressing from beginner to advanced in a way that allows the dog to build on wins. Learning is also made fun by tailoring the reward based on what the individual dog deems to be valuable — whether that be toys, food, praise, or something else entirely.
Do you offer 1 to 1 training or group class sessions?
Our core services include Private Lessons, Home School Program, and Board and Train.
Private Lessons focus on coaching owners with customized training content, and take place on clients’ home turf to really hone in on their specific challenges and lifestyle needs. Dedicated owners who put in the time to train and practice the learnings between sessions often experience significant progress within the first several lessons. However, it’s ultimately up to owners to successfully execute the training.
The Home School Program is a unique service that allows for pet dogs to receive consistent professional training on a M-F “school” schedule. Like with Privates, the training is highly customized and relevant because it takes place in the client’s unique real-world environment. Owners benefit from a professional doing the “heavy lifting” while also learning along the way, and enjoy that their dog remains home.
The Board and Train service is a comprehensive training program where the dog lives with the trainer, essentially becoming a family member during their stay. The dog learns a full range of skills to allow them to truly thrive in a human world — it includes obedience but it’s so much more: environmental exposure, proper socialization, house manners, car manners, the list goes on! The program is also popular for behavior modification cases.
What types of cases do you take on or refer out?
Supreme K9 works with all types of pet dogs, ranging from puppies and happy-go-lucky dogs seeking basic obedience all the way to behavior modification training to address severe fear, anxiety or aggression. We’re supportive of all our clients, whether it’s a proactive dog owner or an owner seeking to “fix” a “problem.”
How do we get in touch with Supreme K9 for dog training?
You can reach us at [email protected] or by calling us at (201)-449-9709.
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Pro Training Tip #1: How to Teach Your Dog Proper On- Leash Greetings by Supreme K-9 Training
On-leash greetings are an awkward affair. And it’s not just because of the tangled leashes.
In the best case, it creates a dog that “must” meet every dog on leash, which leads to leash pulling. It’s easy to think of this as merely nuisance behavior, but it can actually cause permanent trachea damage. Owners commonly switch to harnesses which shifts the pressure to the dog’s chest but dogs can still pull so hard that they cough and wheeze. And then there’s the potential danger for owners who can get dragged down and injured. It’s not limited to large dogs, small dogs can be surprisingly strong too.
Another thing not commonly known is that a lot of dogs aren’t actually comfortable meeting unknown dogs and can feel socially anxious or even downright afraid. In these situations, dogs can bark, growl or lunge in an attempt to avoid the encounter. When these options don’t work, they can even escalate to biting.
As a professional trainer I get calls all the time to “fix” these “problems” and while it certainly keeps me very busy, the #1 tip is to avoid on-leash dog-to-dog greetings. That’s not always realistic, so the next best thing is to be very selective and take things slowly.
✳️ If it’s just someone you encounter on the street, politely decline and go about your business. Your dog isn’t public property. There’s nothing wrong with saying no.
✳️ If it’s a friend or family member’s dog you’d like your dog to get to know, go for a walk together first. (It’s like if you’re just meeting someone for the first time and suddenly you’re on a face-to-face solo date. So awkward! Wouldn’t you rather go out together maybe with a group of friends first? So much less pressure.)
✳️ If it’s a person you know but your dog doesn’t, feel free to stop and chat, but that doesn’t mean your dog needs to interact. Ask your dog to sit or lay down while you talk.
✳️ If it’s a person and dog you’ve already gone on a walk with or already know, you can allow a polite on-leash meeting. Observe body language carefully, and err on the side of keeping the greeting short and sweet. On leash isn’t the time to play.
Pro Training Tip #3: Potty training: everyone goes through it! By Supreme K9 Training
1️⃣ Create a schedule!
- Aim to feed at a specific time every day
- The rule of thumb is 1 hour for every month in age – so if your puppy is 8 weeks old, plan on taking them out every 2 hours. Set your alarm reminders or schedule your dog walker accordingly. Try not to go longer than 4-5 hours, especially when you’re starting out.
- Restrict water 4 hours before bedtime by picking up the water bowl.
2️⃣ Choose a specific spot
- Go to the specific spot, don’t wander too far, go back and forth in that area.
- Give it a time limit – 5 to 10 minutes – and if nothing then you go back inside and try again later.
3️⃣ Crate Train
- Remember, crate training is your friend. Make sure it’s sized appropriately. Your dog should be able to stand and turn around easily, but too big and they can soil one side and lay on the other side.
- Be smart about when and how puppies are allowed to free roam. Think of crates like baby cribs. Just like babies, puppies shouldn’t be left unattended.
- When you come back from a successful potty break, you can let them drag their leash around and have some free time.
- If you don’t have a successful potty break, it’s probably not the best idea to let them wander around inside.
4️⃣ Log It!
Yes, literally! Start a note on your phone, or jot it down on paper. Like all dog training matters, potty training isn’t linear. There’s going to be accidents and your log will help you keep track and to identify what’s working and what might need adjusting.
5️⃣ Be Patient, Be Consistent
Puppies are a lot of work but they’re also a lot of fun. Don’t beat yourself up, and don’t punish the dog for any accidents (the whole putting-their-nose-in-it thing doesn’t work). Be patient, and stay consistent. Your dog will be potty trained before you know it. Really!
*️⃣ Don’t Do It Alone
- Dog walkers can help your dog maintain a schedule while still allowing you to do what you need to get done.
- If you’re having a hard time, professional dog trainers can help you troubleshoot (that journal from tip #4 will come in handy).
We hope you find the Best Dog Trainer in Hudson County that fits the needs of your and your dog. Don’t forget that Trusty Tails can provide you with Dog Walking in Hoboken. We are happy to work with your training schedule and your dog trainer on the methods you are using when we come to care for your dog. Call us at 201-446-1559 or Contact Us today!
