Venues: Mar Vista Park & Palms Park, West LA, California
Animal Behavior Counseling Services, Inc.
Office Address: 2288 Manning Ave. Los Angeles, CA. 90064
Phone 310-474-3776 to enroll|
Enroll today to join Los Angeles puppy training classes on: Saturday, May 17th @ 10:00 am. Location: Palms Park What does it cost? |
Key Features of Dr. Polsky's Los Angeles puppy training classes
- Los Angeles puppy training classes conveniently held on Saturday mornings at two
convenient locations in West Los Angeles: Mar Vista Park & Palms Park;- Flexible enrollment policy: Attend obedience classes on dates that fit your schedule;
- Individual registration session prior to the start of classes;
- Five group training classes to start plus more if needed at no extra cost;
- Education and training for both the dog and owner;
- Thousands of satisified owners and well-trained puppies. Click here for references.
- Optional private training session for difficult puppies prior to the start of classes;
- Behavioral counseling, if needed, on an individual basis after each class session;
- Experienced instructor: Dr. Polsky has been teaching the classes since 1985;
- Competent instruction assured: Dr. Polsky has a Ph.D. in animal behavior;
- Written instructions provided at each class session;
- Educational handouts on dog behavior at each class session (New feature!);
- No choke chains; training methods do not rely heavily on food treats;
- All breeds welcome: Ages 10 weeks - 18 months;
- Reasonable enrollment fee of $319 (Basic enrollment)
Course Description
The program educates both the puppy / owner. This includes basic obedience training and other procedures needed to solve behavioral problems at home. Training methods involve physically positioning the puppy in the desired posture and then rewarding with social and verbal praise. Food treat training is not heavily used. Choke chains are not used. For some dogs, Gentle Leader head collars are recommended, particularly for larger, stronger puppies who pull when walked. Average class size varies between 10 - 17 puppies.
During the program, owners will be given feedback and individual instruction from Dr. Polsky regarding the most appropriate training techniques for the puppy. Techniques chosen are based on the dog's temperament, the progress the dog is making, and the capabilities of the owner. Puppies and owners are treated on an individual basis.
As stated above, each puppy is treated as an individual. Each is assumed to have a unique set of training needs and that owners differ in terms in terms of their handling skills and what they want to accomplish. The program functions to assist owners with whatever behavioral "challenges" their dog presents, and to provide instruction in basic obedience and behavioral counseling designed to meet the individual needs of both the dog and owner.
Written instructions explaining training techniques are provided at each class session. Dr. Polsky meets individually with all owners and their puppies for assessment and registration purposes prior to the start of an owner's participation in the classes. Classes held on Saturday morning for 1.5 hrs.
Mar Vista Park: The park is located at Sawtelle and Palms Blvd. in WLA. Sawtelle is the first major street west of Sepulveda Blvd. Palms is the first major street south of National. (Click for map and driving directions)
Palms Park: This park is across the street from Notre Dame Prep School on Overland, approximately 3/4 mile. south of the Westside Pavillion. The park is located on the east side of Overland next to the public library and just north of the Overland exit of the Santa Monica Freeway. (Click for map and driving directions).
What does it cost?
Option # 1. $339. This option suffices and works well for most puppy owners. It consists of an individual registration /training session followed by 5 group training and socialization sessions - plus additional sessions, if neeeded, at no extra charge. In total, owners will be allowed up to 9 obedience training and behavioral counseling sessions (1 private + 8 group) for one low enrollment fee! This is a tremendous value considering the quality and benefits of Dr. Polsky's program.
Option #2. $489. Basic enrollment plus comprehensive private training and behavioral counseling session in office of Dr. Polsky prior to the start of the classes. Session lasts approximately 90 minutes. This option is strongly recommended for first-time dog owners, or owners who have never been through an obedience training programs and have a "difficult" puppy. Further, this option is absolutely required if you have a puppy with a non-typical puppy behavioral problem (e.g. aggressive biting that is not play-related (e.g. puppy bites when restrained or picked-up or moved or aggressively bites when told what to do); separation anxiety; difficult to housetrain). Non-typical puppy behavioral problems such as these are not addressed in the class. They require intervention on an individual basis before the problem becomes habit. If you are unsure that your puppy has a "non-typical puppy behavioral problem", please phone Dr. Polsky to discuss before enrolling in the classes.
The goal of the Los Angeles puppy training classes is to teach your puppy to become well-behaved and a trusted family member. This is achieved through basic obedience training (a total of 8 commands are taught), behavioral problem solving (e.g. toilet training, digging, destructive chewing, playful biting) and socialization exercises. Most dogs train-up nicely with 5 class sessions, assuming one engages the dog in the training exercises between weekly class sessions. If additional sessions needed after you complete your initial series of six sessions (registration + 5 group classes), then you can always return for additional training classes at no extra charge.
