Dog training tradition is what Asheville and Columbia families consider Kabler School For Dogs. Dog owners rely and trust the Kabler School to provide top level instruction and training for all breeds! We truly care about each dog enrolled in our school and love watching training success happen every day.
The Kabler training method has been honed for 30 years. At our school learning is fun and challenging at the same time! We give clear homework instructions that our students practice at home between training days at school. You and your dog will thrive with excellent training and motivated instruction.
At Kabler School For Dogs we raise puppies the right way and believe early exposure and puppy based training go a long way to raising the perfect adult dog. We have helped raise thousands of puppies through our Puppy Preschool course. Our puppy classes include confidence building, puppy obedience, house training and more!
One of the things we pride ourselves on is our ability to help owners solve challenging behavioral problems. Our courses will guide owners and their dogs from troubled waters to safe harbor. Owners are thrilled with the tangible progress and results we achieve!
Our team invites you to come and see us for a free evaluation and campus visit! Come and see what 30 years of training dogs looks like.
David & Storm have been having an amazing year of competition!
2025 has been a year of successful trialing at club and National events. Storm took 7th at Nationals and multiple podium finishes. The team wrapped up an amazing year at Fire Pines Ringsports Mondioring comepetition in October. David and Storm entered into the Mondio Ring 1 level for 2 days of trialing and the field was creatively dressed in a ‘board game’ theme. The team had been practicing diligently and, as luck would have it, had a strong showing with 2 first place wins! David has been training Storm since a puppy to compete in the sport of Mondio and this past year has been amazing for demonstrating Storms skills on the field in front of the judges watchful and critical eyes. To find out more about Mondio visit: The United States Mondio Ring Association Website.
Storm jumping the hurdle under his David’s watchful eye.
Mondioring, or World Ring, is an international sport that includes high level obedience, obstacles and jumps, and police K9 exercises that are designed to challenge the dog and handler under a variety of distractions and circumstances. Established in the late 1980s, it combines elements from different European dog sports to create a single sport. Each Mondio trial has a theme with scenarios and distractions on the field to ensure that trials provide a unique experience.
Core components and elements of Mondio include:
Obedience: Challenging exercises like heeling, positions, and retrieving while under pressure and with distractions, such as food scattered on the ground.
Jumps: This includes jumps over obstacles like a hurdle, a palisade wall jump, and a long jump.
Protection: The dog demonstrates its ability to protect the handler through exercises such as a face attack, a flee attack, area search, and guarding an object.
International competition: It was designed to allow competitors from different national dog sports to compete against each other on a level playing field.
Unpredictable scenarios: Each trial has a unique theme and the setup is created by the judge, meaning the order of exercises and the specific distractions will change every time.
High difficulty: The sport is known for its complexity, requiring a strong, stable, and highly trained dog with excellent mental stability and impulse control.
Levels: Mondioring has three levels, with a progression of increasing difficulty in the number and complexity of the exercises.
No tools: Dogs compete without any training tools, not even a flat collar, emphasizing the foundation of trust and clarity built between the handler and dog.
We are excited about what 2026 will bring David and Storm and the entire Kabler School For Dogs training family! If you are interested in David’s unique approach to training please schedule a free consultation so we can meet you and your dog!
Early Exposure to people, places, and things is on our checklist at Kabler’s Puppy Preschool!
Raising a puppy is a commitment. New owners are always excited about providing an amazing home for their new best friends. Getting on a schedule, house training and early obedience are on most new owners checklists. One thing I have noticed is that early environmental exposure is missing from owners puppy checklists. Especially since Covid, many new dog owners are taking an overly cautious approach to puppy raising and isolating their pups until after full vaccination. 16 weeks is the age when a puppies critical socialization is wrapping up. And unfortunately, the fast lane to raising a fearful and anxious dog is to avoid early exposure to the world. Giving your new puppy safe experiences, at these early very important developmental stages, allows your pup to grow with mental confidence.
I have always recommended new pups meet 100 new people by the time they are 16 weeks old. This includes delivery people, friends, family, and… strangers. I like to sit somewhere in public like a coffee shop patio and allow folks who would like to say hi to my pup to meet them and deliver a steady stream of treats. I encourage them to touch my pups ears, paws, tail, and tummy.
I also believe puppies need early environmental exposure to buisy streets, slick floors like in a gymnasium, loud trucks, elevators, stairs; basically anything they will see in their lifetime. I will attempt to expose them to people, places, and things between 8 to 16 weeks of age. I will continue this socialization in earnest until 6 months of age.
Do begin socialization early. Although we enroll pups up to 6 months in Puppy Preschool the optimal age to join class is 10 weeks of age.
Do take your puppy to friends and family homes for visits. Allow your puppy to explore their home and meet new people. Show them their back yard and allow them to meet their dogs and see cats with a steady stream of treat rewards.
Do take your puppy to public places where not a lot of other dogs go to meet people and see the world. I like dog friendly coffee shops, outdoor shopping malls, hardware stores, and downtown areas.
Do skip breakfast on days when you have socialization plans with your pup that day. Feed them their meal while exposing them to the world. Providing this feeding while seeing things for the first time ensures very positive experiences in my young pups mind.
Do keep these early exposure experiences to no more than 20-30 minutes at first.
Do attend our Puppy Preschool starting at 10 weeks. We will teach you how to provide early exposure to environments in a safe and easy way. Our Puppy Preschool runs at 45 to 60 minutes and provides a structured and safe early exposure environment.
Don’t take your pup to pet stores, dog parks, or anywhere where lots of dogs frequent. Do not allow your puppy to sniff grass areas outside of a veterinary clinic.
Don’t overload your puppy with extreme environments like outdoor concerts, ball games, and very crowded areas. Start in small doses at first and slowly build your pups confidence to handle m,ore and more. Sure signs of an overwhelmed pup are not taking treats and falling asleep in a loud or stimulating environment.
Don’t allow your puppy to become frightened by loud noises or thunder storms. Provide a safe place during storms and fireworks with a tv playing or sound machine. I will bring my puppy out for treats so they can hear fireworks in the distance while they are preoccupied with the treats and then put them back in the safe room. Think short 5-10 minute intervals.
Don’t forget your pups well stocked treat pouch, a must have for all puppy outings. Stock it with kibble and high value rewards like beef liver too!
By following these Do’s & Dont’s you will raise a very confident puppy. Remember start slow with short 10 minute early exposure outings. Let us know if we at Kabler School For Dogs can help! I have helped raise thousands of pups over the past 30 years and my trainers are here to teach you and your pup optimal ways of learning and growing with your new best friend. – David
Kabler School For Dogs Training Courses Will Transform You and Your Dogs Relationship!
David and Storm Kabler have been training for the sport of Mondioring since Storm was a puppy. This sport emphasizes the handlers connection with their dog through challenges that include obedience, scentwork, jumps, and police K9 exercises. We are so excited to announce that Storm successfully competed at the 2025 United States Mondioring Association National Championships!
Kabler School For Dogs brings a high level of training experience to Asheville and Columbia dog owners. Our team provides top level instruction to all of our canine clientele. We specialize in coaching both humans and their dogs to achieve training success. A Kabler School For Dogs training course will bring harmony and balance to you and your best friends relationship!
Make You and Your Dog a Winning Team by Contacting Us Today To Schedule YourFree Evaluation!
