Gentle Touch Pet Training- Bow WOW!

Posted by Richard L. Roberts

Anita Shower introduced guest speaker, Teah Anders, owner/trainer, Gentle Touch Pet Training: She is a certified Professional Dog Trainer and member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers; holds a BS degree in Business, MA degree in Natural Resources Policy, Communications and Management; she recently published a comprehensive dog training book entitled, "Click 'n Connect: Training Your Dog, a Lifelong Journey".

Anders tells us that there are 75 million dogs in the US and they represent a $45 billion industry. Her training program is dedicated to helping people live a happier life with their dogs and helping dogs to live happier lives with their people. Gentle Touch offers both group classes and in-home private training. Group classes are limited to approximately 10 participants to ensure personal attention. The classes are held at their new training center. All training is based on the tenants of Clicker Training, a gentle approach using positive reinforcement to shape your dog's behaviors.

Areas of training include nose work as in bomb/drug detection dogs, treiball where the dog herds balls like herding animals, ball balancing, agility/obstacle courses, music/dance free style, dogs dancing on their hind legs, etc. The Center accepts dogs ranging from eight months to any age. Anders says she uses modern training teaching techniques, promotes giving the dog choices followed by positive reinforcement; it is all relationship based.

Using Hally, her five year old Pug, she laid a decorated foam rubber pad on the floor and within a few minutes, Hally, never having seen the pad before and Anders using her clicker and tidbit rewards, Hally was quickly trained to fully lay on the pad. For information, 481-1490 and www.gentlepets.com .