Sam is a dedicated and compassionate dog trainer with over five years of experience working with dogs of all breeds and personalities. Having completed a master’s program and earning accreditation in her field, Sam combines her expertise with a deep love for dogs to deliver training that is both effective and enriching. Known for her kind and patient approach, Sam is passionate about helping dogs and their humans build lasting connections rooted in trust and understanding. Whether addressing behavior challenges or teaching new skills, Sam is committed to creating positive, transformative experiences for every dog and owner she works with.

Owner/Head Dog Trainer

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Who we are

At Praise and Play, we are passionate about building strong, joyful relationships between dogs and their humans through positive reinforcement and playful training techniques. Based on a foundation of trust, understanding, and respect, our approach focuses on creating a supportive environment where your furry companion can thrive. Whether you're teaching foundational skills or addressing specific behavioral challenges, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Our mission is to empower dog owners with the knowledge and tools they need to foster a lifetime of good behavior and happy tails. At Praise and Play, every session is more than training—it's a celebration of the bond you share with your dog.

 FAQs

  • Obedience training as a service involves enlisting the expertise of professional dog trainers to teach and reinforce desired behaviors in dogs. This service is designed to enhance the communication and understanding between dogs and their owners, resulting in a well-behaved and obedient pet.

    Behavioral Guidance: We provide guidance on basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and heel, as well as addressing specific behavioral issues like jumping, barking, or leash pulling.

    Customized Training Plans: We assess each dog individually, taking into account their personality, breed, and specific needs. We create personalized training plans to address the unique challenges and goals of the dog and owner.

    Positive Reinforcement Techniques: We emphasize positive reinforcement, rewarding good behavior with treats, praise, or play. This approach fosters a positive learning environment and strengthens the bond between the dog and owner.

    Socialization Opportunities: We promote socialization, exposing dogs to various environments, people, and other dogs. This helps prevent behavioral issues and ensures that dogs can adapt well to different situations.

    Owner Education: Obedience training services not only focus on the dog but also educate owners on effective training techniques, communication, and understanding canine behavior. This empowers owners to continue reinforcing positive behaviors at home.

    Gradual Progression: Training is aconducted in progressive stages, allowing dogs to master basic commands before moving on to more advanced skills. This ensures a step-by-step approach to building a solid foundation of obedience.

    Consistency and Repetition: Successful obedience training requires consistency and repetition. We guide owners on the importance of practicing commands regularly and maintaining a structured routine to reinforce positive behaviors.

    Obedience training as a service is valuable for both new and experienced dog owners, fostering a positive relationship between dogs and their families. By investing in professional guidance, owners can enjoy the rewards of a well-behaved, happy, and well-adjusted canine companion.

  • Individualized Programs: Customized training programs tailored to each dog's unique abilities, temperament, and owner's goals.

    Complex Commands: Introducing a range of advanced commands that go beyond basic obedience, showcasing a dog's intelligence and versatility.

    Therapy Dogs:

    Calm Demeanor: Training focuses on maintaining a calm and reassuring presence in various environments, essential for therapy work.

    Empathy and Sensitivity: Teaching therapy dogs to exhibit empathy and sensitivity towards individuals, providing comfort and support.

    Specialized Tasks:

    Task Customization: Training dogs for specific tasks based on the handler's needs, such as retrieval, alerting, or assistance with mobility.

    Precision and Consistency: Ensuring dogs perform specialized tasks reliably and precisely, contributing to the handler's overall well-being.

    Off-Leash Control:

    Reliable Recall: Training dogs to respond promptly and consistently to recall commands even in off-leash situations, demonstrating a high level of obedience.

    Advanced Distraction Management: Teaching dogs to maintain focus and respond to commands in distracting environments, emphasizing control.

    Behavior Modification:

    Identifying Triggers: Assessing and addressing specific behavioral issues by identifying triggers and implementing positive reinforcement techniques.

    Positive Behavior Encouragement: Utilizing positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors, fostering a positive and cooperative mindset in dogs.

    Handler Education:

    Effective Communication: Providing handlers with tools for effective communication, ensuring clarity and understanding between the dog and owner.

    Consistent Reinforcement: Educating handlers on how to consistently reinforce learned behaviors at home, promoting ongoing success and cooperation.

  • Welcome to our premier Dog Boarding Program — where your dog's comfort, safety, and happiness are our top priorities!

    Home Away from Home: We provide a cozy and secure environment that mimics the comforts of home. Your furry friend will enjoy spacious accommodations, climate control, and personalized attention.

    Professional and Caring Staff: We treat each dog with the love and care they deserve. You can trust that your pet is in capable hands, receiving the attention they need.

    Customized Experience: We understand that every dog is unique, so we offer a tailored experience to cater to individual needs. From dietary requirements to specific play preferences, we ensure that your dog's stay is customized to make them feel right at home.

    Regular Updates: We know how important it is to stay connected with your pet. That's why we provide regular updates, photos, and even video calls, so you can see firsthand the joy and contentment of your dog during their stay.

    Extra Pampering Services: Treat your dog to some extra pampering with our optional spa services. From a relaxing bath to a stylish mnail trim, your pet will return home looking and feeling their best.

    Convenient Booking: Our user-friendly booking system makes it easy for you to reserve a spot for your dog. Whether it's for a weekend getaway or an extended stay, our flexible options cater to your schedule.

    Peace of Mind Guarantee: Enjoy your time away with complete peace of mind. With our Dog Boarding Program, you can trust that your furry family member is receiving the best care, attention, and love in a secure and welcoming environment.

  • Board and train is a a dog training program where a dog is sent to our home for an intensive training period. During this time, the dog stays at the facility, and the we work on various aspects of the dog's behavior, obedience, and socialization.

    Duration: The dog stays at our facility for a specified period, which can range from a few days to several weeks.

    Intensive Training: The dog receives focused, one-on-one training sessions with the professional trainer. Training may cover basic obedience commands, behavior modification, and addressing specific issues like excessive barking.

    Consistency: We provide consistent and structured training, which may be challenging for some dog owners to maintain at home.

    Socialization: Dogs in board and train programs often have opportunities for controlled socialization with other dogs and people, helping them become more well-behaved and adaptable.

    Owner Involvement: While the dog is away, the owner is typically kept informed about the progress and may receive training updates. Additionally, owners are usually provided with instruction on how to maintain and reinforce the training at home.

    Customization: The training program can be tailored to address specific behavioral issues or goals set by the dog owner.

  • Cancellations must be provided 24 hours in advance. A $25 fee will be charged if cancellations are not made in time.

  • We use a mix of positive reinforcement and negative punishment. We utilize negative punishment by doing things such as ignoring the dog when they are producing unwanted behaviors. We do not utilize positive punishment or negative reinforcement. Our goal is for the dog to build POSITIVE associations with training.

  • We do not rush any of our pups to be perfect. Dogs vary like humans in individuality, so their training time will vary but you can expect that MOST basic obedience programs will be 8-15 sessions long.

    Since advanced training varies drastically depending on need, session plans will be given after a consultation.

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