David’s monthly article will be featured in Stroll magazine!
David Kabler, Jr’s advice about dogs is highly sought after and now we are excited to announce that he will be writing a monthly informative article in Stroll Magazine. Each month David will share tips and information on topics like socializing puppies, protecting dogs during Summer heat, training and more! Stroll is Biltmore Forest and The Ramble’s local source for information, news, and topics of interest.
Find out more about our unique perspective on dogs at a Free Training Evaluation at our Columbia, SC or our Asheville, NC training campuses!
The Kabler School For Dogs team is here to help raise your new pup and accomplish your dogs professional training.
In today’s world, choosing a trainer is like choosing a school for your child. You would want to visit first before choosing to enroll your child as a student there. Our Free Evaluation gives you the opportunity to do just that! Come check out our training campus, K9 Pro-Shop, and meet our trainers. We look forward to meeting you and your dog in person!
Sign up today for a Free Training Evaluation at either our Columbia, SC or our Asheville, NC training campuses!
Our school was founded in 1995 and we have trained thousands of four footed best friends over the years. We can help you with your dog! We have a unique approach that is fun for both dog and human. We provide tangible training results that will stun your family and friends!
Kabler School For Dogs welcomes you to our world of training!
Our Free Evaluation gives us a chance to evaluate your dogs temperament and training needs. Our trainers will work with your dog and give you training advice and tips. We will also recommend a course of training and will provide you with all the information you need, all with no obligation to enroll. We listen to your questions and provide you with valuable insights. We want it to feel right and be good fit for both you and your dog!
Our Puppy and adult training courses are unique and customized to your dog!
If you and your family are considering professional dog training in Asheville, NC or Columbia, SC, Kabler School For Dogs is here to help! There has never been more training schools to choose from and we understand that you want the very best for your dog. We know that your decision in choosing the right school for your pup is very important. There is a reason Kabler School For Dogs has been training since 1995. Our courses consistently get 5 star ratings from our graduates. At Kabler School our courses are based on years of success in training dogs of all breeds.
Sign up today for a Free Training Evaluation at either our Columbia, SC or our Asheville, NC training campuses!
Our training philosophy is rooted in how dogs learn and communicate. We approach each dog and handler team as individuals and tailor our approach to adjust to different temperaments and learning styles. It is important to build a strong foundation of skills using a positive reward based approach. We will be teaching voice commands, hand signals, and leash commands that allow for silent communication between you and your best friend. As your dogs abilities increase we will spice up the training sessions by increasing the difficulty. Yes, training takes tons of patience and focus, but the results of a Kabler Training Course will give you and your dog the gift of freedom!
Practicing the Go Place command during training practice!
The first step of choosing the right school should always begin with a free evaluation and campus visit. At Kabler School For Dogs we want to meet both you and your dog so we can evaluate your training goals and needs. It is important for your pup to have a positive experience and visit the school before training starts! When clients come to us for their initial school visit we like to evaluate your dogs train-ability, current skills, behavioral concerns and temperament. We are interested in who your dog is and what motivates them.
Clients are very interested in all of our different courses that we offer. We have an excellent Puppy Preschool course for pups 10 weeks-6 months old. Early training and socialization is what creates a well adjusted adult dog. For dogs 6 months and older we offer Private/Day Train or Residency Board & Train courses. We will help you choose the right course for your dog. Training is an investment that will be there for you and your dog in the years to come. Yes, our courses are an investment, but they provide rock solid tangible results that are well worth the energy put in!
Sign up today for a Free Training Evaluation at either our Columbia, SC or our Asheville, NC training campuses!
Our school was founded in 1995 and we have trained thousands of canine best friends over the years. We can help you with your dog! We have a unique approach that is fun for both dog and human. We provide tangible training results that will stun your family and friends!
Lovingly teaching your dog is what we do best at Kabler!
Raising a spirited dog with maximum personality and high level obedience is possible through the Kabler School For Dogs training courses. We believe in age appropriate training that increases in reliability and performance as your dog grows older. Kabler Puppy Preschool and Dog Training Courses introduce concepts and skills when your dog is mentally ready. Our age based courses allow us to train alongside your dogs natural drives, inclinations, and developmental stages creating optimal results!
Play is an important part of each dogs training day at Kabler!
Our Puppy Preschool will help you raise your pup from 10 weeks to 5 months of age. This course covers puppy obedience skills, developmental training exercises, socialization (to environment, people, and other dogs), how to steer your pup away from problem behaviors, puppy tricks and games like retrieve and tug. Puppy confidence building is very important to develop and we will show you how! Our Puppy Preschool includes both private and group classes.
At 6 months and older we begin our Primary Obedience and Advanced Primary Obedience Courses. Our goal is to solidify all the puppy training skills that we’ve been practicing. We work up to proper heeling and loose leash heeling around tough distractions, a 1 hour down and stay, off leash recalls from distraction, a 2 hour go place command, and lots more! By waiting to do this adult level training until 6-8 months we allow the pups developing brain to catch up with their growing body!
All of our courses are a hybrid between private lesson training and group class work. We use optimal and age appropriate training techniques that allow your dog to have fun and that actually enhance your dogs ability to express their natural personality and unique character! We work on all the skills like off leash recall, heeling, down stay at a distance, go place at a distance and more! You and your best friend will conquer all manner of distractions and environments achieving an ultra high level of reliability and performance!
Sign up today for a Free Training Consultation at either our Columbia, SC or our Asheville, NC training campuses!
Our school was founded in 1995 and we have trained thousands of canine best friends over the years. We can help you with your dog! We have a unique approach that is fun for both dog and human. We provide tangible training results that will stun your family and friends!
Storm jumping the Mondio 1 hurdle at the Fire Pines Club trial.
The sport of Mondio Ring is widely regarded as one of the most challenging tests for any trainer and their dog. Mondio is a worldwide sport for trainers and their dogs. The sport includes high level obedience, scent work, jumps, and protection. David has been training Storm for Mondio since he was a puppy and was excited to compete. The Mondio Ring website states:
“The obedience in Mondioring is based on functionality with the emphasis being on control in spite of distraction. The jumps in Mondioring test the structure and willingness of the dog. The protection phase of the competition requires that the dog demonstrate tremendous control.
A Mondioring dog competes at each level without collar or leash throughout the trial, thus testing the control of the animal from the very beginning. The complexity of the trial field, combined with the demands of extreme control combine to require that the dog be clear-headed with excellent character.
Storm competed his way to the top with a high score of 195!
Each trial competition is based in a theme – much like a theater set up on a field. Props, scenarios, distractions are placed at strategic points on the trial field. While the exercises remain the same from trial to trial, the order and the setup will change with each judge’s own creativity. No two trials are ever alike, thus preventing the possibility of preparing the dog ‘by rote.’”
After years of practice, many challenging setbacks, David and Storm finally trialed at the Fire Pines Mondio Ring Club. This trials theme was ‘OSHA Violations’ and the field was full of hard hats, caution tape, and emergencies. Storms performance was spectacular and earned a score of 195 on day 1 and 184 on day 3 earning 1st and 2nd place respectively! Storm also earned his coveted MR1 title!
Now this dynamic duo will be competing at the USMRA National competition in Jefferson, OH May 16th-18th! We are revved up that Kabler School For Dogs is excelling in Club and National Competitions!
