Dog training programs help improve lifestyles of dogs and owners

METRO DETROIT — While dog ownership can oftentimes be rewarding, some owners struggle with their canine’s behaviors. Training is one way owners can try to support the relationship between their pet and their family.

Dog owner Rachel Pannell and her husband welcomed their Samoyed, Murphy, into their family last Christmas.

When Murphy was a puppy, they put him through a basic obedience class.

However, shortly after he turned 1, they decided to enroll him in more advanced training.

Pannell said Murphy was a very smart and happy dog, but he also tended to be hyper and strong willed, which made it difficult to take him places and trust his behavior.

“We just really wanted to solidify his recall and obedience so that we can just take him anywhere with us and have a good time and know that we have control over him,” Pannell said.

A major incentive for Pannell to train Murphy was the promise of being able to lead an active lifestyle alongside her dog.

“We decided we wanted to get him trained well young so that we could give him a really full life and take him everywhere with us,” Pannell said.

A referral from a friend led them to choose to enroll Murphy in Off Leash K9 Training’s two-week board and train program.

Even after the short meeting with the dog trainer that Murphy would be staying with, Pannell said she was still nervous about leaving him for two weeks. However, her nerves were settled after receiving daily progress reports, photos and videos.

“I was still very anxious about leaving my dog with a stranger for two weeks, but this program is so professional, and they do such a good job making you feel comfortable with the pictures and the updates,” Pannell said.

Before enrolling Murphy in this program, Pannell did a lot of research on dog training programs. She encourages dog owners to read Google reviews of past clients to ensure they are sending their dog to a safe and helpful program.

On the last day of the program, Pannell and her husband were given a two-hour training session to learn the language Murphy was taught during the session.

Pannell noticed a strong improvement in Murphy’s behavior while taking him on walks. Before, he would get distracted by certain things and pull her in many different directions.

While she still keeps him on a leash for walks, it has become much easier to walk him, since he is obedient to all of her commands.

There are several different dog training programs in the area. Each program has different techniques in dog training.

Wolverine Dog Training Club is a Farmington Hills nonprofit founded in 1956 that offers a variety of different levels of agility, obedience and rally classes.

“We get dogs that have been rescued, puppy and in all ages, and some dogs just need confidence in themselves and the person that they’re owned by, and we foster that relationship,” said Mika-Biga, the club’s obedience/rally/scent training director.

Basic obedience such as understanding simple commands is offered, as well as advanced skills including off-leash heeling, jumps and retrieves.

While Wolverine Dog Training Club does not offer an off-leash program similar to Murphy’s, some of the competition classes they offer require an off-leash element.

“Students love the teamwork that they develop with their dog through our positive reinforcement methods on how to get your dog’s attention, how to walk nicely on a leash, how to enter and exit doors and some of the basic things that help to have a nice family dog,” Mika-Biga said.

In addition to walking, Pannell has seen Murphy’s lifestyle improve since he has been trusted to play off leash.

“He’s still the same exact Murphy he was before with the same personality and the same spunky energy, but now he listens and we can keep him safe,” Pannell said. “We can let him go run and live his best life and know that he’s gonna come back to us.”

Wolverine Dog Training Club donates money to different organizations and veterinarians in town to help dog owners who cannot afford their dogs’ medical expenses. More information about Wolverine Dog Training Club can be found at wolver inedtc.org.

More information about Wolverine Dog Training Club can be found at wolverinedtc.org. For more information about Off Leash K9 Training, visit dogtrainingmichigan.com.