Dog training center grows to meet unleashed demand

[bigdoglover]

The Business Review

There are no bad dogs at The Canine Workshop dog training and activity center in Niskayuna.

So there also are no choke collars or electric shocks, no yelling, swatting or berating man's best friend. The most aggressive weapon these trainers use is a spritz from a water-filled spray bottle or a noisy shake from a can filled with pennies.


The Canine Workshop, located at Raymour & Flanigan Plaza on Balltown Road, next to Mohawk Mall, offers all manner of dog training--puppy preschool, private and group lessons, and behavioral problem correction. There even is a dog obstacle course for fun and for competitive agility training.

The company will train your dog for you at Doggy Dayschool--a program where dogs are dropped off in the morning and picked up in the evening for a two-week period of training. Cost for the program is $450.

Canine Workshop's training methods--emphasizing positive reinforcement through praise and food and getting dogs to respond to the sound of a metal clicker--have proven so popular that the business is about to undergo expansions in square footage and in offerings.

"We're growing because people are looking to an alternative to choke-chains and [jerking on the leash] to train their dogs," said owner and training director Marianne Szuberla. "One of the reasons people don't bring dogs to [obedience school] is because they are afraid that the dog will be hurt."

Canine Workshop specializes in teaching dogs and owners to utilize play time and intellectually stimulating dog toys as outlets for the animal's natural instincts so that behavior problems can be averted.

Many of today's problem dogs suffer from being left alone too much, where they are bored and isolated, Szuberla said.

To cater to the growing number of owners who must leave their dogs home during the work day, the school has developed a routine for the home-alone dog. The routine is designed to occupy the dog so that it will not engage in destructive behavior while its owner is away.

"Dog behaviors like chewing, barking, aggression and defending food are normal dog behaviors. But those are the behaviors people find offensive in dogs," Szuberla said. "There is a culture clash between people and dogs. We have to find other outlets for that natural dog behavior."

[GSD]

I find it funny that they say there are no chokes, electrics, yelling or swating, then liken them to aggressive weapons and say they only use spray water and cans filled with pennies.

To the normal person not understanding dog psych or behavior modification, this probably sounds wonderul. To a dog an aversive is an aversive. Except I'd rather use the tug on a leash, quick concise, and controlled by me, rather than toss a can filled with pennies, how controlled is that?? or spray them in the face with water, what if you miss and have to do it again?? I know my timing with a leash or electric is far better and far more important in dog training than worrying about being PC to the rest of the dog lovers out there.

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by GSD

I find it funny that they say there are no chokes, electrics, yelling or swating, then liken them to aggressive weapons and say they only use spray water and cans filled with pennies.

To the normal person not understanding dog psych or behavior modification, this probably sounds wonderul. To a dog an aversive is an aversive. Except I'd rather use the tug on a leash, quick concise, and controlled by me, rather than toss a can filled with pennies, how controlled is that?? or spray them in the face with water, what if you miss and have to do it again?? I know my timing with a leash or electric is far better and far more important in dog training than worrying about being PC to the rest of the dog lovers out there.

I agree. And besides, I wouldn't want my dog fearful of getting their face sprayed...that would make bathes a heck of a lot harder. lol

[c0_re]

Interesting to say the least and good for them for pushing the "positive re-enforcment method" and trying to learn people about dog culture.

My personal opionion is PosRef training works great in controlled situaitons but if your like me and have your dog off leash 95% of the time()yes I live in the city) I prefer other non gentler kinder methods that have worked wonders for me and mine over the years. just my opinion But again good for them and the people that bring their dogs there instead of them sitting at home all ay staring at the fence. Atleast they'll get some NILF and excersize.

You can try to spray Molson but he'll just open his mouth and think your offering high velocity drink like I do with my water bottle on our runs