David Kabler and his best friend Storm celebrate their win!
Loose leash Heeling even while passing other dogs!
Dog Training With Guaranteed Results! Offering Puppy Preschool, Obedience Courses, and Problem Behavior Solutions.
Welcome to good behavior!
Kabler School For Dogs offers dog training courses that provide training results that will amaze your friends and family! We offer Puppy Preschool courses, Obedience Training Courses for dogs of any age or breed, and courses that guide owners in solving problem behaviors. Our courses are recommended by veterinarians and taught conveniently at our climate controlled training campus or in your home by national competitor and seasoned Master Trainer Tony Mooney. Unlike many who are new to the field, Columbia trainer Tony Mooney is a skilled and accomplished trainer with many years of experience. He is nationally recognized and has won many competitions with his dogs over the years. His knowledge and experience truly make him a standout in the world of dog training. Tony has a large toolbox of training skills that make every session with him positive, successful, and fun for both owner and dog. When choosing a trainer, experience counts!
All Kabler School For Dogs training courses begin with a free consultation. We get to know each dogs temperament and personality before enrolling in our school. We are interested in finding out more about your dog! Call Tony today at (864) 704-5981 and find out more information on our unique approach to training. We love talking about your dogs training needs!
Columbia’s accomplished dog trainer!
Visit our training campus so we can evaluate your dogs behavior and training goals or have our trainer come to your home. We will answer your questions, work with your dog, give you training advice, and provide information about our training courses.
Each of your dogs training sessions will be full of hands on skills, information, and play. Owners are given clear step by step guidance with plenty of practice with your best friend. Each lesson builds upon the success of the previous lesson. Tony will give you clear written homework that is very specific so you avoid the guesswork so common in the field.
The Kabler School For Dogs Columbia training campus is located at:
3041 North Main St. Columbia, SC 29201
Learn how to raise the perfect puppy and avoid problems before they begin by enrolling in Tony’s Puppy Preschool training course. This course is designed for pups 10 weeks to 6 months of age. Tony will guide you and your pup along what we call the training path and give you new skills to work on every week. Lessons are held in our climate controlled facility and in your home.
Kabler trainer Tony Mooney is Columbias premiere dog trainer and behaviorist.
Tony will teach you the Kabler School For Dogs approach to raising the perfect puppy and share with you his unique insights into training and socializing your new pup!
For dogs 6 months and older we offer obedience courses in On and Off Leash Obedience that will leave your friends and family in awe of your dog’s training. The focus is on building aligned energy with your dog through techniques that create rock solid obedience training skills. In addition, Tony is accomplished in solving stubborn unwanted behaviors including pulling on the leash, running away, reactivity towards other dogs and people, and other stubborn behavioral issues.
All Columbia, SC Board & Train clients will be sent to the Asheville Training Campus where our team will transform your dog’s training and behavior. Courses vary in length and are customized to fit your dogs personality and training goals. Tony will give your dog the ultimate follow-up training experience and transfer the training over to you and your family through private lessons and group classes.
At Kabler School For Dogs we believe teaching your dog is dynamic and fun. Your dog will learn by practicing exercises and training skills during each private session. You and your dog will accomplish a high level of skill and communication. Sessions are fun, and you will be assigned clear and manageable homework to practice in-between sessions.
Kabler School For Dogs Columbia coach Tony Mooney is an award winning trainer, both in the world of Mondioring and family obedience. Mondioring is widely regarded as one of the most difficult dog sports that produces the worlds best trainers. A true seasoned pro- Tony has been training professionally for 15 years. In 2017 he and his dog Kodi won the Mondioring championships and was invited on to the world team to represent the USA. Tony is very passionate about dogs and their owners and always goes above and beyond to make sure the training is successful. He is known for his patience and skill in raising puppies- and guiding owners all the way to off leash trained adults. Tony is especially talented in advanced obedience and problem behavior solutions. He has completed many training seminars under some of America’s top trainers. As owner of the Columbia location, he is excited to be on the Kabler School For Dogs training team.
“I can now take my 90 pound German Shepherd for a walk anywhere and know that he will never pull on the leash or be distracted by our surroundings. In fact, my 8 year old daughter can walk him easily and it’s a pleasure to have people approach me and ask who trained my dog!” -Micque and Baer
We will help you raise the perfect puppy and family dog! Our school has an excellent track record in helping your family raise your dog right and is veterinarian recommended! Clients tell us our sessions are the highlight of their dog’s week!
Learn the art of K-9 scent detection with Buddy Lawson!
Kabler School For Dogs is excited to announce the return of our K-9 Scent Work seminar. Spend the day working on your dogs nose work capabilities with instructor Buddy Lawson who has been training dogs for scent detection for over 25 years. He is skilled at teaching different breeds and temperaments and is known for his patient guidance of handlers. Buddy specializes in K-9 Search and Rescue, Police scent detection, Schutzhund tracking, and competitive nose work.
You will learn the foundations of teaching your dog to use their nose. Advanced handlers and K-9 teams will also find Buddy’s ability to troubleshoot and problem solve will guide them to a higher level of training and performance.
Kabler School will build confidence in your dogs nose work training.
The seminar is being held at Kabler School For Dogs July 28th (9am-6pm Sunday). There are 10 working spots for participants who want to train with their own dog. These spots are $175. We also have audit slots available for participants who do not have a dog but want to learn about K-9 nose work. Audit spots are $75.
Not only is Puppy Preschool fun but it prevents problems before they become bad habits!
Raising a puppy right is where it all begins. Our trainers are fond of saying that new puppy owners have one chance to do it right. Properly structuring the first 4 months with your new puppy is critical to forming the puppies mental state and social skills. The time will fly by so every day counts!
House training, obedience, and socialization are super important from 8-16 weeks. Critical socialization wraps up around 4 months of age so don’t let your pup miss out on this very important developmental stage. The Kabler School for Dogs training campus in Asheville and Columbias in home training service provides a safe environment to focus on your new pups socialization skills!
At Kabler School For Dogs we offer an excellent Puppy Preschool Course that is designed to assist you in puppy obedience, socialization, tricks, games, house training, and more! We will focus on puppy manners and address any behavioral problems that may arise. You will learn how to properly handle your new pup and practice obedience routines that are fun and create excellent communication.
Socialization to other dogs is best done in a supervised setting.
The craft of raising a puppy into a well trained and socialized adult is the heart of what our program is all about! The truth is that it takes time to raise a fully trained dog. At Kabler School For Dogs we will guide you along on this journey of raising your puppy into a highly trained adult dog. Our Puppy Preschool course includes a mix of private lessons and group puppy socials.
The smart new dog owner often seeks out training before problems begin. It is important to not waste any time starting your new pups domestication, socialization and early training. The critical phases of your pups socialization wrap up at the 16 week milestone. It is an overlooked period of time that is important in your pups development. Our puppy training course allows you to prevent problems before they become rooted as bad habits.
Puppy Preschool introduces your pup to situations that build character and confidence.
At Kabler School For Dogs we offer courses that guide you and your dog from a young new puppy through the developmental stages — there is never a time when you are not involved in training — our sessions are spread out throughout your pups development. Our programs revolve around your dogs age and our courses are drawn out over a longer period of time than the average dog training course. There are no shortcuts to excellent training! This allows our trainers to guide you through the different life stages from puppy to yearling and to adult. This is a life stages approach to raising your dog right!
