Photo courtesy
Bea Wachter
Our
goal is to bring you and your family the best instruction
possible to help you not only teach, but also understand your dog.
"You
not only have made us much better and patient at raising our pup,
but you have taught us the value and commitment of pet ownership.
We have learned so much by attending your classes.
My husband said he no idea that it would be so much fun to train a dog."
Our classes are designed to meet the needs of the family pet owner,
with
a curriculum designed to answer pressing questions and address the individual
needs
of the whole family: mom, dad and children who will take an active part in
the dog's training.
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Your whole family is invited to attend!
Family consistency is extremely important.
Diamonds
in the Ruff has one primary goal: to help our canine friends to become
the best friends they can be. We call these "dog training classes" but
they're not; they're people training classes! You will be the one
receiving the instruction and you will be teaching your dog.
Yes!
Well-behaved
children may attend!
We
encourage all interested family members to attend. Older, well-behaved
children are welcome - those who will take an active part in the dog's
class training. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
See Rules for Kids
in the Classroom.
Great (or maybe realistic) Expectations ...
Who's
in charge of your dog's training?
YOU!
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photo
courtesty Cathy Fox
We encourage family participation - well-behaved children
who will take part in the dog's training are welcome to attend
classes with their parents. Our lessons include, grooming, pack
leadership, safety and good manners with children and visitors.
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Class size is limited to 8-10 dogs per class,
with one instructor and one assistant,
so each student receives plenty of individual attention
You don't need to be harsh or punitive to teach your
dog to come away
from tempting items or pay attention when working around distractions.
Dog
friendly training for you and your dog friend.
The APDT defines “dog-friendly” training as “training that utilizes primarily
positive reinforcement [rewards to strengthen appropriate behavior]; secondarily
negative punishment [removal
of something the dog wants (freedom/access/game) in order to reduce an unwanted
behavior],
and only occasionally, rarely, and/or as a last resort includes positive punishment
and/or negative reinforcement.”
Our
training methods and philosophy are
based on the principles of learning theory and ethology - the biological study
of the natural behavior of a species. Our goal is to train effectively and
humanely by understanding both how learning takes place and basic canine behavior.
Trainers who are familiar with ethology are less likely to interpret dog behaviors
based on anthropomorphism (assigning human traits and motivations to animals).
Humane training relies heavily on reward-based techniques to build and strengthen
desired behaviors and withholding rewards to extinguish undesired behaviors.
We set our dogs up to succeed; we don't set the dog up to fail so it can be
corrected.
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Professional, experienced instructors
Positive motivational training methods, no jerk and push
Home atmosphere and whole family focus
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Reward-based
training vs. Correction-based training for
more information, visit the Cambridge
Center for Behavioral Studies for further comparison between "Operant
vs. Traditional training"
Looking
for good behavior and reinforcing it,
instead of looking at bad behavior and trying to stop it.
"If we want dogs to behave in a manner that is not natural to it's species
then we have to control the environment to prevent the natural - yet unwanted
behaviour. In order to do so, we have to teach new behaviours and reinforce
them. Although dogs need guidance to be good companions, "dominating" them
has proven to be counter-productive at the very least, and extremely abusive
at its worst. It's time for us to teach those around us, dog owners and dog
trainers alike, to stop blaming, labeling and punishing dogs with a "dominance"
tag. When the world becomes aware that it is not only easier, but also more
productive, to teach instead of punish, only then will the world be a more
humane place for dogs."
-
Norma Jeanne Laurette, Puppy Power & Canine Communication Studies Chair; International
Positive Dog Training Association (IPDTA) Chief Editor; Canadian Association
of Professional Pet Dog Training (CAPPDT)
At Diamonds in the Ruff, we strive to achieve happy, willing work from eager-to-please
dogs. Our goal is to educate and teach, not force our dogs into compliance.
Training should not compromise your relationship
with your dog - it should enhance it. Training is not something you do to
your dog, it's something you do with it! You and your dog are equal partners
- you will learn together.
photo
courtesy Cathy Fox
Shiba
Inus, like Buki and Panda, are a breed that thrives on positive reinforcement.
Positive,
reward-based training works with all personality types and breed types.
It works with sensitive, submissive dogs who may completely shut down under
corrective methods. It works with stubborn dogs, who become more willing
to please. It works with difficult-to-train breeds who may not be "designed"
to work closely with people - those whose pack drive is minimal - because
it gives them a clear reason to want to work for
the owner. Reward-based methods don't rely on physical strength or intimidation
to gain compliance, so it works for all kinds of people, too, from children
to grandparents!
"We
love the CGC class. Stoker is growing so fast and I
thank God
every day for DITR. He is doing so well and we're having so much fun.
You and your crew are all so wonderful to work with,
I'm so excited for my future in doggy stuff." - Mindi and Stoker
All breeds
and mixes of breeds enjoy learning!
WHERE
IS THE TRAINING STUDIO?
Classes
are conveniently located on Spokane's near Northside near the
foot of the North Monroe Street Hill at 2925 N. Monroe.
Quaint atmosphere, soft cork floors and antique dog memorabilia give our classes
a feeling of home. Lessons
are learned and applied in a friendly, real-life setting. Classes are held indoors
and are air conditioned in summer and heated in winter. Many of our advanced
classes involve field trips to work in the real world.
Diamonds
in the Ruff is owned by Carol and Dana Byrnes.
Affectionately called "Ruffians", our
instructors are a group of dedicated and caring people who not only love
dogs, they are committed to staying on the cutting edge of our profession through
continuing education, learning all we can to
better help and understand the canine species in order to best instruct the
people who own them.
Our
instructors subscribe to the Code
of Ethics of of the Association of Pet Dog
Trainers and the ethical standards of the International
Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Several of our full-charge
instructors are also endorsed by the National
Association of Dog Obedience Instructors. Four of our instructors took a
4-hour Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers
certification exam and passed, becoming the only trainers in Eastern Washington
to earn their CPDT titles.
To
further their skills and education in the field of animal training and applied
behavior analysis, DITR staff continues their education with conferences, e-mail
lists for trainers, books and videos and attends training courses and work shops
with some of the best animal trainers in the country, where they have earned
several continuing education certificates. Our instructors stay current with
information that is generated in the psychology departments of Universities
and Behavior Departments of Veterinary Colleges. While they are required to
attend at least one continuing education seminar
per year, most attend many more.
We
hope you'll join us!
