- Why train with
Higher Ground Dog Training?
Higher
Ground Dog Training offers you over 17 years of hands-on dog training
experience. Owner and head
trainer Amber S. Morgan is a graduate of the prestigious Triple Crown
Academy, known world-wide for their intensive and comprehensive
education in canine training and behavioral modification. She is
constantly adding to her knowledge base through training seminars,
recent publications, dialogue with the country's top trainers, and
daily hands-on work with a wide variety of dogs.
When you
train with Higher Ground Dog Training, you can rest assured that you
are getting the best training and behavioral modification plans
possible for you and your dog.
- Do you work with
breeds such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers?
ALL breeds are welcome to train with us, without bias.
- I work during the
day. What hours are you available?
We have day and evening appointments available to better serve
your needs.
- How many sessions will I need to train my
dog?
How
many sessions your dog will need depends entirely on you! Generally,
the trainer and the clients meet once a week for most obedience
training. In between sessions, it is up to the owner to take an active
role in practicing what was learned. The more you work with your dog,
the faster learning will take place! As a general rule of thumb, a
"green" dog (one that knows no obedience commands) will take 5-8 weeks
to complete the basic obedience commands.
Behavioral
modification timelines are case-specific. Much depends on the severity
of the issue, how long the behavior has gone on and how willing the
owner is to make changes and work with their dog(s) in between sessions.
- Which is better for
my dog? Group or Private Lessons?
Group
classes are generally less expensive initially, and a properly run
group provides a social
outlet for dogs and their humans. Often, because other people are
present, group classes can be motivating for people to work with their
dogs at home in order to show off their skills in class. However, group
lessons can
be very distracting and learning will proceed much more slowly for
people who are unable to practice often outside of class. Also, the
times of the classes are fixed and may not be suitable for people with
an erratic schedule.
Private lessons are ideal for people who are
unable to practice regularly with their dogs in between classes. It is
also a good choice for people with specific issues or difficulties, or
for those who only need to learn one or two commands. People with
erratic schedules like the flexibility that private lesson scheduling
allows.
Private lessons do not offer the same opportunities
for socialization that group classes do, and can be more expensive at
the outset. However, private lessons generally
go more
quickly and can sometimes wind up costing less than group classes in
the long run. It is important to note that group classes are not the
only way to socialize your dog.
Behavioral Modification
sessions almost always begin with private lessons. Occasionally, a dog
with behavioral issues will enter a group class to "proof" their
training but that depends entirely on the specific circumstance.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THAT WERE NOT ANSWERED HERE, PLEASE DO
NOT HESITATE TO ASK! Call (774) 722-5035 or e-mail: amber@HigherGroundDogs.com
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- I want to take my
dog to a Certified Dog Trainer. What does it really mean when a dog
trainer is "certified?"
This is a good question and one that should be addressed.
No state in the USA currently requires dog trainers to be
certified by any overseeing organization. However, many professional
dog trainers have recognized the need to reassure their clients of
their education, skills, and experience level and have therefore chosen
to become certified.
However, because there is no single
organization that issues these certifications, it has become easy for
anyone with absolutely no hands-on experience working with dogs to
obtain a so-called "certification" online. Some of these organizations
require the completion of an on-line course in order to issue a
certificate, but do not require that their students show proof of even
handling a dog.
Many other organizations only require the completion of a single
multiple choice test and a fee.
This
can be dangerous!
Dogs, while domesticated, are still animals with their own unique way
of communicating. Inexperienced trainers, even those with good
intentions, can cause more harm than good without the proper education
and experience levels. They can even cause behavioral problems, such as
aggression, to get worse.
Unfortunately, the burden of
weeding through these various certifications has fallen to the client.
When you choose a trainer for your
dog, it is vital that you find out what their qualifications are. If
they are certified, ask them what organization has certified them and
what the requirements were to obtain that
certification. And don't be afraid to verify what they tell you. An
inexperienced trainer can waste your money and can even get you or
someone else hurt. Get references and recommendations.
Amber S. Morgan, head trainer and owner of Higher Ground Dog
Training, has earned her certifications from the highly respected
Triple Crown Academy located in Austin, Texas. In order to obtain those
certifications, she was required to live on campus at the facility and
faced lengthy and intensive testing requirements (both written and
hands-on) in order to receive her diploma and certifications. These
requirements are almost unheard of in the professional dog training
community.
Triple Crown Academy has earned their world
renowned reputation by setting their standards very high. The Canine
Training & Behavior Specialist diploma and certification held
by
Amber S. Morgan is the highest degree of certification offered at
Triple Crown. Amber was not only certified as a Canine Training
&
Behavior Specialist, but also graduated at the top of her class.
Prior to her education at TCA, Amber worked for 17 years with owners
and their dogs, in St. Louis, MO., on Cape Cod in MA. In Austin, Texas,
Amber worked with and trained high-risk rescue dogs for successful
placement with new families.
In addition, she has worked with
private clients, board and train dogs, shelter dogs, and has worked
with many clients for competition in Schutzhund trials and AKC Rally
and Obedience trials. She has also instructed numerous group classes of
various descriptions for the public. She has given seminars and
lectures on various canine-related topics, and has been specializing in
canine aggression and reactivity issues. She is experienced working
with dogs of all sizes, breeds, temperaments and ages.
Amber
has also worked with the German Shepherd Rescue of New England and is a
member of the respected Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).
Amber is an AKC CGC®
Approved Evaluator and is veterinarian recommended. References from
past clients are happily provided upon request.
Whether
or not you decide to become clients of Higher Ground Dog Training, we
strongly encourage everyone to research their trainer's credentials in
order to get the safest, most successful and best training possible.
Your dog deserves it!
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