Dog Training Classes
We provide dog training classes to the Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford areas.There are no bad dogs. At Wag Ur Tail Dog Training, Mike Morrison knows a lot about what makes dogs tick. Much of the time, the dog behavior we humans label as “bad” comes from the need for a compassionate, consistent, and comprehensive communication with the pet who loves you. Mike Morrison of Wag Ur Tail Dog Training is here to help you and your pet with our personalized dog training classes.
With our dog training in Fredericksburg Virginia, Wag Ur Tail offers you and your pet personalized, one-on-one instruction and evaluation. Call Mike at (540) 324-3518 to begin a training plan today, either privately or in your own home.
The Wag Ur Tail Philosophy
Just like there are no bad dogs, there are no “bad” behaviors. Dog behaviors that humans label as antisocial or destructive, such as destroying shoes or cushions, leaping up onto people, aggressively hoarding food, nipping, and of course biting, are behaviors that need to be understood and then redirected in dog training classes. Dogs need to understand how to do the behaviors that will earn your approval.
The bond between a human and a dog is based on mutual trust and love. Most of the time, dogs choose not to use their exceptional strength and force against human beings. Instead, our dogs depend on us for food, shelter, and love. Dogs place their whole heart in our care: our buddies trust us to treat them with compassion, responsiveness, and respect.
You’ve probably heard the saying about “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” While this isn’t entirely true, Mike knows it’s much easier to train a puppy. Puppy training is crucial especially in those early months of life when the puppy is beginning to learn how to fit in with their pack — that is, socialize with you and your family.
Early puppy training at Wag Ur Tail helps minimize aggressive behaviors such as biting and lunging by giving your little pup appropriate training. Many early problem behaviors in puppies come from fear. Positive reinforcement such as the training methods we use at Wag Ur Tail help teach your puppy to live with confidence and reassurance. It’s also a great time to begin such important skills as housetraining and move puppies away from nipping, chewing, or destroying furniture and shoes. Mike can start working with your puppy as soon as they are old enough to be trained.
It’s About Trust
Mike Morrison, the owner of Wag Ur Tail Dog Training, believes in that trust. In his dog training classes, Mike believes in getting to know your dog individually. He will form a training bond with the dog and help the dog focus on demonstrating positive behaviors. Even more, Mike will teach the dog new behaviors to replace the ones we think of as destructive or aggressive. Ultimately, the Wag Ur Tail philosophy centers on communication and trust.
That’s why at Wag Ur Tail, Mike does not use negative reinforcers such as shock collars or e-collars. Instead, Mike believes in the positive reinforcement of those behaviors we want your dog to keep doing. We know how important your approval and love are to your dog. Using humane methods, we want your dog to feel a sense of reward and accomplishment when they understand how to behave.
How Dog Training works at Wag Ur Tail
When you call Wag Ur Tail at (540) 324-3518 to ask about dog training classes, Mike will schedule a private lesson — including in your own home — for one hour a week. Remember, dogs need practice to really learn a new concept, just like everyone else, and training gives dogs a lot to think about. During the week between lessons, you’ll work with your dog, teaching them by using positive reinforcement and consistent, frequent repetition. You’re learning the patient process of clear communication with your best friend.
When you meet again with Mike, you’ll work on improving your dog’s mastery of the commands you’ve taught them already, or you’ll move on to the next step.
Private Dog Training Classes
Each dog is different. At his dog training classes in Fredericksburg Virginia, Mike gets to know your dog as an individual in customized, private classes. It’s important for Mike to understand the dog’s behavior so that we can assess the reasons for the behavior we want the dog to discontinue. As a result, Mike uses a variety of effective training methods to meet each individual dog at their own level.
Since it’s also crucial to focus on the unique personality and needs of your dog, Mike does strictly individual classes unless you have two or more dogs in your house who need to learn better behaviors together.
Puppy Training Classes
You’ve probably heard the saying about “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” While this isn’t entirely true, Mike knows it’s much easier to train a puppy. Puppy training is crucial especially in those early months of life when the puppy is beginning to learn how to fit in with their pack — that is, socialize with you and your family.
Early puppy training at Wag Ur Tail helps minimize aggressive behaviors such as biting and lunging by giving your little pup appropriate training. Many early problem behaviors in puppies come from fear. Positive reinforcement such as the training methods we use at Wag Ur Tail help teach your puppy to live with confidence and reassurance. It’s also a great time to begin such important skills as housetraining and move puppies away from nipping, chewing, or destroying furniture and shoes. Mike can start working with your puppy as soon as they are old enough to be trained.
The Benefits of One-on-One Training
- Mike is there just for you and your dog
- You can ask specific questions about your individual dog’s training
- Mike can give you a specific answer focused just on your dog’s individual personality and needs
Call Today to Schedule Dog Training Classes
Bonus Owner Training!
In the dog training world, there’s a joke that when a pet comes in for dog training classes, the owner gets trained too. There’s a lot of truth to that, particularly when it comes to clear communication between you and your dog. Mike knows that your dog wants to please you. Dogs see you and your family as its “pack,” and a very important priority for most dogs is finding out where they fit into the pack hierarchy.
Mike customizes his dog training by showing dog owners how to execute commands — and how to get the same results that he gets. Your dog will become more confident by understanding what you want, and you’ll be more confident as well by seeing the lasting results. Ultimately, Mike wants dog owners to feel confident enough to maintain their dog’s training and add new commands instead of relying on a trainer.
How to Talk with Mike
Call Mike Morrison of Wag Ur Tail at (540) 324-3518. Additionally, Mike has a Wag Ur Tail Dog Training page on Facebook. Come by and “Like” our page.
We offer dog training from Fredericksburg Virginia to Culpeper in order to meet your needs and help you individually. Call Mike and schedule a customized training plan for you and your dog.
Mike will schedule training with you and your dog(s) weekly for one-hour sessions. Then throughout the week, you will practice with your dog and meet again with Mike to either improve on that training or move to the next step. These training sessions are available in several packages and in various locations from Fredericksburg to Culpeper. To schedule and customize a training plan for your individual situation, please contact Mike Morrison at (540) 324-3518. You can also connect with Mike on Facebook on his Wag Ur Tail Dog Training page.
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Reviews from Wag Ur Tail Dog Training alumni speak for themselves:
We did a 6-session private lesson package, and even after one there was a major improvement! The lessons were straightforward and kept simple so that we knew exactly what to practice and keep an eye out for at home and when we worked with [our dog] in public.
Mike has helped me not to be anxious and how to take control of my puppy. He answers emails right away and never tires of my questions . . . In the two lessons we have had so far, my puppy can go up and down stairs, comes when called (still a work in progress), will walk right with me off his leash, and stays when we are outside.
To schedule and customize a training plan for your individual situation
Call Mike Morrison at (540) 324-3518
You can also connect with Wag Ur Tail on Facebook