Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks for stopping by the Ahimsa FAQ. Here are a few of the questions that we have gathered over the years. Feel free to contact us if your question is not answered below!
- I can't remember ahimsadogtraining.com. Do you have an easier site name?
- What does Ahimsa mean and how is that related to dog training?
- Which shot records should I have for my dog or puppy?
- I can't make it to class. What should I do?
- How do I keep my barky dog quiet in class?
- Do you sell Gift Certificates?
- I trained my last dog using traditional dog training methods. Why change?
- What is a clicker and do I have to use one if you work with my dog and me?
- Can more than one person come to a session?
- What should I bring to class?
- Do you offer private dog training?
- Do dog training sessions cost more if I have more than one dog?
- Where are your dog training classes located?
- What's a positive dog trainer? Are you a positive dog trainer?
- Can I observe a dog training class?
- Which training class is right for my dog?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- My Puppy is deaf. Does clicker training work for deaf dogs?
- I have other dogs. Does my puppy still need Puppy class?
- What Seattle neighborhoods do you serve?
- I have more questions. How can I contact a dog trainer?
Answers:
- I can't remember AhimsaDogTraining.com. Do you have an easier site name?
Yes! Just tell your friends to visit DoggieZen.com . It's another address for this site. You may also
want to bookmark this page now. Another way to find us is to search
for "Seattle dog training" on Google (google.com).
Look for the company that starts with an
"A" with a name that's hard to
remember. Ahimsa Dog Training is usually
near the top of Google's list.
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-
What does Ahimsa mean and how
is that related to dog training?
Ahimsa, also written
Ahinsa (or mispronounced as Ahisma!), is a Buddhist and
Hindu word of Sanskrit origin often used by
Mohandas Gandhi that means
"do no harm", "non-violence toward all other
beings", or "compassion." The methods used at Ahimsa Dog Training are based on
motivating your dog to work with you using something the dog wants, using
the principles of learning theory. If
you want your dog to stop jumping on you, for example, stop rewarding her for
jumping and find something else for her to do (like sit politely) and motivate
her to do that automatically,
instead of jumping. You can use a lot of these methods on your spouse or kids as
well!
Traditional methods force the dog to comply. Our methods are based on learning theory, a branch of science that studies how animals, including humans, learn behaviors. The idea is that if an animal (including a human) is presented with something they want after they do a certain behavior, that behavior is likely to happen again. So we basically get the dog addicted to sitting on the floor when you say "SIT," and we don't need force to do it. Click here to find out more about what Ahimsa means.
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- Which shot records should I have for my dog or puppy?
For puppy classes, puppies must be up-to-date for their age, with at least the first set of DHLPP shots, usually given between 6-8 weeks of age. Because socialization is so time-dependant, we do not usually recommend waiting until the whole series of puppy shots are complete, but different veterinarians will suggest different guidelines for your puppy, so please take their advice into consideration.
For non-puppy classes (Agility, Basic Manners, etc.), dogs must have the full sequence of DHLPP (usually an annual booster for adult dogs) and the Rabies vaccine. Bordatella is not required.
The "shot records" may be anything from a vet receipt to a shot-vial sticker to a note from the breeder or a checked-off list with the shots on them. We have to be a bit on the honor system, but we do want to make sure the puppies are all safe.
- I can't make it to class. What should I do?
Our suggestions for absences are on a separate page. Click here for more info on Absences. Or see our Terms & Conditions for cancellation, etc.
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- How Do I Keep My Barky Dog Quiet in Class?
Please read our article on Barking in Dog Training Class.
[click here to return to the questions] - Do you sell Gift Certificates?
Yes, we sell Gift Certificates for Dog Training and Play Times. Click here to find out more.
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- I trained my last dog using
traditional dog training methods. Why change?
In short, because you CAN! Traditional methods use collar corrections to teach dogs to sit, lie down, stay, etc. Why would you cause harm to a dog in order
to get him to listen to you, when there is a perfectly effective method of
getting the same results without it? Force-based methods can also have
hidden consequences, like encouraging aggression and other behaviors we
don't much like in our dogs.
