Dog Training

About the Trainer

Your expert in canine training is Nathan Braaten, a graduate from the well-known, highly-acclaimed schools: Triple Crown Dog Training Academy and Assistance Dog Institute. Nathan received an Associates Degree in Human Canine Sciences and specializes in:

  • New-born bonding and puppy training
  • Obedience training and behavior modification
  • Service
  • Hearing
  • Social/Therapy
  • Guide
  • Disability Studies
  • Dog Psychology
  • Canine Health

Nathan is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), a professional organization of individual trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education.

Nathan is also a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, an advocate for the welfare of animals, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Types of Training Available

Puppy Kindergarten

Puppyhood is the most important time of a dog’s life. If you take the time to properly train and socialize your puppy now, you can help him/her grow up to be a well adjusted and confident dog. This class will help you form a lifelong bond with your puppy, as well as lay a foundation for good behavior and cooperation. Puppies are introduced to sit, down, come and leash manners. Other areas covered are: puppy mouthing, chewing, digging, barking, housebreaking and confidence building exercises. For puppies 8 weeks to 5 months of age.
Basic Obedience

These lessons provide training for owners with their dogs. This program focuses on basic on-leash obedience that will enhance communication and everyday living with your dog. Areas covered include: mouthing, jumping up, walking on a loose leash, sit, down, heel, place command (boundary stay), and come back when called. For dogs 5 months and older.
Clicker Training

Clicker training is an effective training technique that is a fun method which enhances behavior modification. The goal of this class is to have fun and build an even stronger bond with your dog! With the use of a clicker, you will learn you how to create and capture any trick under the sun!
Service/Guide Dog Training

At this time, we are only working with existing Service/Assistance dogs.

Service animal means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.

There are many types of assistance roles that an assistance dog might serve.
They can “see” for the blind, “hear” for the deaf,offer mobility for individuals in wheelchairs, and offer therapy and love to those that are lonely or sick. Assistance dogs can be trained to turn lights on and off for their owners who are unable to use their arms, as well as push elevator buttons, pull wheelchairs and retrieve items for their owner. A guide dog can help its owner around obstacles and alert him or her to street curbs, and traffic.

For the hearing impaired, these special dogs can let their owner know when the phone rings, if there is smoke in the house, if an alarm clock goes off or if their baby is crying.

Social/Therapy dogs provide unconditional love to people who cannot have a dog due to disability, illness or age. These dogs make special visits to hospitals and nursing homes.

Assistance dogs are more than friends – they make many tasks possible for people with disabilities. If you would like more information about our assistance dog program, selecting an assistance dog, or the training of a service dog, please contact us.

Behavior Modification Training

Consult your trainer for specific advice concerning the care, training, and treatment of your dog. Since every dog is unique, a behavior or training program should be chosen with your individual dog’s needs and your personal goals in mind.

  • Doorbell Attacks/Barking
  • Jumping
  • Dominance-related Issues
  • Housebreaking
  • Chewing
  • Digging
  • Fear/Phobias/Separation Anxiety
  • Dog Bites

When to Consider Training?

3 to 7 Weeks Old

A puppy’s eyesight and hearing strengthen daily during this period and learned behaviors will influence the puppy’s future life. Puppies will experiment with being assertive and submissive, although the mother dog remains the undisputed pack leader.

7 weeks to 6 Months Old

This is the ideal time for a puppy to leave the litter. The puppy will view your family as his brand new pack. As the puppy gains more independence, it will require greater supervision during this phase. This is an ideal time to begin Puppy Kindergarten Training.

6 months to 1 Year Old

At this stage the puppy teeth have fallen out and there is a strong compulsion to chew. Close supervision is necessary, along with providing the dog acceptable chewable objects. The dog matures quickly through this phase and it is imperative to implement daily training sessions so that your dog will respond to you reliably. This is an excellent time to consider Basic Obedience Training for your pet.

1 Year to 2 Years

More maturity sets in, although they will still have their playful moments. It is important to watch for subtle undesirable behaviors, which may be exhibited from out of “nowhere”. This is a good time to consider Basic Obedience Training and Behavior Modification Training.

2 Years and Beyond

A dog’s ability to learn is not impaired by its age. However, it is much more difficult to obtain the desired results if the adult dog has achieved the status of pack leader within the family. Dogs are very routine-oriented and once they develop a behavioral pattern, it becomes ingrained in them. This is an excellent opportunity for our Behavior Modification Training.

Training Options

Individual Training

During this consultation, Nathan will meet you and your dog and together determine how to accomplish your specific training goals.

Group Training

Group classes are available to assist with puppy training and basic obedience, based on available calendar dates.

Home Based, Private Dog Training

Home-based training involves one-on-one training for the dog and owner, specializing in behavioral problems, dominance, and obedience. This is held at home in the dog’s everyday environment. Please contact us to establish your personal training appointment.
Absent Owner Training
Too busy to get involved in the training process of your dog? We have the perfect solution!

Drop your canine off at A-way To Wag for this six-week training course. Your canine will stay with us and receive training Monday through Friday for three consecutive weeks. Then, your canine will come home for the weekend and return the following Monday for three additional weeks of training. This is an accelerated program designed for owners seeking faster results. Types of Training
Dog Day Care/ Dog Boarding

Bring your dog to day school and/or camp, and have it trained for six weeks. Your dog would come home potty trained and with an understanding of basic obedience commands (i.e., sit, stay, etc.).