Learn the art of K-9 scent detection with Buddy Lawson!
Build confidence in your dogs nose work performance.
Kabler School For Dogs is excited to announce the return of our K-9 Scent Work seminar. Spend two days 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.
Over the two day seminar 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.
The seminar is being held at Kabler School For Dogs March 4th and 5th from 9am-5pm. There 10 working spots for participants who want to train with their own dog. These spots are $375. 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 $150.
Tony enjoys every minute he spends training with his Columbia canine clients!
Family Dog Training With Guaranteed Results! Offering Puppy Preschool, Obedience, Problem Behavior Solutions, and Residency Board And Train courses.
Kabler School For Dogs offers amazing in home dog training courses that provide the training results you are looking for. We have courses in raising puppies, obedience training for dogs of any age or breed, and guiding owners in solving problem behaviors. Our courses are recommended by veterinarians and taught conveniently in your own home by national competitor and seasoned Master Trainer Tony Mooney. 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 no obligation consultation. This is when we like to evaluate each dogs temperament and personality before enrolling in our school. Have Tony come to your home for a free no obligation consultation to evaluate your dogs behavior and training goals. He will answer your questions, evaluate and work with your dog, give you training advice, and give you a clear path to your training goals.
Learn how to raise the perfect puppy and avoid problems before they begin by enrolling in our 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 your home and on location at parks once your pup is fully vaccinated.
Columbia’s friendly dog trainer will visit you and your dog at your home!
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.
Tony also offers Residency Board and Train courses. Your dog will be boarded at Tony’s home where he will completely 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 training experience and transfer the training over to you and your family through follow up 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 action packed, fun, and you will be assigned clear and manageable homework to practice in-between sessions.
Kabler trainer Tony Mooney is Charlestons premiere dog trainer and behaviorist.
Kabler School For Dogs Columbia, SC 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!
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.
Teaching Charlie to love his crate using treat rewards.
There are many reasons to use a crate to help raise your best friend. Todays modern dogs are descended from wild canids, wolves, a creature that lives in a den for the first year of their life. The den experience provides our dogs wild relatives with safety from the elements and other predators. It gives the young puppies a place to stay while the older wolves go hunt and forage for food. Today, we use a crate to replicate the den experience for our domesticated canines.
Replicating this ancient instinct for our dog provides a safe place for them to stay when we are away from home. Properly using a crate for your dog can help prevent problem behaviors from occurring. If you ever have the need to fly your dog with you on a trip, then using a crate in their daily lives will keep them prepared, should they ever need to travel with you on a plane. The crate can also travel with your dog if they ever go to stay with a relative or a friend of the family.
Daisy enjoys her crate time and thinks of this place as her den.
The crate can also be a tool for helping to relieve separation anxiety in our canine companions. When a dog looks at their crate as a safe warm place to be this provides them with a sense of security and safety. This alleviates anxiety in general and can be a tool to help our anxious companions.
For the crate experience to be a good one it is important that it be introduced positively. The crate is never to be used as a punishment and doing so can ruin your dogs crate training experience. Follow my simple steps and your dog will be positively crate trained in no time. The following steps can be condensed into a weekend for younger dogs who have never had a bad experience with crate training, but may take longer to re-socialize an insecure dog to their crate.
1) Make sure that the crate you choose is size appropriate for your dog. Older dogs who are house trained can have a larger crate, but if you are using your crate for house training it is important to follow the “bed size… not bedroom size” rule. I personally recommend the airline style plastic crates, I like the sense of security my dog gets from the enclosure, but the wire crates work just as good. Either style will work.
2) Take your time getting your best friend used to the crate. Toss a treat inside the crate and encourage your dog to enter inside. I like to use the request “In Your House” as I do this. Immediately praise reward and encourage your dog to come back out. Repeat this 5-7 times in a row every 20-30 minutes until your dog is going in and out comfortably then move on to step 3.
3) Now begin to close the door of the crate behind your dog after they enter and say “In Your House”. Still toss a treat inside and now give an additional treat through the crate door. Immediately let them out and give plenty of praise for a job well done. Repeat this 5-7 times in a row every 20-30 minutes until your dog is going in and taking the treat at the door easily then move on to step 4 .