Puppy Preschool builds confidence in your new pup!
David Kabler has been training dogs since he was a boy and has been a Certified Master Trainer since 1995. David and his team are available for lessons in Asheville, NC and Columbia, SC! Call today or click on Scheduling to book you and your dogs free consultation. Our trainers will evaluate your dogs personality and training needs. (828) 337-5792
Outside Magazine contributor and author Brad Stulberg has been raising his German Shepherd puppy Ananda the Kabler way and has noticed the similarities between coaching humans and training dogs. He was so taken by these similarities that he delved into them in his latest article for Outside Magazine titled, “These 7 Dog-Training Principles Work for Humans, Too”. The article features training insights from Master Trainer David Kabler and makes some amazing points!
Please take a few minutes and check out this new article at:
Kabler School For Dogs is proud to announce the opening of our new K9 Dock Diving and Swim Center! Are you interested in teaching your puppy to swim from a young age? Are you wanting to teach your dog to water retrieve? How about swim lessons for adult dogs? Have you seen the exciting sport of dog dock diving? Are you excited about giving your dog this amazing outlet for all that energy? If you answered yes to any of these questions then the Kabler School For Dogs swim and dock diving courses may be just the K9 activity you’ve been looking for.
Golden Retriever Pearl taking the leap!
We live in an an area with so much swift moving water and lakes that it is imperative for every dog to learn to swim proficiently. This will keep your dog safe as you go on hiking trips, SUP journeys, and swimming adventures with your four legged best friend. The optimal time to teach your dog to swim is as a puppy but older dogs can learn to swim and build water confidence too. Swimming and retrieve combined together make for an amazingly fun activity for you and your dog.
Fury warming up on the ramp.
Our Dock Diving and Swim training courses are an excellent path forward to advancing your dog to that next level of water confidence. Please go to scheduling to book your dogs Swim or Dock Diving training course! For experienced dogs and handlers we also offer Independent hourly dock rental so you can practice with your dog.
Frankie is a natural water retriever!
The Kabler School For Dogs Swim and Dock Diving Center includes a 29’x17′ foot pool with a 20′ practice dock and ramp. Our facility is classified as a ‘short dock’ for competition– excellent for teaching dogs this exciting activity and for experienced jumpers up to the 25′ range.
Residency guests Cody and Trek practice go place in the Kabler School For Dogs Pro-Shop!
Christmas Season is upon us! We want to share a few helpful tips to get you and your dog safely through this holiday season! The holidays may be a scary time for some pups. Christmas revelry can cause anxiety and fearfulness for dogs who haven’t experienced it. The following tips may help you avoid an emergency visit to the vet office over the holiday season.
If you have a dog that is fearful of people or small children and you plan on having a big gathering it may be best not to force your puppy or dog into a situation that makes them uncomfortable. Instead, before your guests arrive exercise your dog and make them comfy in their crate with a yummy Kong or marrow bone to keep them occupied. Turn on some sounds like music or a TV to drown out all the noise. If you have a dog that loves being around groups of people and small children, still be mindful to keep your eye on them to assure they do not get into something harmful. Maybe consider having them come out and visit with everyone then go have some crate time with their Kong.
Some holiday plants are Actually poisonous and can cause a medical issue here are some of the most common:
• Christmas tree pine needles can produce oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling and posterior weakness.
• Holly, commonly found during the Christmas season, can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea.
• Mistletoe, another Christmas plant, can cause significant vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death when ingested.
• Poinsettia contrary to popular belief, is not deadly; however, it can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting.
With the holiday season come all kinds of yummy treats and food. Be sure to avoid giving your dog food scraps from the table or your plate. If you must share your holiday dinner consider just a small amount given in the dogs bowl to avoid any unwanted behavior or upset tummies.
Here are a few foods and treats to avoid:
• Fat trimmings and bones are dangerous for pets. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, may cause pancreatitis. And, although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, cooked bone are dangerous, these can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog’s digestive system.
• Chocolate can be dangerous and contains various levels of fat, caffeine, the darker and richer the chocolate (baker’s chocolate), the higher the risk of toxicity. Depending on the type and amount of chocolate ingested, dogs might experience vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity
• Many cookies and candies have certain nuts and should not be given to pets. Almonds, non-moldy walnuts and pistachios can cause an upset stomach or an obstruction of your dog’s throat and/or intestinal tract. Macadamia nuts and moldy walnuts can be toxic, causing seizures or neurological signs. Lethargy, vomiting and loss of muscle control are among the effects of nut ingestion.
Holiday tinsel and ornaments can also be hazardous:
Tinsel, while not toxic, is very attractive to pets, particularly cats but dogs love it too. The shiny, dangling decoration reflects light and can move in the slightest draft — appearing to come alive to watchful critters. The problem with tinsel is that once it’s consumed, it can cause serious injury to your pet. If not caught in time, this foreign body ingestion could actually be fatal as it twists and bunches inside your pet’s intestines. Immediate veterinary care is required.
Vet offices see a increase in emergency visits during the holiday due to dogs getting into trouble from ingesting items that are harmful or toxic causing it be a not so festive time. Be sure not to risk your dogs health by waiting. If your dog needs emergency care take them quickly to your local emergency clinic.
Join us in learning about Canine Scent Work with instructor Buddy Lawson!
Join Kabler School For Dogs and Master Trainer Buddy Lawson for an amazing weekend of K9 scent and nose work. Instructor Buddy Lawson has successfully trained hundreds of dogs for police K9, search and rescue, competition, and support dog work. Spend a weekend exploring the world of training scent detection K9’s for a wide variety of purposes. Beginners and experts alike are welcome- all will gain valuable insight from Buddy Lawson’s years of experience. Please go to scheduling to book you and your dogs spot in this 2 day training seminar at the Kabler School For Dogs training facility on January 18-19th, 2020.
Kabler School For Dogs will be hosting a Canine Good Citizen test in January 2020!
The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test is a great way to show off all of your hard work with your canine companion. At Kabler School For Dogs we are excited to be testing for the AKC’s CGC test on January 25th, 2020! The test will be held from 3-5pm on Saturday afternoon at the Kabler School For Dogs training facility.
The test consists of 10 different categories.
1. Accept a friendly stranger.
2. Sit politely for petting.
3. Appearance and grooming.
4. Walking on a loose lead.
5. Walking through a crowd.
6. Sit, down, and stay in place.
7. Come when called.
8. Reaction to another dog.
9. Reaction to a distraction.
10. Supervised separation.
If you think your dog has what it takes to pass this test please schedule your dogs CGC!
Those who come out and pass the test will be granted the title of Canine Good Citizen, and earn a ribbon and certificate. The cost of the test is $45 plus the AKC’s registration fee. Please go to scheduling to reserve your dogs spot!
Lobo expressing his natural drive during a motivational come request exercise.
When new clients call me to train their best friend, the COME request is usually a top priority on their training list. As dog owners, one of our biggest desires is that our dog will come when called every time. Our best friends live in a world of distractions that are constantly competing with us for our dogs attention. Many dogs feel frustrated that they cannot chase the squirrels, or the kitties, or the other dogs that they see on their daily walks. These ‘competing motivations’ are constantly vying for our dogs attention and when we call our dogs back to us it is easy for our canines to ignore our pleading for them to drop the fun and return to our side. In this post I would like to explore techniques that we can use to help our canine friends learn this most vital request.
