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Why Dog Obedience Training Isn’t Just for the Home Anymore: Take Your Dog to Work

On July 3, 2019 / Article, Dog Obedience Training, El Cajon CA, Encinitas CA, Escondido CA, Happy Client, Orange County, Private Dog Trainers, Riverside CA, San Clemente CA / Leave a comment

We are thrilled to be recognized in a recent article about the growing trend of dogs in the workplace. And, because San Diego is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the U.S., we are seeing more clients who are reaching out to us for our top-rated dog training services as they assimilate their dog into their corporate jobs.

In the early-June article, Assimilating Dogs into the Corporate World, the writer points to the positivism that dogs bring the workplace. She cites the mental and psycho-social health benefits of having a canine-friendly work environment. She also points to the importance of having your dog properly trained before you talk to your Human Resources Department and understand the doggy policy at your workplace.

The leader in dog-friendly workplaces, Amazon, has shown that it is a very wise decision to have dogs in the workplace. At its Headquarters in Seattle, Washington there are at least 1,000 dogs who show up to work with their owners each day! The dogs help the social support at its headquarters, according to a recent article featured in Time. When employees in other departments see your friendly dog, it fosters a “cross pollination” of departmental communications. Certainly, this is a win-win for any company.

Of course, not all companies allow dogs at work. So make sure you understand your company policy. In their book Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workpaces, authors Liz Palika and Jennifer Fearing talk frankly about the growing trend. They give great information to prospective companies who are considering a dog-friendly policy. There are obvious practical considerations like allergies or people who don’t like dogs. But, they also give practical solutions on how to address those concerns.

The top concern, of course, is how well behaved is your dog. That is where Pro-Train comes in. We have trained many dogs, both big and small; to handle the daily routine that is the corporate workplace. We have experience with all breeds and all ages of dogs and our clients rank us high. We recently trained a service dog for a fifth grader who suffers severe anxiety and she is now taking her beloved dog to school with her each day. Whether a small corporation or an elementary school, we are prepared to train a dog to meet your needs. We pride ourselves on innovation and cutting edge training and behavior modification techniques. Call us for a consultation today at 760-749-0897.

A Few Testimonials, in case you’re still not convinced.

“Our dog “Never” is an American cocker spaniel whom we took to training classes at another school-Petcoach which opened her up to bad habits of treats and jumping up constantly and nipping the kids hands for treats. Trying to unwind the bad behavior wasn’t working with many consultants. We reached out to Pro-Train and did board/train. Within a week no more jumping, she’s got all her basic obedience / on and off leash. Her manners are incredible. She came home last night after training, going to the office was a dream she greeted everyone- no jumping. At home in the kitchen she sat on her mat while cooking. Absolute dream dog. Can’t recommend this training enough.” – Kailynn Neighbors

“Pro-Train has changed my dog for the better. His confidence has increased immensely. He’s barking less and is more responsive to commands and is actually much cuddlier than he was before. The trainers are hands down the best. They are extremely responsive to any questions or concerns that you might have. The training is also good for life so if the dog needs tuneups in training they’ll do it no additional charge. I would and have recommended them to everyone.”– Samantha Howe

“You guys did such a great job training Ava as a service dog so I told April’s owner to go to you guys to get trained. Referrals in business are wonderful. I got your business referral from San Diego Regional Center in Carlsbad. You guys do great work for helping those who can succeed with a service dog.” –Desiree Sakow

Passion + Dedication = Top-Notch Dog Training in the Making

On June 25, 2019 / Article / Leave a comment

Dog Training Careers run in the family. Melissa is Dogman Mark’s niece!

Meet Melissa Koba: The Latest Pro-Train Institute Student

It’s been two months since Melissa joined the team at Pro-Train. For her, the two months have flown by and she can’t stop smiling. That’s because she is 100 percent confident she knows where she belongs and is thriving as one of the newest dog behaviorist trainees here at Pro-Train.

Melissa has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Psychology. And it’s no surprise that she’s taken so well to dog training as a career. Melissa is the 30-year-old niece of our founder and legendary dog trainer, Mark “Dogman” Castillero.

“I’ve watched Mark and the team at Pro-Train for years from afar, as I earned my degrees at Cal State Fullerton and Pepperdine,” says Melissa. “I saw something in the team that made me want to pursue my career in dog training…I saw passion, dedication, and a solid business model.”

Thor is ready for a day of brace training.

An Early Wake-Up Call and a Commute from Orange County

That kind of passion and dedication gets her moving each day to travel the distance from her home in Orange County to the training facility in North San Diego’s Vista. Her alarm clock goes off at 4:00 a.m. and she starts her day alongside lead trainer Saheed Lawal by 9:00 a.m. She feels like she’s integrated with the team nicely and feels very lucky to be working under Saheed. “Saheed is so influential, creative, innovative and inspiring,” she said. “He is one of the reasons I am here and working so hard.”

When asked what she has enjoyed the most, she points to her learning how to train service dogs. “I enjoy the emotional aspect of service dog training…relating to both clients and canines and using my education in Psychology to push me even further to ensure well-bonded and well-suited service dog-owner pairs,” she said. She’s been working with a repeat client, in fact, who has mobility issues and uses a motorized scooter. Melissa has been learning under Saheed’s guidance how to train this client’s four-month-old Blue Heeler named Remi.

