Sit , Stay , Win : Best Paw Forward Talks Training
by Patrick Evans-Hylton
Sit . Stay . Win . Having a dog as part of the family is more involved than playing fetch or long walks . There ’ s a real business of pet ownership , and with canines , training is a big part of it . Many folks are signing up for classes to get their dog up-to-speed in obedience , including basic commands , as well as competition .
“ I have been training Central Florida dogs for 45 years , starting with my own Irish setters at Three-J Dog Training when it was in Maitland ,” says P . J . Lacette . It was an act made out of necessity . “ After our first setter chewed her way through her third couch , my husband said , ‘ Do something about them , there were two by then , or they are gone !’”
When Three-J Dog Training moved , Lacette and friend Sandy Guy started Best Paw Forward , a southwest Volusia County dog school .
“ I often say that I would not likely have stayed in dog training if we had started anywhere else in Central Florida ,” she says . Guy has since retired , and Lacette , the only full-time trainer , offers services with the aid of volunteers .
Best Paws Forward offers 15 small group sessions plus private classes each week covering everything from beginning manners and obedience to competition obedience , agility , rally obedience , conformation , social issues such as aggression , shyness and nervous dogs , plus occasional workshops and seminars . There ’ s even cat counseling .
“ We are very lucky that so many of our students go on to very successful dog competition work , but we are just as proud of the vast number of dogs who stay in their homes after working with us to avoid or fix common problems like jumping up , pulling on leash , chewing and barking ,” Lacette says .
“ Many dogs go back to shelters or reputable breeders for these problems , and , most commonly , house training or even social issues . Fortunately , we have a much better success ratio , but learning to help families make practical decisions is not always easy .”
Success is often measured right away . Lacette notes that dogs start improving immediately because they are very smart ; they can earn fun and rewards quickly when their owners start to operate in a kinder , fun environment , using logic , fairness and rewards like
Castle , a Samoyed pup , trains at Best Paw Forward .
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