Many dog owners will use the come request only when it is needed. Then when their dog returns to them it is back on the leash, or back in the house, or back in the crate. It is vital that the come request be used often and that most of the time your dog is allowed to return to that exciting scent or whatever fun it was that they were having before being called.
Lilly practicing a motivational recall request– look at that guardian focus!
In other words call your dog to you frequently and then immediately encourage them to return to the activity they were doing before being called. You should only put your dog back on their leash and end their fun in one out of ten recalls.
ALWAYS give your dog plenty of praise and a treat reward for coming when called. This is the one command that I will always give a treat for. Plenty of praise should also be showered on your best friend for returning to your side. This will let them know that there is a reward in it for them when they heed your call.
Practicing motivational recalls with puppies makes a lasting impact!
Dogs feel plenty of frustration in their daily lives… they want to chase that rabbit scent or follow that deer trail. Dogs often will learn to be outwardly focused on the world around them and will hone in on that rather than on us. Luckily, it is easy to create a strong desire in your dog to also want to run towards you. Follow this simple exercise to help build a strong foundation for a successful COME request.
1. Go to a safe place like a fenced in park or field and attach your best friend to a long line (a 30-35 foot long leash).
2. Have a friend or other household member hold your dog close to them.
3. Show your dog that you have a handful of treats by placing them on your furry friends nose.
4. Immediately run away a short distance and turn, and excitedly but loudly and clearly say your dogs name, and the COME request. “Daisy, COME!”
5. Have your friend drop the leash as your dog shows excitement and starts to pull towards you. Make sure that your helper does not get their feet inadvertently tangled in the leash, which can cause an accidental correction.
6. Your dog will run to you and as soon as they get to you shower them with treats and praise. Immediately pick up the leash so they can’t run off again. Repeat this 5 to 7 times in a row once or twice a day.
7. Build up from a short distance to bigger distances over several weeks. It is important not to get too far away too quickly.
Use this tip and you will successfully create a desire in your dog to want to be with you and at your side as much as they want to smell the roses!
David Kabler has been training dogs since he was a boy and has been a Certified Master Trainer since 1996. David is available for lessons in Asheville, NC and surrounding areas. Call today to schedule you and your dogs consultation. David will evaluate your dogs personality and training needs and, it’s absolutely free. (828) 337-5792
Loose leash walking practice with pocket Pittie Sadie.
Shifting from a tight leash to a loose leash is one of the hallmarks of a Kabler School For Dogs training course. Owning a professionally trained dog means that you can walk your dog with pleasure on a loose leash, easily passing other dogs, squirrels, cats, you name it! Our program teaches several kinds of walks from a casual ‘Round Me’ command to a very formal ‘With Me’ heel request. These different types of walks each have their place and you can use them interchangeably as the need arises.
Before Kabler training, most owners have a tight leash on their dog. This tight leash feels like you have more control of your best friend, but in truth, you have very little control if all your walks are on a tight lead. The leash is actually a communication tool. There are 3 primary ways of communication with your dog; Voice commands, hand signals, and leash requests. During a Kabler on leash course your dog will learn that when you pull on the leash you are actually sending them an obedience request.
Loose leash walk with Labrador retrievers Harper and Jackson.
Dogs who are inappropriately reacting to other dogs or people by barking, lunging, or extreme pulling on the leash can be successfully trained to have neutral energy and walk on a loose leash! The Kabler approach to training solves tough issues by addressing the root causes and utilizing several angles and behavioral solutions. Once you change your mindset, and your dog reaches a high state of training, loose leash walking becomes a way of life for both you and your dog.
Click on Scheduling to book you and your dogs FREE Consultation with Master Trainer David Kabler, or call (828) 337-5792 for more information.
Practicing off leash heeling skills in the neighborhood. Guiding your dog from problem walker to polite companion is our specialty.
Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned and our clients wind up with a dog who is out of alignment with their family’s goals. “I want to walk down the sidewalk happily with my dog, but my dog lunges at every dog they see, and eventually we stopped going on walks.” We hear stories like this daily. Fortunately, our training courses provide effective solutions for your best friends issues.
Neighborhood loose leash walking skills are a primary goal of our On Leash Obedience Course.
A dog who expresses leash reactive energy may be suffering from pack survival stress and is in desperate need of proper guidance from their human. A dog who is in a constant state of crisis is not a happy dog. Bringing your dog’s behavior around in a way that is easy and fun is one of our training specialties. Creating aligned energy between you and your dog is the goal of every Kabler training program.
Using customized training techniques, all dogs are able to learn how to walk politely at their owners side while out on walks.
The Kabler School For Dogs training team is committed to helping dog owners solve behavioral issues. Every dog is different and it’s important to choose a trainer with a large toolbox of training skills. All training courses are customized to fit the goals we set for you and your dog during a free consultation. Our approach is intuitive and based on years of experience taking dogs from puppy to advanced off leash reliability.
Please call to discuss your dogs training needs and to schedule your dog’s FREE consultation.
Out on a loose lead neighborhood walk with German Shepherd Gunnar.
Creating rock solid obedience that you can safely rely on is what we do best here at Kabler School For Dogs. Once your dog begins their On and Off Lead training courses there is a path that we take from novice to expertly trained dog. The journey to training a dog to rock solid reliability is about teamwork, fun practice sessions, and carefully following the Kabler School For Dogs training roadmap.
Rock solid training begins by building a bombproof foundation. Foundation work teaches your dog how to respond to obedience requests with motivated energy. In the beginning, we want your dog to understand that following through with obedience brings reward. Short and fun training routines are the name of the game when building your foundation. Ending your dogs practice sessions while your dog is at their peak will make your dog always excited to train. Another strategy during the foundation phase is to switch back and forth between training and play.
Punkin and Ayla out on an off leash training walk. Off leash training successfully finishes your dog’s training.
If your dog has behavioral issues like leash reactivity or fearful anxiety we recommend that counter-conditioning be started alongside the foundation phase of training. By using these powerful techniques consistently you can make noticeable changes in your dogs behavior. Counter-conditioning adjusts your dogs energy allowing the coming training phases to take root faster and with more success. The goal of counter-conditioning is to soften behaviors so that the training program can progress with less stress.
The next step on you and your dog’s journey to rock solid obedience is the guidance phase of training. There are many ways of communicating with your dog including voice requests, hand signals, and body language. During this phase we emphasize communication using the leash. It’s important that your dog understand that a pull on the leash actually means something. Just like a horseback rider communicates with his steed using the reigns we are going to send our dog obedience requests using the leash. Once your dog understands and responds successfully to leash guidance we are ready to continue our training journey to the reliability stage.
German Shepherd Maggie being rewarded for a long down stay request during a park training session.
When your dog clearly understands how to respond to the different leash requests it is time to build their ability to reliably listen to your direction. Following through with commands on one request, longer sit and down stays, and consistent loose lead walking are some of the highlights of this training stage. It’s important to train in low to moderate level distraction environments as we strive to achieve the goals of the reliability phase. Once our dog is performing with accuracy it’s time to progress into the finishing phase.