4) Once your dog is excited about entering the crate and accepts the door being shut behind them happily, it is time to start this next step. The idea is to begin extending your dogs time in the crate. Have your dog wait inside the crate and give a rewards through the door in “Rapid Fire”. To do this give a reward every 3-5 seconds at first. Build up to doing this for 1-2 minutes and begin step five.
5) Begin changing the time in between treats to a variable timed reward. Sometimes treats come in a quick succession, others there is a 10- 40 second gap between treats. Build your dogs time in the crate from several minutes up to 45 minutes or more using this technique.
6) Start walking out of the room and eventually the house by leaving and quickly returning and rewarding your dog several times in a row. Build your dogs time in between rewards and stay gone for longer chunks of time.
7) As your pup gets more comfortable with the crate experience begin pushing the time in the crate to several hours and overnight. At this point, phase out the treats but I recommend giving your dog a stuffed Kong toy or other special treat before you leave home. Limit your dogs time spent in their crate to a reasonable amount (generally a max of 3-5 hours). If left for longer periods a fenced outdoor dog run or dog walking service should be used.
Follow these steps and you will have a dog that loves and enjoys their crate, providing them a sense of security for life.
Happy training!
David Kabler has been training dogs since he was a boy and has been in training professionally since 1995. You can find out more about his unique training style by liking his Kabler School For Dogs facebook and instagram pages. 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
In todays busy world it is easy to get caught up in your life and forget to spend quality time with your canine best friend. There are many daily activities that will help to forge a better relationship with your canine companion. In this post we will explore several ways that you and your best friend can enhance your natural bond.
Walking, hiking, and running with your best friend are the most obvious ways that you can spend more quality time with your dog. A daily walk or run around the neighborhood can be spiced up with special trips to new and exciting places. There are so many beautiful destinations for you and your best friend here in Asheville. Be sure to check the rules of the places that you plan on visiting so that you are best prepared for your excursion. For dogs that are not off leash trained I like to use a 20-30 foot long leash to give a better sense of freedom. For trips into the back country, consider teaching your dog to carry a weight appropriate dog backpack and be sure to carry a canine first aid kit.
Golden Retriever Tully having some fun retrieving on his long line.
If you have a highly active dog, agility and obstacle course training may be just the outlet that will allow your best friend to get all of that extra energy out. Agility training will teach your dog to focus on the course and to your commands. This allows your dog to use both their mind and body at the same time which can tire out even the most energetic canine. It is incredibly fun and exciting to train your dog to weave and climb through one of these amazing courses.
Belgian Malinois Barry Kabler, PH1,CGC clears a 5 foot fence obstacle. A well trained canine companion adds so much to our experience.
Bike riding with your best buddy can also be a safe and fun activity for you and your dog. So that your dog does not accidentally pull you over it is essential to use a canine bike riding device like The Springer. The Springer has a large coiled spring that allows your dog to pull with out pulling over you and your bike. Be sure to spend most of your time with your dog trotting and not at a full run. Be careful in the heat of the Summer as asphalt can become very hot and can burn your dogs pads. Teach your dog to use The Springer by walking your bike at first and once you start riding you can build up your dogs endurance slowly over several weeks. We offer a bike riding workshop if you need help introducing your dog to bike riding as a new activity!
German Shepherd Mijo learning to ride safely during a Kabler Bike Riding Workshop.
Swimming with your best friend will get both of you out of town and out to some beautiful spots here in Western North Carolina. Most dogs will naturally learn to swim on their own but if your dog shows hesitation you can teach them to swim. Start in shallow water and over several trips build up your dogs confidence to venture into deeper water. I like to cross small shallow streams and encourage my dog to cross with me. Avoid fast moving water and don’t progress too quickly. Elder dogs who already know how to swim can also be good teachers for your dog. You can support your dog with one arm under their belly and use the other arm above and across their front paws to make sure that they don’t bring them up out of the water when learning to swim. Be sure to keep each experience positive and fun until your dog is swimming like a champ.
Belgian Malinois pup Storm learning to water retrieve. Most breeds, love to swim as long as they are introduced to water early and in the right way.
