Interview Samantha: Dog Trainer & Sam's K9 Dog Training Owner

When bringing home a new puppy or adopting an older dog, we often find ourselves in a situation where we need help with dog training in Hoboken.   We interviewed Samantha ,Dog Trainer and Owner, of Sam’s K9 Training about her background, her business and her philosophy on dog training in Hudson County.

 

How did you get started working with animals?

My background work with animals started 11 years ago, prior to becoming a dog trainer.  I worked for various animal hospitals:

  • Holistic Pet Care
  • Animal Hospital of Fairfield
  • Rutherford Animal Hospital
  • Cats Exclusive
  • Carlstadt Animal Hospital

I interned and worked with trainers to gain hands on experience and techniques. I also continue to do my own research on the varies training techniques and methods trainers have to offer. It is very important to be open minded and open to using all appropriate tools while training a dog.

sam's k9 training

What educational experience, professional certifications or memberships do you have?

Seminars/Workshops/Education Guidance:

  • Tyler Muto – MASTERING THE REMOTE COLLAR
  • Justin Rigney – Conditioning the E-Collar
  • Duke Ferguson – Force Fetch Workshop
  • Duke Ferguson – Dog Training Genesis , The Core & E-Collar Excellence
  • Sabrina Jones, Terry Hayn, and Martha Cardon are a few other trainers I’ve worked hands on with or consulted about cases with.

Memberships:

I am part of a subscription where other very talented trainers such as Tyler Muto and Blake Rodriguez, Brian Agnew, etc. have video workshops to learn from on all different things like dog aggression, fundamental communication, puppy training, housebreaking, bite work.  There is so much detail and hands on in the videos it a really great “tool” to have at my finger tips.

 

Reading/ Studying materials:

  • Larry Krohn – Everything you need to know: E-Collar Training
  • Mary R. Burch, Ph.D. and Jon S. Bailey, Ph.D. – how dogs learn

This industry can be very cut throat but, thankfully I have run across many fantastic trainers that I am privileged to call colleagues and we all have something to learn from one another no matter the amount of experience you have. There is always something new to learn in this industry.  It is forever evolving, which is why I love it so much.

 

What should dog owners look out for in a dog trainer?

I think it is important for each individual owner to do their research on selected trainers as every situation does not fit the next. I don’t find group classes for puppies or adults beneficial in the teaching phase.  How do you expect to get your 12week-6month old puppy to listen to you with all the distractions when you can’t get the attention of your dog on your own property/in your home?  This type of program is good for controlled socialization when done appropriately.

Training your dog is a lifestyle commitment that should be taken seriously by both parties.

  • You must think about your goals for you, your family and your dog and ask your trainer is this something they can meet or exceed.
  • Find someone that makes you comfortable, look at their social media and their success rates.
  • Don’t allow a trainer to force you into making the decision to work with them if they do not suit your needs. Be ready to commit in every aspect before reaching out.

 

What dog training methods and philosophy do you use?

With my clients, I train in a style that many have come to call Balanced Training.  I do use a combination of positive reinforcement (such as food, verbal markers, like good and yes, and love and affection) with negative reinforcement such as verbal ques like simply saying no, spatial ques like walking into your dogs space, and physical pressure to communicate with a dog effectively and clearly.

I believe in correctly, safely, and humanely using any tool in what we like to call our “toolbox” that a dog may respond to best.  Some of the tools we use are:

  • food
  • place boards
  • verbal markers
  • prong collars
  • e-collar
  • slip leads
  • crates.

It is important to be open-minded about the different tools and not limit yourself or your dog to the possible full potential of happiness.

samsk9dogtraining

Do you offer a guarantee?

For you and your dog, we can guarantee that if you continue to work hard with your dog and have fun that the results can be endless!

 

How do you make the learning fun for the dog?

Using rewards like food, toys, love and affection and access to desired resources keeps your dog happy, training fun and stress-free for both of you!   The clients have to look at this as fun way to keep their dog in a more fulfilling life. We share lots of laughs and continuous encouragement to make this fun for EVERYONE.

 

What services do you offer?

We offer a variety of dog training options. We customized everything to our clients needs and the needs of their dog.    Our most common programs are:

  • 1:1 Private Sessions
  • Board & Train
  • Group classes for clients who have graduated from one of the above programs.  Group classes help to maintain and build upon the training that has been completed.  

 

What types of cases do you take on or refer out?

At Sam’s K9 Training, we take on all sorts of dogs and clients.   Dog’s suffering from anxiety, anxious tendencies, fearful, reactive, lacks some or all manners, right down to I just want to get a head start on teaching my dog the best they can be. The cases we absolutely will not take are large dogs with severe human aggression.  We will assess the situation and refer this out to the right colleagues.

 

When can you start training your puppy/dog?

Training starts the moment you bring home your dog. You may not realize that it is actually “training”, but everyday, when you are interacting with our dog, you are giving them feedback on their behavior — whether it is something you want them to do or not. 

It is so beneficial to set boundaries and structure with your dog immediately to try to avoid any behavioral issues developing. Watch the type of behavior you are rewarding. Example: Your dog jumps on you and you pet and kiss the dog, this is giving them positive feedback which gets you a repeated behavior.

 

What have you trained your dog to do?

My dog has 3 trick titles.  We earned them through “Do More With Your Dog”.

You must submit unedited videos and get them approved by a “Do More With Your Dog” coach. For example, for our Novice Title, we needed 15 tricks.  They give you a list of tricks you can do off the Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert levels.   Each trick is a point.  If you picked tricks off the Intermediate and Advanced you would receive 1 extra point for that one trick as these were a little more difficult to do.  My dog and I have three titles– Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced Titles.  Next, we are going for our Expert Title.  We are working on a new trick she does not know yet.  The whole experience has been a ton of fun. It has given my dog and I something new to do together and has been very rewarding.

 

How do we get in touch with Sam’s K9 Training for dog training?

You can go to my website at  https://www.samsk9training.com/,  can call/text me at 201-881-9888, or email me at [email protected].

 

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!