If you have children, why show them an example of violence when there is another way? More and more top show dogs (agility, conformation, obedience, flyball, etc.) and working dogs (bomb sniffing dogs, assistance dogs, etc.) have been trained using positive methods. They really do work!! Using positive methods is also a lot more fun and builds a stronger relationship with your dog. Here's an article on how "positive" dog training can change the world.
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- What is a clicker and do I
have to use one if you work with my dog and me?
A clicker is a tool used to tell your dog "THAT'S IT, DO THAT
AGAIN!" It is an excellent way of marking the behavior when you
want to teach something new. A
clicker is a small box that you can press to make a clicking noise.
It's praise, not the command or cue. The clicking sound is a promise of a
reward, usually a food treat, but a toy
works, too, if your dog really likes it. Every
time you click, you give the dog a
treat. The dog hears
"click" and gets food enough
that the click becomes as rewarding as food (you
still give the food after each click). After the dog understands what
behavior you want, you teach the dog the name of
the behavior (SIT, DOWN, SPIN, etc.), then you gradually stop
clicking to mark the behavior, just using
praise instead, and later
also (mostly) fade out the food.
An alternative to the clicker that works about 1/3 as well (but is better than no marker at all) is to have a verbal marker that acts just like the click. I suggest using a word like "treat" so you know that you always have to follow that word with food, but I use "yes" with my dogs. The benefit of the clicker over a verbal marker is that the timing is better and that the click sound is processed by the Amygdala, the part of the brain that deals with survival. That makes it easier for the dog to remember. I always switch to a verbal marker (like "Yes!") when I stop using the clicker for a given behavior. For more information on the clicker, click here.
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- Can more than one person come
to a session?
Definitely! Training should be a hobby for the whole family.
That helps your dog learn much faster, and it helps build a strong
relationship with everyone. For a given activity, it is usually best
to have one person train the dog for
that session. So one person works
on sit in that class, the other does
down, etc. If you have small children that
will distract YOU from learning, you should try to have a session with the
trainer when they
are not around (nap time, at the sitter's, etc.)
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- What should I bring to class?
Please have the following items available your class.
- Proof of vaccinations. Puppies should be up-to-date for their age and have at least the first set of shots. Older dogs should have all shots. (Group classes and play sessions only)
- Hungry dog. Don't starve her, but don't give her a substantial meal or leave out food for a few hours prior to the session.
- Some way to take notes.
- Treats. Specifically, soft, pea-sized treats. I recommend chopping up Natural Balance semi-moist dog food. You'll need a full baggy.
- Standard (non-flexi) leash and buckle collar or body harness.
- Head collar, if you are using one. (Optional)
- Toy to get the dog's attention and/or chew toy to entertain the dog while you listen to the instructor. Bring at least one tuggable toy. (Classes only)
- Long training leash. Not a flexi leash, 20-30 feet long. You can make your own, it just needs to be long enough to practice coming when called. Outdoor stores like Feathered Friends have great fabric in their climbing section. Look for "webbing" & tell them we sent you. Silk ribbons work well for toy dogs. (Most, but not all classes use the long line)
- Water bowl for classes. Water is available.
- Clicker, if you have one. We will provide one.
- Each time that you come into the classroom, please find a spot to sit, then
calmly massage your dog. Please do this instead of having your dog wrestle with other dogs (they may greet and walk on, if both humans are willing). The idea is to teach your dog to pay attention to you and relax in the presence of other dogs.
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- Do you offer private dog training? Can a dog trainer
or behavior consultant come to my house?
We offer private dog training and behavior sessions for aggression, fear, and various behavior problems with world-renowned behaviorist Kathy Sdao, MA, CAAB. Consultations are at our facility in Ballard. We do not offer in-home training.
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- Do training sessions cost more if I bring more
than one dog?
In group training classes and workshops, the dog is
the student, so each dog must register for the session.
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- Where
are your dog training classes located?