On Training Her First Service Dog, Thor

She is also working with a German Shepherd named Thor. And Melissa gets to take Thor home with her as part of the service training. “Thor is being trained as a brace dog for a woman who falls a lot, so it’s a different scenario than Remi and requires me to get creative in my approach with each dog,” she added. Thor is learning his retrieval commands (i.e. “Go get my keys”) and learning how to press buttons like on Life Alert. Primarily, Thor will be a strong “bracing” dog for falls.

Melissa has enjoyed learning all types of dog training under the guidance of lead trainer, Saheed Lawal.

Melissa, of course, is learning all types of dog training. Basic obedience, behavior modification and protection dog training. At 5’1, she’s worked with GSDs and other protection dog breeds at least half her weight! She welcomes each experience and enjoys the freedom to use critical thinking skills coupled with her training to offer the best that Pro-Train is known for.

Making a Difference in the Lives of Women

In addition to her days at Pro-Train, Melissa works as a part-time research assistant for a criminologist in the state’s “Healing Trauma” program. This program teaches women in the California Prison system how trauma has affected their lives and how to break free from that pain cycle and live a better quality life. “My UCLA research has a goal of reducing recidivism (the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend),” said Melissa. She finds great value in working under Nena Messina, PhD who recently started a nonprofit called Envisioning Justice Solutions. Her nonprofit is about to open a wellness center in Los Angeles soon to give free services to formerly incarcerated women and their children. “I plan on taking service dogs there at some point to help the women,” Melissa added.

Just as she has seen this program positively influence women, she sees how she can positively affect dog owners’ lives as she becomes an excellent dog trainer.

After celebrating her milestone 30^th birthday this year, she knew it was time to make a lifetime career decision. “Dog training is what I was born to do and I’m so happy to be a part of the Pro-Train family, she said. Adding, “I smile all the time now. I know I’m in the right place.”

Thor at home with Melissa’s dog, Laker, after a fruitful day of training.

Our Pro-Train Institute

If you know of someone who is interested in a career in dog training, please share this article with them. Our Pro-Train Institute has graduated many top-rated trainers. To learn more, check out our website about the Institute here.

And if this article has inspired you to have your fur baby trained, we are always ready and able to tackle any canine behavior and breed. Give us a call at 877-BAD-DOGS or email us at michael@protraindog.com

Tips for Choosing Pet-Friendly Accommodations for Your Vacation

On June 19, 2019 / Article / Leave a comment

Photo by Dominic Buccilli from Pexels

Summer is officially in full swing. And that means more traveling! We are seeing more and more vacations planned with your beloved canines. In fact, more than 37 percent of American pet owners from taking their four-legged family members on vacation with them.

The difficulties of traveling with a pet changes according to the varying regulations of airline companies, state laws and accommodations. The good news is that organizations and businesses are making it easier to travel with your well-trained pooches. As always, it pays to be prepared for traveling with your pet to avoid any potential problems arising.

Whether you are traveling by cruise ship, motor vehicle or airplane, there is some essential information to consider when booking your accommodations, so that both you and Fido (or Fifi) have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Summer is here. Let’s start planning our adventure!

Types of Accommodations

The options for lodging and meal accommodations will depend entirely on what type of vacation you have decided on and what is your trip itinerary. Will you be on a road trip through the mountains, taking a relaxing beach holiday or heading off on the sea? If you are embarking on a cruise, for example, it may be that your dog will not be able to travel the entire journey with you.

It’s so critical to seek expert advice for information on different hotel options. Careful consideration should be taken for choosing an accommodation which is close to parks and other outdoor areas so you can both reap the health benefits of having regular exercise nearby.

Making a Reservation

Once you have found a pet-friendly hotel, it would be wise to contact the venue directly in order to confirm their pet policy before you commit to make a booking. The definition of offering pet-friendly options can differ widely according to the discretion of each hotel in terms of restrictions on the size, breed or number of dogs. Confirm that there are no hidden charges for a room and whenever possible, choose to stay on the ground floor so you have easy access to taking your dog out to the designated areas. Additionally, always check the available amenities and research the area for dog parks, open spaces, restaurants and bars to to find a pet-friendly city or locality.

Staying at a Hotel

Being a good guest who is considerate toward other visitors and staff is an important aspect of traveling with your dog. Assuming that your pooch is well-trained, there shouldn’t be any accidents inside a room. However, bringing cleaning supplies with you is advisable as traveling with your pet can bring about stressful situations and your dog’s behavior can change while they adapt to their new surroundings. Make sure your dog is comfortable at all times during your stay and provide food and water dishes, either placed on a tiled area or place something underneath them to avoid any damage or soiling. It is likely that most accommodations won’t allow dogs off their leash, so ensure you adhere to this important rule at all times.

Wherever you end up going on vacation with your dog, taking the effort to carefully plan for the trip will make a significant difference to the fun and safety for the adventures ahead.

