The Well-Adjusted Family Dog
In the Lehigh Valley, a well-adjusted family dog exhibits the following behaviors:
- Handles most situations they may be confronted with and rises to the occasion with curiosity and interest.
- Is comfortable with dogs racing out of a yard and towards them or walking comfortably through a crowd of people and dogs.
- Is comfortable being petted by people of all ages, including toddlers.
- Sits calmly while cars, bikes, and wheelchairs pass by.
- Allows their owner’s family and friends into the home without becoming overexcited.
- Trusts the humans in their life to be the leader and make the right decisions for the dog.
- Always knows their humans will keep them safe.
Many dog owners choose Marx’s Lehigh Valley Dog Training & Behavior to turn their canine companions into well-adjusted family dogs in the Lehigh Valley area with puppy socialization classes. Whether you are training new puppies or rescue dogs, you should start defining and structuring the rules for them before they take matters upon themselves. The sooner you do this, the better. We say this because we are often called in years after the fact. A dog that knows how to get past the general rules to get his way is a smart dog. However, smart dogs can quickly learn new behavioral rules with a little direction and consistency from their humans.
Our Training Process
Dogs are at their happiest when they have good leaders. In addition, happy dogs live longer because they are less stressed. Once we relieve the stress from your dog, yours will also go away.
Finding the Right Dog
You may ask yourself, how do I find the right dog breed for me? For many Lehigh Valley dog owners, the two main ways they acquire a new canine companion are through buying and rescuing. Whichever option you choose, consider doing a considerable amount of research first. Remember that the breeders of the breed you are researching are often the authors of the research you are reading. Dig a little deeper in your research. Many of them avoid saying negative things about their breed of choice. However, keep in mind that every breed has positive and negative aspects. Start by asking yourself the following questions:
- What size dog will fit my lifestyle?
- How much hair shedding do I consider bothersome?
- How long am I likely to be away from home during the day?
- Am I willing to pay a groomer every 4–8 weeks?
Questions to ask while searching for help with your beloved dog
Choosing the right trainer/behaviorist for you and your dog is one of the most important discussions you will ever make for your family concerning your dog or dogs. Number one question, and let’s not waste valuable time, so ask it right away.
- Are you going to put anything electronic, even tone, or vibration on my dog?
Hard NO. Many dogs fail the e-collar process and even become very aggressive to the humans that he once trusted. Dogs must trust their family in order to become trustworthy. Dogs don’t understand electricity. Let’s be clear with our dogs and not confuse them. - Will my dog ever be taken out of my site?
This should be a hard NO. The minute you step away from your dog is the minute your dog will feel lost and left behind. That is such a fragile emotion for your dog to experience. Your dog will never be able to tell you what happened during this time. Trainers are not being watched or sanctioned while alone with your dog. That trainer can do anything they want without repercussion by you or anyone else. I have been trained as a Animal Behaviorist and have sworn the oath ( TO DO NO HARM ) My team and I will never take your dog out of your sight. While on this topic, don’t leave your dog alone with veterinarians and groomers until you completely trust them, especially the very young dogs. - What happens if my dog doesn’t learn?
This is especially important for behavior modification. This should be a journey. We will stay with you throughout the process. I offer unlimited behavior group classes. These classes will can be life changing for the dog that has dog to human aggression, dog to dog aggression, or both. The dogs that don’t have aggression at all will work with the other dogs that are also not struggling with aggression.
The Pros & Cons of Rescuing a Dog
For Lehigh Valley residents, rescuing a dog or puppy can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. Many loving, healthy, and potty-trained dogs need families to care for them. Some of them have already been obedience-trained. The cost of rescuing a dog in the Lehigh Valley area lies somewhere between $150 and $500. We recommend setting aside approximately $2,000 for your new dog’s needs. After using a portion of that money, put it back into your dog’s account as needed. A new family dog can become expensive.
When rescuing a dog in the Lehigh Valley, you will need to see a good vet as soon as possible. (Note: Remember to bring a stool sample.) In addition, you should prepare the following items:
- A proper-sized crate
- Food & water dishes
- Toys
- A veterinarian
- A leash
- A collar
Your new dog will not be perfect, so you may need the help of a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist. With dedicated guidance, your pet can turn into a great companion in a few days.
Please note that it may cost more money in the long run to rescue a puppy than to buy one from a breeder. When people ask us if they should rescue or buy, we ask them if they are rescuing to save money or save an unwanted dog. For those who answer the latter, we encourage them to rescue.
Becoming a dog owner is a huge commitment that needs to be taken seriously. Should your dogs become a problem, seek help from Marx’s Lehigh Valley Dog Training & Behavior before putting them back into an animal rescue. Animal shelters should never be used as dumping grounds for unwanted pets.
Buying a Puppy from a Puppy Mill
Puppies are undeniably adorable, but many of them come from puppy mills. These facilities are the main reason animal shelters have become overcrowded. Most puppies for sale in pet stores are Puppy Mill dogs. We respectfully ask that you refrain from shopping in stores selling puppies. These establishments should be held accountable for supporting Puppy Mills, so it is best to avoid them.
If you have purchased a puppy mill dog exhibiting behavioral issues, know that you are not alone, and there is plenty of help. Marx’s Lehigh Valley Dog Training & Behavior specializes in training this type of dog. Remember that behavioral issues are more than fixable, and we can turn a troublesome canine into a wonderful family pet.
Finding a Reputable Breeder
When looking for a good dog breeder, it is important to choose one you are willing to visit before selecting a puppy. Avoid those who ship puppies to you. Reputable breeders prefer meeting you and your family first to ensure their puppies are being sold to the right people. They are also experts in breeding only one type of dog breed.
