Who is Family Dog Obedience?

Experience:

Family Dog’s specialty is helping the family dog in a variety of areas, and is performed as full-time employment by Val Klein. A great percentage of new clients with Family Dog Obedience are referrals from veterinarians, or friends and family members of previous clients. If you have an unruly puppy, an obsessive/compulsive dog, a “behaviorally challenged" dog, a “dog reactive” dog, or even problems housebreaking, you will find help here. Training is also available if your interests are in showing in American Kennel Club (AKC - www.akc.org) and United Kennel Club (UKC - www.ukcdogs.com) obedience and other events, earning the Canine Good Citizenship award, as well as training to become a Therapy dog. This experience is gathered from over 25 years of working with traditional and non-traditional obedience breeds, as well as mixed breed dogs. Val has gathered her many years of experience working with dogs and their owners in a variety of venues, from dog boarding/training centers, grooming shops, kennels, private homes, and rescue groups.

Certifications:

Val Klein was one of the first instructors worldwide to receive certifications when certifications became more widely recognized. She became an endorsed trainer from the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI - www.nadoi.org) in the mid-1990’s, and became an evaluator for the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen test in 2002. These certifications will give you confidence that proper, approved, effective and common sense training methods are used. Ongoing education in all aspects of canine training are pursued each year to be sure that current training ideas are discovered and researched.

Training Philosophies:

While a “trend” in purely positive training is passing through some training schools, Family Dog Obedience believes in a blend of positive training methods, paired with “natural dogmanship” techniques to create the desired results. You will learn how to utilize this philosophy to praise your dog when the desired action is given, and how to readjust when your dog doesn’t give you what you ask for. Often, it’s your communication skills that need help. Dogs that have trained with us are happy workers, readily understanding what is asked of them, and are rewarded for their best efforts. Some of our mottos include “Don’t blame them, train them!” and “Change the environment, change the behavior.”

Other Achievements:

Starting as far back as the early 1980’s, Val Klein has earned numerous obedience titles from the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club. She has received Front & Finish magazine's prestigious “First and Foremost” award with her own Belgian Malinois, “Riozariot”. “Riozariot” placed in the top 10 in ranking in the AKC’s Open level obedience competitions nationwide. “Riozariot” also shot a television commercial for Adelphia Cable Company. Val continued her training efforts with mixed breeds in the American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry, and was awarded the title for the “Second best mixed breed dog in the North Eastern Region of the United States”, with her lab mix, "Tyler’s Country Gentleman."

Other canine-related achievements include earning a United States patent in 1991 for a more humane dog training collar, the K-Kollar, which has experienced world-wide sales. (See our “Products" section for more information.) Several of Val's client’s dogs have been chosen to represent companies in coupon flyers and TV commercials, and one special dog was chosen to represent Milk Bones' dog biscuits for the 100-year anniversary package change. A few other areas of achievement include television recognition for her training efforts with deaf dogs, and several dog-related books that are being written and published.

Research and Development Team:

Val’s own family dogs provide a wealth of information and opportunities to try out new training techniques and philosophies. Every training method that is utilized on a your dog has been researched with her own beloved family pets.

Things You Need to Know About Dog Classes:

PLEASE read the following information before starting classes!

1) All dogs and owners must observe the “3 foot rule.” This means that everyone must stay at least 3 feet away from every other dog, especially the first day of class. Some dogs can be very excitable – or even aggressive – at close range. We want you to be safe! BE AWARE of your dog's location at all times.

2) Your dog should be on a 4’ or 6’ leash (NO retractable leashes) and wearing an appropriate “training collar" – ie.: Gentle Leader, Martingale collar, choke collar, or EZ walk harness. If you have collar questions, please contact me ahead of time! Leather leashes are HIGHLY recommended, as nylon leashes can burn your hands. We will review different collars during the first class.

3) All dogs must be current on vaccinations to be enrolled. Proof of vaccinations may be requested.

4) Open-toed shoes and/or Flip Flop type shoes are NOT permitted to be worn during classes. Please wear Gym-type shoes.

5) Please bring a supply of small pieced treats to use as rewards for the training exercises, or you may bring a toy that your dog likes. A fanny pack or “bait bag” is a good way to carry them. Please do NOT feed your dog a full-sized meal prior to your class. Avoiding a full meal before class will encourage attention and discourage potty accidents.

6) Please arrive on time.

7) If you are unable to attend all classes in your session, you may attend a
“make-up” class (a class at equivalent level) within 60 days for a $10.00 charge.
Notice is required for this policy to be effective.

CANCELLATIONS VIA EMAIL AND/OR TEXT ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. Appointments are made by phone, and cancellations deserve the same courtesy.

8) If your dog is an unspayed female, and she enters a heat cycle, please do not bring her to class, but YOU should still attend. Intact male dogs over the age of 8 months are not permitted to enroll without prior authorization.

9) Family members are welcome and encouraged to attend. However, there are no babysitting services available. Children under the age of 14 are not considered to be eligible to participate in class, unless prior approval is given.

10) We will take a break at halfway point. You should bring clean up bags with you. Water & bowls are usually available at each class site.