Jacey Debiak is a professional dog trainer with the Playful Paws in Radcliff, KY. She has been training dogs for over 15 years.

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Is dog training necessary? Why?

“Dog training is absolutely necessary,” Jacey said. Dog training isn’t necessarily about teaching your dog obedience or how to perform fancy tricks…it’s more about communicating with your dog in a way that you understand your dog and your dog understands you.

Describe a typical day on the job.

Jacey said there is no typical day on the job. While she might have a plan for how she would like the day to go, the dogs could be having an off day, the owners could be having an off day, or even the trainer can have an off day. It’s important to be prepared for anything and to know how to work around any obstacles that might pop up.

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What is the best method for training dogs?

While there are many schools of thought about dog training, Jacey said the best training method lies somewhere between two extremes. Strict training on one end of the spectrum deals with corrections and positive training on the other end deals with rewards. Jacey describes herself as being a trainer in the middle where she teaches the positive mindset but also teaches how to place corrections when appropriate.

How much does dog training cost?

The investment will vary by location. At Playful Paws, they offer group lessons that include 4 sessions for $99 total. Playful Paws also offers private lessons at $45 per session and they also have in-kennel training that starts at $600 for two weeks.

When is the best time to start training a dog?

Jacey recommends starting when your puppy is 12 weeks old and after they have received their full series of puppy shots. But if you have an older dog, don’t worry. Jacey said you can teach an old dog new tricks but she warns that it takes time. An older dog must overcome old behaviors that have become set in habits. But with patience and understanding, old dogs can be trained well into their teenage years.

What suggestions do you have for someone who might not be able to afford training?

Jacey said it isn’t uncommon for a determined pet owner to walk in and offer to pay for dog training by volunteering their time. For example, some pet owners will offer to come in and clean kennels. Jacey is thrilled to work with people like this because she knows that they will be a good investment of her time. People who are willing to put in extra effort like cleaning kennels are usually more successful at following through with their training.

She also recommends that pet owners do research. While YouTube is a great resource, she cautions not to use a “ton of YouTube videos” because there are so many ways to train a dog. She said it would be better for you to go to a dog park and interview pet owners who have well-behaved dogs. She also recommends reading books about dog training and dog behavior.

What are the first things to teach a puppy?

Always start with a positive mindset. Instead of reprimanding a dog for picking up a sock, try saying, “Good boy!” Instead of running from you, the dog will see the praise as an invitation to bring the sock toward you, which will reinforce the behavior you want to instill. It’s also a good idea to teach the puppy how to go potty while on a leash.

Get more information about Playful Paws by visiting playfulpawsky.com

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