Never buy a puppy if there is not at least one parent on the breeder’s property. The more relatives you find in their home, the better. Most good breeders have a room inside their homes where their puppies stay. Beware of breeders whose dogs stay in a garage, shed, or backyard. The mother dog should have free access to come and go in the puppies’ living area.
Next, determine whether the breeder’s home smells like puppies or an animal shelter. Thoroughly examine the general condition of all the puppies and adult dogs. Reputable breeders will breed their female dogs only once a year since overbreeding can result in the mother and her puppies having poor health. A stud dog can be bred several times a year with no ill effect on him or his offspring. The dam and sire (i.e., mother and father) should have no family relation to each other.
Several red flags to look out for include:
- Puppies staying outside the breeder’s home.
- Puppies having more than a small amount of poop and pee in their quarters.
- Being shown only one puppy that looks like it just had a bath.
- Puppies shying away from strangers.
- Older relatives of the dogs living in cages.
- Things that look or smell questionable.
Things Reputable Breeders Are Expected to Do
- Engage in a lengthy phone conversation with you.—They interview you before showing you their dogs and expertly answer all your questions.
- Show you the adult dogs related to the puppies you are planning to buy.—You should be able to personally meet and interact with the puppies’ mother or father. This lets you check if the dam or sire is present in the breeder’s home and if they have good temperaments. Poor-tempered dogs should never be bred.
- Assist you in picking the right puppy.—Good breeders have a thorough understanding of the different temperaments of each puppy in the litter.
- Provide their dogs with plenty of high-quality food.—Puppies that only get enough food to sustain themselves will likely come to your home with poor food behaviors.
- Show you how to properly hold a puppy and watch you closely as you handle the young dog.
- Let your new puppy stay with them for a few extra days if you will be on vacation or out of town.
- Refuse to sell a puppy if it will be gifted to a person who did not ask for one.
- Prioritize meeting you and your family before their puppy is transferred to your home.
- Have all their American Kennel Club (AKC) paperwork in order by the time their pups are 8 weeks old.—The AKC has clear rules about buying puppies before their registration is completed. However, the rules do not protect you as the buyer. For your convenience, the official website of the AKC has a classified section directing you to local breeders who have puppies. Not all breeders listed on this site are reputable, but many are. The AKC does not check on breeders in person.
Off Leash Training
Off leash training can be accomplished with every breed of dog. At Marx’s Lehigh Valley Dog Training and Behavior, we start Off Leash Training as soon as we have the leash manors and recall perfected with your dog.
Legally there are very few places that your dog is allowed off leash. I am asked to off leash train dogs often. This part of the training is very simple. There should never be the need of an electronic device. In fact, I would urge that you don’t use them due to the battery in these collars are incredibly unreliable. If a dog is trained to react to the tone and he doesn’t get the tone due to battery failure, your dog will not respond.
Consider off leash dog training as soon as your dog has mastered the perfect stay and recall with us in our classes. We will be more than happy to guide your dog until he is ready for our off-leash training classes. These classes are held after the primary Sunday classes. They are fun and informative. This is actually the easiest class for us to train. Dogs learn this faster than you probably imagine.
The dogs in these photos are participating in the Off Leash Training classes. They each are waiting to be called out of the line and to his owner one at a time. This is only the second 20-minute training class for many of them. Even though these dogs are German Shepherds there is often many other breeds and mixed breeds in this class. I’ve never met a dog that we couldn’t train to do this.
We have a very simple and effective method to teach dogs how to be Off Leash Trained. This method also will keep the dogs safe while learning. Our Off Leash Dog Trainers are standing close by to help the dog remain on the stay as needed. In this class, as the dogs become close to completion, I will have my own dogs walking around and even trying to distract the dogs waiting their recall. The dogs on the stay will ignore my training dogs. When the handler calls their dog, it will run directly to its owner and sit. The dog will be praised and then the dog will be directed to walk directly next to his owner back to the line. Praised again and placed back on a stay. We then repeat with each dog. Let our OFF LEASH DOG TRAINERS show you how simple and fun this is to learn!
Just say no to shock collars
AKA, any electronic device attached to a dog’s neck. including the Mini Educator, the tone and vibration and Shock collars. These collars are widely known to do emotional damage. The only exception is the fencing collars. Provided the training is done correctly. Without the dog being shocked.
My team and I have helped hundreds of families over the last 15 years recover their dogs’ trust, several months after electronic collar training has been completed.
At first this style of training may seem to be working. Soon though, many dogs will begin to revert back to their former behaviors. The human will then be instructed to start using the shock button to control the dog’s behavior. This is when your dog will begin to lose their trusting nature towards the family. Over and over, I meet these dogs and help them to recovery.
I have watched many dogs help me raise their pups to become amazing family members. I have watched them closely. I have watched all mothers and older siblings to fathers and uncles help me to raise the pups. I see the older dogs structure the pack in the most organic ways. They would never put an electronic device on their trusting family members.
Your family dog needs to trust the human to teach good behaviors. Unwanted behaviors are most often easily turned into good behaviors. Your dog doesn’t have to be put through a human electric device to learn. Dogs have a amazing way of teaching. I can teach you how to be that effective Pack Leader in a most natural way.
Raising the family dog does not have to be complicated. I would never recommend leaving your dog for any type of board training. This is another way the trust of the dog will likely be compromised. Not worth the risk! Training your dog with solid help and advice will be the most helpful, even if you have complicated behaviors. I never leave your side as I teach your dog to perform simple and complicated tasks. Once we teach your dog something new. I will teach you how to achieve the same thing with your dog. Leave it, jumping, barking, leach pulling and so much more. Food aggression, dog to dog aggression and human aggression can all be modified without the use of electronic collars or board training.
