PACKWORKS APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY employs the inherent canine drives (desires/wills) which are the source of all canine motivation. Understanding these intrinsic drives and resulting motivation is THE KEY to modifying unwanted behaviour. Our program of motivational drive-based behaviour modification results in a cooperative, satisfying and mutually beneficial relationship for BOTH you and your dog.
In our private training sessions, Packworks offers many fun and interesting challenges on the road to solving behavioural issues and to achieving a mutually satisfying coexistence between person and dog.
We employ agility equipment (tunnels, jumps, a chite, teeter-totter, A-frame, etc.) as an enjoyable way to build a dog's confidence and regard (and ultimately TRUE obedience!) for his or her handler/owner. We have resident distraction chickens who just LOVE to help us, help dogs understand that when their owners ask them to sit, they mean sit in the face of any distraction--even a trash-talking Polish Frizzle Rooster.
We have a trail scenario that replicates the impediments to compliance (like horseback riders, other dogs, cats, etc.) into which persons might run while walking their dog along the Centenial Trail in Snohomish, or GreenLake in Seattle, or Twin Lakes in Smokey Point, or along the sidewalk in front of their own home! We even have a rumbly, growly diesel tractor and truck we use as part of a protocol to help dogs get over their adversarial relationship with vehicles with the same sound (UPS, Rubbish collector, etc.)
IN A NUTSHELL: we teach you and your dog to solve the problem with mutually beneficial alternatives, to the inappropriate or undesirable behaviour, in a CONTROLLED, distraction-free environment and then we prove the pudding by asking for the alternative, appropriate behaviour in the face of compelling, interesting, dang near irresistable stimuli/distractions. We bring the REAL WORLD to you and your dog so you can practice your new skills and techniques while we are there to guide you and while the situation is managed to the extent possible to prevent mishap. We make the UNexpected, EXpected so that when it happens, YOU ARE IN CONTROL and ready for it, and can, therefore, react calmly and confidently to defuse/manage the situation.
PACKWORKS by Schumacher & Schmidt
Gretchen Schumacher & Michael Schmidt
425. 870.7533
