Training

Positive Reinforcement Training Only

Our experience and expertise have proven that positive reinforcement is the most beneficial and effective way to train your fur family members. Our techniques will help your dog achieve lasting behavior change while enhancing a strong dog-human bond. Our philosophy is:

Train with rewards, not punishment
Create a positive association with good behavior
Keep dogs healthy, safe, and content
Empower dogs to be willing participants in their vet, grooming, and daily care
Teach them skills to pawsitively thrive in our world

Puppy Training - AKC S.T.A.R.

Start Your Puppy Training and Socialization Early

Socialization is essential to be completed prior to 16 weeks of age. Manners can be taught at any age, so it’s important to bond with and teach puppies about the world. Attend our puppy classes to have human and dog socialization as well as basic manners and any troubleshooting. See this Socialization Checklist by Dr. Sophia Yin for reference.

What is A.K.C Star Puppy?

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class.

S – Socializing

T – Training

A – Activity

R – Responsibility

The Benefits of Training

Training classes teach you how to best communicate with your puppy. Organized training classes also provide an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. In classes aimed at earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction, you’ll be able to get information on all your puppy-raising questions including housetraining, chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy training is a natural lead in to the AKC® Canine Good Citizen® Program.

How It Works

When you complete a basic training class with your puppy (up to 1 year old) your puppy is eligible to be enrolled in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.

You’ll attend an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class for at least 6 weeks. Your instructor will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test at the end of the course. Upon passing the test, you’ll get an application to send to AKC® for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. All dogs are welcome to participate in the program including purebreds and mixed breeds.

Your puppy will receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal (for display or memento purposes; not suitable as a collar tag). You and your puppy will be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records. In addition, so that you can continue learning, you’ll receive our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package that includes:

A beautiful, frameable certificate designating your puppy is in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC
New Puppy Guide – Digital Edition: AKC’s comprehensive resource about caring for your puppy
Ongoing Monthly Email Newsletter: Your AKC. This includes training tips and up-to-date information every dog owner needs to know. We want you and your puppy to continue learning beyond puppy classes.

https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/akc-star-puppy/

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Canine Good Citizen

What is Canine Good Citizen?

CGC is a ten-skill training program that’s open to all dogs–purebred and mixed breed–that focuses on teaching the basics of good manners and obedience, instilling the values of responsible ownership, and strengthening the bond between you and your dog at home and out in the community. There are no age minimums or limits for participating in the Canine Good Citizen program, because yes, you actually can teach an old dog new tricks!

After mastering the ten skills, passing the CGC test together, and taking the Responsible Dog Ownership pledge, you and your pup will join the proud ranks of over 1 million dogs who have earned their Canine Good Citizen award– accomplishment that’s definitely worthy of extra belly rubs!

The Benefits of Canine Good Citizen

For starters, we know it’s up to us as humans to lead the charge and promote responsible pet ownership, so our skills are based on learning how to better understand and communicate with each other. Through the hours of training and practice, you’ll deepen your bond and become a more connected pair. This bond allows you to become the best companions for each other, and great neighbors to those around you. It’s a win, win, win!

Beyond the bonding, there are practical benefits to CGC training, too. Not only will you and your dog understand the basics of dog training, and master skills like sit, down and stay, but you’ll know your dog will be able to handle herself with grace in a crowd and be a welcomed client at the vet or groomer. The CGC title is also a prerequisite for many therapy dog certifications, as well as a great introduction to more advanced dog sports and activities. Some homeowners’ insurance programs even offer discounts for CGC dogs, and an increasing number of apartments and condos see CGC awards as a major bonus for becoming a resident.

What’s on the test?

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
Test 7: Coming when called
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
Test 10: Supervised separation

https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/

Behavior Modification

Does your dog act fearfully or is reactive toward other people or dogs? Are you having trouble getting your dogs to live together in peace with you or your family members? Does your dog just get overly excited around other people or animals? We can help you get control, read your dogs’ body language better, and help them overcome their fears.

Not ready for group classes? That’s ok, we can work with you 1-on-1 in your home or at our facility. Contact us today to schedule a private session.

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Be Sure to Check Our Canine and Puppy Agility Classes!

Consultation and Pricing

The first step to putting together an effective training plan is to schedule a consultation where an evaluation will be made. Following the evaluation, a discussion of your goals/objectives will determine the best training strategy, and a plan will be developed to accomplish your objectives.

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Click below for indicative prices. Note that prices can range based many factors. Please schedule a consultation to get a better idea based on your objectives

Training Prices

Additional Resources

Board and Train by Pawminded

About Pawminded

Ela is a credentialed trainer with a background in Behavior Science and Canine psychology. She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and holds the credentials to administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program, CGC, AKC Community Canine (the advanced level of CGC), Urban CGC and Trick Dog tests. Ela also holds a certificate in Canine Psychology and is certified in Pet First Aid Safety, Pet CPR, Pet Respiratory, Safe Pet Moving, Emergency, and Pet Poisonings. Ela is also an established business entrepreneur and member of APDT and IACP. She has combined her business background and love and passion for all things dog into a dog training career in Southern California since 2014. Before launching Pawminded she was training and overseeing C.O.R.E, a premier dog boarding and training company in Los Angeles. Ela continues to enhance her expertise by studying under expert behaviorist James O’Heare (Doctor of Behaviorology and writer of “Empowerment Training” and “Dog Training”) and is on track to earn her Dipl. CBST.

The Pawminded experience is unique and effective. You, your dog, and Ela become a team that works together for desired results. We empower you as much as we empower your dog.