OUR TRAINING METHODOLOGY
The Common Dog's programs are centered around building a healthy and strong relationship with your dog. We do this by incorporating play, rewards, intentional interactions, clear communication, windows of opportunity and addressing state of mind.
We introduce a time and place for play, cuddles, excitement as well as structure, boundaries and household management techniques into our training programs. This helps owners implement guidelines in the relationship and in the home, address a dog's state of mind, teach impulse control, and builds a healthy relationship with the owner and family based on leadership, clear guidance, positivity, boundaries and trust.
We strongly recommend crate and place or on your bed training or other boundary setting in the home to all of our clients, young and old. We believe in setting our dog up for success in all environments and at times when owner's are unable to do that, keeping our dog safe and calm by using the crate or a place command is an excellent option.
We believe it's important to maintain balance in our relationship with our dog. We want our dogs to benefit from play and enrichment and be fulfilled both physically and mentally. We also want to be cautious not to over-stimulate our dogs and create a dog who doesn't know how to settle.
We believe in allowing our dog to be a dog, and be a part of our family, but also setting limits on their behaviour. By setting limits, we can teach our dog when to let loose in certain situations and when to be a polite guest in others. Our dog can run and play to their hearts desire as long as our dog responds to their commands and recall when needed.
We believe in maintaining and creating value in the owner to give our dog a reason to respond. If we give our dog too much cake every day, all day, and then use cake as a reward for good behaviour, that reward wont be so enticing when it's up against a person, another dog or a squirrel.
We use positive reinforcement in the form of food, treats, toys or affection, to shape, lure and teach desired behaviours and obedience commands. We love to incorporate play into training as much as possible, especially for dogs who be are fearful or concerned, this helps to change the way they feel about the situation.
We use all 4 quadrants of operant conditioning, to create or modify behaviours. We praise and reward good behaviour, and interrupt or discourage unwanted behaviour. Depending on a dog's specific needs, we apply training methods such as counter conditioning, classical conditioning, desensitization and behaviour adjustment training. Training tools may be recommended depending on individual needs, training tools are always introduced properly, with the owner and during a training session.
Questions? Feel free to reach out, or head over to our Facebook or Instagram with the links below, to see how we train
Brooke Merritt
Owner and Trainer
Brooke's Story
With 10 years combined experience working in the veterinary industry and as a dog walker, and a life long passion for animals, came a chance to explore dog training as a career. While having the opportunity to shadow her previous employer's, group classes and training sessions, came Brooke's real challenge and her main motivator to pursue a career as a dog trainer.
Brooke adopted a 4 month old puppy, Joey. In the beginning, there were a lot of ups and downs. Multiple evenings full of tears, stress, and frustration. Joey was a different type of dog. Yes, he was what some might say, a "happy dog," and yes, he loved people and other dogs, but, he had behavioural issues right from the start. He was pushy, bratty and over-excited. He would bite, he was reactive on leash, and he would not leave Brooke alone and wouldn't settle down in the house. Brooke tried multiple techniques and also took the same route as many owners do to try to find a solution, by following the expression, "a tired dog is a good dog." Brooke implemented an extensive exercise routine, taking Joey on 1 hour walks, 3 times a day and enrolling him in doggy day care twice a week. Even with all the added exercise, Joey's behaviour issues did not change. He would simply go to sleep for an hour or two, then wake up and be back to his normal out of control self again.
In the spring of 2018, Brooke attended a seminar put on by Blake Rodriguez of Dream Come True K9. Brooke was introduced to the proper use of marker words, leash pressure, in home management techniques and training tools. Brooke discovered how implementing structure and boundaries inside and outside the home as well as the giving a dog meaningful direction in a way they understand, can make a significant change in the relationship between an owner and their dog and in turn create a stronger, more harmonious bond.
Since October 2018, Brooke has continued to put consistent work and time into Joey and after 3 years, all of the hard work is paying off. Joey still needs consistent structure and leadership but he has become the best version of himself and is now a calm and polite dog, whose obedience commands are spot on, and can now go anywhere with Brooke. Currently, Joey is often found working as a helper dog during Brooke's training sessions and programs.
What Brooke went through with Joey, completely opened her eyes to a new world of possibilities in dog training. Brooke's objective and passion is geared towards helping owners who are struggling with their dogs, to find balance within their relationship again.
Every year, Brooke continues to attend dog training seminars and courses to build on her current knowledge of dog training and to sharpen her skill set.
meet the team!
Runs our Mobile Day Training Program!
Location: Cobble Hill to Ladysmith.
Runs our Community Pack Walks.
Bella Krampac
Jenna Pollock
Runs our Structured Dog Walking & Walk and Trains.
North Service Zone.
Location: Ladysmith to Duncan.
Runs our Community Pack Walks.
Runs our Structured Dog Walking and Walk and Trains.
South Service Zone.
Location: Duncan to Shawnigan
Runs our Urban Skills and Obedience Group Class.
emily hanson
Feel free to reach out with any questions