Obedience training will give you and your best friend the communication skills that will allow you both to have the freedom to go almost anywhere. Obedience training provides your dog with mental stimulation and teaches them to look towards you for leadership and guidance. Dogs who feel that they are part of a pack with a strong leader suffer from less anxiety and are more confident out in the world. Teaching your best friend to respond to the five basic commands of Heel, Sit, Down, Stay and Come no matter where you are or what is going on around you will allow you and your best friend to safely conquer the world together.
Have fun out there and happy training!
Advanced group training is a big part of finishing your dog’s on and off leash training programs here at Kabler School.
David Kabler has been training dogs since he was a boy and has been a Certified Master Trainer since 1995. David is available for lessons in Asheville, NC. Call today or click on Scheduling to book you and your dogs free consultation. David will evaluate your dogs personality and training needs. (828) 337-5792
Yellow Lab Harper taking a break from obedience practice.
Dog training is a tradition that is passed down from one trainer to another. It is still mostly an oral tradition that is shared from one generation of trainers to the next. I have been very lucky to have been taught by some truly excellent trainers. I studied under each of my teachers fervently learning their training approach as thoroughly as possible. I would obsess over every detail and nuance of their technique and approach to training. Learning these technical training details didn’t always come easy to me. I would spend lots of time frustrated, feeling very uncoordinated, and struggling with the timing of responding to the dog I was working with. There were many days where it felt like I was all thumbs! But eventually, after hours and hours of practice, I’d have breakthroughs in my skills and begin to flow with the challenging techniques. At these moments the connection between dog and handler intensifies to an almost tangible level. To this day there is nothing as satisfying as the bond experienced with the dogs that I train.
Boxer mix Sydney happy after obedience practice during Residency training course.
My personal training technique evolves and shifts over time, even to this day! When I learned different training styles from my teachers I worked to emulate their technique and form. Over the years, each of their methods informed my training approach. My style became a blend with the best approaches rising to the top. Some methods are suited to almost every dog, while others only work with certain dogs. I call this knowledge my tool box. Over many years my tool box has grown quite large, with a wide variety of training skills filling it.
An old adage in dog training exists that the only thing 2 dog trainers can agree on is what the 3rd dog trainer is doing wrong. Sadly, this is still often true today. Many trainers turn on each other, attacking other trainers style, technique, methods, philosophy, and equipment choices. In my opinion this intensely critical atmosphere is harming the evolution of dog training. One of my great pleasures in life is watching another trainer work a dog using different approaches than what I would choose to use. I am always intrigued as to where they learned and what past experiences are informing their current method. I am forgiving to even the unskilled trainers that I observe, knowing that all trainers share a love for dogs, and that all trainers skills will grow over time.
Norwich Terrier Comet having a game of chase and tug after obedience practice.
All dog trainers are a part of a tradition that goes back thousands of years all the way to the first dogs. There is literally nothing new in the world of dog training that hasn’t been done before, in a previous age. Even the most cutting edge dog training techniques of the modern age have been used by previous generations of bygone eras. From ancient Pharaohs’ of Egypt’s hunting dogs, to Roman dogs of war, to farm dogs of Europe, to sled dogs of North America, to dogs of the Far East, and everywhere else imaginable, all trainers have one thing in common– we are part of a continuum of people that keep the ancient tradition of dog training alive and well throughout the ages.
Yorkie Gryff having fun practicing his first long down stay.
Click on Scheduling to book you and your dogs FREE Consultation with Master Trainer David Kabler.
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.
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!
Miniature Schnauzer Daisy practicing a down stay request.
When I first met Miniature Schnauzer Daisy she was a frightened and severely anxious dog. She would bark at common noises in the home with intense excitability to the point of nipping. Her leash reactivity towards other dogs manifested in protective energy that could easily slip into aggression. Her veterinarian had prescribed anti-anxiety meds, with limited success. When I evaluated Daisy, I knew I could help her. She had incredible food drive, was super smart, with a quick wit, that gave her enthusiastic training energy. I enrolled this precious girl and her guardians in my confidence building course. We began working on changing her ideas about the world, and establishing solid obedience, mixed with fun games. By the end of our course, Daisy was a transformed dog– her anxious energy had been successfully channeled into her obedience and she had moved into alignment with her human guardians. After her training program was completed Daisy’s guardians worked with their veterinarian to wean her off her anxiety medication– she is now drug free! It’s been a rewarding training journey making such a dramatic change in Daisy.