We are
located on the 1st floor
of 902 NW 49th Street
in Ballard [MAP and directions].
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- What's a
positive dog trainer? Are you a positive
dog trainer?
The
term "positive" has at least two meanings in dog
training. One is positive, as in
dog-friendly. In that sense, Ahimsa Dog
Training is all about positive dog training.
We train with clicker training and do not use
force, shouting, or other "negative" forms of
coercion to train dogs.
Now for the hair-splitting. The other use of "positive" in dog training is as a technical Learning Theory term. In that sense, there is "positive reinforcement" and "positive punishment," among other things. In those terms, "positive" just means you're giving the dog something, in the mathematical sense of addition. You're giving treats or giving pain/annoyance. So in that usage, "positive dog trainer" doesn't make sense. But that's a little geekier than most people care to be. In the sense you probably mean it - "Will I be nice to my dog using your methods? Would Child Protective Services be okay if I used this on my kids?" the answer is yes. Positive dog training is the way to go!
[click here to return to the questions] - Can I observe a dog training class?
Of course! Except for the Growly Dog Class, you are welcome to stop by any (one) of our multi-session classes. Please leave your dog or puppy at home and arrive on time or early. There is no need to let us know in advance; just tell the instructor you are there to observe. Click here to see the Adult class schedule or the Puppy class schedule.
[click here to return to the questions] - Which training class is right for my dog?
We get this question in so many different forms that we've made another page to answer that question. Click Here.
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- What is your cancellation policy?
Click here to read our cancellation policy.
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- My Puppy is deaf. Does clicker training work for deaf dogs?
Yes! With clicker training, the idea is to use some kind of event marker to tell the dog the instant that they've done something you like (like sit, lie down, spin, etc.) With hearing dogs, we use a noisemaking box called a clicker. Some hard-of-hearing dogs can still hear the clicker. For most deaf dogs and puppies, we use a hand signal, a flash light, or something else as the even marker. Most of the rest of the training is the same, or can be easily modified to suit a deaf puppy or deaf dog.
[click here to return to the questions] - I have other dogs. Does my puppy still need Puppy class?
Yes! Socialization is more complex than just having a few dogs around your puppy. Read our longer explanation of why your puppy still needs class.
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- What Seattle neighborhoods do you serve?
Our dog training classes and private lessons take place at our main facility between Ballard and Fremont. We also hold some of our classes in Burien. We have had clients from all over Western Washington, driving from as far as Moses Lake and ferrying from Whidbey Island. We have dog training clients from just about every neighborhood in Seattle.
Who knew Seattle had so many neighborhoods? And all of them have dogs. Ballard (Adams, Loyal Heights, Sunset Hill, West Woodland, Whittier Heights), Crown Hill, Lake City (Cedar Park, Matthews Beach, Meadowbrook, Olympic Hills), Northgate (Victory Heights, Haller Lake, Maple Leaf, North College Park, Pinehurst), University District, University Village, Magnolia (Briarcliff, Lawton Park), Queen Anne, Capital Hill, Madison Park, Montlake, Portage Bay, Eastlake, South Lake Union, Westlake, Wallingford, Central District (Cherry Hill, Leschi, Madrona), Belltown, First Hill, International District, Pioneer Square, Yesler Terrace, Rainier Valley (Brighton Beach, Columbia City, Dunlap, Seward Park, Mount Baker, Rainier Beach, Rainier View), and Beacon Hill. We even have a fair number from West Seattle (Alki, Arbor Heights, Fauntleroy). Let me know if your Seattle neighborhood isn't on this list!
[click here to return to the questions] - I have more questions.
How can I contact a dog trainer?
We would love to hear from you! Please contact the owner and head dog trainer, Grisha Stewart,
M.A, CPDT by telephone at 206-364-4072, by email at info@doggiezen.com,
or better yet, use our handy form. You might also look to see if your queestion is answered in our new Dog Training Forum.
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902 NW 49th Street, Seattle, Washington, 98107. 206.364.4072 Email info@doggiezen.com