During the finishing phase of training our goals are to make sure the training will work for us anywhere. Some trainers call this the distraction proofing phase. Now that your dog is demonstrating their new training skills with ease it is time to put the training to the test in increasingly higher distraction settings. As your dog learns to respond successfully in higher distraction settings you will notice a settling in your dog that actually deepens the canine/human bond. Seeing that your dog will enthusiastically respond to their training requests regardless of the environment or situation you will know you have achieved rock solid performance with your newly trained best friend.
Ayla and Punkin practice their long down stay at the park during their Residency training course.
Please call (828) 337-5792 for more information about the unique approach to training at Kabler School For Dogs. Locations in Asheville and Tricities, TN.
Australian Cattle Dog Banjo building his dock jumping confidence at Beginner Dock Diving Class
May 19th marked the opening of the Western Carolina Diving Dogs 2018 jumping season, and boy are we excited! Dock Diving is America’s fastest growing dog sport, and Western Carolina Diving Dogs is the area’s premier dock diving training and event center. This summer Kabler School for Dogs will be offering Beginner Dock Diving Group Classes on Saturdays, Individual Instructional Lessons, and Private Hourly Dock Rentals.
Elder Yellow Lab Moose having fun at a Private Dock Diving Lesson
We will also be hosting three Ultimate Air Dog Competitions the following weekends:
June 9-10, July 14-15, and August 4-5.
Come out and enjoy the competition, or if you are interested in registering you can find scheduling information at the Ultimate Air Dogs Website
Rescue Mix Punkin exhibiting strong guardian focus during her Residency Training Course
Training is about forging a relationship between you and your dog. At Kabler School for Dogs, we offer a comprehensive series of training courses that guide you and your dog through the stages of puppyhood all the way into adulthood. When you raise your dog the Kabler way, you and your best friend will benefit from David’s years of experience in raising puppies, yearlings, all the way through advanced on and off leash obedience training.
Bernese Mountain pup Aria practicing her down under the leg during her Puppy Course
The Kabler School for Dogs puppy program includes proper puppy care, puppy obedience training, puppy socialization, as well as games and tricks. The goal of puppy training is to set the foundation for a stable, well-socialized young companion, all while avoiding problem behaviors before they become deeply rooted bad habits. The puppy course is designed to guide you and your dog from the ages of 10 weeks – 6 months.
Great Pyrenees Bear graduated through Puppy and Yearling Training Courses
At Kabler School for Dogs, the Yearling training course is designed specifically for adolescent dogs. It is important to realize that adolescent dogs are not at full maturity and require a unique and interactive approach to training. The Yearling program is designed to guide you and your dog through this adolescent phase from 6-12 months. Goals for this course are to help you successfully navigate your dogs flight instinct period, introduce your adolescent dog to more advanced reward strategies in obedience, and to keep your dog engaged in fun activities. These activities can include safe swimming, biking, hiking, retrieving, and other fun games, that nourish the adolescent dog’s young mind.
Belgian Malinois Jango and his guardian learn their way around the flirt pole
At one year of age, Kabler School for Dogs offers professional on and off leash obedience courses. Both the on and off leash programs will guide you and your dog through the highest levels of training, communication, and you will achieve reliable real world results. The on and off leash courses use an experiential approach that will take you from the training studio out into the neighborhood, local parks, and challenging group walk situations. As your dog progresses in these programs coursework becomes more dynamic and challenging. In addition, David is trained in many different techniques to tackle tough behavioral cases that may otherwise fall through the cracks.
Australian Shepherd rescue Willow out free roaming on her long line during her Off Leash Training Course
The Kabler School for Dogs training program represents a true, all-life-stages approach to raising your family’s new canine best friend. Every training course takes on a life of its own, as the Kabler School for Dogs Team gets to know you and your dog. The Kabler School for Dogs training courses will guide you and your dog to a deeply forged relationship, that will continue to grow for years to come.
Malinois Fury taking a jump retrieving his water toy at Western Carolina Diving Dogs.
Dock Diving is the fastest growing dog sport in the US- you and your retrieving buddy can get involved by taking the Beginner Dock Diving course!
The class is for strong swimmers who are also motivated at retrieve work. As your dog progresses from ramp jumping and water retrieving confidently we will encourage them to take their first exciting jumps off the dock.
7 month old Black Lab Della taking her first jumps at Western Carolina Diving Dogs.
During class we will discuss the different competitive games that are offered as part of dock diving competitions. We will also cover strategies for competitive success for you and your dog.
The Beginner Dock Diving class is offered Saturday mornings at Western Carolina Diving Dogs until the pool closes October 1.
Dock Diving with Della from Kabler School For Dogs on Vimeo.
Tri-Cities, TN Kabler School For Dogs trainer Jeremy Bell and his Black Lab Della are having a blast this Summer learning how to dock dive at Western Carolina Diving Dogs. So far she has been out at the dock 3 times and is loving every minute of it. She has so much fun she hates for her dock time to be over. Each time she jumps her confidence grows and her jumps increase in distance.
At Kabler School For Dogs we love seeing dogs express their natural drive through activities like retrieve work. Satisfying your dogs natural drive through fun activities is a part of every Kabler School For Dogs training course.
Please call us to find out more about the Kabler training philosophy and schedule your dog’s free consultation at (828) 337-5792.
News reporter Adriana Mendez and Kabler School For Dogs founder David Kabler.
News Channel 13 reporter Adriana Mendez interviewed David concerning North Carolina’s proposed driving while animal on lap law. Safe riding in the car with our dogs is so important! The proposal would outlaw drivers who ride with dogs on their laps. Check out David on News 13 by following this link:
8 week old Yellow Lab puppy Lacie- follow her on our Instagram. So Precious!
The Kabler School For Dogs Instagram account is an exciting and fun way to learn more about David’s family companion training program. Here at school we are constantly looking back on our Instagram feed marveling at all the puppies growing into yearlings and adult dogs. It is incredibly exciting to see all the changes in our clients pups as they learn and grow up.
Follow 14 week old Akita pup Zinnie as she grows up on our Instagram!
At Kabler School for Dogs we specialize in guiding new dog guardians in raising their puppies optimally. New puppy owners only get one chance to raise a new puppy the right way. Our courses are designed to keep you and your dog on a steady training path from 8 weeks all the way to an adult dog who is fully on and off leash trained. Over the years David has noticed that puppies benefit most from bi-weekly and monthly training sessions– that weekly training classes that are over in one month don’t provide clients with enough consistent guidance to properly raise a pup into an adult dog. This is a unique approach that nurtures raising your best friend in the same way that David raises his own pups.
Blue Heeler yearling Boomer has been in Kabler training since he was a pup. Follow this cutie on our Instagram!
On the Kabler School For Dogs Instagram you will also get to check out all the progress that our fully grown dogs make in their hands on private obedience classes. Follow all of our clients dogs as they progress from highly leash reactive to perfect walkers; see shy fearful dogs in training as they gain confidence through David’s unique training approach. Clients who enroll their dog into a Kabler training program achieve results that are beyond expectation. Results are important but we believe the journey is just as important. Training should be both ultra-fun and full of amazing results!
Blue Heeler Boomer and his guardian practice puppy obedience exercises in class.
