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CONTACT Nancy Hook 14934 Taylors Mill Rd. Zebulon, NC 27597 252-235-2545 
E-mail
Copyright 2002-2010 Hook's K9 Training Nancy R. Hook All Rights Reserved |
| Class Information |
This is not really one of my classes--I don't use a cat. I use my famous chicken "Topknot" as a distraction--she replaces the equally famous "Crockpot" that many of you remember, who passed away--and not as you may think--it was natural causes, I promise! This is just a neat picture someone sent me from the internet, and shows what can be accomplished with good, consistent training.
Practicing "Meet & Greet" for the Canine Good Citizen test, or just walking around your neighborhood.
Training your dog makes everyone happy--you, your dog, and your neighbors!
I teach my classes in sets of 6 one-hour sessions. You learn to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash, to sit automatically when you stop, and to respond to the commands, "sit", "down", "stay", "come" and "wait". We also teach the dog to keep its paws and mouth to itself, and we address other problems you might be having with your dog. In each class we go over what we have previously learned: we practice and fine-tune it. Then we learn a new exercise, and practice that. You go home and practice during the week what you've learned in class. Each lesson builds on the previous lesson. No skill comes without practice!
Many questions come up about any dog subject you can think of, from crate training to excessive barking, and everything in between. It is a very interactive class, and I'm proud of how my students support each other through difficulties and cheer for successes. We do a lot of cheering.
You will meet some very nice dog people at class!
The Anti-social Dog:
"What if my dog doesn't like other dogs or people?"
Well, I have a different opinion about this than most instructors. I find it very valuable to the class as well as that individual dog owner and dog to include these dogs who may not work or play well with others! (Of course, if I consider the dog to be a real danger, I work with this dog privately.) But to the average dog owner whose dog loves everyone, canine and human alike, I consider including "anti-social" dogs in my class important survival training for the real world, where there are many aggressive dogs, and they don't come conveniently labeled.
Not only do they learn that sometimes owning a dog with these problems is just "luck of the draw", and it could just as easily have been them, but they learn that it is their responsibility to keep their dog out of other dogs' faces. Whether or not the other dog is aggressive, it is just common courtesy!
For the owner of the anti-social dog, my lesson is in anticipating what your dog is going to do and not waiting to react, which will always be too late. They are often surprised to learn that some of the things they have been doing with the hope of preventing trouble are actually causing the trouble.
For the dog itself, the message is, "We can't always change the way you feel, but we WILL change the way you act!" Like us, a dog can think whatever it likes, but it can't always act on it. A dog who has been taught to heel properly cannot lunge and heel at the same time.
A dog who is isolated because of bad behavior can't learn the necessary skills to live in the real world.
One of my favorite moments in a class is when the anti-social dog chooses the correct behavior and the class can't help but cheer for both the dog and the proud owner.
Doing some interactive heeling.
Good stays!
Practicing recalls
WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS:
1) Your dog
2) Any humans who would like to accompany you, including children! Lawn chairs are recommended for the Peanut Gallery.
3) A regular, ordinary 6' leash--no halters, haltis, flexileads, or so-called "gentle leaders".
4) Water for your dog
5) Empty plastic bags--your pooper scoopers
6) Some sort of soft or non-crunchy food treat that can be torn into teeny little bits and that drive your dog crazy. See the "Tidbits" page of this website for more on "bait" and a great recipe.
Sundance knows that stay means STAY even if being called out by a rowdy chicken!
Little dogs enjoy training as much as bigger dogs!
Class Alert
07.26.10
New class starts! Please, Everybody, do your No-Rain dance! Check back later for a weather report.
Mikey says,
"Class is more fun than a barrel of cats!"
Classes are held regularly in Raleigh, and occasionally in areas from Wilson west to Chapel Hill.
Cost of 6 classes is $100.
Call to confirm start dates--they are subject to change....we are at the mercy of the weather.
Give the gift of classes to someone you love, whose dog you wish you could!
Email me for details!
RALEIGH:
Monday nights
7-8pm.
NEXT CLASS
July 26th, 2010
LOCATION:
Kroger Shopping Center on Six Forks Rd. South, right before it intersects with Wake Forest Rd.
Well, that's not new, but keep reading!
When you enter the Kroger driveway, continue straight past the post office and turn left behind it. At the next driveway, turn left to go behind Borders and Staples.
We have much more room, better lights, and it's clean and safe.
Don't know why I didn't notice it years ago!
It's not necessary to dress up for class, but some dogs just like to....
As soon as your puppy has had all of his shots, he's ready to start classes!
On the other hand, there is no dog too old to benefit from classes, as one 11 yr.old and many 5-8 yr.old dogs have proven.
Training your dog is really just learning to communicate with your dog!
I like my students to train their dogs for "Real Life".
It is of no use to have a dog who obeys only on a square of asphalt or during a specifically set-aside one hour of training. I ask my students to train their dog in the course of their everyday life, 10 or 15 minutes at a time, so the dog understands this is not a "pattern" he is learning, it is a way of behaving no matter what distractions occur, and no matter where he is.
My goal is to help you train your dog to any level you desire. Students have different goals for their dogs, and I want you to reach yours, whether that means just basically civilizing the dog, going on to competition, or anything in between.
Dugan dances--some dogs just love to show off!
Class time is valuable bonding time!
A dog's mind is a terrible thing to waste!
"I took an obedience class, and my dog and I failed."
Man, hearing that just burns me up! If you come to class and practice at home, and still feel like you've failed, it is your instructor who has failed! I get so ticked when I hear about a handler's confidence being crushed because someone in the position of instructor didn't know how to help his/her dog!
Every single dog is different, as are the humans involved. If something isn't working, we try something else. What is necessary for one dog may be too harsh for the next. There may be a large, insecure dog and a tough little terrier--there will be a different approach for each of them, even while teaching the same exercise. Neither dogs nor humans are popped out of the same mold.
It takes experience to understand what will work with one dog and not another, and a big toolbox, so to speak, to have many different ways to motivate and communicate with that dog. Patience, compassion, and a good sense of humor are all necessities in dog/handler training.
Trust in the instructor is earned, not bought.