Below is a summary of what you and your puppy will be taught:
Syllabus
Session Commands Taught Exercises practiced in the class Behavioral Issues Reviewed
meeting with Dr. Polsky
Session #1
This gives you the opportunity to get started immediately! This session must be scheduled prior to joining the group classes. Evening appointments are available.Introductory meeting
in the office of Dr. Polsky with your puppy!Dr. Polsky will meet your puppy, assess its temperament, and provide feedback in terms of the results you can expect from your enrollment. Registration paperwork is also completed at this time
Sessions #2 - #5
(Flexible enrollment policy! Attend on the dates that best fit your schedule. Classes are held on most Saturdays at Palms park or Mar Vista park.Heel in Circle
Automatic sit following heel
Stay in close proximity to other dogsMouthing and biting Toilet training
Destructive chewing
Digging
For the above mentioned problems and others, behavioral counseling is provided on an individual basis!
Q & A about the Los Angeles Puppy Training Classes
Q. When are the classes held?
A. On Saturdays from 10:00 am. - 11:30 am at Mar Vista Park or Palms Park in West Los Angeles.
Q. When can I join the classes?
A. Anytime after your individual registration session. Group training sessions are held on most Saturdays. Click here for the schedule of class dates.Q. What happens after I register?
A. After your registration, your attendance in the classes is flexible provided that you complete the initial 6 group training sessions within a 10 week period. With this structure, there is no need to feel "locked in" to fixed dates. You attend the classes according to your schedule and the progress your dog is making.
Q. What happens if I need more class sessions after the initial five?
A. In the unlikely event you feel your dog needs more class sessions after your five class sessions are finished, you may return for additional class sessions at no additional charge (provided that there is room in the class).Q. What is the class size?
A. Class size is limited to a maximum of 18 puppies. For most sessions, average class size is about 12 puppies.
Q. How old should the puppy be before training begins?
A. Owners are strongly encouraged to start as early as 10 weeks of age. You should not wait until your dog is 6 months of age before starting basic obedience training and socialization. In short, the earlier you begin the better. All breeds are welcomed, incuding small breeds such as Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Maltese puppies, Minature pinschers, and Pomeranians.
Q. Can I begin even if my puppy has not yet received all the necessary shots?
A. In almost all cases, as long as the puppy has received the first shot in a series, this should suffice to ensure protection against Parvovirus. Parvovirus is not an airborne disease. Rather, it can only be contracted through ingestion of the waste of another dog already infected with parvovirus. The chances of this happening during the class are virtually nil.
Q. What training methods are used?
A. A combination of techniques are used. These include physically positioning the puppy into the correct posture, social and verbal praise and, when needed, selective use of food reward. Food reward is not heavily used, however. Modifications to the basic training methods are made on a case-by-case basis and are done based on the temperament of the dog, the progress the dog is making, and the capabilities of the owner. Click here for further description of the Training methods used in the classesQ. What is the "success rate" of the classes?
A. Very high. Click here to read the comments of previous participants.Q. How much time will I have to spend working with my puppy between class sessions?
A. Your puppy should be trained between 30-40 min. per day between the weekly sessions. It is desirable to break the training sessions into blocks of 10 - 15 min. As many different people from the same household are encouraged to get involved and attend the class sessions. Children are especially welcomed to participate in the classes.Q. What qualifications does Dr. Polsky have to teach this program?
A. Dr. Polsky possesses a Ph.D. in animal behavior. He certified as an applied animal behaviorist from the Animal Behavior Society. Dr. Polsky has been teaching the puppy classes since 1985. Hundreds of puppies constituting many different breeds, both large and small, have been successfully trained. Meet your instructor. Dr. Polsky's further qualifications can be found at dogexpert.com
Q. How do I enroll?
A. Pre-registration is required! This is necessary to reserve your space in the class. Registration is done in person with your puppy in the office of Dr. Polsky. This give you a chance to meet with your instructor before you join the classes, and Dr. Polsky gets the chance to meet and evaluate your dog. If you'd like to enroll, phone 310-474-3776 to make the necessary arrangements. Online registration is not an option.
Need advice on how to deal with a typical puppy behavioral problem?
Dr. Polsky's dog training program will help you solve common puppy behavioral problems, such as mouthing and biting, chewing, jumping-up and housesoiling. For now, until you and your dog enroll, here's some advice you may consider:
- Submissive urination
- Toilet training
- Submissive urination & Toilet training
- Teach your puppy to be non-aggressive
- Factors affecting the temperament of your puppy
- Should food reward be used to train a dog?
- Time-out: A humane method to correct puppy misbehaviors
- Avoid Mistakes Owners Commonly Make
- Understanding a dog's need for digging
- Visit Dr. Polsky's website for serious behavioral problems in adult dogs and cats
Photos of Graduating Classes
- Southern California Veterinary Medical Association
- American Kennel Club
- Doggy parks in the Los Angeles area
- Rescue organizations in the LA Area
- Los Angeles City Department of Animal Control
- Los Angeles SPCA
- LA County Animal Shelters
Phone 310-474-3776 to enroll!!
email Dr. Polsky
