Timeframe
The generally expected and achievable timeframe is about 3-4 weeks. How long the training will ultimately take depends on intensity, the dog's obedience, state of health, race, and naturally the owner's expectations.
Training method
The aim of dog training is controlling actions through the dog's brain: we develop the dog's mind and intellect. The training itself needs to be fitted to the dog's individual character and attributes: one dog may be shy, the other more brave, again another more sensitive, while the other a little less, the third forthcoming, the other non-obedient. Regarding their temper, dogs are just as different as humans, therefore we can honestly say: no two dogs are alike.
As a consequence comes the trainer's assumption to approach his work from the dog's viewpoint and plan and schedule a training program by considering each and every individual trait. In the framework of individual training, our colleague, after having performed a thorough investigation, prepares an individual training plan perfectly adapted to the personal traits of the dog. This is the key to our success.
The dog's viewpoint
The probably most frequent mistake made by dog owners is that they presume more logic in their beloved dogs than they actually have. How often have we seen dogs running around in parks off leash with their owners calling, but the dog totally ignoring them? In the end, the dog would naturally come back, but just for being reprehended or punished and put back on leash again.
For the owner it is perfectly clear why he has done so, but the dog unfortunately becomes totally confused and left without a clue why he/she was punished. Therefore, using intelligence, the dog decides that it is not a good thing to come back if called. Thus, the owner has successfully "trained" the dog never to come when called.
The power of praise
Just like humans, dogs love to be praised – of course somewhat differently than we do, like being stroked or getting a cookie. If we want our dog to carry out a certain task, we try to arrange the situation in a way that it is almost sure that the task gets done.
After having performed the task, the dog is immediately rewarded. And see: the dog wants to be rewarded again and again!
The dog's interest
One key for developing obedience is getting into the center of the dog's interest and modifying it. When the puppies are born, their first interest is their mom. After nursing, however, they quickly skip her in favor of different titbits and play with their peers. As dogs grow up, they get interested in many other things, such as exciting scents, other animals, or the opposite sex. If the trainer is not able to worm himself into the absolute center of attention of the dog, then it is unlikely that he will achieve his own and the owner's expectations.
Individual training helps, since we can isolate the dog from most of the distracting factors, thus most efficiently affecting his/her scope of interest. Between training sessions, the dog has time to think through everything that he/she learned that day, thus making the training sessions the highlight of the day.