This is such a great question that I get asked often. I am thrilled to share all that I’ve learned about dogs and their training with my human and canine clients alike. Training at Kabler School For Dogs is comprehensive and makes raising and training your best friend rewarding and so fun! Here are a few reasons that my training stands out:
• Over 20 Years of Training Experience. I founded Kabler School For Dogs in 1995 and have been fully immersed in the experience of training dogs ever since. I specialize in creating harmonious relationships between dogs and their guardians. I raise pups into superbly trained adults with maximum personality by taking my time with each individual dog and family I work with. Many of my clients find their way to me after having tried other training schools to no avail. I’m well known and referred by veterinarians for being able to train even the most difficult behavioral cases successfully. I get excited about my clients training courses and it shows!
Goldendoodle Zeppi practicing some fun games after obedience on the Kabler training field.
• An All Life Stages Approach. At Kabler School For Dogs I specialize in raising puppies into well trained adult dogs. It is incredibly important to understand that raising a dog properly takes 1.5-2 years from pup to a fully trained adult. Choosing a trainer that will guide you and your dog through each stage of this journey makes all the difference. Your dogs puppy stage lasts until 5-6 months and my teaching focus during this time is on socialization, games, basic obedience, and house training. The yearling stage is from 6-12 months and I emphasize training activities that deepen the bond between you and your dog. This is the time when we build your dogs ability to retrieve and play interactive games. I enjoy teaching swim classes during this stage to ensure a lifelong love of water. We gently guide your yearlings house manners in a positive direction daily. While it is important to teach yearlings the foundations of obedience, it is critical not to push the yearling too hard in training. Methods that impatiently train a 6 month old the same as an adult are asking too much. These rushed courses create an inhibited personality that permanently dim your dogs love of life. I like to wait to begin adult stage dog training when your dog is full-grown at 12 months. The focus is on taking the obedience training to an advanced level of accomplishment. Kabler trained dogs happily work with precision out in real world environments like busy parks and outdoor cafe’s.
Yellow Lab Arlo and his family out practicing his walk during an off leash training session.
• Progressive Training Method. My approach is flexible and changes based upon the needs of each dog I work with. I specialize in customizing the training methods I use so that each dog excels in their training. Many of my clients have tried and failed with other training methods that use a one size fits all approach. All dogs are unique, with different temperaments, personalities, and breeds. Dogs are living breathing members of our family and training should be fun, flexible, and move at your dog’s natural pace.
Collie/Pyrenees rescue Kona getting started with her obedience in the Kabler training studio.
• Hands On One-on-One Learning Environment. At Kabler School For Dogs you and your best friend learn by performing experiential training exercises that build teamwork. Coming to my studio for lessons gets your dog used to going places and provides a learning environment that allows your dog to excel. As your dog progresses and gains skill we will begin taking training walks around my active neighborhood; we then begin to explore busy parks and city streets. I believe in starting training in a low distraction environment and progressing to higher and higher levels of distraction at your dogs natural pace. My training courses emphasize hands on experience and at the end of each one of my training sessions I give written homework so you know exactly what to be working on each week at home.
• Extra Lessons Guarantee. My extra lessons guarantee is attached to all of my qualified adult training programs. At Kabler School For Dogs my clients are purchasing the results of the training, not a set number of sessions. All of my courses are backed up by my time and commitment to your dogs training.
All of my courses begin with a free consultation so I can assess your dog’s temperament, behavioral concerns and training needs. Please call me and find out more about my unique approach to training family canine companions. -David
German Shepherd Leo playing a game of retrieve during an off leash session.
Teaching your dog to swim is super fun and is an excellent way to exercise your four legged companion. When I was 12 I taught my Yellow Lab pup, Duke, to retrieve in the ocean and in my grandparents swimming pool; much to their behest. I even taught him to leap off the diving board. I would pretend he was a swim rescue dog. He enjoyed towing me through the water, pulling me toward the stairs or shore, during my mock rescue scenarios. Duke and I would swim for hours together.
Fury racing from the swimming hole with his frisbee during a water retrieve.
Today, I still love taking my clients dogs swimming to cool off from the Summer heat. Many athletic dogs will benefit from swimming as it works the dog’s body, mind, and spirit. There is a unique feeling I get, that’s like no other, after going swimming with my dog. As you strive to teach your best friend to become a confident swimmer, it is important to keep some safety tips and training approaches in mind.
Rose and her guardian playing some fetch at the waterfall.
Yearling Residency graduate Rose retrieving her tennie.
Practice swim safety by using a long line on the novice swimmer. Always keep a close eye on your dog and don’t allow the long line to become entangled on anything. Beginner and advanced swimmers alike will benefit from wearing a canine life jacket. If your dog swims in a pool or rocky swimming hole, it is critical to repeatedly teach your dog where the stairs or safe exit from the water is.
Huck’s guardian playing a game of retrieve during an off lead swim session.
Always be ready to jump in the water yourself to assist your best friend if necessary. Avoid forcing your dog into the water. Rely on a slower approach, and grow your dogs confidence around the water. Just like people, dogs learn through experience. So be sure to keep your dog safe and enjoy every minute, allowing each trip to the water to build upon the last.
Ollie learning to charge it while retrieving his toy during a Yearling swim session.
Teaching Ollie to love the water during his Yearling training course.
Teaching your dog to swim is always easiest as a pup, and during the yearling phase, but with practice almost all dogs can learn to swim. Begin with small shallow stream crossings and slowly progress to water that is chest deep for your dog. If your dog loves to retrieve, this energy can be of great help to encourage your dog to love the water. I prefer short and fun excursions to swimming spots at first so that it keeps your dog craving more.
Off Lead Residency guest Cato taking a late season sunset swim.
Gus’s Guardians using his favorite toy to encourage him into deeper water during a Yearling course swim session.
I teach a swimming class during Spring, Summer, and Fall months for clients who are enrolled in my training courses. There is nothing I love more than watching a dog who confidently loves the water. -David
Elder dog Daisy helps to socialize young Fury to the water.
As Fury’s water confidence grows the distance of his retrieves also become greater.
David out cruising on the bike with his Husky mix Daisy.
At Kabler School For Dogs I love teaching clients with athletic dogs to safely bike together during private training courses. It is quite a thrill to look down at your best friend running in stride next to you while cruising on a path. So many dogs benefit from this additional exercise and some dogs really love to pull and you barely have to pedal! It is so fun and rewarding to share experiences like these with your four legged bestie. In this video you can see how my Husky mix Daisy loves to ride with me– every ride with her is special!
To find out more information please call and say hi about my unique dog training courses. -David
Dobie Lucy joyfully playing a game of retrieve during an obedience session with David on the Kabler training field.
Creating cooperative energy is a top priority during my training classes for pups, yearlings, and adult dogs. When you and your dog have shared goals- this is what I call slipping into alignment with your best friend. Aligned energy expresses itself in many ways.
Lucy and her guardian practice an aligned walk with a loose lead.
Through obedience it can be seen when your dog is walking politely and happily on a loose leash, pacing themselves to their human guardian with a skip in their step; or during a long stay when the dog is focused on their human while enthusiastically following through with their request. During play, aligned energy is evident during games of retrieve and tug. When you and your dog are flowing together, in tune, with clear communication, then you know that aligned energy is present. During my training classes these moments are created exercise by exercise, cultivated and grown, into a shared way of life between you and your four legged companion. During a Kabler School For Dogs training course this aligned energy becomes ever present in the relationship between you and your dog.
