The Dog Shepherd specializes in leadership training coupled with positive reward obedience training.

Dogs LOVE training when practiced properly. Dogs and humans alike, all need a purpose, something to do, something to work towards.  When we set up small goals and challenges for our dogs to attain, we give them the gift of accomplishment.  A simple game such as throwing a ball should have rules as well as the obvious reward.

 

We invite ALL BREEDS and ALL AGES of dogs to train with The Dog Shepherd. Much like people, dogs are all different.

I have worked with nearly every AKC registered breed of dog and enjoy the diversity in each dog.

I enjoy reading the dogs confidence, energy, and motivational reward system and capitalizing on the dog’s strengths in order to ensure the dog succeeds through proper training.

 

We  offer two types of training:

BOARD & TRAIN gives the dog the opportunity to learn commands quickly with no ambiguity in meaning from a professional dog trainer.

Our BOARD & TRAIN course gives owners the option  to choose from several commands. We also offer behavior modification which allows us  to target unwanted behaviors such as: excitement, pulling on leash, barking, jumping, chewing, and more.  Some dogs simply  need a SOCILZATION  refresher with our well balanced and calm dogs here at SHEPHERDS PACK.

IN HOME TRAINING lessons are a great option for the highly motivated dog owner who is eager to learn how to interact with their dog properly and see the results of training week to week.

We enjoy helping people to become better leaders, trainers, and responsible dog parents.

 

 

Many of my clients find us after problem behaviors have peaked, I would encourage anyone owning a dog to give them the gift of becoming a better SHEPHERD before waiting for unnecessary problems to arise.

While I am not limited to working with one particular breed, German Shepherds have found their way to my home.  As there is a story to everything, my story included owning 6 German Shepherds at once and raising them to live, eat, sleep, play, train, and work together as one PACK (family).

Owning Six shepherds is probably the reason my leadership skills were not only beneficial, but absolutely necessary.   Over the last 12 years I have always been somewhat caught off guard by comments from the local vet and groomer about how nice it was to meet such “Good” dogs.  The comments continued to happen without fail with each of my dogs throughout the years.  I also had to notice that not all of my dogs were “acquired”  at the same life stage (puppy).  This led me to conclude that it is truly the leader or “Shepherd” of the Pack that can bring out the best in each individual dog.

With that I decided that all of my puppies from SHEPHERDS PACK will be worked with extensively BEFORE the sale in order to imprint the proper foundation for the future owners.

Thank You for taking the time to visit The Dog Shepherd,

Sincerely,
Sam Vivona

 

 

“The breeder can indeed lay the foundations of a good and serviceable dog but the trainer must see to it that he brings to their highest possible development, the physical and mental foundations already laid and thus his is the more grateful task.”

 

-Max von Stephanitz (Founder of the GSD)

 

(Pictured Above) Pig – The Dog Shepherd Training Graduate