Focus Dog Training - Obedience Dog Training

Rick has been such a blessing! He helped us better understand how our young GSD learns and really taught us how to narrow in on how to make her succeed in different situations. Even after the first session she was a different dog. Rick is a great trainer and we will be going back to him for extended training on our pup to help fulfill her potential. Overall, not one bad thing to say about Rick, he is consistent and always willing to teach when you have a question or concern. We even recommended to our family members whom are truly learning and enjoying all that Ricks' training program.

Rick at Focus Dog Training was my second attempt at finding a dog training/obedience trainer for my rescued (unknown background) 1.2 year old German Shepherd – he SHOULD have been my first call. I highly recommend Focus Dog Training and the expertise, patience and personal/focused approach Rick has with teaching you how to train/handle your Canine Companion. Here’s what I know when comparing Focus Dog Training to the other guys – you will receive more value for your spend, you will receive 1:1 training (no group classes), you will have a program that is customized/personalized for both you and your canine companion. Rick teaches you how to train your companion. Through his guidance, patience and instruction I have made huge strides in being able to both handle and train my GSD. I understand how my GSD learns. I understand how to teach her to connect a behavior to a command. I understand how to use the tools available to me to manage a highly motivated GSD. We’ve had set backs along the way and when those occurred I found Rick to be available for a pep-talk, a consult, a reminder but more importantly understanding when we needed to take a few steps back to make those strides forward in accomplishing a new command or connection with a technique. Rick/Focus Dog Training is NOT 6 classes and done, it is NOT rushed, it is not cookie-cutter Sit, Stay, Down. It is focused, hands-on education from an extremely professional and knowledgeable trainer. Our sessions range from 30 minutes to an hour depending on how well my GSD and me for that matter are engaged during a session. There have been times where either one or the other were having an off day – in other programs that may have counted “against” your assigned number of classes – with Focus Dog Training that’s just a session day and we pick up where we left off or got stuck at the next one. What I like most about that is we’re not just frying the GSD out – pushing her limits or mine – in order to check a box. Through this program we’ve tackled behavioral issues (aggression) and discovered a joy for both learning and teaching – You may spot us out in public – she’ll be the well behaved, neutral to her surroundings, possibly off-leash but focused on her handler GSD. I’ll be the grateful GSD owner!

I rescued two, large-breed dogs - both with special needs. Living in a forested region without a fence, it became quickly apparent that we (the dogs and myself) needed some professional help managing behavioral issues. I had become so frustrated at one point that I was seriously considering rehoming one or both. Rick to the rescue! I can now walk the two together and enjoy it. Indoor manners have improved greatly.

We reached out to Rick for help with one of our dogs who began displaying aggressive behavior toward our other dog. Rick came out to meet with us and was very interested in learning our concerns as well as explaining how his program worked. We decided to move forward with him and have been more than pleased with the results to this point. We are currently still working with Rick and have seen marked improvement, and clearly see a difference in our dog. Rick is very methodical and patient explaining all of the techniques and the “why”. He will show us how to perform a drill/technique and go over as many times as necessary until we are comfortable and get it right. He is unrushed and works to ensure that we are correctly executing each technique he teaches us, as well as our dog is consistently responding successfully before moving to the next level. He is very knowledgeable and conscientious. I would highly recommend Rick and Focus Dog Training!

Excellent dog trainer, we have been in the program for a year. During our initial contact, he explained the entire process over the phone. He then scheduled an initial appointment for our dog. He made the initial observation and followed through for the next year coaching us and the dog. She is now well trained, can walk without a leash, obeys commands, and can be walked only using verbal commands. She has just completed the training. He not only followed through with a year but has also offered any follow up training as need for our dog. Very professional and thorough