As always, traveling with a well-trained dog is essential. We specialize in behavior modification, obedience and service dog training. Our founder, Mark “Dogman” Castillero and the team have trained over 10,000 dogs! Contact us today for more information on our top-rated dog training.

Important Benefits of Dog Obedience Training, Carlsbad

On June 18, 2019 / Article, Carlsbad CA, Dog Obedience Training / Leave a comment

Apart from being loyal, dogs are social animals and are highly trainable. You will be surprised at how your dog can develop – even in a short period of time – when you send him to a dog obedience training, Carlsbad. He can learn a lot – from learning simple tricks to more advanced and useful skills – that we people can benefit from e.g. security.

Speaking of benefits, here’s more on why you might want to send your dog for obedience training:

Better control. Better management of your dear canine can make your daily routine a lot easier. Sending your dog to obedience training will help him learn a number of commands, including sit, come, drop it, leave it, stay, stop, wait, no, and more. This means, better control and it makes it possible for you to take your dog around – e.g. dog-friendly public parks, events, and business occasions – without so much hassle.

Develop a stronger bond. To create a strong connection is important and this applies to your pooch. How to achieve that? Training your dog with positive techniques is key; it can build trust and mutual respect. A well-trained dog makes you a happier pet owner, knowing that your best buddy understands what you expect. Dogs that have undergone an obedience training tend to pay more attention to their owners, which helps reduce stress on both sides.

It can save a life. How many times we have heard stories about dogs saving lives of people? They can be so useful – can alert people in case of fire, flood, burglary, or even from a terrorist act. And when you check the background of these dogs, you will realize that they in fact went through training. Indeed, a simple dog obedience training, Carlsbad can make your dear canine perform heroic acts. And that is something that can be proud of as the owner.

Better understanding of your dog. Obedience training allows you to spend more quality time with your dog. It gives you an opportunity to know him more that you can even read his body language, which can be a unique signal he sends to communicate with you.

For dog obedience training, Carlsbad, done by expert, contact us at ProTrain at (760) 749-7154

Moving with a Pet: How to Find the Right Home When You Have a Dog

On June 11, 2019 / Article / Leave a comment

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Moving with pets can be a big change for everyone, and it can bring about anxiety for both you and your favorite animal. Making sure your pet is safe, happy, and healthy during the entire process will take some work, and he still may have trouble settling in once you get to the new house, especially if he’s an older dog. Finding the right home for all your needs is important, but it’s also crucial to make sure his needs are taken care of as well. A good-sized yard, fencing, and animal-friendly neighbors are all good aspects to look for.

You’ll also have to think about how to help your pet get acclimated to your new place, and how to make sure it’s safe for him before he arrives. No matter how old he is, there may be dangers lurking at a new home, such as toxic plants in the backyard, steep stairs, or slick floors. It’s a good idea to walk through your home before bringing your pet to make sure there are no potential issues and to clean and deodorize, especially if there were pets living there before.

Here are a few things to consider when you’re house hunting with pets.

House Hunting

Looking for a new home is often complicated. There are many factors to consider, including cost, location, the amount and size of the rooms, and whether it’s safe for you and your family. When you have a pet, it’s important to also think about what his needs will be and whether the homes you look at will meet them. The size of the yard is a common factor that home buyers look at, as well as whether it’s fenced, but there’s also the location to think about. If your dog is very active, you might want to look for a home that’s close to a park or beach where he can run freely. You should also think about how close it is to a vet that has 24-hour emergency services.

As tempting as it may be to bring your pet along when looking for your dream home, it’s best to leave him behind. Not only could his presence distract you from the task at hand, but he also may not be welcome by homeowners. Once you find a house you like and the buying process is finalized, take your pet over and allow him to walk through if at all possible.

Moving Day

Planning for the move is also a crucial part of house hunting. If you find a home you love that’s in a new city or state, you’ll need to think about moving day and how to keep your pet safe and happy. A long trip can be difficult for some dogs, especially if they have anxiety issues, and even a local move can take a toll on a pet who doesn’t like being cooped up in the car. Plan for his comfort by planning for several stops during a long trip, or ask a trusted friend to look after him during the move. This will ensure his safety while all the activity is going on.

You’ll also want to think about cleaning up the old place to make sure it looks and smells great. Whether you rent or own, it’s important to make sure you don’t leave behind any stains or odors from your pet. Consider hiring a cleaning service to come in and make the interior gleam; keep in mind that the average cost to have this done in Vista is between $118 and $244.

If possible, go through the new home — inside and outside, before and after you move in — to look for possible safety hazards that will affect your pet. Once in your new home, you’ll want to return to a very structured program until your pet is used to your new environment. For a week or two, direct your dog’s every move. If you can, place his bowls and bedding (you can find great dog beds at online retailers such as Chewy starting at around $20 and up) in spots that are similar to where they were in the former house to avoid confusion.

Moving with pets can be a big task, but if you’re able to plan well ahead of time, things will go smoothly. Make a list of things that need to be done and check them off as you go. Don’t forget the details, such as changing your dog’s ID tags to update them with your new information. With these steps, you can ensure the move is one that will benefit everyone!

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