-David
Call (828) 337-5792 to schedule a FREE consultation.
Lilly practicing a motivational recall request– look at that guardian focus!
Many of todays trainers are eschewing the idea that our modern dogs are pack animals. In spite of their best efforts, the idea that our dogs are pack oriented continues in the mainstream consciousness. Why? Possibly, it is because dogs often display many of the same traits that their wild relatives do. It’s easy to see the similarities between wild and domestic canines. I would suggest that the idea of pack oriented behavior is often misunderstood and stereotyped. Ruthless aggression, and young dogs rising to the top position through dominant violence, are all outdated ideas of pack behavior that have been disproven by modern science.
Thor and Vinka are easy to walk after Kabler training.
Perhaps, it would be better for todays trainers to say that the modern understanding of pack behavior has changed, rather than throwing out the pack paradigm altogether. I believe that dogs respond positively to being a part of a strong family unit. In the wild, wolf packs are primarily made up of family members. The mother and father are the Alpha female and male. Their children are their followers whose primary job is to learn how to successfully hunt as a pack. Juvenile’s often play wildly, lacking the focus needed to successfully lead, and it is the pack leaders responsibility to clearly guide them.
A pack is a strong family that spends time together: The Kabler living room.
The canine family pack is misconstrued as being a cold and violent place where the Alpha pair lead with impunity. The reality is far from this popular misconception. The pack is actually a warm and safe place. The wild canines have extremely close relationships with the Alpha pair and the other pack members who are often their siblings. The strong family provides security, safety, and assures the canines ability to hunt large game. If a wolf in the wild loses their pack, they also lose the security that comes with it and suffer from intense survival stress– the wild dog instinctively knows that their future is no longer certain and their anxiety levels increase. Wild dogs thrive within a family pack, but suffer extreme stress when isolated and alone. Through my training experience, I have witnessed countless pet dogs exhibit this same anxiety when they feel they are isolated or part of a weakly structured family unit. Pack survival anxiety can cause behavioral issues and problems for our modern dogs.
GSD Huck is so excited to be re-united with his family after his Kabler Residency.
It is vital that we provide our modern pet dogs with the security of a strong family unit. This will create a sense of belonging in the dogs mind that simulates the natural need for a dog to have a pack. The strong family unit provides a blanket of security that decreases anxious behaviors and fosters clear communication. Strong families have routines, group activities, and expectations of each member providing all involved with purpose and love. The Kabler training method is designed to teach human guardians how to create a strong sense of a structured family for their canine companions.
Happy Training!
-David
Call David to find out more about his unique training approach at
828-337-5792 & to schedule your dogs free consultation.
Gus and his guardian practice a loose leash walk at the park.
Call (828) 337-5792 now to schedule your dog’s FREE consultation
with Master Trainer David Kabler.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever pup Reagan.
Reagan is a perfect puppy– found through the Kabler Breed Search.
The year started out right when I helped a client find her dream dog. After meeting with the guardian, and discussing her lifestyle and breed preferences, we determined that she was looking for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppy. Working together we located several breeders that might provide a suitable candidate for her new companion. I called the breeders on our list and politely questioned them about their breeding programs and explained exactly what we were looking for– after several calls we located the perfect litter and made arrangements for purchase and transport. The pup that arrived had the perfect temperament. Breeder selection is incredibly important when buying a pure bred dog. Things to avoid are puppy mills and novice breeders who may not understand all that goes into responsible breeding.
Shadow greeting the video store clerk for a reward on one of our outings.
Later in January, I received an urgent call from a prospective client. She had just adopted a 6 year old German Shepherd Dog named Shadow. “I just picked him up and took him to the veterinarian and it didn’t go so well”. “What happened?” I asked. “He bit the Doctor in the crotch.” She dropped Shadow off that day for his Kabler Residency training program. I had an incredible time teaching this strong willed, dominant older male to successfully follow through with his obedience requests. He was very stubborn about his down request and it took me about a week and a half to win him over and get him to down for me. Going slow like this is the best approach for older dogs, especially older rescues who may have found themselves homeless when they exhibited one too many problems. By the end of the program Shadow was my constant companion around the house and on outings to parks and restaurants. His guardian called me after our private go home session so excited about the results of his training. He has been a perfect companion dog ever since with no more problems on trips to the veterinarian.
French Barbet Truffles practicing his down stay request during his Kabler Residency.
In 2013 I helped a relatives family locate a Barbet puppy. They named the pup we found Truffles and he was a year old and now ready for his Residency Training. This is a rare French breed that has been winning people over with their exceptional personalities. My relatives found out about the breed through a New York Times article. Over the next three weeks I learned lots about the character of this powerful breed. Truffles was very smart and quick in training. Barbet’s are very athletic dogs and this boy needed plenty of exercise. It was so much fun earning this dogs respect and trust which was vital in handling him on a day to day. By the end of his course we were having a great time going for neighborhood walks, visiting friends homes, and eating out at restaurants. It is so exciting when I see the smiles on clients faces when they see how much their dog has learned during their training stay.
Gorgeous Standard poodle Diva practicing her sit stay request.
Diva’s guardian is disabled and decided to send her to me for her obedience and basic support dog training. I had an amazing time with this adorable standard poodle mix. She was so excitable but very smart. Using my unique training approach I was able to turn around her bad habits and successfully teach her manners and advanced obedience training. Diva’s daily work and play sessions gradually became longer and more focused. I had so much fun transforming her behavior, from a wild jumper, puller, and a dog who would run away into a dog that politely greets guests, walks politely even next to a wheelchair, happily performs long sit and down stays, and comes when called off of the leash every time. She was such a pleasure to have around the Kabler house– I miss Diva!
David out to dinner with Tundra, practicing a long down stay in West Asheville.
Some old time clients from back in the 1990’s called me about their new German Shepherd Dog Tundra. I had trained their last German Shepherd and they were excited to tell me about their new puppy. In 2013 they enrolled him in a week of puppy Residency training at 16 weeks old. I fit him and acclimated him to a Gentle Leader collar and worked on his obedience, house training, and manners. At a year of age he came back for his adult training Residency. I just love German Shepherds and Tundra is a handsome and athletic white one. It was so rewarding guiding him and his human guardians from puppy all the way to adult. The Kabler approach raises highly social, confident, happy, and obedient dogs with maximum personality and Tundra was no exception. He graduated through the program excelling in all respects. He was such a pleasure to work with.
Tundra reunited with his family after his Kabler Residency.
Mother/daughter training together, preparing their dogs Arabella and Triton for a family move to Japan.
I also completed many private courses of instruction this year. My private classes are very effective and fun– each session builds upon the last and the relationship between dog and human grows ever stronger from session to session. I guarantee all of my work and structure each program so that we are never in a rush.
It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with clients from all walks of life and breeds from all the different groups of dogs. I had an amazing year in 2014, my 19th year of professional dog training. If you are interested in bringing your dog to me, I offer both private lessons and Residency training courses. I hope your 2014 was as awesome as mine. -David
Call (828) 337-5792 to schedule your FREE consultation.
French Bulldog Dilly had an amazing Kabler Residency with fabulous results.
