Dog trainers at Pawtopia believe that you are the most vital component of your dog’s training, and will help you improve your pet’s behavior as well as your relationship with your pet. “Consistency is key for any training program,” says owner Colleen Demling, one of a handful of trainers in San Diego that is a certified pet dog trainer and an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Demling has recently been concentrating on private lessons because owner and pet can accomplish obedience training in three to four private lessons rather than the six to eight weeks it would take in a group class. Pawtopia trainers will come to your house and create a program that develops new behaviors and addresses your dog’s bad habits. “I have found that private lessons are so much more effective because it allows me to customize training to the goals of that specific family as well as the temperament of the dog,” says Demling. She loves to see the positive changes that occur in the relationship between people and their dogs during training. She adds, “Once people learn how to properly communicate with their dog as well as understand what their dog is trying to say, the relationship flourishes and both sides become so much happier.” Pawtopia will also offer a group class that will begin at the end of September. (858/414-7797, www.pawtopiatraining.com) RINA VAN ORDEN
