About Us
Earl has been a Professional Instructor for more than 30 years while employed in a variety of settings, dealing more with issues on the human end of the scale. He has also been working with dogs of various breeds and studying dog behavior for over 17 years and is certified as a Professional Dog Handler/Trainer in Basic Obedience/Leadership and basic Behavior Modification through KNINEPAL DOG TRAINING/BEHAVIOR SPECIALISTS. Earl has also gained recognition as a Master Handler/Trainer.
Contrary to popular belief that the dog is the problem, the dog is stupid, stubborn or the dog just doesn’t listen, Alpha-Dog believes that approximately 75 % of dog problems begin at the human end of the leash. Earl’s Degree in Psychology (the study of human behavior) is indeed an asset when dealing with the human obstacle surrounding dog training.
In the past, Earl has been involved as a volunteer for the Special Olympics Summer Games in British Columbia, Canada and also received the Leadership Award in recognition of an outstanding volunteer contribution to the community and people of Simon Fraser University for his work on the Student Leader’s Program. Earl also has numerous certificates for educational programs he underwent while employed in the environmental health and safety profession.
Earl is also an accomplished Ultra Marathoner, completing distances of 30 miles (Knee Knackering North Shore Train Run, Canada’s Knarliest 30 Miler – 6-time finisher) up to 100 miles (Cascade Crest Classic 100 Mile Endurance Run – 3-time finisher, Western States 100 Miler – 2-time finisher, “Moe’s” The Eagle 100 Miler – 2-time finisher, Angeles Crest 100 Miler – 1 time finisher). Earl has also completed many races of distances between 30 and 100 miles including 50 kilometers (Cle Elum), 50 miles (White River), and 100 kilometers (Mi Wok) to name a few.
Earl’s love for dogs has grown over the years and he too has experienced the frustration when “Rover” won’t do what you want him to do. Through a behavioral approach, however, you can learn how to communicate with your “best friend” in a way that he will understand. You will also become skilled at teaching your family pet that you are a benevolent “Alpha-Leader”. Take the time to eliminate your frustration and enjoy the many benefits your “best friend” can bring to you and your family by contacting “Alpha-Dog” Dog Training today. A positive alternative in dog training that actually works!
Alpha-Dog Dog Training Philosophy
Earl, Master trainer/Behaviorist at Alpha-Dog, is a behavior-oriented trainers who does not believe there is a specific time or age at which to begin or do training. This is because training your dog will be an on-going, life-long process. You will train your dog every-day and demonstrate your leadership through your dog’s compliance with basic obedience commands.
Earl believes the training process should not be a chore or burden made up of artificial training sessions that are boring and time consuming. Training your dog should be and will be a pleasant, fun experience as you incorporate training techniques into your everyday way of living.
As a behavior-oriented trainer Earl does not endorse the use of punishment. Why would you want to knee your dog in the chest when he jumps up or step on his hind feet? Or force him into a submissive position or rub his nose in his potty when he goes in an inappropriate location? There are alternate, more enjoyable methods you can employ to correct unwanted behaviors without punishing your dog.
At Alpha-Dog, Earl shows you how to use alternate techniques to correct those undesirable behaviors that, by the way, are most often natural behavior in a dog’s view of the world.
Training the Alpha-Dog way will show you how to incorporate discipline, when needed, to correct unwanted behaviors. Discipline is NOT punishment and dog’s respond to discipline; it is something that is required in their life just like exercise and affection.
Alpha-Dog believes two words to be removed from clients’ vocabularies are fault and blame. No one is to blame for a dog’s misbehavior, nor is anyone at fault. When dogs misbehave, they are most often just being dogs. Indeed, as dog owners, we do the best we can with the knowledge we have, be it from past ownership of a dog, a friend's or co-worker's advice or suggestions from family members. For dogs to live in a human world we must teach them the rules and boundaries of our domain, so they do not act like “animals”.
Indeed, most of the problems we have with our dogs are surrounded by the fact that the dog believes they are in control of the pack and not their human counterparts.
Through Leadership Training you will become a benevolent Alpha-Leader. The dog doesn’t care who is in charge, it’s just that in a dog’s world there has to be a leader and if one is not perceived by the dog, they will assume the role. That’s just the way it is in a dog’s world!
At Alpha-Dog we teach you about dogs; what motivates a dog, how a dog learns and perceives its world, we answer the “why” of dog training. Learn how to train and discipline your dog in a positive way and in a way your dog can relate too. We teach you that patience, persistence, and a proven training technique will get you the everlasting results you desire.
THOUGHTS FOR DOG OWNERS
Remember that dogs are not humans, they are dogs. It is important to understand this before they get love and affection from you. To them their primary needs as an animal and the dog species is, exercise to stimulate their minds, specific rules of conduct in their life with you and most importantly, leadership. The emotion of love alone does not give them the things they desire out of life. Showing you are “pack leader” in a way they relate, does.
To a dog, it is important that you demonstrate leadership every day particularly when walking your dog. The attitude and emotions you project within you are the attitudes and emotions you send to your dog.
Spend at least 30 to 60 minutes every day in positive interaction with your dog. Do this by demonstrating to your dog that you have consistent and specific rules of conduct and interaction that you expect them to follow. Again, this is done by showing them, not rationalizing with them.
Changing a dog’s behavior issues is not about “fixing” the problem. It is about you the owner, creating and demonstrating your intention for what you want, not what you are feeling. Dogs will always pick up on feelings of fear, uncertainty or worry, and they will by instinct attempt to compensate for these feelings by becoming dominant.
Never expect more from your dog than you would your children. Tough love works for dogs too. Establish rules and boundaries as well as love and nurturing.
Do not enable your dog’s fears, phobias or unstable mind set. Create in your mind a successful idea of what you and your dog will do together and hold that thought when interacting with your dog.
Dogs like learning new things and being challenged to expand themselves as do all living things. Let them earn your attention and affections. A dog that does not have to earn these things is viewed as Pack Leader in their perceptions of things.
Dogs need activity but they also need down times as well. Involve yourself completely in structured time together, after which they can relax and are not so apt to engage in destructive or nervous behaviors.
Remember, you are the source of your dog’s energy. They are mirrors of their environment that is the direct result of the feed-back they get from you. Be their role model so that when you look into this mirror, you like what you see and so will they.
As dogs (like children) are reflections of us they can teach us a lot about ourselves and who we are or are not. The wonderful thing is, unlike humans, if we make a mistake, our dogs will forgive us and give us another chance to adjust. This is because they only live in the moment. To them it “feels good or does not, it works or does not, based on what they want to be—do—or have at the moment”. Try it, you’ll like it!
Contact Us
Call Earl at 864-353-2716 to schedule your consultation today!
Hours - Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
