The client pictures on this page are from our Instagram Feed. You can see our favorite pictures of our many clients. In addition, short demo clips showcase our play-based training style. We use Play to guide the dog’s genetics towards the training goals. Further, it gives them biological fulfillment to make them happier beings.
We can debate good dog training all day long but a picture says more than a thousand words. Our client pictures give you a chance to see our adorable dogs. Further, the video clips show how we use positive and negative reinforcement to shape behaviors. In addition, you can see how we use positive and negative punishment to stop behaviors. All, without creating fear, anxiety, undue stress, or apprehension towards us, as too many unskilled dog trainers claim would happen. Our client pictures and videos show you how we do things and how happy the dogs in training are. Even when they get a penalty here and there. How things are done matters a lot!
Our client pictures are also available on Instagram and Pixelfed. Pixelfed is the Fediverse alternative to Instagram and more and more people use it to enjoy the benefits of social media, without having their personal information sold left and right. It's worth checking out!
All interactions between people and dogs affect their behavior. Dogs always learn something from encounters with humans. As such, it matters greatly what kind of relationships and interactions we have in training. We interact with all dogs in a friendly, kind, partnership-type manner. We view all dogs as friends in need of our help. Our interactions are social, playful and friendly, not sterile, detached or indifferent.
We train dogs. Whatever we can effectively and ethically address through training, we will. We don't believe dog owners hire dog trainers to develop better management plans for their dog. Whatever we can address through training, should be. It gives your dog more freedom and as such a greater life quality. Management is for those rare cases where training is not possible (i.e., food aggression).
Also, we are not fans of psychotropic medications (e.g., Prozac, Trazodone, etc.) for dogs. We have never seen them actually work as the veterinary behaviorists promised our clients before coming with us. Drugs are another management fad with no evidence to their efficacy. If fact, several studies have found them to ineffective and a meta study concluded many psychotropic medication studies manipulated their findings to make them appear more effective than they are. To work with us, you must start the process of discontinuing those medications. We don't know if are making any progress with a dog's state of mind or emotional state as long as they are dulled by drugs.
Softer modalities like cannabis oil or valerian root are no problem at all. They don't dull the dog's senses and can be beneficial interim steps on getting a dog on the right path. For overall health and joint mobility those products can be used long-term with no side effects.
During the play-based training sessions, I engage the dogs through the six aspects of Play. In short, they are searching, stalking, chasing, fighting, celebrating, and consuming. Every dog prefers some over others and during the training, we figure out how your dog likes to play best. Also, if he is a competitive or cooperative player. In addition. the client gallery shows how engaged dogs become if we know how to play best with them. Having your dog pay attention to you when it matters, comes from having this kind of relationship.
Our client pictures and videos showcase the correct application of actual learning science. In case you are interested, take a look at some of the 100+ peer-reviewed and independently validated studies I provide in my article Positive Dog Training. These form the foundation of over one hundred years of learning science. I hope you enjoy these client pictures. For full training video please visit our YouTube Channel.
If you are ready to schedule an appointment, you can reach us using our contact form.
We are located in Southern California and train dogs nationwide. Happy Dog Training currently offers local dog training services in the following counties. Riverside County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego County. In addition, we offer our board-and-train program nationwide and all virtual training services worldwide.
Do you want your new puppy trained right from the start? Are you looking for help for your fearful dog? Do you need to resolve a severe aggression problem? You came to the right place! We are experienced, professional dog trainers. Ralf has trained over 1500 dogs in over 18 years, and Sarah has trained over 1200 dogs in over 11 years. Consequently, we can help you with any dog training goal.
For many of our clients, we train their dogs from puppyhood, getting them off to a great start. However, we also have extensive experience training rescue dogs from all imaginable backgrounds and circumstances. Our Board-and-Train program is our most popular.
We can help you, regardless of your dog's challenges or training goals. Being a professional dog trainer means having experience, knowledge, and skill. Further, we developed a highly effective training program to specifically help fearful dogs gain more confidence and become the best possible version of themselves. Building Confidence is our second most popular training program.
Last but not least, we are experts in dealing with all types of aggression in dogs and are often the trainers of last resort after many other programs have failed. Most of our aggressive dog clients previously spent significant money on half-baked solutions without much improvement. This is different from us. We will give you an honest assessment of what goals are realistic for your dog. We will tell you what can be resolved reliably and what likely needs to be managed before we start.
Our flagship product is our board and train program. But our virtual dog training and coaching services have become quite popular over the last couple of years. Our setup enables us to deliver online dog training services from our indoor and outdoor training areas. This allows us to help clients worldwide.
Also, check out our Free Dog Training tips on Separation Anxiety in Dogs, Potty Training aka Housebreaking, and Leash Handling for expert solutions to common challenges.
Additional Services: Presentations and Q&As on Dogs | Professional Service Dog Training
Finally, once you're ready to move forward, please use our dog training contact form to schedule a free phone consultation or book a paid, in-person consultation.
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Happy Dog Training is the pet dog training business of Ralf Weber and Sarah Gill. We are certified professional dog trainers in Southern California. We are specialized in advanced obedience training, all forms or behavioral challenges and service dog training. For behavioral training, we are known for our work with aggressive and fearful dogs. Our service dogs, through Total K9 Focus, have a nationwide reputation for their reliability, longevity and performance.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Ralf Weber is lead pet dog trainer of Happy Dog Training. Ralf is a long-time dog owner of German Shepherds. During his career, Ralf has worked with over a 1500 dogs of many different breeds. Moreover, Ralf has a thorough understanding of all aspects of canine training. This includes evolutionary psychology, ethology, and, most importantly, learning science. Ralf is specialized in resolving dog behavior challenges—especially fear and aggression. Apart from this, Ralf trains dogs in basic and advanced obedience, service dog tasks, and GRC Dog Sports. Ralf is further certified in a broad range of other canine training areas. Last but not least, Ralf is the author of the behavioral book If Your Dog Could Talk: Understand Your Dog Like Never Before.
Ralf loves helping people have a better relationship with their dogs. He is a certified professional dog trainer in the Training without Conflict™ methodology by Ivan Balabanov (TWC CPDT). Ralf is also a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and also holds their basic and advanced dog trainer certifications (IACP CDT, CDTA). In addition, Ralf is an AKC-approved evaluator for the AKC Puppy Star, CGC, and Advanced CGC programs and is also certified in canine first aid by the Red Cross.
Sarah Gill, is a professional service dog trainer and handler. Sarah entered the world of professional service dog training after a car accident. As a result, she had to use a wheelchair for almost two years, trying to maneuver in a house not designed for it. No one expected Sarah would walk again. This opened her eyes and became a driving force behind pushing herself to defy the odds. When she regained some stability, Sarah attended a dog training school and learned how to train service dogs. Sarah completed her Master Trainer Certification and gained further experience by training new trainers. However, the school wasn’t accommodating to those with physical difficulties and PTSD. Hence, Sarah moved home to Dallas. In 2019, Sarah teamed up with Ralf and moved to California.
Sarah started this journey because she had a trained dog to mitigate her disabilities. But Sarah needed additional tasking for a new diagnosis. The only option she could find was getting a second dog for the new diagnosis. She knew there had to be a different way to address this. Sarah's passion is changing the ways of the service dog training industry.