-David
Daisy can now accept the presence of other dogs without aggression.
Today we finished our classes with Mr. Kabler. I can’t begin to tell you how our family life has changed. Our Daisy is a wonderful 5 year old Miniature Schnauzer. Most people didn’t see her that way. They shied away from her and felt she was harmful. She barked as if she would attack although she has never been aggressive. I admit I was a little wary of her around my grandchildren.
Mr. Kabler met with us and evaluated Daisy. He told us she wasn’t vicious, she was just excitable. This made us feel so much better. Daisy acted out in fear not aggression. He felt confident that he could help us and alleviate some of Daisy’s anxiety. Before working with Mr. Kabler, Daisy could not be around other dogs or people. Reasons were as discussed above. I could tell when we were on a walk that she wanted to play with another dog. It was so sad. She would go up to a dog but then lose it and began to bark harshly. This in turn scared the other dog away. Daisy was very lonely. Another problem we had with Daisy was doorbells and the ringing of the telephone. She would bark, run in circles and nip at the person trying to answer it. It really was a hard time in our home. Daisy was put on anxiety meds twice a day to help calm her down, but we saw she was getting worse as time went on.
Miniature Schnauzer Daisy practicing a down stay request.
We decided to listen to Mr. Kabler and signed up for classes. This was the best decision we have ever made.
Today Daisy is a very happy dog. Her anxiety level has drastically lessened. In time, perhaps meds can be reduced. She can now walk with us in the neighborhood and allow people to pet her. She also goes up to other dogs and sniffs them a few seconds and walks away without barking. We can also get to the phone without fear and actually get it before the caller hangs up!
Daisy and Zoey can be a happy family after Kabler training.
I never would have believed others see Daisy as we do, a loving sweet and VERY smart dog!!
Because She has done so well with other dogs these days, we have a new addition to our family. A little Morkie called Zoey. Daisy helps us to train her. They have become best friends. This would not have been possible before Mr. Kabler worked his magic. Enclosed is a pic of Daisy with Zoey, her best friend. Again thank you Mr. Kabler.
-The Scott Family, Daisy & Zoey
Daisy out practicing her loose leash walk in the neighborhood.
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.
Rescued Dogo Alistair successfully worked through intense dog aggression in Kabler training.
When I first met Alistair and the Guthrie’s they were struggling to contain a dog that was highly aggressive towards other dogs and cats. He was a rescue and suffered an abusive puppyhood. After our consultation I knew that I could help this incredible and handsome boy that was loved so much. Over the course of my on leash program I was able to successfully teach him and his guardians using the Kabler approach to training. The complete transformation in Alistair’s behavior was an amazing experience for me. I just love receiving referral letters like this. Happy training! – David
I cannot recommend David Kabler enough.
When we adopted our 5-year-old, male Dogo Argentino, Alistair, he could not be anywhere near other dogs. Any dog within 50 yards would send our otherwise sweet, 100 lb. boy into a lunging, snarling fit.
We did our best on our own for two or three months until he burst through our front door and attacked a dog walking with its owner 30 yards away.
Practicing a sit request with Dogo Alistair during a private session.
When we called David he assured us that he had experience with large, powerful, hard-headed breeds, and that he was confident he could help us. The best part was that David set very realistic expectations and never promised us anything. In the end the results were far beyond anything we could have ever expected.
Over the course of roughly 10 sessions, spanning three to four months, the transformation in Alistair was incredible. David helped us build a strong foundation of obedience and boundaries while giving us the knowledge and skills we needed to continue Alistair’s training. Instead of every walk being a game of “dodge the dogs” for fear of a chaotic meltdown, Alistair can hang out at the Wedge and play with his many new dog friends.
Regardless of the issues any dog is having, I would confidently recommend and trust David to help anyone through it.
